Might I suggest starting here: 1896 Glasco Kansas Football team. Founded in 1893 by University of Ottawa grad Tom Day. In 1896 the Glasco town team played the University of Kansas among others colleges according to the website below. They were "farm boys" but not affiliated with any school, probably semi-pro and modestly paid. The town of Glasco is about 30-40 miles from Jewell City, Kansas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasco,_Kansas
http://www.skyways.org/towns/Glasco/history.htm

I'll see what I can find in microfiche tomorrow on this team. Especially a lineup.