"Best game of football ever witnessed ...."

Thanksgiving football was a tradition in Chariton back at the turn of the 20th century, but in the absence of television the action was live --- on the rough and tumble playing field located in what now is Eikenberry Park, sandwiched between North 12th and North 13th streets with Auburn Avenue running along its north boundary.

There had been three football teams in Chariton during the fall of 1899, none affiliated with Chariton High School. One was fielded by Company H, made up of members of Chariton's National Guard unit recently returned after deployment to Florida for the Spanish American War; another, by the Noxal Club, an organization for young gentlemen who could afford its dues (and be invited to join); and the third, the Chariton Tigers, composed of young men who fitted into neither of the proceeding categories and just wanted to play football. For Thanksgiving purposes, it appears that members of the Noxal team and the town team (the Tigers) had joined forces.

Chariton High School would launch its first football team during the fall of 1900 and members of that team are pictured here: (first row from left) Harry Hickman, Charlie Ervin and Arlie Curtis; (second row) Dorsey Artley, Fred Young, Leo Leinen and Jim Baker; and (third row) Bun Graves, Charlie Johnson, John Blous, Charlie Copeland, John Law, Jim Hickman and Dot Jackson. This is the earliest football team photo that we've got.

I wish there were photographs of one or more of the 1899 Chariton teams, but there aren't.

Here's a report of the 1899 Thanksgiving game, "the best game of football ever witnessed in Chariton," as reported in The Chariton Democrat of Dec. 8:

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With rain pouring down, the boys of Co. H and the Chariton Tigers marched to the football ground south of the depot Thanksgiving Day and promptly at 3 o'clock the game began.

With horns blowing, snow flying, rain pouring, was played by far the best game of football ever witnessed in Chariton. Co. H won the toss and chose the west goal.

Rose kicked off for Chariton. Bartholomew got the ball and returned it a few yards. The teams lined up and Co. H lost the ball on a fumble. Gookin made an end run for five yards and Co. H got the ball on a fumble. Co. H tried bucking the line and lost the ball on downs. Chariton tried same tactics with same effect. Johnson made an end run for Co. H and made a five yard gain and was downed by Rose. Line bucking was tried but with no effect.

Throckmorton carried the ball for a ten yard gain round left end and was tackled by Blous. Chariton again tried line bucking and Rose succeeded in gaining five yards but was downed by Blous. Blous again tried the line with no result.

Throckmorton was sent through the lines for a short gain and was stopped by Johnson. Chariton lost the ball on downs and Blous returned it through Chariton's line for three yards. Co. H tried line bucking and lost the ball. Chariton's ball within five yards of Co. H goal. Gookin made a short gain through the line. Throckmorton carried the ball for a short gain. He was again given the ball and went through the line for a touchdown.

Dalin kicked goal for Chariton and the game stood, Chariton 6, Co. H O.

Blous kicked off for Co. H to the 25th yard line and the ball was held there. Chariton made a short gain and the first half ended.

Blous kicked off for Co. H to the 40th yard line and Gookin returned the ball 35 yards and was stopped by Hasselquist, the last man, just in time to save a goal. Here is where the fight began. Both sides were held for downs repeatedly, and after about fifteen minutes of play the ball was still in the center of the field.

Johnson and Blous carried the ball for Co. H around the left end for repeated gains and were stopped within twelve yards of Chariton's goal. Here Capt. Blous punted and Bruce carried the ball over the goal for a touchdown. Blous tried for goal, but not allowing for the wind a strong gust came and carried the ball against the south goal post. The score, Chariton 6, Co. H 5.

Rose kicked off for Chariton but the ball went out of bounds a few feet from the goal line. It was brought back and Rose kicked again to the 25th yard line. The ball was returned a few yards and line bucking was tried on both sides with but little gain.

Blous carried the ball around left end for a long run, dodging his assailants, and another touchdown seemed certain, but Throckmorton was still in the game and got his man in time to save the game.

Considering the condition of the ground and weather, a better game of football is seldom witnessed on our college gridirons. If the interest in the game continues until next year, Chariton bids fair to have one of the best teams in southern Iowa.

The star players were Throckmorton, Gookin, Johnson, Rose, Blous.