Rehash - One of the Strangest Baseball Cabinet Photos Ever...
 

Ok, This photo has been my biggest pain in the *** of all time.... I have been determined to figure this one out - And have essentially ended up nowhere.

I am wanting to get new opinions (without my influence) on what you think the Scoreboard might say? I have tried every version of what I think the scoreboard says, but I am wondering if I am not seeing the obvious or what? (forest for the trees etc.). I think the scoreboard may be the key to breaking the case?

Care to make a guess at the Scoreboard? Or anything else for that matter.

Thanks guys,

I did a genealogy search on George Trott, the rotund gentleman on the end. A George Trott had a daughter born in Santa Barbara, California in 1897. The photo was taken in 1899. Trott was around 46 in that year. The age seems to fit the man in the photo. The photographed event seems to be of a spoof, outlandish clothing and someone holding a sign with a date 100 years later. I cannot make out the scoreboard, but I would search for a Skelton Clothier in Santa Barbara, CA in the late 1800s. Happy hunting.

Paul

According to ancestry.com George H.S. Trott (1867-1918) was born and died in Knoxville, Tennessee. Here's the site. Has photos of baseball player so would imagine it is him despite the fact it looks like he has put on a few lbs. and shaved his mustache in the cabinet photo.

http://records.ancestry.com/George_S...x?pid=20360765

Shelton Clothiers operated in Memphis & Knoxville, Tennessee at the turn of the century.

Of course, just an opinion and not based on anything but minimal google searches.

Best of luck, and GREAT PHOTO!

Let me revise my last comment after further research, I googled '"Shelton Clothiers" Tennessee 1900' and found above info, but only gave a cursory glance at it, now appears Shelton Clothiers is in Memphis and "1900" is in their phone number or address not a year. Very sorry, do not mean to steer you in the wrong direction.

'Watters' is one of my family names - all in Georgia from the late 1700's through the mid 1800's. Good luck.

If from the early 1900's, regarding the scoreboard, what team name would be used, the city or nick name? Also, who would be listed on top, home or visitors?

Thanks guys - Already gave me a few ideas that I had not thought of before.

To give you guys an idea of how far I have taken my research... I found a Gun Forum and asked them about the photo! See one of the responses below:

That appears to be a Stevens Tip Up. Also known as a "pocket rifle".
They had removable shoulder stocks, so they could be used as a rifle or a pistol. Various versions were made, including some shotguns, from 1886 to 1916.

perhaps
 

Skelton WV - does it say "on the bank" or sumptin else between clothier and Skelton?

Did your finding of the chicago police dept buckle end up helping you at all?

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=131018

Looks like there is an area in Illinois called Skelton as well?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skelton,_Illinois

Now that's one I have not tried! I have tried "on the bay" though? I am going to try that WV on the bank.....

On another note: One of the other posts in the gun forum - a guy brought up the pants leg of the man holding the sign has some kind of "pull up" at the bottom that I had not noticed before? Perhaps a motorcycle or bicycle guard?

Hi Dave,

No, the Chicago Police Department angle has pretty much taken me to a dead-end? I really thought I was on to something with that but I've contacted Chicago police historians etc. to no avail... I really started questioning that angle because I haven't really found an exact match to the uniform either? Also wondering if the belt buckle says "cgp" or even "ggp" ?

Hi Shawn,

Found this after awhile of searching. Here is a family history that indicates a "William B. George" (b. 1843) had a child, "Francis George" (b. 1878) in this record. Might be the same Frances George Watters, but incorrectly spelled by census taker, mentioned on the back of the photo. Tennessee/Missouri seems to be coming up quite often which would make sense if the game were in Memphis, TN. Looks like William B. George was born in TN.

Shot in the dark. Hope this helps.

http://reigelridge.com/family/index....in=p17137.htm;

It appears to say "Skelton The Clothier" with "on the bay" in small text???

"Skelton Fine 'up to date' Clothier." My guess on the sign. I'll give up on Shelton, can't see it now. May be the beers:D Goodnight.