| Chapter 3 1908 - Jasonville's First Football Team |
| In Chapter 14 of "The Jasonville Story" - Ben Sink mentioned this 1098 team and named several of the players. Using his description I wrote a brief account of the team for the Jasonville Leader several years ago. Fred Bledsoe, a lifelong resident of Jasonville and a member of that team, brought to my attention the fact that both Ben and I left out the names of several of the players. He went on to produce a picture of the team and to name everyone on it. I am grateful to Fred for bringing this oversight to my attention and for letting us use his picture. Fred was a freshman in high school when this picture was taken and although he played football for three or more seasons, he quit school to go into the coal mines before he graduated. People who remember Fred's football years tell me that he was one of the most fantastic kickers they ever saw. He was usually given the task of kicking off and they say that many times he put the ball right over the other team's goalpost. When I asked Fred about this, he very modestly explained to me that the ball was kicked from mid-field in those days, which placed him closer to the other team's goal. He also went on to say that Mr. Keith, the principal, offered to give him a dollar every time he did this, after he had seen him do it the first time. I am inclined to agree with the people who witnessed Fred's kicking ability. "That's fantastic." Through the miracle of modern-day television we are able to see the greatest football players in the world and it's seldom if ever that one sees any of them even attempt a field goal from fifty yards. Remember that Fred was only a young boy in high school when he was doing this. Jasonville and football go together like mother and apple pie, The flag and the nation or bacon and eggs. Since the first team in 1908 up to the time that little Jasonville High School finally had to admit that they just couldn't compete with the large consolidated schools around them, this town has been head over heels in love with the game of football. We have a football tradition and record that would be the envy of any town in the state of Indiana. Let's examine that first team a little closer. It's manager was Oscar R. Shields-principal of the high school. Jerry Ulen, a teacher, was coach and Claude Johnson, was captain. The members of the squad were Roy Johnson, Walt Wakefield, Claude Johnson, Cliff Chandler, Jesse Ault, Disco Hubbard, Eli Miller, John Wasnidge, Blue Lowdermilk, and Everett Osborn, Ray Hanna, Oscar Gamon, William Walters I, Fred Miller, Curt Letsinger, Fred Bledsoe, Wayne Nash. Along with the captain, that made eleven players with no substitutes. They didn't even have a scrub team to scrimmage against. These eleven players began a tradition that became a legend when in 1926 little Jasonville became the state champions. In our memories we see once again the snake dances down Main St., the bonfires and pep rallies at the football field. We see the young men of our town at the field every morning, training, building muscles and stamina to face the test that lies before them. We see a cool crisp autumn evening. The air is perfumed with the scent of burning leaves. At Hanna field the last preparations are being made before the game. The yardlines have been freshly limed on the field and the familiar gridiron pattern stands out stark and white against the green grass. At the refreshment stand, last minute preparations are being made. On the field itself two referees in their black and white striped uniforms are busy checking the distances and pausing now and then to exchange a few words. The fans are starting to arrive now, laughing and talking as they look for a good seat on the green bleachers. Many of them carry blankets and coats against the chill of the evening. Excited young boys gather in small groups, racing up and down the sidelines and now and then lowering their shoulders and running into one another, each positive he is exhibiting a flawless football block. Now the band arrives and starts filling the section of bleachers roped off for them. They begin removing their instruments from the cases and the inevitable tuning up chorus full of discord and yet so familiar fills the night air. The crowd in the bleachers pause more often now from their conversations and glance toward the end of the field from where the team will emerge. Across the field the visitors side is pretty much a mirror image of the homeside -- with possible exception of fewer fans and the two predominate colors are different. Someone cries, "They're here!" As the other side of the field erupts in noise and cherring, the visiting team runs onto the field, down the sidelines and forms a large circle at the other end of the field. Now the moment has arrived. The drums begin rolling and then the band bursts into our school song as our boys come between the goal posts and onto the field. Everyone is on their feet now - cheering, shouting their approval and encouragement then joining with the band in the strains of the school song. Our team is going to make a complete circle of the field. How large they appear in their uniforms with the padding underneath and the muscles they have added from their rigorous training. Our chests fill with pride at the sight of them. We know instinctively that the team we see before us can face any team in the state and not get their noses rubbed in the dirt. But isn't that what we expected? This is Friday evening. This is football. This is Jasonville. And everyone knows Jasonville is a football town. |
