Early YMCA — Helping Johnstown flood victims in 1889

Ladies were admitted free and provided chairs for seating at a charity baseball game on June 11, 1889 at the new YMCA athletic grounds on Sanford Street in Glens Falls.

Admission for men was 25 cents — the equivalent of $8.05 in 2022 dollars — and 10 cents for boys for the game between a pick-up team from the Glens Falls YMCA and a pick-up team from the Glens Falls Athletic Clun to benefit victims of the Johnstown flood in Pennsylvania.

“This will be a very interesting game, and ought to attract a large crowd, both on that account and because it is for the benefit of the needy,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on June 10. “Don’t fail to buy a ticket, even if you do not attend the game.”

In a twist of irony, the game was rained out.

“Yesterday afternoon, a number of young men enjoyed a pop corn feast while waiting for the clouds to roll by so that the game could be played. But they didn’t roll,” The Morning Star reported on June 12.

The game was rescheduled for the afternoon of June 13.

The Morning Star on June 13 suggested a way to boost attendance.

“It is suggested that it would be a generous act for some of our liverymen to use a few of their spare horses to run a free bus from the village to the Young Mens Christian Association grounds this afternoon at half-past three for the accomodation of those who desire to attend the game of ball.”

The Glens Falls Athletic Club team defeated the Glens Falls YMCA team 10–3.

Receipts were still coming in, but it was expected that between $25 and $30 would be raised.

When all was said and done, $40.70 was raised — the equivalent of $1,310 in 2022 dollars.

This brought total contributions from Glens Falls residents and organizations to Johnstown flood relief, so far, to $1,013 — the equivalent of $32,611 in 2022 dollars.

It was one of the early events at the athletic grounds.

The YMCA Outing Club organized volunteer labor to construct the new athletic grounds, in the interest of fulfilling one aspect of the YMCA’s three-fold mission of building strong bodies, minds and spirits.

An athletic field was developed for baseball and football games, and a refreshment stand was constructed, and a tennis court was planned for the YMCA auxiliary, an organization of young women that supported the YMCA.

The grand opening was celebrated May 30 with a game between two pick-up teams of YMCA members — one team headed by N.R. Gourley, of the Glens Falls Insurance Co., and the other by Milton Nevins, a local tailor.

“The Gourley nine’s color is yellow, and the Nevin nine’s blue,” The Morning Star reported. “The young men request that the friends of each nine attending the game will wear their respective colors.”

Work on the grounds was to be finished the morning of the game.

“This morning, a number of the young men will visit the athletic grounds and lay out a tennis court where the ladies of the auxiliary may enjoy that pleasant pastime this afternoon.”

The Nevins team won 29–11.

“The lowering skies followed by showers Thursday afternoon undoubtedly kept many away from the baseball game, but, notwithstanding, there was a good attendance,” The Morning Star reported on June 1.

Click here to read my most recent previous Early YMCA post.