We have been encouraged to include history of Powhattan as a community and school and the role that basketball played in this history.
This first history page is a very interesting story from the Hiawatha World of how Powhattan sent off their first team in 1927 to the State tournament with Johnnie Corrigan as the Coach. Sounded like a big time was had by all.
This first history page is a very interesting story from the Hiawatha World of how Powhattan sent off their first team in 1927 to the State tournament with Johnnie Corrigan as the Coach. Sounded like a big time was had by all.
Powhattan Community In Big Celebration
Hiawatha Daily World March 16 1927
Note: This is about gathering a day or two before the 1927 team left to play in the State Tournament at Hays. It has not been proofread so if you see anything in question please notify Jerry Draney = email jdraney@me.com
The same splendid community spirit which has been back of Powhattans basketball teams for years was in evidence Tuesday night when over 450 people met at an oyster supper in the city hall, in honor of the basketball boys-girls, with special reference to the boys who won the county tournament at Morrill, then the district meet at Horton. To further show its appreciation Powhattan will send the victorius team to Hays to compete in the statement tournament, with other district winners. The supper was only one of the many things Powhattan citizens have one for the school, more are planned. An annex to the high school building is being talked about, petitions will soon be out to the voters. Proposed annex is to have a large gymnasium, domestic science department, manual training room, perhaps room for a course in vocational agriculture.
The oyster supper was planned, carried out by the good people of the town. Mrs. Jesse Cashman was chairman of aides committee on the supper. Frank Bartley chairman of mens committee phone calls, according to Mrs. Cashman, brought a ready response. People began arriving early in the evening carrying cake, sandwiches which were plentiful enough to feed the 450, altho only 300 guests had been expected. It was a county enterprise, carried out by community citizens, in a community way. Every one helped. Ladies brot dishes. Silverware, helped prepare the oyster soup. Those things which could not be brot form homes were bot at stores. As guests went out each contributed something, as much as he thot was fitting. Am ample fund of over #20 was raised in this manner. Supper was served cafeteria style. After it was over two of the men, Jesse Cashman, Frank Bartley, stayed to assist with the dish washing.
Q. I. Lewis president of the school board presided at the supper. Rev. M. A. Good, Methodist minister gave the invocation, later made a nice talk. Prin C. B. Mitchell made a forceful talk expressed his hearty interest in basketball, his hoope that Powhattan boys would win at Hays. “I knew we got a good coach when we got Johnny Corrigan.” he declared. “I picked him myself, out of a list of 13 applications. His work has been gratifying to all” On behalf of the boys team Mr. Mithel presented Coach John Corrigan with a gold pen-pencil. Later in the evening Miss Agnes Gold, captain of the girls team, gave the coach a gold knife and chain, a token of esteem from the girls team. Col. Charles II Browne, of Horton, spoke of the value of having such good youngsters as Powhattan products, said that when Powhattan went to Hays all Brown County would be rooting for them. Capt Wes McManigal, of Horton, said that since Horton was defeated he was glad it had been Coach Corrigans boys who did it. Virg Hill seconded these remarks speaking for Hiawatha.
Robert Snyder, manual training-publice speaking instructor, was first to broach the subject of an annex to the high school. The applause showed how kindly people took to the suggestion.
Mr. Snyder said Kansas was a pioneer state in basketball, that it is primarily a Kansas sport yet. “Good sportsman ship is what has made basketball what it is today” he declared in closing. Mr. Snyder has been in Powhattan two years, his wife, still teaching, taught there a year before he came. Willie wilson, the “Father of basketball in Powhattan” was introduced. Mr. Wilson, tho older than the boys who wil the tropies, is still ctive enuf to mea a good player, is always encouraging basketball among the students, townspeople. Dr. R. L. Funk, introduced as a man who makes a speech on the slightest provocation, proved to be similar to President Coolidge in that he is a man of few words. Everyone around Powhattan loves him for his kindness ….
