Savannah Georgia

April 15, 5:30 PM, 1934

Dear Ange:
Sure am having a great time. We won the series with the Miami team and are ready to leave tonight for Daytona Beach. We are going to Drive all night. It must be cold down there the way the paper reads up here. Is Ed home yet? I played golf yesterday and almost burnt up on the golf course. It sure was hot. Today I rode a bicycle for an hour and it made me feel good. I haven't heard from you yet. Maybe you are having such a great time that you can't write me. Is that it. Almost everybody here has gotten a letter but me. I sure would like to hear from you. Our team might be down around Cincinnati by next month. Would it make you feel good. I am sending clippings home and I want you to go over home and look at them. The people down here sure treat us swell. Every night after the game we are invited up to the Pig Trail Inn for free beer and lunch. Is indoor started up home yet? Down here they call indoor diamond ball. They have stealing, bunting and use gloves. We do not play with gloves. I got one hit the first game, 2 the second, and 2 the third. Not bad huh.Boy what a time we could have together, down here on the beach looking over the Atlantic Ocean. Do you miss me much. I sure miss you. As soon as I find something nice for you I am going to send it home. We are going to leave for Daytona in a few minutes so I'll have to close hoping to hear from you. Love&kisses Guy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kentucky Colonels

This is my Grandfather, Guy Daines in his Kentucky Colonel uniform, dated 1933.


Kentucky Post Article 19 Mar 1934 pg. 3

SOFT BALL NINE TO BEGIN TOUR
The Kentucky Colonels soft Ball Club will tour the country starting the first of April and play their opening game in Florida, where they will remain for about one month. They have contracted 80 games throughout the country.
This club is an all-star team of players from Newport, Covington, Cincinnati, Hamilton, Springfield Cleaveland and Chicago, each player having been selected as the best performer in his locality. Three star pitchers are featured with this club in the caliber of "Cannonball" Bailey, Sroufe and Meder.
The line-up includes the following players: Edwin Tranter, outfielder; Guy Daines, infielder; Glenn Botts, outfielder; "Howdy" Davidson, infielder; Arthur Miller, infielder; Howard Oester, outfielder; Frank Callery, infielder; Bud Sroufe, pitcher; Milton Forg, catcher; Ed Kolar, outfielder; Gilbert Reichert, infielder; John Deaver, (manager), outfielder; "Cannonball" Bailey, pitcher; and Ed. Meder, pitcher.







Players names and positions : Left to right-
Bottom row: Deaver, Left field; Bill, Trainer; Miller, 1st base.

Middle row: Oester, right field; Botts, Center field; Tranter, outfield; Sroufe, pitcher.

Top row: Forg, catcher; Callery, 2nd base; Davidson, S.S. [short stop]; Daines, 3rd base; Cannonball Bailey, pitcher.


Kentucky Post Article 14 Apr 1934 pg. 2

BAILEY SHOWS WELL IN SOUTH

Kentucky Colonels are in demand after wins

The Kentucky Colonels, an aggregation of local soft ball players traveling throughout the south, whipped the Miami Beach, Fla., team in a three game series this week.
Cannonball Bailey heaved the first and last game and the Kentuckians came through in both. The Floridians captured the second fray.
The score of the first game was 6 to 4. The second game was dropped 5 to 0, The last game ended with 9-to-3 score. The Colonels will play in Dade City Saturday.
The Mimi Beach team is said to be the best in the peninsular state. The manager of the club wants to book the kentuckians for another three-game series. The past series was contested before a large crowd.


