MAWNIN'
Russ Walker
Elberfeld P.S.
We've had any number of complaints from well-meaning citizens who didn't get a chance to share in the Elberfeld Memorial. It reached top proportions in too big a hurry for them to get their donations in.
We found three letters for the fund on our desk yesterday on returning from a couple of days in the country. First opened was from Miami, inclosing two $1 bills and reading:
"You're too young to remember us (Somebody's kiddin' th' teacher), but we read your page occasionally and,' being former Chattanoogans, and having known Kid Elberfeld personally and played baseball with him, we are glad, each of us, to send you a dollar which you ask for in your column herewith attached. "Best wishes for a fine memorial for the Tabasco Kid.
"KARL F. WIETZEL.
"BEN FRIEDMAN."
Next was a letter with a check attached from St. Louis, with Taylor Spink's signature sprawled across the page. The brief note read: "I am pleased to inclose my check for $10, which I hope will help your Kid Elberfeld Memorial along.
"J. G. TAYLOR SPINK,
"Editor, Sporting News."
Last, but by no means least, was a rather bulky envelope from Camp Stewart, Ga., with two notes inside. One typed on a piece of scratch paper, had two one-dollar -bills attached and read:
"Inclosed you will find $2 from Lt. Dean Petersen and Cpl. Claude Massey of Camp Stewart, Ga. Dean Petersen says the Kid was the greatest shortstop Chattanooga ever had and that there was never a dull moment as long as the "Kid" was on the field. "Claude says if you need any more, just write to him.
"BEN CASH."
The other note, written in the flowing longhand of Ben Cash was on a full-sized Camp Stewart letter head. It read simply: "Inclosed find one 'buck' for the 'Kid' Memorial fund. "I was his bat boy in (about) 1916. Just before I left for the army, Mr. Elberfeld gave me a brand new autographed baseball.
"Sincerely a happy privilege,
"SGT. BEN CASH."
These late mail donations will be added to the fund in the bank and bring the total on deposit to $328.
NOTE: The $328 in donations in 1944 would compared to more than $5,000 in 2021.
Russ Walker
Elberfeld P.S.
We've had any number of complaints from well-meaning citizens who didn't get a chance to share in the Elberfeld Memorial. It reached top proportions in too big a hurry for them to get their donations in.
We found three letters for the fund on our desk yesterday on returning from a couple of days in the country. First opened was from Miami, inclosing two $1 bills and reading:
"You're too young to remember us (Somebody's kiddin' th' teacher), but we read your page occasionally and,' being former Chattanoogans, and having known Kid Elberfeld personally and played baseball with him, we are glad, each of us, to send you a dollar which you ask for in your column herewith attached. "Best wishes for a fine memorial for the Tabasco Kid.
"KARL F. WIETZEL.
"BEN FRIEDMAN."
Next was a letter with a check attached from St. Louis, with Taylor Spink's signature sprawled across the page. The brief note read: "I am pleased to inclose my check for $10, which I hope will help your Kid Elberfeld Memorial along.
"J. G. TAYLOR SPINK,
"Editor, Sporting News."
Last, but by no means least, was a rather bulky envelope from Camp Stewart, Ga., with two notes inside. One typed on a piece of scratch paper, had two one-dollar -bills attached and read:
"Inclosed you will find $2 from Lt. Dean Petersen and Cpl. Claude Massey of Camp Stewart, Ga. Dean Petersen says the Kid was the greatest shortstop Chattanooga ever had and that there was never a dull moment as long as the "Kid" was on the field. "Claude says if you need any more, just write to him.
"BEN CASH."
The other note, written in the flowing longhand of Ben Cash was on a full-sized Camp Stewart letter head. It read simply: "Inclosed find one 'buck' for the 'Kid' Memorial fund. "I was his bat boy in (about) 1916. Just before I left for the army, Mr. Elberfeld gave me a brand new autographed baseball.
"Sincerely a happy privilege,
"SGT. BEN CASH."
These late mail donations will be added to the fund in the bank and bring the total on deposit to $328.
NOTE: The $328 in donations in 1944 would compared to more than $5,000 in 2021.
