John D. Turner Had Local Ties

John D. "Jack" Turner was one of several Grand Forks Senators who spent at least a decade residing in the Red River Valley. The others were Sid Adams, Billy Hanrahan, Charlie Hutton, William McNeil, and William "Harry" Walker. All of these men played not only on the 1897 Grand Forks league team, but also on Grand Forks teams of other years. (Incidentally, Billy Hanrahan was the only player to play on the Grand Forks clubs of the Northern League, from 1902 to 1906.) John's brother James, though not on the 1897 league club, played alongside his brother on other Grand Forks teams. A longtime resident of Grand Forks, John Turner moved west after his retirement, passing away at the age of 92 in Billings, Montana.

Moorhead's Frank Kulp Dies in Oregon

One unique aspect of the 1897 Red River Valley League was the fact that players came from far and wide to play baseball on the northern plains. Frank Kulp was originally from Le Sueur, Minnesota, coming up from southern Minnesota to play for the Moorhead Barmaids in 1897. Kulp's baseball career was relatively brief and likely began in 1896, when he served as captain of the Winona, MN club. After the 1897 season in Moorhead, Kulp played a few more years of amateur ball before making his way to the West Coast. He became a police officer in Bend, Oregon, and eventually served a brief stint as their Chief of Police before his death in 1923.

The Bend Bulletin, January 11, 1923. 

Former Lakota Manager Ernie Kent Dies - 8/18/1912

Though not directly involved in the 1897 Red River Valley League, Ernie Kent was a prominent name in local baseball in the 1890s. The league and Kent's Lakota club crossed paths on July 13, 1897 when the Grand Forks Senators defeated Lakota 11-1 in an exhibition game. Kent also managed Fargo catcher Jack Ryan in 1897, for which he deserves our sympathy.

Grand Forks Herald, August 18, 1912

Grand Forks Catcher William McNeil Dies at 66 - 4/5/1933

Though he played only briefly in the 1897 season after an injury to starting catcher Jake Bouchert, William McNeil was a well-known player and supporter of Grand Forks baseball in the 1890s.

Moorhead Daily News, April 5, 1933

Fargo Native and Divorcee Pitcher Lee Roberts Dies at 67 - 6/10/1939

Click to see more on the baseball life of Lee "Reddy" Roberts.

Fargo Forum, June 10, 1939

Former Fargo Pitcher Gus Munch Dies at Age 87 - 8/31/1963

See more about the baseball career of Gus Munch here. His career path was unlike any other player of the 1897 Red River Valley League.

Sporting News, August 31, 1963

Former Moorhead Pitcher Ed Jess Dies at Age 62 - 12/10/1940

Ed Jess signed on with the Moorhead Barmaids late in the 1897 season. His play was highly regarded, especially after a strong 1896 season with the Crookston club. Jess was also rumored to be one of the men who was paid above the $40/month salary cap of the Red River Valley League. 

Milwaukee Journal, December 10, 1940, p. 41

Senator Gordon Dies at Age 92 - 11/26/1954

Though he had been away from North Dakota for over a half century, former state senator and Grand Forks baseball manager William A. Gordon was buried in Grand Forks. Gordon was the namesake of the 1897 Grand Forks Senators baseball team of the Red River Valley League.

Grand Forks Herald, November 26, 1954

Jack Page, Shortstop and Captain of 1897 Moorhead Team Dies

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting obituaries of various players and managers involved in the 1897 Red River Valley League. This series began on May 31, with the obituary of Grand Forks pitcher Charlie Hutton.

The obituary from the Grand Forks Herald incorrectly states Jack Page played for the Fargo club in the 1897 RRVL. He was actually team captain of crosstown rival Moorhead.

Grand Forks Herald, December 3, 1918

Sheriff William Bodkin, 1897 Moorhead Manager, Dies at Age 70

Grand Forks Herald, May 3, 1916

A more complete biography of Sheriff Bodkin is included in my upcoming book.

Grand Forks Pitcher Charlie Hutton Meets Untimely Death

Grand Forks ace Charlie Hutton seemingly had a promising career ahead of him in baseball. After a strong showing for the 1897 Senators, Hutton appeared for Grand Rapids, MI of the Interstate League in 1898. If he couldn't make it in the minor leagues, Hutton surely could have entertained fans playing amateur baseball in the Red River Valley. The 1902 incarnation of the Northern League in the area may very well have featured a team with Hutton on its roster. But it wasn't to be, as a December 1898 railroad accident tragically took the life of the 24 year old.

"Hutton Dead," Grand Forks Herald, December 23, 1898

"Hutton Killed," Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, December 23, 1898

"In Memoriam," Grand Forks Herald, December 29, 1898