Austin Senators baseball team
Creator: Jensen
Date: 1912
This photographic composite features members of the 1911 Austin Senators baseball team, winners of the Texas League pennant. The composite itself carries a date of 1912. However, the team won the pennant in 1911, not 1912, and several of the individuals pictured were on the championship team but not the 1912 team. Two Kansans are among the players shown in the composite. Dale Gear was a player and manager for the 1911 Austin Senators. A native of Lone Elm, Kansas, Gear was a pitcher and outfielder for several minor league teams and two major league teams--the Cleveland Spiders and the Washington Senators. He also managed several minor league teams, including franchises in Topeka and Kansas City, Missouri. Gear was a long-time resident of Topeka, where he was prominent in both baseball and business circles. He served as the president of three minor leagues; later in life he was a member of the Shawnee County Commission. Dale Gear died in 1951 at the age of 79. Also pictured is Wiley Taylor, a right-handed pitcher from Louisville, Kansas. He was one of the Austin Senators' two best pitchers in 1911, earning a 22-14 record. In his three seasons with the Austin club (1911-13), his cumulative record was 51-47. Taylor pitched in 27 major league games between 1911 and 1914, including three games each with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox, and the remainder with the St. Louis Browns. His major league record was 2-10, with an ERA of 4.10. In the minor leagues, Wiley Taylor played not only for Austin, but also for teams in Ellsworth (KS), Louisville (KY), Lincoln (NE), Jersey City, Nashville, Salina, and Topeka. After his baseball career, Taylor remained in Pottawatomie County, where he farmed and served four terms as the county sheriff (1925-28 and 1945-48). Late in life, he also ran a service station and recreation parlor in Westmoreland. Wiley Taylor died in 1954 at the age of 65.

Band members in Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: Between 1910 and 1920
Members of the band from Westmoreland, Kansas are pictured in this photo postcard from the 1910s. The only person identified in the photo is William Bert Hart, who is standing on the far left, holding the snare drum and dressed in a baseball uniform. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, Hart played not only for the Westmoreland town team, but also for semi-pro teams in Green, Clay Center, and Beloit. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Bandstand, Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: Between 1920 and 1939
View of a speaker and a seated audience at the bandstand in back of the Pottawatomie County Courthouse in Westmoreland, Kansas. Also visible are buildings, one of which may be a business, and an automobile.

Baseball game in progress
Date: 1911
This photo postcard from 1911 features a baseball game in progress, probably in or near Westmoreland, Kansas. The pitcher is thought to be William Bert Hart, who was a well-known semi-professional player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, Bert Hart played not only for the Westmoreland town team, but also for semi-pro teams in Green, Clay Center, and Beloit. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." The postcard is addressed to Hart, who was visiting a relative in Manchester at the time it was sent. The "Wiley" referenced in the message probably was Wiley Taylor from Louisville, Kansas. Taylor was a professional baseball player who pitched for Austin during the 1911 season, and who made his major league debut for Detroit later that fall.