Colonels Win series,

Kentucky team Breaks up tie in eighth inning

*from page 7 of Guy Daines Scrapbook*

Senor Bud Sroufe, his blue cap cocked askew on his curly locks and one cheek nursing a generous chew of what it takes--subdued our Miami Beach diamondball hitters right successfully last night, and the well known colonels of Ole Kaintucky, suh, ran away with the third and deciding game of the series, 9-3.
Bud was in there doing chores for one Cannonball Bailey, the famous speedball king who is nursing a lame saley whip. And Bud, a bit juberous about it all, before the game started, stood on the hill through many a tight spot and his well directed fire stood the local hitters on their ears.
Thirteen men fell strike-out victims to Sroufe's twisting delivery. He was in tough going for seven innings too, for this Miami Beach team was out to win and never stopped trying until the Colonels fell on Bobby Dosh with a barrage of hits that chased five runs over the plate in the eighth.
Until that rally things were fairly even. Miami got off in the lead when two errors and a double by "Widge" Davidson chased Bill Harkness over the platter, in the third inning.
But the Colonels were out for blood last night. They fought every inch of the way and hit the ball hard. Manager Deaver opened the fifth with a hot shot that bounced off Dosh's glove for a single, and Botts dropped one safe in left field. Both advanced on a passed ball, and then Deaver scored on a wild pitch. Forg poked a long fly to the right, after Oester had fanned, and Botts scored after the catch.
The ball yard looked like a drill field for the royal zuaves in the sixth, when the Colonels filled the bases.Three boys from Kaintuck, four infielders for the home team and a couple of umpires who insist on playing in around thye pitchers box had the place well cluttered up.
Only one was out when these got on. Davidson lifted a fly ball over second and Roberts couldn't quite reach it. Miller scored from third, but Roberts whistled the ball to Ryan in time to nail Tranter at the plate. Deaver struck out to end the inning.
Then our heroes went out and tied the score in their half of the inning. Davidson walked just after Harkness-- and just before Dosh-- struck out. But Pete Roberts singled to right and Oester kicked the ball long enough to let Davidson score. Roberts went to second on the throw to the plate, and when Callery's throwon Reynolds' ground ball was a bit wide, Pete scored.
So the Colonels decided to get plenty of runs. Callery pried open the eighth with a single, went to second on a wild pitch and to third after Tranter flied out to Younts in right field. Daines then bounced a single along the first base line, chasing a run home. Reynolds booted Davidson's chance and Deaver forced Dains at third. But Betts [Botts] slammed a clean single to the left, scoring Davidson and sending Dosh to the showers.
Page took up the hurling duties, and the merry ring of base hits went right along. Oester singled over short, Deaver scoring, Then catcher Fort [Forg] found one he liked and hit it a mile between left and centre. Two runners scored and Fort [Forg] was caught between thrid and home when he tried to stretch his hit into a homer.
The game was another snappy exhibition, with the visitors playing better ball in the pinches. The Beach team is still a bit uncertain in tight spots. The series has been well played throughout, however, and the Colonels gave us fast clean ball evry night. The fact that Melbourne cancelled a game scheduled, giving the Kentucky boys a chance to stay here for a fourth game, is a break for local fans and tough luck for those upstate.

Kentucky Colonels Ab. R. H. P. A. E.
Miller, 1b............................. 5 1 0 3 0 0
Callery, ss............................ 4 1 1 1 0 1
Tranter, lf............................ 3 0 0 1 0 1
Daines, 3b............................. 4 0 2 0 1 1
H. Davidson, 2b........................ 4 1 1 1 1 0
Deaver, sf............................. 4 2 1 2 0 1
Botts, cf.............................. 4 2 2 3 0 0
Oester, rf............................. 3 2 1 0 0 1
Forg, c................................ 3 0 2 14 0 1
Sroufe, p.............................. 4 0 0 1 0 0
--------------------------------
Totals................................38 9 10 *26 2 6

*Harkness out hit by batted ball

Miami Beach All Stars Ab. R. H. P. A. E.
Roberts, ss........................... 4 1 1 1 4 0
Reynolds, 2b.......................... 4 0 0 0 1 2
Stembler, 3b.......................... 4 0 0 4 1 1
Riggs, cf............................. 4 0 1 2 0 0
Younts, rf............................ 3 0 0 2 0 0
Ryan, c............................... 3 0 0 8 0 0
Gahan, lb............................. 3 0 0 7 0 1
Harkness, lf.......................... 3 1 0 1 0 0
W. Davidson, sf....................... 1 1 1 0 0 0
Dosh, p............................... 2 0 0 2 2 0
Page, p............................... 1 0 0 0 0 0
-------------------------------
Totals............................... 22 3 3 27 8 4

Score by innings:

Kentucky Colonels....................000 021 150-- 9
Miami Beach All Stars................001 002 000-- 3

Summary: Two base hits, W. Davidson; three base hits, Forg; struck out, by Srufe, 13, by Dosh, 6; bases on balls, off Dosh, 2, off Sroufe, 2; hits, off Dosh, 9 in 7 2-3 innings, off Page, 1, in 1 1-3 innings; passed balls, Ryan; sacrifice hits,Callery; wild pitches, Dosh, 3: umpires, Horton, Newell and Shaw; time of game,1.29; losing pitcher, Dosh.