The usual order for dinners had been reversed speaking coming first, in order that thos who could not find seats at the tables might bear the speches, those who are first might leave if they cared to. But no one left until long after tge kast tart if disguise gad been carried back to dishwashers. People crowded around the basketball teams contraculating them, telling the boys what to do at Hays. The Misses Mable Wharton, Mary Larson sang “The Volga Boatman,” accompanied at the piano by Miss Ebris Cornwell, supervisor of music in Powhattan schools. Lee Cashman, captain of the boys team, sang several popular numbers. He has a good voice, makes as good an entertainer behind the megaphone as he does in a football or basketball suit.
****
A decorating commitee, Mrs. C. M. Jackson, Mrs. Irvin Curry, Mrs Kever Wharton, had placed the school colors of red-blue on tables, contrived a pretty display of 11 trophies, scattered about over the tables. Every trophy had been won in basketball either by Powhattan boys or the girls. Two large silver basketballs, mounted on ebony stands, were on seakers table. One trophy was won at Hamling, when Powhattan boys won the county championship this year, the other, greatest of them all, represented the victory at Horton, the victory of a little towns team defeating the largest in the county, the victory that paved the way to the state tournament. The nine cups on display dated back to 1922. In that year the boys won a cup, the girls a cup, for winning teams in county league which was organized at the time, is now disbanded. In 1923 Powhattan girls won the league cup. In 1924 both boys and girls won a cup for being victors in county tournament at Hiawatha. Won two more in the same way, the girls in 1925, the boys in 1926. If Powhattan gets a roomy, modern gymnasium the school may be entered in the Little Six league, to collect more trophies. Tho a small school, Powhattan is clearly outclassing the other towns of its size in the county, climaxing the years performance by winning from the strong horton quintet in the finals of the district tournament, by scor of 19 - 14.
* * * *
Coach Johnnie Corrigan graduated from Effingham high school in same year that Walter II Atzenweller, county farm agent graduated. In 1922 Corrigan attended K. U. Atzenweller K. S.A.C. Altho Corrigan made his K. U. Letter in baseball he is a splendid all-around coach. This spring he plans to organize a baseball team and track team, if the boys want both. His father, Ed. Corrigan, was present at the supper, occupied one of the seats of honor. His sister, Mura L. Has been teaching in Wetmore.
* * * *
Powhattan boys team is captained by Lee Cashman, a big red haired fellow s year. Asked what Cashman did besides play these two gams at Powhattan high student said “why he does anything we want him to do, does it better than anyone else can do. He has played basketball four years the best sport his coach ever say. When his team is being defeaed or, in football, the other side smashes his team hard, he laughs, goes into the fight without rancor but with plenty of aggressiveness. Dick Funk, hiss running mate at forward, has a dead eye for the basket, altho he is playing his first year as a regular man. Played with second team las year. It was Funks shooting that tied the score with Effingham this year, resulting in a victory later on for Powhattan. Charles Powell, pivot man, is a freshan, is six feet three inches tall, weights 180 pounds. Was a star in the last game against Horton. Both Cashman-Powell were paced on a mthical allstar team piced at the tournament by coaches. Nothing official aout it but tem probably represents the cream of the best players. Powells playing in the Horton game was excellent, against strong competition. He annexed 10 points for his team. His possibilities as a basketball player are great, since he, already a star, has three more years to play in high school. In introducing the big fellow along with other players, Mr. Lewis remarked that Powell would make a good player “when he o his growth.” He has a god start. Ernest Moser, guard, is the best defensive man Powhattan has ever had. Is a hard worker, fast and aggressive He is especially gos on recovering shots from the bakboard. Altho this is his first year at basketball he will graduate this year. Uberta Bartley, a guard, is a sophomore, the youngest players on the team. Coach Corrigan says he is an excellent little player, should make a fine man for net years team. The team has a good strong of substitutes. Fred Boss is probably the best shot among the Powhattan players, but is less experienced in playing than the others. Dale walters played two good games this year, one at Effingham, one at willis. Is a good scrapper. Verdo Littreal is a dependable guard. This is his first year out. Otto Kneisel, center man, is a hard worker, should be a valuable addition to next years team. Carl Hinz is nother player developing good material. The boys team played 22 games this year winning 18 of them, tieing one. Lost to Savetha 11-14, to Highland 16-13, to Effingham 16-20. Tie was 17-17 with Muscat. Other scores, Powhattan willing, where: whiting, 19-15, Fairview 21-17, Morrill 17-2, Fairview 28-17, Reserve 39-9, Everest 28-12, Hamlin 25-9, Morrilll 25-21, Horton 19-16, wetmore 19-11, 27-14.
