OCR Text |
Show Boss of Packing-House Gave Hornsby a Chance J. P. Elder, superintendent of Swift & Co.'s packing plant in Fort Worth, and Rogers Horn.sby's first boss, played the' chief part back in 1908 in shaping the then office boy's career -toward the diamond. Rogers was then carrying messages, handling visitors and trailing the superintendent superintend-ent about the plant. Finally "Dick," as he was known, saw a chance for advancement by leaving the packing plant and working for the Cotton Belt railroad. He was still an office boy. Dick found he had a seven-day week job. It was here Elder stepped in and saved llornsby for the game. The mother of Rogers telephoned Elder that her boy was dissatisfied and asked his advice. He volunteered to see Rogers' boss over at the Cotton Belt and arrange for the afternoon off. He did. Hornsby finally became a regular with the Athletics. Dallas In the Texas league had the first chance to obtain him, but, after Walter Morris, manager, looked him over, he was rejected re-jected and sent to Denlson In the Texas-Oklahoma league. From there he went to St. Louis. |