Letter from Ange on April 12

Addressed to Mr. Guy Daines Jr., Box 83 Newport Ky, Forward to E.L. Varner, Orlando Fla. In care Mr. Reed (this is scratched out)


April 5, 1934

Dear Guy;

Please excuse the pencil for I can't find the pen. You should have been home today, Snyder, Ed and I were cleaning wall paper. You should have heard Snyder telling us what a wonderful fisherman he is. I laughed until my sides ached. Francis is getting a stepmother May the 5th isn't that something. Francis sure is buying herself plenty of clothes forshe knows that when the stepmother takes care of the money she won't get anything. Her Dad will be married on the 5th and on the 6th you'll see a big sign hanging on the front of the house Francis doesn't live here any more." You should have stayed over home last Sat. nite if you wanted to have some fun. Glenn didn't come home until about 10:30 and Boy : he was lit up like a Christmas tree.He said that he was going over to the "Cotton Club" Because that was the first time he had that much money in two years. Mom was frantic for he kept monkeying around until it was about 11:15
How do you like the climate down there? Is your cold any better? Take care of it Guy. Did you get any hits Wed? I hope you did. Write and tell me all about the baseball games. I wish that I could see them for I love ball games when I know almost everyone on the team. Do you and Murph sleep together? You know what you said before you left that you were going to stick to Murph while you were away. I miss you more than I thought I'd miss you before you left. There isn't anything to do in the evenings. I hope that the months go by real fast so that you'll be home real soon. Don't let baseball take the same effect upon you as foot ball did on Al. You know what I mean don't get "catty", "high hat", "conceited", or whatever you want to call it, just be the same old "Guy Daines" that left won't you try?
Your Mother told me to go over to "Fox's" to try to get a job you know, where Marg Styles works I'm going tomorrow (Fri) I haven't worked since last week when I was laid off.
Well darling I think that I had better close. When I start to write I don't know when to stop. I suppose you'll be bored to death by the time you finish reading it.
I close with load and loads of love.xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I remain always yours

Ange
PS. I wish you all the luck and success in the world including a lot of hits and runs.
I'm always thinking of you.
love
Ange

A word about Cruellers

One word about cruellers (well maybe more than one word, for those of you who know me I never say anything with just one word!) work.

First you need more flour to get the dough so it isn't sticky, and so that it is easy to roll into 1/2 inch thick strips. I twisted the strips, so that they looked more like those beautiful donut shop cruellers everyone sees inside the glass case at Bernhard's Bakery in Newport (522 York Street) or at The Cookie Jar (919 Monmouth Street)in Newport, (my personal favorite) -- that didn't work out so well. They were very good, according to my husband and my oldest son, a donut connoisseur. But they fell apart and they took a lot of time,as you have to be very careful frying them in the hot oil,and the oil gets kinda old fast-- so the later ones are easily burned before they get finished. This small feat set me back a couple of hours this morning from my task of researching the Kentucky Post articles at the library. My advice is that you should plan to make creullers for special occasions only! Now I know why we never had this recipe when I was a child. It just took too much time in the morning. My grandmother was an excellent cook, but usually everything was planned out and Sunday dinners were her specialty. I believe it really wasn't about the food, actually it was about family, because every meal was planned so that our family would be there together sitting around one large oak pedastal table inserted with 4 or 5 leaves that were made by my grandfather to accomadate all of us, and there were a lot of us at times. These were the only meals that you were expected to attend, after you went to church of course. Sometimes there were over 12, and it was loud, with arms flying all over the place alongside many differing opinions about the state of the world, clothing styles, babies, the weather, baseball, football, grades, my hair... you name it... and it all began with a prayer... and two very special people... and of course baseball letters.

Cruellers

Cruellers:

First what are they? Second, why would my grandmother have this recipe in her recipe box? I never remember her making "cruellers" ... I think they are a donut like fried pastry, and that sounds great to me, so I say "let's try them!"



Cruellers:

3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2/3 cups sugar
3 tsp. B. P. (Baking powder)
1/3 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. fat (shortening)

Sift and mix dry ingredients. Add flavoring. Chop in fat. Mix egg and milk together. Add to flour mixture until it becomes a soft dough. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick, cut, fry in deep fat (oil) and drain on unglazed paper (paper towels) Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

"The universe is made of stories, not atoms" -- Muriel Rukeyser


I am looking for a photo of the old Admiral Hotel in Miami. I think that it is today condominiums. It was my lucky day a couple of days ago, as I found that those games that my grandfather played in are currently indexed at the Kenton County Public Library! I found approximately 20 articles in the Post about the Kentucky Colonels and the games during 1934. I will be searching for them this week-end, and they will be available soon as will some of his scrapbook pages that he kept. I hope to locate photos of my grandparents from this time in their lives too, and these will also be added to the posts.--until next time, remember your stories, as this is the very fiber of our beings!

