Researching the
"Advertiser" for sports related stories has been a fascinating
experience, and beginning Friday September 5th I hope to report on
the first game of the 1936 season to you as reported in the
Advertiser, and then follow the season week by week. As earlier
reported 1936 was Coach A. A. McLaughlin's first season at the helm
of the "Alderson Indians." At this point it would be interesting for
each of our readers to make a prediction on the outcome of the 1936
season in terms of wins and losses. I also hope to report on the
1929 season; however that story is so interesting that it should be
told in one article. In preparation for that article I would like
for you "sports historians" to write to the "Aldersonian" and tell
Our Editor how many points the Indians scored in the 1929 season and
how many points were scored against the team. In addition, please
tell us what the win- loss record was for 1929.
There were two stories in the Advertiser on July 30, 1937 that fall
under the category of pure Alderson "stuff.". There is absolutely no
way that someone who is not from our town can appreciate these
articles that I am about to relate. Everyone had a nickname that was
either earned, or bestowed upon him or her by their peers. In many
cases these names were acquired through some very innocent "prank"
or by other equally innocuous circumstance. The first story concerns
a young boy whose nickname was "Pike." We probably never gave much
thought to how Pike got his name; however I will bet that close to
100% of those of you who are regular readers of the "Aldersonian"
know who I am speaking of. The article reports on July 30 that "The
largest fish caught in Alderson this season was caught by E. R.
Fletcher in Gwinn's pool on Tuesday afternoon. The fish, a
walled-eyed pike measured 26 inches and weighted six pounds." Now,
before I get too excited that I have discovered how Pike Fletcher
got his nickname I must ask for your help. I am fairly certain that
Pike's dad was E. R. Fletcher (according to my brother's
recollection) however I must admit that I cannot recall Pike's given
name. I would assume that if it was not Pike that somehow his
nickname was related to this fishing story.
My second story on the same date is related to a medical procedure.
The subject of this article was also known by his nickname; however
the article refers to his given name. I will not reveal his nickname
to you because as in the previous article most, if not all of you,
will know the nickname that should attach to this person: "Little
Lawrence Rowe, Jr. returned to his home last night from Covington,
Va. where he had his tonsils removed. He was accompanied by his
grandmother Mrs. H. J. Rowe and his aunt Miss Marguerite Rowe."
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