* * * *
Powhattans girls team has won from Willis, Whiting, Sabetha, Everest, has maintained a good record throughout the year. Only team which defeated Powhattan girls by big score were the Robinson girls, who won 47-20. Agnes Gold, captain of Powhattan girls, like Lee Cashman, captain of Powhattan boys, has red hair, but the two are not related. She is the best player on her team, he on his. Mary Larso, who attended high school in Hiawatha last year played her best game this against everest. Idah Bartley, guard, is dependable, is an accurate scorer. May Speaks, guard has lots of pep, plays the game for all it is worth. Esther Riley, guard, is a freshman, will have lots of time to develop into the steady guard player she has proved to be this year. Violet Holcomb, running center fights well, never gives up until the game is finished. Maude Riley, Kathleen Hiskey, Delores Darby are good substitutes.
* * * *
Powhattan has a womans town team which has been quite successful this year Hiawatha town team defeated them once, but the girls won all of the six remaining games played this year. Team does not have the same lineup for every game. Those who have played this year are: twill Bartley, Louise Riley, Mar Katheryn Jackson, Jenie Nelson. Mrs. Ferdinand Hunter, Mrs. Paul Alexander, Hannah Schumann, Ehis Cornwell, Iva Channeler, Goldie Huber.
* * * *
Two young people, Mr. And Mrs. Paul Alexander, who once layed basketball for Powhattan, mave married, hav started up a restaurant. It was formally opened Wednesday in Powhattan.
* * * *
Glenn Patton, Clarence Wolfe, former Powhattan residents, drove down to the supper. Both boys played with Powhattan team three years ago when on of the trophies was won.
* * * *
It is easy to see why Powhattan has a good team. As over in Doniphan county, at Denton, youngsters begin playing basketball almost as soon as they are able to pick up a ball. Every alley in own has goals where boys practice, every shed is used for a backboard, The community encourages this, believing that the game develops growing bodies along the proper lines, believing that the game teaches manly sportsmanship.
* * * *
Coach Corrigan Starts for Hayes early Thursday morning, taking his five first string men, two subs, Boss and Littreal. Tey will remain until Sunday, win or lose. A number of Powhattan basketball fans are expected to accompany them.
Hiawatha Daily World March 16 1927
Note: This is about gathering a day or two before the 1927 team left to play in the State Tournament at Hays. It has not been proofread so if you see anything in question please notify Jerry Draney = email jdraney@me.com
The same splendid community spirit which has been back of Powhattans basketball teams for years was in evidence Tuesday night when over 450 people met at an oyster supper in the city hall, in honor of the basketball boys-girls, with special reference to the boys who won the county tournament at Morrill, then the district meet at Horton. To further show its appreciation Powhattan will send the victorius team to Hays to compete in the statement tournament, with other district winners. The supper was only one of the many things Powhattan citizens have one for the school, more are planned. An annex to the high school building is being talked about, petitions will soon be out to the voters. Proposed annex is to have a large gymnasium, domestic science department, manual training room, perhaps room for a course in vocational agriculture.
The oyster supper was planned, carried out by the good people of the town. Mrs. Jesse Cashman was chairman of aides committee on the supper. Frank Bartley chairman of mens committee phone calls, according to Mrs. Cashman, brought a ready response. People began arriving early in the evening carrying cake, sandwiches which were plentiful enough to feed the 450, altho only 300 guests had been expected. It was a county enterprise, carried out by community citizens, in a community way. Every one helped. Ladies brot dishes. Silverware, helped prepare the oyster soup. Those things which could not be brot form homes were bot at stores. As guests went out each contributed something, as much as he thot was fitting. Am ample fund of over #20 was raised in this manner. Supper was served cafeteria style. After it was over two of the men, Jesse Cashman, Frank Bartley, stayed to assist with the dish washing.
