Croquet anyone?

History - Marion

Croquet anyone?

Marion Town Historian Carolyn Adriaansen, asks, "Did you know that, just a few years ago, (in the 1930s) the favorite sport and pastime in Marion after work, after supper, and on days off from work, was croquet?"

She continues, "My first information came from James Goossen, of Newark, who was formerly a well-known businessman in Marion. He informed me that the first playing grounds were laid out in the rear of the Brewster home on North Main St., across from the elementary school, with easy accessibility from Evergreen Street.

This was verified by Asa De Right of Williamson Road who says his father played there every afternoon when he got the chance, as there were always other enthusiasts waiting to play."

The next property to be readied for croquet was on the Grange Hall property, east of the Grange Building. A bench ran the entire length of the building providing a seat with a back rest for those waiting for their turn to perform, or for just viewing the proceedings. During warm afternoons and long hours of play, the neighborhood kids sold fresh squeezed lemonade.

Necessary equipment was kept in a small locked room on the ground level at the rear of the Grange Building with certain participants being in charge of the keys. Some, though, insisted on carrying their property to and from home each time, Adriaansen explains.

Budd Haskins drew clay for a solid foundation by truck from East Palmyra. The smooth, hard, packed, sand court was surrounded by boards on the four sides. The inch steel rod arches were originally left after play, but after some kids spun up the sand with their bikes, they were removed after play and stored in the room in the Grange Hall with the other pieces of equipment.

"It is understandable that nothing was more upsetting to the intense croquet player than to arrive for a quick game and to find that vandals had been there before them," Adriaansen says.

She continues, "My husband Gordon lived directly across the street from the Grange Hall playing grounds at the time and relates that if he, and other kids hung around, there was sometimes a chance that they might get asked to fill in while the players were waiting for one of the regulars to arrive. Members of the group would come and go as their jobs and chores allowed and an extremely tense period would take place when winners played winners.

Players at this time consisted of Leon Shippers, Elmer Boss, the Rev. VerDeyn of the Presbyterian Church, and Will Eisentraker, who constantly swatted at the bees with his straw hat until one day he trapped one and it stung him on the head. Another player was Myron Merson, who at this time lived in the house on the corner of Main Street and Maple Ave. He played often and is remembered as the chief critic often disputing the rules and regulations.

"Later, Goossen built croquet grounds at his home on Buffalo St. Here, with ball and mallet in hand, old friends would wait patiently for him to eat his supper. This was with the hopes that they could get in an entire "fast" game before dark. With the addition of lights, the diversion could go on and on, and sometimes did," Adriaansen explained.

She adds, "On Thursdays, when the stores in Marion were closed for the day, these champions of the "ball and mallet" would play it out for hours. Some of the players' names you'll recognize are Ivan Schoonerman, Worley Witter, an engineer on the railroad, John Eick, Bert Bush, Sid McMullin and Al Temple. Others included John Bushart, the school janitor, Stevie Sanford and Stompfoot Smith, as a viewer. Schooney tells me that Jim Goossen sent to Cleveland for the Ebonite balls for $3 each, as they were much better and heavier than the wooden balls which most ordinary people played with. Also, that Elmer Morrison's brother turned out mallets on his lathe."

Asa DeRight passes along the information that they made a court on their farm by a row of trees along the road, then they moved to Brewster's in the afternoon when it got hot. His father, Dan DeRight, was a good player, a faithful participant and played most every night. Other names of colleagues include Sam Cook and his brother Jake, Isaac Brown, Bill Perdyn, Dr. Halstead, Ed Croucher and John Malone. Adriaansen says, "Asa still has his father's ball and mallet and when you stop by the museum, you'll see "Jimmy" Goossen's ball that was used during Marion's 'battle on the courts.' "

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