Members of an Aspinwall baseball team in action. This is possibly the "Clover Hill" team that played in the 1920s.

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
As early as 1886, baseball teams were being organized and games were being played in this area.

In April of 1886, some boys from Hayes Township were preparing to organize a team, and by July of 1886, they were playing such worthy opponents as the Greyhounds, Plow Boys and Turtles.

Wiese and Company, a team sponsored by the Wiese Brothers Grocery Store, began to play baseball around 1900, and Aspinwall had its own ball team.

When played at Manning, the games were generally held at the Great Western Park; since Aspinwall had no ball diamond in town, games were played in farm pastures nearby.

In the 1920s, a team called "Clover Hill" was formed. It was composed of farm boys from around the Aspinwall area. They would play baseball almost every Sunday and many times the games would be held in the Charlie Pfoltner (now Roland Meeves) pasture just a little northeast of town. This team was quite good, and many people remember the excitement of the games.

Team members of the "Clover Hill" team were Claus Hansen, Art Hansen, Elmer Rowedder, Lester Rowedder, Herb Kuhl, Roy Kuhl, Arnold Brus, Raymond Mohr and Marvin Hill. Art and Claus Hansen usually did the pitching for the team.

Aspinwall had another baseball team called the "Aspinwall Browns," and they also played in the Charlie Pfoltner field north of town.

In 1938 or 1939, Aspinwall had a good softball team that played in a league at the Manning ball field. This league consisted of teams from Aspinwall, Manning, Gray and Templeton. The team was coached by George Peters, who lived in Aspinwall at that time. Some of the team members were LaVerne Schroeder, Wilmer Ehrichs, Bill, Walt and Hugo "Shorty" Dammann, George and Amos Justice from Botna, a Holdsworth from Manilla, and Gilbert Rowedder. The team was sponsored by Fred Boyens, who ran the tavern at that time; Fred, Emil Ehrichs, and Frank Ehrichs purchased the team jerseys, which were black and gold.

Two members of the "Clover Hill" baseball team, left to right, Roy Kuhl and Arnold Brus.

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ODDS AND ENDS
The ball game at the Great Western Park, Hoffmann & Co. of Manning vs. Wiese & Co. of Aspinwall, was won by the Aspinwall boys; the score was 6 to 8, both sides playing a good game. The only thing that was lacking in the Manning team was some step ladders to get the balls off the horse sheds.
Manning Monitor, July 1, 1904

ODDS AND ENDS
The ball game which was played at the park Sunday between H.H. & Co. of Manning and Wiese's nine of Aspinwall was won by Manning. Both nines were a little off that day as the score ran a trifle high. This makes one apiece, now watch out for the rub; it will be worth coming a 1000 miles to see it.
Manning Monitor, August 4, 1904

ODDS AND ENDS
The ball game Sunday pitted Aspinwall vs. the Moonshiners. The game ended with a score of 3 to 1 in favor of Aspinwall.
Manning Monitor, August 11, 1904

ODDS AND ENDS
In addition to Charlie Pfoltner's pasture, there was a ball park a little west of the Aspinwall lumber yard.
Henry Schroeder

ODDS AND ENDS
Papa built a sled for us to sleigh ride down the schoolhouse hill. We had to guide it with our heels. One time I took my sister Alice for a ride and ran into the barbwire fence and cut her cheek.
Papa also built two sleds joined with a plank, so about six could ride. Herbert was the navigator.
Malinda (Ehrichs) Anderson

"Spoofing" for the camera are, left to right, Don Schroeder, Virgene Schacht and Roy Soll.

ODDS AND ENDS
One of the first birthday or anniversary parties that I attended was at the Ossenkop home. The rug was rolled up in the front room and then there was dancing. There were two young men who furnished the music on their accordions. Believe Wayne Ranniger was one of the accordion players. Around midnight there was a huge luncheon served. That was where I was introduced to the open face sandwich, which is still served in your area. I had the best open faced dried beef sandwich. Remember several other neighborhood parties and there was usually a keg of beer set up to be served.
Mrs. Joan Kriens, Raytown, Missouri

The "Clover Hill" baseball team who played around the area in the 1920s are, left to right, Roy Kuhl, Claus Hansen, Art Hansen, Arnold Brus, Marvin Hill, Herb Kuhl, Elmer Rowedder, Ray Mohr and Lester Rowedder.

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This picture was taken around 1910. The man at the "steering rod" was a stranger who came to Aspinwall on a Sunday afternoon on business concerning the new railroad track that was to be laid (It was completed in 1913). He asked Peter and Reka Christensen and their sons Jacob and Hugo if they wanted an "auto ride." The Christensen's home is in the background. It was located east of Peter's blacksmith shop which he owned until about 1914, when they moved to Montana.