Q. I. Lewis president of the school board presided at the supper. Rev. M. A. Good, Methodist minister gave the invocation, later made a nice talk. Prin C. B. Mitchell made a forceful talk expressed his hearty interest in basketball, his hoope that Powhattan boys would win at Hays. “I knew we got a good coach when we got Johnny Corrigan.” he declared. “I picked him myself, out of a list of 13 applications. His work has been gratifying to all” On behalf of the boys team Mr. Mithel presented Coach John Corrigan with a gold pen-pencil. Later in the evening Miss Agnes Gold, captain of the girls team, gave the coach a gold knife and chain, a token of esteem from the girls team. Col. Charles II Browne, of Horton, spoke of the value of having such good youngsters as Powhattan products, said that when Powhattan went to Hays all Brown County would be rooting for them. Capt Wes McManigal, of Horton, said that since Horton was defeated he was glad it had been Coach Corrigans boys who did it. Virg Hill seconded these remarks speaking for Hiawatha.
Robert Snyder, manual training-publice speaking instructor, was first to broach the subject of an annex to the high school. The applause showed how kindly people took to the suggestion.
Mr. Snyder said Kansas was a pioneer state in basketball, that it is primarily a Kansas sport yet. “Good sportsman ship is what has made basketball what it is today” he declared in closing. Mr. Snyder has been in Powhattan two years, his wife, still teaching, taught there a year before he came. Willie wilson, the “Father of basketball in Powhattan” was introduced. Mr. Wilson, tho older than the boys who wil the tropies, is still ctive enuf to mea a good player, is always encouraging basketball among the students, townspeople. Dr. R. L. Funk, introduced as a man who makes a speech on the slightest provocation, proved to be similar to President Coolidge in that he is a man of few words. Everyone around Powhattan loves him for his kindness ….
The usual order for dinners had been reversed speaking coming first, in order that thos who could not find seats at the tables might bear the speches, those who are first might leave if they cared to. But no one left until long after tge kast tart if disguise gad been carried back to dishwashers. People crowded around the basketball teams contraculating them, telling the boys what to do at Hays. The Misses Mable Wharton, Mary Larson sang “The Volga Boatman,” accompanied at the piano by Miss Ebris Cornwell, supervisor of music in Powhattan schools. Lee Cashman, captain of the boys team, sang several popular numbers. He has a good voice, makes as good an entertainer behind the megaphone as he does in a football or basketball suit.
****
A decorating commitee, Mrs. C. M. Jackson, Mrs. Irvin Curry, Mrs Kever Wharton, had placed the school colors of red-blue on tables, contrived a pretty display of 11 trophies, scattered about over the tables. Every trophy had been won in basketball either by Powhattan boys or the girls. Two large silver basketballs, mounted on ebony stands, were on seakers table. One trophy was won at Hamling, when Powhattan boys won the county championship this year, the other, greatest of them all, represented the victory at Horton, the victory of a little towns team defeating the largest in the county, the victory that paved the way to the state tournament. The nine cups on display dated back to 1922. In that year the boys won a cup, the girls a cup, for winning teams in county league which was organized at the time, is now disbanded. In 1923 Powhattan girls won the league cup. In 1924 both boys and girls won a cup for being victors in county tournament at Hiawatha. Won two more in the same way, the girls in 1925, the boys in 1926. If Powhattan gets a roomy, modern gymnasium the school may be entered in the Little Six league, to collect more trophies. Tho a small school, Powhattan is clearly outclassing the other towns of its size in the county, climaxing the years performance by winning from the strong horton quintet in the finals of the district tournament, by scor of 19 - 14.
* * * *
Coach Johnnie Corrigan graduated from Effingham high school in same year that Walter II Atzenweller, county farm agent graduated. In 1922 Corrigan attended K. U. Atzenweller K. S.A.C. Altho Corrigan made his K. U. Letter in baseball he is a splendid all-around coach. This spring he plans to organize a baseball team and track team, if the boys want both. His father, Ed. Corrigan, was present at the supper, occupied one of the seats of honor. His sister, Mura L. Has been teaching in Wetmore.
