Oil City once had a semipro baseball team that played from the early 1910s until sometime in the 1920s, or possibly even 1930s. It is a subject of much interest to me, spawned by a picture, once posted on Facebook by Ron Newton, of the 1913 Oil City Base Ball Club. I've done work on the subject previously, and there's still more to do. Recently a search turned up details of a 13-Apr-1922 game between a Shreveport American Legion team and the Oil City nine. My initial interest was piqued by the appearance of a left fielder named Newton (no first name given) in the box score. Ron once advised that his grandfather, the late Dr. Eugene Newton, originally came to Oil City to play baseball. Later he studied to become a dentist and served the community for many years. I thought this might be him. (Note: Per Ron it is unlikely that the Newton mentioned is Eugene, due to other life events occurring around this time.)
However, found in an article previewing that game from the prior day's newspaper was this statement:
"Among Oil City's players is the veteran Hyder Barr, former member of Connie Mack's famous Athletics, when that club was at the zenith of its glory."
Shreveport Times 13-Apr-1913, Page 9
Naturally I had to follow up on this and what was found is detailed below.
Hyder Edward Barr (1884-1934) was a professional baseball player for nine years, including two in the major leagues with the Philadelphia Athletics. A talented multi-sport athlete in college, his initial position professionally was pitching, however he later played various positions over his career.
Hyder Edward Barr (1884-1934) was a professional baseball player for nine years, including two in the major leagues with the Philadelphia Athletics. A talented multi-sport athlete in college, his initial position professionally was pitching, however he later played various positions over his career.
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| Hyder Barr as a Philadelphia Athletic |
After baseball, he worked in the oil field as a drilling foreman, and lived for a few years in Mooringsport, Louisiana. While there, he played semi-pro ball for both the Mooringsport and Oil City teams. Later moving to Fort Worth, Texas; he died in 1934.
Early Life
Born in 1884* to Charles and Sarah (King) Barr in Sullivan, Tennessee; Hyder Edward Barr was a three sport star at Davidson College.
(a) See reference at end.
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| Hyder Barr at Davidson |
1908-1909
Hyder's first professional gig was playing for the Greenville Spinners of the Class D Carolina League in 1908. One of his teammates was (Shoeless) Joe Jackson, who later gained notoriety during the 1919 Chicago "Black Sox" scandal. The two were later paired on the 1908 and 1909 Philadelphia Athletics; and 1910 New Orleans Pelicans.
While at Greenville, it's reported he once scored an "assisted" home run, when his pop fly ball rolled under a horse, that kicked at the fielder when he tried to retrieve it. That allowed Barr to circle the bases, and the steed ultimately had to be led off to get the ball back and resume the game..
Barr and Jackson were dealt to the Philadelphia Athletics. for $1,500 (approximately $30,000 today). Hyder played partial seasons in 1909 and 1910 (41 games total) for the As. During his tenure, he was loaned by As manager, the famed Connie Mack, to Atlanta to help that club win Southern Association.
Charlotte Observer 1909, Page 3
1910
Hyder (4) pictured below as a member of the 1910 Southern Association Champion New Orleans Pelicans. Number 12 is Joe Jackson
It was reported that he (referred by nickname "Scotty") suffered a head injury in May of that year.
Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle 23-Aug-1911, Page 6
But it apparently wasn't as serious as initially reported, as he continued playing for the Pelicans that season.
New Orleans Times-Democrat 16-Jul-1911, Page 15
After the Pelicans, Hyder "toured" the country, landing on rosters in Birmingham, Chattanooga, New Orleans (again), New Haven (CT), and San Antonio over the next few years. (b)
1915-1916
He joined the Shreveport Gassers in 1915, and played for two seasons.
Shreveport Times 06-May-1915, Page 11
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| As a Shreveport Gasser |
He remained in Shreveport during the off season, where he worked for Gulf Refining Company.
Fuel Oil Journal, Vol. 6 (Oct 1915), Page 45
It may be hard to imagine professional players having offseason jobs, or working after their playing days, but before television/cable contracts and free agency only the true stars earned a comfortable living. Consider the case of another local professional, Arvel Odell Hale of Hosston. Despite being a solid player in the majors for 10 seasons (mostly with the Cleveland Indians), after retirement he worked for several years at a refinery in El Dorado, Arkansas.
1917- 1920
In Feb-1917, Gasser management granted Barr his release so he could take the reins of the Fort Smith baseball club.
Shreveport Times 01-Feb-1917, Page 9
By 1918, he had returned to Louisiana and settled in the town of Mooringsport; apparently getting his job with Gulf back, as evidenced by his World War I draft registration below.
WWI Draft Registration, Dated 12-Sep-1918
Hyder and family were still M'sport residents at the time of the 1920 U.S. Census. (click image to view details)
U. S. Census, recorded 12-Feb-1920,
1921
A newspaper recap disclosed that he pitched in relief for the local semi-pro team in 1921.
Shreveport Times 17-Apr-1921, Page 13
1922
Early in 1922 it was announced Hyder would become manager at Haynesville.
Shreveport Times 23-Apr-1922, Page 9
That gig apparently did not work out, as by August he was playing for the Oil City team, as mentioned in this article previewing an upcoming game against an American Legion club from Shreveport.
Shreveport Times 13-Aug-1922, Page 9
In that game, the OC team prevailed 4-3 over the Legionnaires. Hyder, playing second base, went one for four from the plate.
Shreveport Times 14-Aug-1922, Page 6
1927
Hyder was the subject of a newspaper "Whatever Happened To...?" trivia question in 1927.
The sportswriter reported Hyder to be in Arkansas at the time, working as a salesman. (c)
1930s
By the 1930 U. S. Census, Barr and family lived in Forth Worth, where he worked as a drilling foreman. (Click the image for a larger view)
U. S. Census, recorded 17-Apr-1930
Hyder passed away in 1934 and is buried in Shannon Rose Memorial Park, Fort Worth, TX. Interestingly, and with no connection other than coincidence, that cemetery is also the final resting place of Lee Harvey Oswald.
* His birthdate is reported as 1885 on his headstone, and 1886 on the Baseball Reference website. However he signed off on 06-Oct-1884 on his World War I draft registration form in 1918, so that date is what we will recognize.
Additional Reference:
(a) Greenville (SC) News 05-Jan-1935, Page 11.
(b) Baseball Reference - Scotty Barr
(a) Greenville (SC) News 05-Jan-1935, Page 11.
(b) Baseball Reference - Scotty Barr
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