Finding the Elm City Negro Giants was surprising enough, but to read that their first baseman was future Negro League legend Buck Leonard?!?
News and Observer, 13 August 1930.
For more links between Wilson County and the baseball-star Leonard brothers, see here and here and here.
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- Morris Williams
- Ralph Ricks
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Ed Ricks, 41; wife Nannie, 38; children Siddie, 20, Annie, 17, Maggie, 11, Mamie, 10, Raph, 8, and Ruth Ricks, 5; and niece Albie Walston, 17.
In the 1933 Washington, D.C., city directory: Ricks Ralph clo clnr Economon Bros r2137 L nw
On 17 June 1936, Ralph Ricks married Cornelia Harrell in Washington, D.C.
In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Cornelia H. Ricks, 23, cook, and husband Ralph, 28, cleaning shop presser, lodgers.
Ralph Ricks registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 16 September 1911 in Elm City; lived at 1530 Swann Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.; his contact was mother Nannie Ricks, 1742 – 6th Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.; and he worked for Joseph Westline.
lane street park used to house a baseball diamond and there was a team of players that represented the park and wilson as MY then 5 year old mind recalls. one of the greatest carolina league stars was chuck weathespoon a constant headline maker and radio broadcasting of the games ove wvot. and of course everyone recalls wilsons’ greatest professional player , rod carew father of topper carew if MY old mind recalls.
Definitely a rich history. I’ve also pulled some info about a Stantonsburg team that played for decades.
I remember serious baseball playing in the summer months out in Stantonsburg as I was around 10 or 11 years old working for Mrs. Ida Sherrod at her hot dog stand!
The Hawks were legendary! https://afamwilsonnc.com/2022/11/21/the-stantonsburg-hawks/