1924 ROCK ISLAND INDEPENDENTS

Back Row - ? , #7 Rube Ursella, #8 Lyle Burton, #11 Frank De Clerk, #12 Joe Rooney, Manager Dale Johnson, #6 ?Buck Gavin, #9 Joe LittleTwig, #10 ?, #20 Chet Wilderquist, #1 Jim Thorpe, #17 ?, Coach Herb Sies

Front Row - #5 See Below, #16 Duke Slater, # 3 ?VinceMcCarty, #? See Below, #15 George Thompson, #18 See Below, #21 ? Ed Novak

DECEMBER 12, 1924 vs CHICAGO BEARS

NOVEMBER 1, 1925 vs CHICAGO BEARS

1924 ROCK ISLAND INDEPENDENTS TEAM PHOTO

Using the programs posted on this page we were able to identify the above team photo from 1924.

I believe the photo is the 1924 team photo taken prior to the beginning of the season.

Facts and Thoughts:

Herb Sies - Captain of the 1923 Independents was present at the start of the 1924 season. Sies is in the white suit, holding the hat, far right, Row 2. (Identified by Gandson - Charles Sies Rowell 4/18/09)

# 7 Rube Usealla - On team in 1924 and 1925 - Programs Confirm

#8 Lyle Burton - On team in 1924 and 1925 - Programs Confirm

#11 Frank De Clerk - On team in 1924 and 1925 - Programs Confirm

#12 Joe Rooney - On the team in 1925 and in 1924 Thorpe is listed at #12 - This points to #12 being Rooney and the photo being taken in 1925.

Manager Walter Flanigan

?#6 Buck Gavin - On tean in 1924 and 1925 - Programs Confirm he was on the team in 1924 and 1925 but you can see that as of 11-1-1925 there was a different player wearing #6. Gavin started no games after 11-1 so this will be researched but it appears he was no longer with the team

#9 Joe LittleTwig - On tean in 1924 and 1925 - Programs Confirm - Person ID - See his Bio Page

#10 - ?Unidentified - No #10 in any programs.

#20 - ?Chet Wilderquist - If the photo is from 1920 then it is Chet Wilderquist.

#1 Jim Thorpe - On team in 1924 and 1925 - Programs do not show him as #1 but it is him.

#17 - Unidentified - Vince McCarthy OR Roddy Lamb - Lamb appears to have been # 1 by the middle of the season but in the photo from the height, weight it looks to be him.

#5 - ?Evar Swanson, only #5 listed in programs, weight appears to match.

#16 - Duke Slater - On team in 1924 & 1925 - Programs Confirm

#3 - If the photo is from 1924 it would possible be Vince McCarty

#2? - ?The guy over the ball could be the Center, and if it is the center it could be #2 which would be Lousi Kolls.

#15 - George Thompson - On team in 1924 and 1925 - Programs Confirm (if this is #15)

#18 - ?Ed Herman - There is also a #18 as Harry Hall later according to the programs in 1925

#21 - ?Ed Novak - On team in 1924 and 1925 - Program from 1924 does not list him for whatever reason.

OCTOBER 14, 1925 vs GREEN BAY PACKERS

Above - 1919 U.S.A. Champions Team Photo

Facts and Thoughts : Front Left - Walter Flanigan and, 2nd - "Red" Swanson, 3rd - Rube Ursella,

Middle Left - 1st - Al Jorgenson (looks), 2nd - Tom Henry (looks), 3rd - Lee Dempsey (looks), Center Walt Buland, 5th, 6th, 7th - "Fats" Smith (looks)

.Back Left - Coach, 1st - Fred Chicken, 2nd - Freeman Fitzgerald (looks), 3rd - Wes Bashaw (?), 4th - Bobby Marshall (looks), 5th, 6th, Coach

Above - 1913 Illinois State Champions