| Grandpaws Football Team By William Thomas Enstrom Shakamak High School 1975 Graduate It was nineteen hundred twenty-six Yes that was the year. When in opposing football teams Our eleven did put fear. For when they stepped upon that field, One hundred yards in length. It was plain they were unbeatable. A team with amazing strength. There were those who came to play. And thought to beat our men. And each one left in disbelief. Giving Jasonville another win. Some foes did not last too long. They stumbled and they fell. Some made it a real tough game. But our boys played too well. No opposition had a hope. Against a team so great. They played to be only winners. To be champions of the State. The total weight of this big team. Amounted to one ton. The ground shook as they took the field. And each game they played they won. They teammates played in that last game. Just fifty years ago. And here are each of the members names I thought you might like to know. There were the powerful Elson brothers, Dale and Arthur to be exact. And it is well known that Tom Ketchem Played a big part to that act. Frank Johnson was a scrapper. Franklin Griffith played it tough; And they say for Arthur Woodruff, Things were never rough enough. Big Sam Gillespie could really play, His opponents learned that fact. And don't forget Ed Fleming, And his brother, Chuck, who was Quarterback. Two more boys upon that team, Performed amazing feats. They were brothers and their names Were Lawrence and Lowell Sheets. When our team took the field This to you I vow. None played with more determination Than Tiller, Fougerousse and Rowe. Next came the Letsingers. Their playing was first rate. And Wayne Cushman and Bob Lynch Were unequaled in the State. And let me tell you folks, No one would dare impeach The great football abilities Of Chuck Hochstettler and Mark Leach. Next comes Eddie Greenwood. And don't forget Don Squires. When those two came onto the field Fans cheered, cause they were ours. Jerry Nagle was their coach. Responsible for their fate. With his great hand upon the helm They were champions of the State. Undisputedly, victorious. Champions in their own right. It is the Jason Mines Football Team. We honor here tonight. The story I have told you Is true, I ought to know Cause Tom Ketchem is my Grandpaw, And my Grandpaw told me so. |
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| Seated L to R - Ray Hanna, Oscar Gamon, Claude Johnson-Captain, Jerry Ulen-Coach, W.W. Keith-Principal, Walter Wakefield, William Walters I, Eli Miller. Standing - Miller, John Wasnidge, Fred Miller, Disco Hubbard, 'Chick' Chandler, Jesse Ault, Roy Johnson, Curt Letsinger, Fred Bledsoe, Wayne Nash, ('Blue' Laoudermilk and Everett Osborn are not in picture). |
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| Front Row (l to r): Tommy Campbell, Clarence "Red" Humphreys, Rex Poe Second row: unknown, Sheldon Brown, Lex Ladson, unknown, Chuck Franklin Back row: Coach Ray Hanna, Edgar Barnhill, unknown, Bill Campbell (behind), unknown, unknown, unknown |
| Tribune Trophy Presented To Jasonville High School In 1917 |
| Taken from "The Jasonville Leader" The Tribune Trophy, given to the Jasonville High School football team, as Champions of the Wabash Valley, was presented to the High School last Thursday by Captain Clarence "Red" Humphreys. Speeches were given by the members of the faculty, quarterback Tommy Campbell, and Captain Humphreys. The Trophy is on display in the show window of Walters Pharmacy. The Jasonville team has made a fine showing this season, finishing without a defeat against it. Following are the games played and the results. Jasonville H.S., -7, T.H. Garfield -6; Jasonville H.S., -6, Robinson, Ill. 0; Jasonville H.S. -18, Bloomfield -0; Jasonville H.S. -16, Linton -0; Jasonville H.S. -14, Bicknell -0; Jasonville H.S. -41, T.H. Wiley -0; Jasonville H.S. -47, Georgetown, Ill. -0. By adding the points for Jasonville and those of other teams, the total will be seen to be 149 points for the local teams and 6 for all the others. Although several members of the local team will greaduate at the end of the school term, Coach Hanna expects to form a team next year which will be strong enough to keep the Trophy here. The line up of this season's football team follows: C. Humphreys, Captain, r.g.; Lex Ladson, r.e.; Sheldon Brown, c.; Rex Poe, l.e.; Chuck Franklin, r.h.; Tommy Campbell, q.b.; Edgar Barnhill, f.b.; Nickless, r.t.; Kline, l.h.; Daughtery, l.t.; Joe Sexton, l.g. A gold watch has been given to Ray Hanna for his splendid services as coach of the teams of 1916-17. |
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| "RED' HANNA AND HIS 1928 FIGHTING YELLOW JACKETS Players left to right: Back row: Neal, Brown, Irons, Staker, Sexton, A. Scholl, Hill, Bennet, Stevenson, Southard, Houghton; Middle Row: Malcolm Sheets, Bush, Passen, Letsinger, Squires, Hinton, I. Scholl; Front Row; Gardner (Ass't Coach) Bledsoe, Claywell, Poe, Griffith, Squires, Downing, Fougerousse, Greenwood, Selba, Hanna (Coach). |
| JASONVILLE FIRST HIGH SCHOOL TO HAVE NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME Defeats Jasper Academy 20-0; 2500 Witness The Game (From the November 22, 1928 Jasonville Leader) The first night football game to be played by a high school in the state of Indiana is an honor that the people of Jasonville should be proud of. It shows that although Jasonville is not as large as other towns in the valley that when they undertake anything they can sure put it over. By the light of the stars and 26 high powered lights, Jasonville walloped Jasper academy by the score of 20-0. It was without reservation the most thrilling football game that has been played on Hanna Field this season. Shortly before the game was started 110 gallons of gasoline was poured on the rain-soaked field and lighted. After allowing the gasoline to burn itself out the field was in excellent condition. Among the large crowd of spectators were several well-known figures, namely, Ralph White and Leonard Kincade of the Terre Haute Tribune; Larry Denning, sports editor of the Post; Harry Milligan, Terre Haute park superintendent, who had nothing but praise for the night football idea. This was quite a large undertaking and too much credit cannot be given Mr. Ingole, of the Wabash Valley Electric Co., Mr. Puckett, principal of the school and coach Hanna, and many others who helped to make the game possible. There were people here from all over the country. There were two cars from St. Louis and Detroit, Michigan and from all over the states of Indiana and Illinois. Night football gives the people a chance to see the games who have to work on Saturday afternoons and is a great drawing card of the surrounding towns. |
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