It Proved a Very Fascinating Pastime: The Beginnings of Basketball in Harvey County

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Previously posted Friday, March 7, 2014, edited March 28, 2024
by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

When we first published this article ten years ago, the WSU men’s basketball was enjoying an amazing season with a record of 31-0.  At that time, I thought it would be interesting to explore the contributions to the game of basketball made by Harvey County people.  It is March Madness again, so I thought it might be fun to take another look at Newton’s role in the game of basketball.

“We’re getting a hell of a lot of exercise sitting around and playing cards.”

With this complaint, made at a card game in Newton, the new game of basketball came to Harvey County in 1900.  Among the group of men that regularly met to play cards was a businessman by the name of William C. Kosa.  He agreed to teach his friends a new game that he had learned at a Chicago YMCA to help them get more exercise – basketball.

William C. “Uncle Will” Kosa
Basketball Pioneer

Kosa had learned the new game played on the outdoor playground of the Hull House in Chicago.  He even had a copy of the rules. Along with another local businessman, R.A. Goerz, he organized a team known as the “Newton Ajax” in 1900 to play basketball.
Ajax Basketball Team, 1900
William C. Kosa, top row
HCHM Photo Archives

Same image also in the William C. Kosa Collection,
University of Illinois at Chicago Library, Special Collections.
Basketball was a brand-new sport in 1900.  Ten years earlier, Dr. James Naismth, while working at a YMCA in  Springfield, Ma, developed a game that could be played indoors during the winter months when it was difficult to exercise outside.  The game involved 13 rules, a ball, and peach baskets hung at a height of ten feet.  Two years later, he published the rules of his new game “Basketball”.

“Newton the birth place of basketball.“

In 1898, William C. Kosa moved to Newton, Ks from Chicago and with him, the first official basketball rule book.  While in Newton, Kosa organized the first competitive basketball teams in Kansas – the Newton Ajax.  Kosa served as player, manager, and organizer of the new sport.

Unfortunately, since they were the first team to organize in Kansas, they were also the only team.  Very few people in the state Kansas knew about basketball.  To solve this problem, a second team was created from members of Co. D, Kansas Militia and was known as the “Newton Eagles.”

Newton Eagles Basketball Team, 1902
Top Row: Howard Randall, Guy Sawyer, Chris Hayman
First Row: John Lander, William C. Kosa** (coach/manager), Archie Caveny
HCHM Photo Archives
The first game was played on 6 February 1900 on “an improvised court with an improvised ball.” 
The Newton Kansan reported;

“Basketball was introduced in Newton last night.  A game took place between members of Co. D and one from ‘civilians’.  It proved a very fascinating pastime and those who took part are quite enthusiastic over the sport.“(Newton Kansan 7 February 1900)

Throughout the spring of 1900, the two teams regularly faced each other.  Games were held on Wednesday nights at the Kansas Armory. Admission to the game was twenty-five cents; children free. One game attracted 500 spectators.  Although the “fast” Ajax team usually came out on top, “it was never a foregone conclusion, for the army team often turned the tables with characteristic Newton fight.” 

First Out of Town Opponent: Kansas University

Gradually more teams formed in Kansas.  On December 22, 1900, the Newton Ajax went against their first out of town opponent, the Kansas University, coached by the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith. The game was “hard fought, characterized by rough play and wrangling with the referee over decisions” but the Newton Ajax were able to win the game with a score of 2-0.

Later, Coach Kosa described the strategy he used:

“We used to get a two point lead and hold the ball the rest of the game to keep our opponents from scoring.”

Kosa’s Newton team “demonstrated team-playing and expert ball-handling a full stride ahead of Naismith.” (Newton Kansan Weekly 28 December 1900) Kosa is credited with improving ball handling techniques and an emphasis on team work to create a successful competitive team.

Playing Condidtions

Playing basketball, ca 1915 Rural south central Kansas Matthew Voth Collection of Cornelius and Minnie Schmidt Photos Used with permission.

The playing conditions were also often quite rough.  Unlike today’s polished hardwood, the condition of the court could vary widely. Games could be played outside on a somewhat level area. If playing inside, floors might be rough and warped.  The baskets may or may not have a backboard.  A game against El Dorado was played in an abandoned, unheated ice house.

