100 years ago in The Saratogian Local baseball
Sunday, May 20, 1917 Because of longstanding hostility toward Great Britain, Irish-Americans are among the groups whose loyalty to the U.S. war effort on Britain’s side are suspect. Irish-Americans in Saratoga County take steps today to affirm their loyalty to the U.S. and their support for the war, The Saratogian reports.
Meeting in Corinth, the Saratoga County board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians adopts a resolution to be presented to President Woodrow Wilson.
“Resolved, that the condition of our country at this time calling for the undivided support of all loyal Americans, the members of this organization here assembled do hereby pledge our undivided support in any measures that our beloved country may demand at this time,” the resolution reads. The U.S. declared war on Germany last month. Britain, along with France and Russia, has been at war with Germany since the summer of 1914. An uprising against British rule in Ireland was put down by force last year, and many of its leaders were executed.
Death in Galway
A Schenectady man visiting relatives in East Galway is killed when their car crashes backward into a stone wall this afternoon. Walter Leon Smith, a 20 year old musician, spent the last week with the family of his cousin, Arthur Welch. The Welches take Smith out for a drive today, with Welch driving and Smith in the front passenger seat.
“In ascending the Baptist church hill the engine stalled just before they reached the top,” The Saratogian reports, “The automobile began to back down the hill and when Mr. Welch applied the brakes they refused to work.
“The machine gathered considerable momentum and as it reached the bottom it crashed into a stone wall and turned over. Mr. Smith was pinned beneath the machine but the other occupants were thrown out and escaped uninjured.”
Smith is declared dead at the scene. His father arrives in Ballston Spa later today to claim his son’s body.
Saratoga County’s two baseball powers remain unbeaten after their regular Sunday contests this afternoon.
The Catholic Union nine of Saratoga Springs is now 7-0 after beating the Mechanicville Scipios, 10-7. In their toughest game so far, the Unions trail 7-0 after three innings but power their way to a come-from-behind victory. Despite striking out ten, Union starter Ferguson is “off form” while “the locals’ fielding was very ragged” early on.
In Corinth, the Athletics are 3-0 after an 8-0 romp over Fort Edward. The visitors stumble out of the gate, allowing three runs on three walks and two hits in the bottom of the first, and never have a chance afterward.