Baseball team from Green, Kansas
Date: 1915
The Green, Kansas baseball team is shown in this photograph from 1915. That year, Green competed in the Clay County League, which also included teams from Wakefield, Leonardville, Oak Hill, Industry, and Clay Center. The only player identified in the photo is William Bert Hart, of Westmoreland, who is standing fourth from the right. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, Hart played several seasons for Green during this time period. He also played for semi-pro teams in Clay Center and Beloit, as well as the Westmoreland town team. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Bert Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Baseball team from Green, Kansas
Date: 1916
The 1916 Green, Kansas baseball team is shown in this photo, which is a trimmed portion of a postcard. Partial identities of the players are inscribed on the photo, but the only one whose full identity is known is William Bert Hart, of Westmoreland. Hart is seated in the front, second from the right. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, Hart played several seasons for Green during this time period. He also played for semi-pro teams in Clay Center and Beloit, as well as the Westmoreland town team. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Baseball team in Austin, Texas
Date: 1913
This photograph shows the 1913 Austin Senators baseball team of the Texas League. Standing second from the left in the top row is Wiley Taylor, a right-handed pitcher from Louisville, Kansas. Taylor played three seasons in Austin, where he compiled a 51-47 record for the Senators, including a 22-14 season in 1911 as he helped the team secure the Texas League pennant. He also pitched in the majors. He had trial outings with the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox, but most of his major league games (21 of 27) were with the St. Louis Browns, where he played in 1913-14. Taylor's major league record was 2-10, with an ERA of 4.10. After his baseball career, he remained in Pottawatomie County, where he farmed and served four terms as the county sheriff (1925-28 and 1945-48). Late in life, he also ran a service station and recreation parlor in Westmoreland. Wiley Taylor died at the age of 65 in 1954. A complete listing of the Senators pictured in the photograph includes: (top row, standing, l to r): Tulane McCuller (p); Wiley Taylor (p); Mike Flanagan (p); Bert Larsen (p); Harold Thomson (2b); Otto McIvor (cf); Fred Brainard (if); and Luther "Doc" Cook (rf). Seated in the front are (l to r): Ben Brownlow (ss); Chester Bobo (c); Eddie Hohnhorst (1b); Leon Lewis (p); William Hille (3b); Harry Haigh (c); and Bert James (lf).

Baseball team in Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: Between 1910 and 1920
The Westmoreland, Kansas baseball team is pictured in this photo postcard from the 1910s. Seated on the far left in the top row is William Bert Hart. His younger brother J.B. Hart is seated in the second row, holding a bat. Other individuals in the photo are unidentified. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, Hart played not only for the Westmoreland town team, but also for semi-pro teams in Green, Clay Center, and Beloit. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Bert Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Baseball team in Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: 1910
The Westmoreland, Kansas baseball team is shown in these two postcards from 1910. The postcards are identical, except that one was used and the other was not. Only two of the players are identified. Standing on the far right in the photo is George Hart, the team's catcher. Next to him is his brother William Bert Hart, the team's pitcher. The inscribed postcard was sent by a family member to another of the Hart brothers, Harry, who was living in Washington, D.C. at the time. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, he played not only for the Westmoreland town team, but also for semi-pro teams in Green, Clay Center, and Beloit. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Bert Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Bert Hart of Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: Between 1910 and 1920
William Bert Hart of Westmoreland, Kansas is shown here standing along the first base line during a baseball game. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, he played not only for the Westmoreland town team, but also for semi-pro teams in Green, Clay Center, and Beloit. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Hart spent most of his work career at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Bert Hart of Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: Between 1915 and 1921
William Bert Hart of Westmoreland, Kansas is shown here in what is believed to be his baseball uniform while a member of the team from Green, Kansas. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, Hart played several seasons for Green during this time period. He also played for semi-pro teams in Clay Center and Beloit, as well as the Westmoreland town team. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Bert Hart of the Beloit, Kansas baseball team
Date: 1920
William Bert Hart is pictured here as a member of the 1920 Beloit Leaguers baseball team. With Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Leaguers claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas" that year. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. He played not only for Beloit, but also for semi-pro teams in Green and Clay Center, as well as the Westmoreland town team. Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Bert Hart of the Green, Kansas baseball team
Date: Between 1915 and 1921
William Bert Hart of Westmoreland, Kansas, is shown here as a member of the Green, Kansas baseball team. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, Hart played several seasons for Green during this time period. He also played for semi-pro teams in Clay Center and Beloit, as well as the Westmoreland town team. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Congregational Church, Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: 1911
This postcard shows a group of children gathered in front of the Congregational Church in Westmoreland, Kansas. The town of Westmoreland is the county seat of Pottawatomie County.