As time went on the two Newton teams worked together. The Newton Ajax team met the visiting teams on the Newton home court. The Newton Eagles team consisted of men who could easily participate in road trip games.

Newton Eagles Basketball Team
Company D Kansas National Guard, 1904
Rudolph A. Goerz, Howes, William C. Kosa **, (coach/manager)
Guy Sawyer, George Hetzel
(On Floor) M.W. Mandull and Howes
HCHM Photo Archives
In 1905, the Newton Athletic Club was established, combining the two into one Newton team.  They successfully played against nationally known teams. During the 1905-06 season Newton was undefeated until they played Baker University.  Newton was able to secure three independent state titles 1905-1910.
Gradually the focus of basketball in Harvey County changed to college and high school teams. Newton High School’s first basketball team was established in 1906.

“Greatest Pioneers of Basketball“

William C. Kosa remained in Newton, Kansas until 1940 when he and his wife, Lucia, moved to California.  Kosa continued to have an interest in Newton and was a founding member of the “Newton Old Timers Club” established in 1967 to celebrate Newton athletes of the past.  William Kosa returned to Newton in 1970 to help celebrate “Newton the birth place of basketball.”

On January 1, 1977, at the age of 100, William C. Kosa, one of the “greatest Pioneers of Basketball“ died in California.

Thank you to the University of Illinois at Chicago Library, Special Collections staff who provided information from the William C. Kosa Collection for this post.

Note:

**In some photos this individual is identified as John Hetzel.  In the William C. Kosa Collection, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, Special Collections,  he is identified as William C. Kosa.
Sources
  • Newton Kansan 7 February 1900.
  • Newton Kansan Weekly 28 December 1900
  • Millham, Charles.  “Newton is Basketball Capital of the Universe” Wichita Beacon, March 23, 1930, Section 5.  Reprinted in  Buller, Curtis.  Can’t You Hear the Whistle Blowing? A History of Newton Basketball the Years 1900 thr 1958 & 1979. Hesston, Ks: Hesston Prestige Printing, 1997.
  • Buller, Curtis.  Can’t You Hear the Whistle Blowing? A History of Newton Basketball the Years 1900 thru 1958 & 1979. Hesston, Ks: Hesston Prestige Printing, 1997.
  • William C. Kosa Collection, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, Special Collections. http://www.uic.edu/depts/lib/specialcoll/services/rjd/findingaids/WKosab.html
    • Newton Kansan: 12 August 1976, 3 January 1977
    • Wichita Eagle 5 January 1977
  • http://www.kansasheritage.org/people/naismith.html
  • http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Basketball/PDF/CompleteHistory.pdf
  • http://www.kshof.org/inductees/inductees-a-z.html

The First Woman Superintendent of Schools in Kansas

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Archivist/Curator

Harvey County has the distinction of electing the first woman to be superintendent of schools in Kansas. In an earlier article, Ruth Mitten was featured as an early Harvey County Superintendent and educator, but she was not the first woman elected to be superintendent of schools. That honor goes to Mrs. Ellen Webster.

In June 1872, Mrs. Ellen Webster was elected and according to the State Record the first woman elected to as a superintendent of schools and to county office in Kansas.

State Record, 19 June 1872

 

Newton Kansan, 28 November 1872

As the first woman, there was some push back. The other person running filed a complaint “that she was not eligible on account of her sex.” A trial was set for July 9, 1872, “but her contestant failed to put in an appearance.” Mrs. Webster’s counsel, Col. Wood of Chase County, noted that the other party did not show because “the fellow was ashamed of himself” for bringing the case. (Chase County Leader 19 July 1872)

Newton’s First School in Cutler’s History of Kansas

Unfortunately, her time as superintendent was marred by bad decisions made under the influence of her brother, O.M. Millard. Little else is known about Ellen Webster beyond her election and the influence of her brother. Who was O.M. Millard? Not much is known about him either. Like his sister, he appears in Harvey County history for a brief time, makes an impression and then fades away.

“A Few Questions of O.M. Millard”

O.M. Millard was elected justice of the peace in 1872-1873. Prior to the election there were many questions about his character with hints about his influence on his sister.

In an October 24, 1872, letter to the editor, Lakin Township residents who knew him best noted that he had “announced himself for Representative of Harvey county . . . we will ask a few questions of O.M. Millard.”