ODDS AND ENDS
I remember playing with Ruth Brady Hiatt at the depot, especially in the freight house where she had a play house. Sometimes we helped push the freight wagon onto the brick platform to be loaded with freight when the train stopped.
Donna (Schacht) Mahnke

ODDS AND ENDS
Herman Schroeder passed away with blood poison from a scratch on wire about four weeks ago.
Aspinwall News of Manning Monitor May 31, 1928

ODDS AND ENDS
Aspinwall, Iowa, January 31, 1927
The masquerade ball held at the opera house here Friday evening of last week was a success. There was a very large attendance, three hundred and eighty-seven tickets being sold, and around forty-five being masked. The music was furnished by Pete's Peerless Players. The judges had hard work selecting the prize winners as there were so many to choose from. The winners of the prizes were as follows: Best group of four -- Mrs. Lauretta Kruse, Mrs. John Wiese, Mrs. Wilma Kruse and Mrs. Christina Ranniger. Best group of three -- Evelyn Martins, Lillian Schumann and Elsie Kusel. Two best dressed ladies -- Misses Alice and Mabel Guth. Second two best dressed ladies -- Irene Ranniger and Florence Kruse. Best dressed lady -- Margaret Hansen. Best dressed gentleman -- Will Anthony. Best four comics -- Bill Ruhde, Roy Georgius, Art Kruse and Ray Dammann. Two best comics -- Ted Cavanaugh and Reynold Greeves. Second best comics -- Eunice Molter and Alverta Borten. Most comical lady --Mrs. Hamman. Most comical man -- Jim Anderson.

RODEOS
In the 1920s a popular event was the rodeo which came to Aspinwall each summer. The wooden pens, bleachers, and single chute were set up northeast of town, in the bottomland then owned by Charlie Pfoltner and now by Roland Meeves. The rodeo was put on by a traveling group which barnstormed the country.

It was a small production which included a few steers for wrestling, a few calves for roping, and several bucking horses. Audience interest was generated by the rodeo's offer of cash prizes to anyone who could bring in an unrideable horse, or to a local fellow who could tame one of the bucking broncs. Herman Schroeder, who lived across the road from all the excitement, was one who took up the offer of bringing in a new critter to ride. The horse proved its worth by somehow "walking" out from under the saddle the moment horse and rider came out of the chute; the rider was given another chance, and although he was able to ride the ornery horse, the rodeo offered to buy it from Schroeder.

The rodeo was usually held two Sunday afternoons, and the animals were allowed to graze on the banks of the railroad during the week in between. One year, railroad officials had sprayed the banks for weeds; several of the horses, including the owner's favorite named "Peacock," were killed, and the rodeo never returned to Aspinwall.

ODDS AND ENDS
I remember the sleigh riding parties the young people of Aspinwall and the surrounding area enjoyed on long winter nights. And in summer, it took the whole evening (until bedtime) to play one game of "RUN SHEEP RUN."
Dorothy (Ehrichs) Kusel

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FREE MOVIES
Aspinwall held free movies in town every warm Tuesday night during the late 1940s and then again in the early 1950s.

The movies were sponsored by the businessmen in town and held on the vacant lot between the "tin shed" and the Ehrichs store. The Aspinwall Co-op was built on that lot a few years later.

The "screen" was the south side of the store, painted white, and the "seats" were planks laid across cement blocks. Many people felt it was more comfortable to bring blankets along and sit on the ground.

Most of the films shown were probably Westerns and Comedies, and for the most part, people didn't really care which. It was just a time to get out of the house and spend a warm evening relaxing and visiting with friends. Men, women and children attended these movies.

If you wanted any refreshments during the movie, you could go next door to the store and purchase candy, pop and anything else your heart desired. If someone needed a little something more "stimulating" the tavern was only a couple buildings up the street.

No one knows for sure the reason the movies were discontinued, but it was probably not too profitable for the sponsors.

ODDS AND ENDS
A grand masquerade will be held at the Aspinwall Opera House Friday, January 28, with $26 given for prizes. Music will be furnished by Pete's Peerless Players.
Manning Monitor, January, 1927

All dressed up for Children's Day in Manning, June 7, 1949, are several area children. Left to right, "camera-shy" Calvin Stammer, Clifford Stammer, Eugene Koester and Dick Bowers.

Showing off their costumes are, left to right, Donna Schacht, Shirley Schroeder and Ruth Brady.

A birthday party was held for Gene Kuhl at the Herb Kuhl residence in 1943. This is now the home of Tom and Nancy Walters. Note the old greenhouse in the background. The young men pictured are, left to right, back row, Roy Schilling, Gene Kuhl, Wallace Schroeder, Gene Ehrichs and Melvin Sinow, and front row, Rollin Kuhl, Kenneth Dammann, Ronald Schilling, Dewey Schilling and LeRoy Dammann.