April 12, 1934 (Miami)

From the Admiral Hotel located at 1020 Meridian Ave. Miami Beach Fla. :


Dear Ange.


I hope that you haven't thought that I had forgotten you. I should say not. Well we are in Miami at last and are staying at a real hotel. We won out first game last night by the score of 6 to 4. The people down here treat us like big shots. We've had our pictures taken by the newspaperman about 5 or 6 times and had a fellow take one moving picture of us. We all went swimming in the Atlantic ocean and boy was that water salty. Our bathing suites were furnished us and we had our choice of swimming in the ocean or two large pools. We went in both. A rain came up a few minutes later and we had to quit swimming. How are you making it down there? I hope you are having a good time and don't forget to tell me all about yourself when you write me. We play here the 12th & 13th yet and then we go to Daytona Beach. I got one hit in the game tonight and scored one. They had a crowd of about 1,000. It rained right before the game and that held the crowd down. I wish I had you hear with me. Flamingo Park is right up the street and we could take walks together. It sure is a beautiful place. Well, Ange I am sitting here writing this letter in my pajamas waiting to go to bed so I'll have to close with a four lettered word--LOVE.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P.S. (I wish I was there to give them to you). Guy.

My Grandfathers father, Guy L. Daines Sr. worked at the Newport Waterworks Department. That is where the envelope and letterhead originated from. I think that Snyder was on the team or associated with the Kentucky Colonels known as : the "worlds professional fast-pitch softball championship team of 1933". Reedie, I believe is the nickname for Harold Reed whom the letter is addressed to. It was addressed as : Mr. Guy Daines, C/O Harold Reed, Box 83 Newport KY. Then due to the second postmark of April 15th, I believe that it was forwarded to an E.L. Varner Orlando, FLa. This is amazing to me that my grandfather ever received it at all. When the letter refers to "Heinie Bill's" and that they "hoisted a couple" [of beers] there, which in all probability was a local bar. According to my Uncle, he remembers a bar known as "Heinie Bill's"-- [and] He also thinks that "Hienie Bill's" may have been a sponser of the team as well. Eddie Botts was my grandfather's best friend, and also my grandmother Ange's brother. Her Brother, Glenn Botts was also on the team, The Kentucky Colonels.

Letter from Mom and Dad

April 12, 8:30 PM, 1934

Stamped "Newport APR 15 2:80 PM"
Return address scratched out on Envelope from "CITY OF NEWPORT, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCE"
Tiny stamp underneath: Allied printing. Trades (union label) council. Cincinnati (32)

Address on back: 506 W. 10th st., Newport Ky.

Dear Son,

Newport Ky.
Received your letter yesterday Apr. 12-34 glad you are going so rapidly. Reedie told us you got there Monday night Now for winning them old ball games. I know you boys can do it. I have all the confidence in the world in you boys, Tell old Hienie Bill I wished I had a pair of striped drawers, ask him if they went any place yet. Your Mother an I stopped down there last night and hoisted a couple, Eddie Botts says stay away from the girls down there they are poison. It is snowing up here today, cold as h____. I sure wish I was with you boys to see them old ball games. Reedie showed me a letter from Pittsburgh wanting a four days stand there. I guess you fellows will have so many games you won't know where to go. Ange stopped over yesterday evening said she got a letter, Ham was tickled to death you sent him a card. He was down to show it. I have not seen Snyder. Here is some more of Jack Niebums stuff, it is some games. We were over to see Tannt's last night, her finger is still so bad as ever. She send her love. How do you like the South by this time, I'll bet it's great. Give all the boys our best wishes and regards. We are still looking in the Times Star for that picture. It has never been printed yet. Oak View Jr.'s has a shield they put on their jerseys with O. V. on it it is made out of felt. Will write soon again with loads of love from all of us. Kisses from the Daines
Your Mother and Dad

Hotel Washington Greenville, S.C.

Post marked Greenville, April 9, 11 AM, 1934, S.C. :

On Hotel Washington letterhead:

Dear Ange,
I am writing you this letter to let you know I am Still thinking about you. We arrived in this hotel Sunday night. It sure is raining here. We expect to reach Miami by Tuesday evening and then I will write you again. Don't forget that I want to hear from you. I am having a good time but I sure miss you. I haven't much to write about yet but I send you my love and I hope you are having a good time. Tell your mother I said hello, also the rest of the family. Hoping to hear from you I remain Guy Daines Jr.,
(P.S.) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


I wonder if the hotel Washington is still there?
I can't find any information about this hotel, but on the letterhead it states that there are "Modern, reasonable rates" [available]
*Interesting about this letterhead is that "Hotel Clinchfield" is printed in the upper lefthand side of the paper. --Still not able to find either the Hotel Washington, or Hotel Clinchfield in Spartenburg, but wonder if it the Hotel Clinchfield had anything to do with the railroad system, "Clinchfield".

