DUBUQUE BEARS

DUBUQUE BEARS. In 1921 the Dubuque Bears, a professional team, were formed by Leroy MEYER who also captained the team. Practice sessions were held at night on city streets under the street lights. Uniforms were far from those used in more modern times. Helmets were little more than leather caps. Some of the players wore shoulder pads, but these were not popular because they were so flimsy. The opening game was held on the MUNICIPAL ATHLETIC FIELD on May 30th. (1) Despite losses on the road, the Bears won the city independent football championship that year. (2) To wind up the season, the Bears hosted their first annual ball at the Armory Hall on December 27th. (3) Among the players, Eisbach was mentioned by reporters for his tremendous weight and power which led opposing teams to substitute players against him every ten minutes with much effect. (4)

The Bears played teams from Columbia College (now LORAS COLLEGE, Clinton, Dickson, Dyersville, the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE, and Waterloo.

The original Bears included "Bunny" Peat, Lyle Kempter, Ed Tschurgi, Didge Winderlich, Carl Flanagan, and Harry New. The forward wall included Leo Meyers, Gus Chandler, Baldy McMahon, Lester Timpe, Ed Gronau, Hans Gronau, Ollie Ender, and Martin Eckman. Other players included Percy LUCAS, Leo J. EISBACH, Vince Luedke, Harry Mills, Dewey Selander, Fred Ellison, Everett "Shorty" AKINS, Harry Mills, Red Lancey, Maury Donahue, Bill Trinkle, and Bill Black.

In 1929 as Oran H. PAPE, a star backfield football player for the University of Iowa, was accused of having played professional football in 1926 for the Bears under the assumed name of "King." This action would have made him illegible to play football in college. It was stated at the time that the investigation was unable to find any information to prove the allegation. The original roster of the Bears did not include Pape and players on the Bears' squad that year denied Pape had been a member. (5)

The Bears continued to play through 1932 when they captured the season opener against the Guttenberg Bears in October and then played the Governor Gray Eleven. (6) A Thanksgiving Day football game to have been played in Cresco did not occur. The Cresco manager arranged the game and agreed on the Bear's price, which were later raised and again agreed to by Cresco. The Cresco field had an estimated 150 paid admissions, but the Dubuque team did not appear as promised. The Cresco team divided and played a game anyway, and then refunded the admissions. "It is a sure thing that it (no appearance) put a black ball on the Bears in this football territory." (7)

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Source:

1. "Dubuque Bears to Play East Dubuque Club Here Sunday," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, May 27, 1921, p. 10

2. "Kane Heights to be Battleground," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, November 16, 1921, p. 7

3. Advertisement, Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, December 21, 1921, p. 15

4. "Meyer's Dubuque Bears Lose to Waterloo, 7-0," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, October 3, 1921, p. 8

5. "Says He Was 'King' of Dubuque Bears," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, October 25, 1929, p. 25

6. "Dubuque Bears Meet Soldiers," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, October 30, 1932, p. 13

7. "Bears Failed to Show Up for Cresco Game," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, November 27, 1932, p. 13