Alexandria, VA

This park was located on a horse track near a railroad junction.

Here is lovely story from The Washington Post, June 30, 1890.

"Sunday baseball in the vicinity of Washington is plainly at an end. It was given its death blow yesterday afternoon, when Sheriff Beach, of Alexandria county, arrested Secretary Burkett, of the Washington Baseball Club, for violating the Sunday law, in conducting a game of baseball on that day, and for holding an exhibition without obtaining a licence. As the sheriff remarked, 'the law is to be observed hereafter in Alexandria county.' The attendance at the game was considerably less than at the preceding games at Asaph's Junction, and it is probable that, owing to the lack of accommodations provided by the railroad, the attendance would have been less with each succeeding game, even if more were permitted. The crowd was carried a quarter of a mile further than to the road leading to the grounds, the point where the train stopped first on the day the first game was played, and had to wait an hour and a quarter for a train after the game was ended.

The first excitement of the afternoon was caused by the sheriff and a number of his deputies, swooping down on the 'shell men' who set up their little stands in the road as soon as the train stopped and tried to induce someone to bet 'where the little pea lies, gentlemen!' Two were captured before the alarm could be passed along, and the colored justice, who lives near the railway track, took charge of the paraphernalia. One succeed in escaping, but the other was sent to Alexandria for trial.

The the sheriff proceed to the ball grounds and arrested the ticket taker at the game, Mr. James Dunn, and prevented the selling of tickets. A large number were allowed to enter the grounds before the sheriff had decided exactly what to do. Finally he decided that no more should be admitted, and placed a number of deputies at the gate. The clamor grew so great that finally all were allowed to go in, and the game proceeded."

Just at the conclusion of the second inning Sheriff Beach and a posse of ten deputies arrested Secretary Burkett on a charge of violating the law in giving an exhibition for which an admission fee was charged. Mr. Burkett left $60 collateral in the Sheriff's hands for his appearance for trial to-day in Alexandria. Nearly every one supposed this settled the matter, and at the conclusion of the game all broke for the train except about a score of Alexandrians, Mr. Burkett, and a reporter.

During the game Mr. Burkett sought legal advice, and when the crowd had cleared out went to the sheriff and demanded an immediate trial. A colored justice of the peace, 'Squire" Drummond, was present, and it was determined to hold court in the grand stand. Witnessed were subpoenaed, but the sheriff refused to go on with the trial. This broke up the anticipated fun, and the sheriff strode off, while the law, represented by a colored magistrate who was minus a collar, beseeching followed. But the sheriff was inexorable, and it was only when Lawyer Breen got the ear of the court that individual concluded he had the power to hold court any way.

An adjournment was had to the judges' stand, which is about eight feet square, and there court was opened. Mr. Breen stated the offense and the penalty, and on behalf of his client pleaded guilty. The sheriff finally came into the court, followed by his deputies. The fine was $2 for each man.

Finally the costs and everything was footed up and amounted to $47.60, which Mr. Burkett paid out of the collateral in the sheriff's hands.

But the fun had just commenced, for as Mr. Beach handed Mr. Burkett the change he announced that he was under arrest on another more serious charge, namely, running an exhibition without a license. He said it was indictable and punishable by a fine of $500, and he proposed to take Mr. Burkett to Alexandria and lock him up unless he could give bonds before a magistrate. He asked 'Squire Drummond to issue a warrant, and that worthy consented. The sheriff had a warrant for a man named Hill on the same charge, and he proposed to scratch out the name and insert Burkett's. A score book was loaned to him, and while he was writing on the back of that a friend quietly whispered to Burkett:

'This looks serious, Tom had better get out.'

The little secretary took the cue, and passed behind a couple of friends and quietly down the steps. It was a trying moment, for if he had been discovered his detention in Alexandria jail was a foregone conclusion. To make matters worse the sheriff, in a tone of warning, called to his deputies below to look out for anything wrong. But the careless deputies merely answered all right, and as they had seen Burkett paying the money supposed the case was ended and allowed him to leave.

After waiting until he reached the gate his friend, whose advice he had taken, followed him unmolested. By this time he was well down the road and another of the attaches of the club, who had his instructions came along with Burkett's buggy. For the two men to clamor in was the work an instant, and then the little brown horse commenced a Salvator journey for Washington. Just as the turn was made at the crossing another buggy furiously driven came down the road. It was a race now, sure enough, but Burkett's horse was the superior and the other fellows were left behind, and although they did not let up until the south end of the bridge was reached, they were not in it. Some apprehension was felt that some of the deputies might board the train and stop the fugitives at Jackson City, but if they did so they had their trouble for their plans, as the train did not catch up with Burkett and his friend until they were on the bridge and safe from the clutches of the Virginia officers.

The sheriff was wild with rage when he found how neatly he had been tricked, and his deputies, who had been cheated out of prospective fees by the escape, were madder. So they took it out on the court. The squire adjourned it, and then 'Andy,' the deputy, started in to get even for his lecture. He pulled a gun and ran the Virginia justice all over the grounds, while the spectators roared, and finally having vindicated is assailed honor, refrained from further persecution of his honor."

Long, I know, but also quite amusing.

© 2010-17 Paul Healey.