D. B. Grutzmacher in baseball uniform, Pottawatomie County, Kansas
Date: Between 1910 and 1920
This photo postcard from the early 1900s is of William "D. B." Grutzmacher of Pottawatomie County. Grutzmacher is posing with a baseball bat and is dressed in a baseball uniform. The team is not identified, but it likely was the Westmoreland town team, given the "W" on the jersey and the fact that Grutzmacher was a lifelong resident of the area. The back of the postcard carries the inscription "Dutch Billie Again." Grutzmacher (1891-1972) was a farmer-stockman.

Group at Maximo Point, near St. Petersburg, Florida
Date: 1914
This group photograph was taken at Maximo Point near St. Petersburg, Florida in March 1914 and includes members of the St. Louis Browns baseball team. The team was in St. Petersburg for spring training. Individuals in the photo are not identified, but two Kansans were on the Browns team in 1914--Wiley Taylor, a right-handed pitcher from Louisville, Kansas and Earl Hamilton, a left-handed pitcher from Oswego, Kansas. Wiley Taylor started his professional baseball career in 1910 with the minor league Ellsworth team of the Central Kansas League. He had trial outings with the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox, but most of his major league games (21 of 27) were with the St. Louis Browns, where he played in 1913-14. Taylor's major league record was 2-10, with an ERA of 4.10. After his baseball career, he remained in Pottawatomie County, where he farmed and served four terms as the county sheriff (1925-28 and 1945-48). Late in life, he also ran a service station and a recreation parlor in Westmoreland. Wiley Taylor died at the age of 65 in 1954. Earl Hamilton was born in Illinois in 1891, but moved with his family to Kansas as a youth and lived in Oswego during much of his major league career. He pitched in the majors for 14 seasons, from 1911 to 1924, mostly with the St. Louis Browns and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hamilton's major league record was 115-147, with an ERA of 3.16. His achievements included a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers in 1912. After his pitching career, Hamilton was active as a minor league team owner; he owned the Topeka Owls in 1942. Earl Hamilton died in California in 1968.

Handbook of Pottawatomie and Riley Counties, Kansas
Date: Between 1880 and 1889
This handbook was published by the Modern Argo, Kansas City, for potential immigrants to Pottawatomie and Riley counties in Kansas. A short description of Davis County is also included. This pamphlet encouraged agricultural settlement by extolling the virtues of this 'beautiful Kansas (river) valley'. Crops grown in the area included corn, wheat, oats, and rye. A number of stock farms, such as Juniatta Stock Farm and Woodside Stock Farm, are described in the booklet. The booklet contains information about dairying operations and orchards. There are descriptions of the towns of Manhattan (including the State Agricultural College), Wamego, Louisville, Westmoreland, Milford, and Belvue. Some illustrations of farms and businesses are also included.

Hunters in Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: Between 1910 and 1920
Four hunters from Westmoreland, Kansas are shown here posing in front of the Star Drug Company after a successful outing. William Bert Hart, second from the right, is the only individual identified. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, he played not only for the Westmoreland town team, but also for semi-pro teams in Green, Clay Center, and Beloit. Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Joe Arnold and Bert Hart of Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: 1912
Joe Arnold (on the left) and William Bert Hart of Westmoreland, Kansas are shown in this photo postcard from 1912. Bert Hart was a well-known semi-professional baseball player in northern Kansas during the 1910s and early 1920s. Both a pitcher and infielder, Hart played not only for the Westmoreland town team, but also for semi-pro teams in Green, Clay Center, and Beloit. In 1920, with Hart as its regular shortstop and occasional pitcher, the Beloit Leaguers salaried team claimed the "independent state championship of Kansas." Hart spent most of his work career employed at the post office in Westmoreland; he and his wife Margaret also operated a hotel and restaurant there for several years during the 1940s.