* * * *
Powhattan boys team is captained by Lee Cashman, a big red haired fellow s year. Asked what Cashman did besides play these two gams at Powhattan high student said “why he does anything we want him to do, does it better than anyone else can do. He has played basketball four years the best sport his coach ever say. When his team is being defeaed or, in football, the other side smashes his team hard, he laughs, goes into the fight without rancor but with plenty of aggressiveness. Dick Funk, hiss running mate at forward, has a dead eye for the basket, altho he is playing his first year as a regular man. Played with second team las year. It was Funks shooting that tied the score with Effingham this year, resulting in a victory later on for Powhattan. Charles Powell, pivot man, is a freshan, is six feet three inches tall, weights 180 pounds. Was a star in the last game against Horton. Both Cashman-Powell were paced on a mthical allstar team piced at the tournament by coaches. Nothing official aout it but tem probably represents the cream of the best players. Powells playing in the Horton game was excellent, against strong competition. He annexed 10 points for his team. His possibilities as a basketball player are great, since he, already a star, has three more years to play in high school. In introducing the big fellow along with other players, Mr. Lewis remarked that Powell would make a good player “when he o his growth.” He has a god start. Ernest Moser, guard, is the best defensive man Powhattan has ever had. Is a hard worker, fast and aggressive He is especially gos on recovering shots from the bakboard. Altho this is his first year at basketball he will graduate this year. Uberta Bartley, a guard, is a sophomore, the youngest players on the team. Coach Corrigan says he is an excellent little player, should make a fine man for net years team. The team has a good strong of substitutes. Fred Boss is probably the best shot among the Powhattan players, but is less experienced in playing than the others. Dale walters played two good games this year, one at Effingham, one at willis. Is a good scrapper. Verdo Littreal is a dependable guard. This is his first year out. Otto Kneisel, center man, is a hard worker, should be a valuable addition to next years team. Carl Hinz is nother player developing good material. The boys team played 22 games this year winning 18 of them, tieing one. Lost to Savetha 11-14, to Highland 16-13, to Effingham 16-20. Tie was 17-17 with Muscat. Other scores, Powhattan willing, where: whiting, 19-15, Fairview 21-17, Morrill 17-2, Fairview 28-17, Reserve 39-9, Everest 28-12, Hamlin 25-9, Morrilll 25-21, Horton 19-16, wetmore 19-11, 27-14.
* * * *
Powhattans girls team has won from Willis, Whiting, Sabetha, Everest, has maintained a good record throughout the year. Only team which defeated Powhattan girls by big score were the Robinson girls, who won 47-20. Agnes Gold, captain of Powhattan girls, like Lee Cashman, captain of Powhattan boys, has red hair, but the two are not related. She is the best player on her team, he on his. Mary Larso, who attended high school in Hiawatha last year played her best game this against everest. Idah Bartley, guard, is dependable, is an accurate scorer. May Speaks, guard has lots of pep, plays the game for all it is worth. Esther Riley, guard, is a freshman, will have lots of time to develop into the steady guard player she has proved to be this year. Violet Holcomb, running center fights well, never gives up until the game is finished. Maude Riley, Kathleen Hiskey, Delores Darby are good substitutes.
* * * *
Powhattan has a womans town team which has been quite successful this year Hiawatha town team defeated them once, but the girls won all of the six remaining games played this year. Team does not have the same lineup for every game. Those who have played this year are: twill Bartley, Louise Riley, Mar Katheryn Jackson, Jenie Nelson. Mrs. Ferdinand Hunter, Mrs. Paul Alexander, Hannah Schumann, Ehis Cornwell, Iva Channeler, Goldie Huber.
* * * *
Two young people, Mr. And Mrs. Paul Alexander, who once layed basketball for Powhattan, mave married, hav started up a restaurant. It was formally opened Wednesday in Powhattan.
* * * *
Glenn Patton, Clarence Wolfe, former Powhattan residents, drove down to the supper. Both boys played with Powhattan team three years ago when on of the trophies was won.
* * * *
It is easy to see why Powhattan has a good team. As over in Doniphan county, at Denton, youngsters begin playing basketball almost as soon as they are able to pick up a ball. Every alley in own has goals where boys practice, every shed is used for a backboard, The community encourages this, believing that the game develops growing bodies along the proper lines, believing that the game teaches manly sportsmanship.
* * * *
Coach Corrigan Starts for Hayes early Thursday morning, taking his five first string men, two subs, Boss and Littreal. Tey will remain until Sunday, win or lose. A number of Powhattan basketball fans are expected to accompany them.