The writers of the letter noted several areas of concern including the observation that he was more concerned about who would pay him the most. Bribery was also mentioned. The residents noted that he dismissed a criminal case “under the Texas cattle law, against a man who was driving a drove of wild cattle through, without calling a jury as the law requires, for the pitiful bribe of ten dollars” as one example.

He advised his sister, Ellen Webster, superintendent of schools, “to make charges against the county for all the days possible and had such ungodly influence over her that the county commissioners . . . were compelled to cut down her bill one-half.”  

“When the Wicked are in Authority the People Mourn”

The accusations continued and included attempted rape of a young girl “who went to the house of Mrs. E. Webster during absence on an errand.” Millard was at his sister’s house alone and he threatened the girl. She reportedly “fled home like a scared fawn.” The newspaper account noted that “the villain said: ‘I will tell all the young men she is a loose character’.” The letter concluded with “save yourselves from such a calamity as the election of that man; for when the wicked are in authority the people mourn.” Signed: Many Citizens (Newton Kansan, 24 October 1872).

Millard was not elected as a Representative.

By May 1873, Millard was working to establish a Grange of the order of Patrons of Husbandry in Sedgwick County, Ks.

October 31, 1872, F.L. Faatz was on the ballot for Superintendent of Public Instruction, “well known in this vicinity as moral and upright.”

By February Mr. F. L. Faatz was the County Superintendent. O. M. Mallard continued to work with grange organization in the area. Of Mrs. Ellen Webster, the first woman Superintendent of Schools in Kansas, no more information could be found.

See also Qualified in Every Detail: Miss Ruth Mitten – Harvey County Historical Society (hchm.org)

Sources

  • Newton Kansan: 17 October 1872, 28 November 1872, 6 February 1873,
  • Manhattan Nationalist 12 July 1872
  • Chase County Leader 19 July 1872.
  • Topeka Weekly Times: 11 July 1872.
  • Wichita Eagle: 1 May 1873, 17 July 1873.

“Splendid Golfers Were Developed:” the Newton Country Club

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Archivist/Curator

In 1903, golf was a new sport to people in Harvey County. One spring day, Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Murphy and E.A. Hoag went to Wichita to check out this new sport. The famous golf player Lieut. Richmond P. Hobson was scheduled to play and they wanted to see what all the fuss was about. They seemed to like what they saw and returned to Harvey County ready to learn golf.

Newton Country Club, 1903-1919

“Rustic . . Two-room House”

They leased 65 acres of land north of the city from the Tower estate, later purchased by Fred Tangeman, for a golf course. Al Musselman laid out the course and E.A. Hoag ordered the needed supplies including 20 or more sets of clubs, bags, and markers. Newton was ready to golf! Dues were $10 a year and at one point there were 75 members. After about five years it was decided to build a club house. A “rustic . . two-room house with wide porch on three sides” was completed in 1908.

Newton Country Club, 1912

In addition to golfing, the club house served as a place to hold dances, picnics and concerts.  The group leased the ground from year to year. By 1919 the price had gotten too high for the club to continue. Plus, the amenities were lacking with no water or lights. The club went out of business in 1919.

“Splendid Golfers Were Developed”

However, many “splendid golfers were developed . . . many of them playing fully as good if not a better game” than earlier players. Many prominent Newton citizens enjoyed playing golf and were not interested in giving up on the sport. On Jue 22, 1920 a group of men gathered to discuss the matter. By July 7, 1920, they had organized and became known as the “Newton Country Club.”

Newton Country Club, 1920

A new location with 80 acres was established one-half mile south of 1st street on Kansas Ave. By fall 1920, the membership was at about 150. Wichita architect, Lorenz Schmidt, designed the club house and S.P. Merchant was the builder.

Newton Country Club, 1935.

The new club house has room for a “spacious dance floor, a grill room and kitchen, large locker rooms for both men and women with shower baths, a nice lounge and game room.” A favorite feature was the commodious porch which was capable of being enclosed with glass in the winter.

Newton Country Club Over the Years

1961

1980s

In February 2024, the Newton Country Club/Fox Ridge Club House building was torn down.

Source

  • Newton Kansan 50th Anniversary Ed, 22 August 1922, “The Newton Country Club- Original Club Was One of the Oldest in Kansas,” p. 82.