Kansas Film Commission site photographs, towns Talmage - Zurich
Creator: Kansas Film Commission
Date: 1990-1992
These are panoramic photographs of Kansas towns beginning with Talmage and ending with Zurich. The Kansas Film Commission created the photos to promote Kansas locations to film companies. Many of the photographs show business districts and buildings. The panoramics were created by taking individual photos and taping them together. Towns and cities included in this part of the collection are: Talmage, Talmo, Tasco, Tescott, Topeka, Toronto, Tribune, Troy, Tyro, Ulysses, Uniontown, Utica, Valley Falls, Vassar, Vinland, Virgil, Volland, Wakarusa, Walnut, Wamego, Washington, Waterville, Wathena, Waverly, Weir, Weskan, Westfall, West Mineral, Westmoreland, Westphalia, Wheaton, Wheeler, White Cloud, Whitewater, Whiting, Wichita, Williamsburg, Winchester, Windthorst, Winoa, Worden, Yates Center, Yoder, and Zurich. Photos of courthouses are included for several communities. Some of the photos of communities show churches, grain elevators, water towers, parks, public/government buildings, railroad depots and tracks, and residences. There are aerial photographs for Valley Falls and interior photographs of the Columbian Theater in Wamego. There is a folder for Weston, Missouri, in this group of materials.

Kansas Woman's Christian Temperance Union general correspondence
Date: 1910-1939
This is correspondence sent and received by Mary Evelyn Dobbs, corresponding secretary of the Kansas Woman's Christian Temperance Union from 1907 to 1939. The letters arrived from people across the state, including the presidents of county chapters of the KWCTU. Most correspondence relates to planned public speeches and visits intended to establish and support new branches of the KWCTU. There are also communications from the state organization to local units. Specific items include a letter dated July 1, 1918, from Dobbs to F.L. Pinet with a manuscript entitled "Early Factors in Kansas Prohibition" intended for publication in the Kansas Teacher, advertising contracts for the KWCTU periodical Our Messenger, and a letter written to Dobbs from Clara E. Keys, a WCTU missionary in Africa. One letter recognizes Mary Sibbitt as the organizer of comfort kits provided for soldiers at Fort Leavenworth. Sibbitt, known as the "Kansas Cyclone," was an founding officer of the International Association of Women Ministers. There are several other groups of official Kansas WCTU records on Kansas Memory. They can be found by selecting Collections - Manuscript - KWCTU/Mary Evelyn Dobbs.

Leonora L. Van Brunt
Date: Between 1870 and 1890
Leonora L. Van Brunt was one of the earliest settlers of Kansas and the proprietor of a large dry-goods and general mercantile store in Westmoreland, Pottawatomie County.

Louisville Colonels baseball team, Louisville, Kentucky
Creator: Royal Photo Company
Date: 1915
This is a panoramic photograph showing members of the 1915 Louisville (KY) Colonels baseball team of the American Association. Among those pictured is Wiley Taylor (third from the right), a right-handed pitcher from Louisville, Kansas. Taylor compiled a 6-7 record in 28 games for the Colonels in 1915, and an ERA of 3.51. He started his professional baseball career in 1910 with the Ellsworth minor league team in the Central Kansas League. He pitched in 27 major league games between 1911 and 1914, including three games each with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox, and the remainder with the St. Louis Browns. His major league record was 2-10, with an ERA of 4.10. In the minor leagues, Wiley Taylor played not only for Louisville and Ellsworth, but also for teams in Austin, Lincoln (NE), Jersey City, Nashville, Salina, and Topeka. After his baseball career, Taylor remained in Pottawatomie County, where he farmed and served four terms as the county sheriff (1925-28 and 1945-48). Late in life, he also ran a service station and recreation parlor in Westmoreland. Wiley Taylor died at the age of 65 in 1954.

Main street, Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: 1915
This black and white photograph shows two men standing beside the muddy wheels of the Westmoreland-Wamego stage on main street in Westmoreland, Kansas. In the background is the furniture-undertaking business, the post office, and the Citizens State Bank. The town of Westmoreland is the county seat of Pottawatomie County.

McComas House, Westmoreland, Kansas
Date: Between 1910 and 1919
This black and white photograph shows a group of people gathered in front of the McComas House. The hotel was located in the town of Westmoreland, Kansas, the county seat of Pottawatomie County.