Arrival

This is the postcard Guy sent to Ange on April 5, 1934. The stamp is another lovely etched image depicting "Chicago Century of progress." It has FORT DEARBORN as the centerpiece, as well as written in the lower middle of the stamp, while the upper left edge has the date of 1839, then in the middle, within a stylized ribbon "U.S. Postage," and then again the date 1933---It's total cost... 1 cent.

Dear Ange,

arrived here Sunday about 3' o'clock.

write later.

Love

Guy

(this is written in green colored pencil) Perhaps, all he could find at the time. It is very unlike him, as he always seems so put-together or orderly, there is sense of urgency, an "air of hurry" about this post card.

Back of postcard:

BILTMORE HOUSE, ASHEVILLE, N. C.

Home of the late George W. Vanderbilt, four

miles from Asheville. The estate comprises over

12,000 acres of forest in America and contains many

art treasures gathered from all parts of the world. The

house and garden are open to visitors.

Postdated: ASHEVILLE, APR 5, 12:30 pm, 1934 N. C.

card printed with the words "PUBLISHED BY ASHEVILLE POST CARD CO., ASHEVILLE N.C.

on vertical rise, left hand-side.

history notes

Who doesn't love family history, especially our own? It is the weft and warp of ones very being. It is these histories that are woven together to create the final weave that we are to become. Our history is how we define who we are. Baseball is one of the threads in my weft, it becomes a part of the story of how I became me. It is Anna and Guys very personal and true story as such. Guy Victor Joseph Daines was born on December 14th, 1912. He was born to Guy Logan Daines and his wife Barbara Bihl Daines. He was delivered at home, 506 West 10th Street, Newport Ky, by Mrs. Anna Showalter, Midwife ( my grandmother's grandmother) at 5 PM. They literally grew up right around the corner from each other. Anna Margaret Botts was born in New Albany Indiana on March 14th, 1916 to Margaret Showalter and Arthur Botts. When Anna was about three years old her father was murdered on his way home from a payday card game after work. Margaret (Maggie) Showalter Botts then moved her family back home to Newport Ky. She lived out her life in the home on West 11th street, with her 5 children and two sisters. I have heard it said that a tragedy of that scale is similar to a genetic imprint and that it remains as a ghostly image affecting each succeeding generation in some way, woven into our very souls and impossible to escape the inherent effects.

This is the card simply signed Guy. and sent to Anna Margaret (Ange) Botts on March 14, 1934.

March 14 1934

The first letter is dated March 14, 1:30 PM, 1934. Actually it isn't really a letter at all. It is addressed to Miss Anna M. Botts, 521 W. 11th St., Newport KY. It is addressed in beautiful handwriting, and I didn't know that my grandfather even had such lovely script. It cost 3 cents to mail, and the stamp is an etched image of George Washington (in a light maroon color) with the words United States Postage in an arc above George's head. There is no return address. My grandmother's birthday was March 14th 1916. She was turning 18 that year. The card was made by the Cincinnati Art Publishing Co. Cincinnati Ohio. (images to follow)
There is a pink bow on the front and an Asian inspired image of butterflies and cherry blossoms above the words, "A Birthday Wish" on the front. It simply says:

Sunbeams for each
path you take,
Gay flowers to nod
about you,~
A wish that comes
from one who cares,
And could not do
without you!

Guy.

the beginning -no. 1

OK... so this is the beginning of this very basic attempt to connect to grandparents and their lives in 1934. Exactly how I will do this is still in the thinking and running around my brain at the most odd times during my daily life stage. My uncle gave me a box of letters that my grandparents wrote to each other during 1934. He was off playing semi-professional baseball travelling across the US. She was home in Newport Ky. She worked at the ball field across the river in Cincinnati at this time. What is simply amazing to me is that she never knew where to send the letters exactly because they apparently were delivered by a third person associated with the team. Sometimes there is so much tension as they all are waiting to hear from him, his parents, her and her brothers. This will be a discovery time for me. I will be discovering them from another angle, not only as the grandparents I relied upon while growing up and "finding" my way... which I sometimes feel like I am still doing (and doing it rather badly) ...yet as young people themselves. I am excited to get started, but have a little research to do before I dive in. Maybe though just diving in is the way to go. I guess I will start with a letter a day, after I find some basic background info. He kept a scrapbook about this time period as well.