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Some of the "Ehrichs Clan" pose around the pool table at the Aspinwall Tap in August, 1981. The table is the same one that was in the "pool hall" when it was owned by Emil Ehrichs. Emil's brother, Louie Ehrichs, was noted for his pool playing skills. Shown here, left to right, Milton and Betty (Ehrichs ... daughter of Frank) Sinow; Shirley (Ehrichs) Schramm, Dorothy (Ehrichs) Kusel and Glenn Ehrichs, children of Louie Ehrichs; in the background, Wilmer Ehrichs (son of Emil) and his wife, Berdine.

A threshing bee was held at the Melvin Renze farm in 1967. This was in connection with the Aspinwall Celebration. Shown are LeRoy "Tater" Dammann, Gary Vinke, Peg Bowers and Chris Brandt.

In 1955, Dorothy Kusel and her eight-year-old daughter, Angela, were both avid recipe collectors. On the cabinet, at right, are a few articles from Dorothy's extensive collection of cookie cutters and molds. Dorothy (Ehrichs) Kusel wrote a recipe column, "KITCHEN KORNER" and gave food demonstrations for more than 20 years. Before Angela left home to go to college, she assisted her mother with the demonstrations and recipe testing. Angela and her husband, Dan Pratt, and two children, Nina and Sean, now live in Wichita, Kansas.

Aspinwall and Gray Co-op members taking a tour to Coffeyville, Kansas in January, 1960, included, from left, back row, the bus driver, ??; Hugo Ewoldt, Leroy Brus, Clarence Stammer, Lester Genzen and Keith Clifford; middle row, Louis Ranniger, Arnold and Luella Brus, Elizabeth Witt, Helen Schilling, Iola Stammer, Irene Genzen and Ray Witt; and front row, Fred Asmus, Carl Sinning, Vertus Brus, ??, Robert Schilling, Roy Schilling and Chris Brandt.

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A group of men gather (possibly at a farm sale) to have a bit of "schnapps" and warm themselves. Several of the men identified include Theodore Lorenzen, Bill Sinow, Jake Carsten, Emil Sinow, Louie Ranniger, Fred Rohr, Emil Wegner, George Wegner, Bill Wegner and George Thomssen.

"Ahhhh, there's nothing like a good cigar, a glass of beer and good companionship!" Wm. Jensen Sr. and his hired man, Frank Lamp, seem to be enjoying all three! Frank is at left and William to the right.

Scan from original photo

The "Brus Boys" all decked out for a day of entertainment! From left, Arnold, Elmer, Vertus and Willis.

ODDS AND ENDS
We did a lot of traveling in our later years. Our son Glenn and family lived in Corvallis, Oregon, and our son Gene was in the Air Force for over 20 years, so we went to visit them. We went by car and train across the U.S. west to east, north and south and into Mexico.
We rode the "City of Portland" train, one of the nicest trains that rolled those days. We would depart from Carroll (also Manilla) and travel straight through to Portland; then take a bus to Corvallis. Later we went to Perry to catch the train several times; they always changed time and wouldn't stop in Manilla anymore.
We also took the train to Columbia, South Carolina, in 1965. The train was one of the oldest trains on the 'road.' It just crawled through the swamps.
Clara (Eickelkamp) Ehrichs

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Gimme That Good Ole Mountain Dew!
Our editor was so concerned that we wouldn't find any proof that Aspinwall had ever run a still, that, for the sake of her sanity, we dug deep in our files and found the story she so craved.

This is the story of three "notorious" citizens and their short life of crime in the making of Aspinwall Moonshine.

The year is 1963. It's hot in the city. The tavern is closed for the day and several rough and rugged individuals are gathered on the street; they are dry, hot and longing for a shot of "schnapps."

Someone (no names please, we just deal in the facts) thinks of the idea of making a little "home brew." The three daring individuals look around to find a place for their "dastardly" act. They find a secluded shed, and proceed to mix and stir, blend and cook. At all times, one of them stands guard, on a constant lookout for the hoard of revenuers who are said to be hot on their trail.

It takes several days, but at last the work is done. It's still hot in the city, but it's hotter than !?&# in the secret hiding place. Now, who will take the first sip? Who will be the brave, courageous man to volunteer? It's DEWEY!!! A purely brave man! As Joe removes the rifle from Dewey's back, Dewey takes a sip. All is quiet, then the building is shattered with the moans and hollers and groans and wails!! "Delicious," Dewey says. They all take a taste. "Perfect!" The deed was done.

The time is a week later. It's STILL hot in the city. The tavern is open this day. Dewey, Chris and Joe are seated around the table in the tavern. Chris, the quiet one, states, "Good stuff we made." "Sure was," says Joe. "Yeh," says Dewey. "We drank it all," says Chris, "Who will ever believe that we made brew in Aspinwall?" "Yeh," says Dewey. "Don't worry," says Joe. "In years to come some snoopy editor somewhere will ask questions, "Was there ever a still in Aspinwall? Then we can tell our story." "Good," says Chris. "Yeh," says Dewey.
The end of the story. But not of the tale.