Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Titanic Victim Margaret Rice-- Part 5: Three Others With Spokane, Washington Connections Also Died

The other three Spokane people who died when the Titanic sank all had connections to Margaret's husband, William Rice.

John Chapman worked at the Spokane Cemetery and when William died in 1910, he dug the grave.  He was engaged to Sara Elizabeth Lawry in England at the time and went back to England and married her.  They were on the Titanic returning to the United States with second class tickets.  Both died.

Only John's body was recovered and is buried in the same cemetery in Halifax as Margaret Rice.  His new wife was not found, but a pocket watch on John's body had stopped at 1:45 a.m..

The Titanic sank at 2:20 a.m. and it is believed that perhaps the young couple jumped into the water in an attempt to swim out to a partially full lifeboat.

--Cooter

Monday, November 28, 2016

Titanic Victim Margaret Rice-- Part 4: She Perished Along With Her Five Sons

From Hub Pages:  The Titanic Irish Mother Margaret Rice and Children Died When the Ship Sank.

Two boats, the PS "America" and PS "Ireland" took boarding passengers from Queenstown Pier out to the Titanic.

Boarded April 11, 1912:

Albert 10, George 8, Eric 7, Arthur 4 and Eugene 2 1/2.

In 1998, a memorial stone in Cobh (Queenstown in 1912) for the Titanic passengers who boarded there depicts Margaret Rice and her five sons.

On April 15, 2009, a monument was dedicated in Spokane Cemetery at Fairmount Memorial Gardens for Margaret and her sons as well as three other Spokane residents who died on the Titanic.

--Cooter

Friday, November 25, 2016

Titanic Victim Margaret Rice-- Part 3: Was Her Son Eugene the "Unknown Child" Buried in Halifax?

There was a second note written about Mrs. Rice's body.  It noted her hair was black and turning gray and had false upper teeth.

Shoes marked "Parsons Sons, Athlone."; medallion round neck marked B.V.M.; wore a wedding ring; locket and photo; one jet and one bead necklace.

She was id'd as Catholic by her rosary and Margaret Rice by a box of pills prescribed April 9, 1912.

She was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

There is speculation that her son Eugene may be the "Unknown Child" buried in Halifax.

--Cooter


Thursday, November 24, 2016

Titanic Victim Margaret Rice-- Part 2: She and Family All Perished

After the col,lision with the iceberg, 3rd class passenger Bertha Mulvihill saw Margaret Rice in the 3rd Class Holding area with Eugene in her arm and the rest of her boys holding her skirt.  The entire family perished.

Margaret's body, #12, was recovered by the rescue ship Mackay-Bennett.

The words written:

"No. 12 --  Female --  est. Age 40 --  Hair dark.
Clothing:  Black velvet coat; jacket and skirt; blue cardigan; black apron; black boots and stockings.
Effects--  wedding ring; keeper, and another gold; locket and photo; one jet one bead Necklace; gold brooch in bag, 3 pounds in gold; 4 pounds in Irish notes' gold brooch; plain gold wag earrings; charm around neck; B.V.M.; false teeth in upper jaw; box pills.

PROBABLY THIRD CLASS

--Cooter

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Titanic Victim Margaret Rice (nee Norton)-- Part 1: To Canada to U.S. and Back to Ireland

From the Encyclopedia Titanica.

Mrs. William Rice (Margartet Norton) was born in Westmeath, Ireland on 6 October 1872.

At age 19 she married William Rice in Ireland who became shipping clerk with the Grand Trunk Railway and they moved to Montreal after the birth of their first son, George Hugh, born 1902.    After their arrival in Canada, George died after choking on a dummy (pacifier).

In 1909, the couple moved from Montreal to Spokane, Washington where William worked for the Great Northern Railroad as a machinist.  Their youngest son Eugene was born in 1909.

In 1910, William was killed in a train accident and Margaret collected a substantial insurance settlement and returned to Ireland with her boys.

In 1912, she decided to return to Spokane.  She and her five sons, Albert, Eric and Arthur, booked passage on the Titanic and boarded at Queenstown with ticket number 382652, price 29 pounds, 2 shillings and 6 d.

--Cooter

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Major Watson's American Revolution Service

This man was a veteran of both the American Revolution and the War of 1812 and was captured in both wars.  he is buried in the Hebron-Linn Cemetery in Hebron, Illinois, the only known American Revolution veteran buried in McHenry County, Illinois.

Despite his first name, major, he is listed as a private.  (Too bad he wasn't a major then he would have been Major Major Watson.)

He is listed as enlisting on March 11, 1777, and deserted September 7, 1777.  He joined again in March 5, 1778 and was taken prisoner at Fort Stanwix in July 1779 and never exchanged until the end of the war.

I doubt that his desertion is of the type we usually consider desertion.

--Cooter

Monday, November 21, 2016

Looking Back to 1915: Mrs Daw Gored By Cow in 1915

From the September 27, 2015, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1915.  "Mrs. William Daw was gored by a cow at home 7 miles southwest of Malta in Milan Township, Friday.  It may result in her death.

Things Weren't Always So Pleasant Out On the Farm.  --DaCoot

Looking Back at NIU Football, 1965: Glidden Field Reactivated

From the September 27, 2015, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1965.  "Ancient Glidden Field (where the NIU Art Building is now located), the scene of Northern Illinois University football since 1899 will be reactivated tomorrow when the Huskies open their schedule.  Placed in mothballs last fall, the 8,500-seat field will begin its 66th year of use, then before the campaign ends it will again be retired in favor of a new 22,500 seat stadium on West Campus."

The reason was because the new stadium was not yet completed.

Go Huskies!!  --CooterDog

Friday, November 18, 2016

Looking Back: DeKalb, Illinois in 1965

From the September 27, 2015, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1965.

**  The McAuley Residence for Girls at NIU officially opens Sunday.  It accommodates 53 girls and is named for Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland.

From NIU Housing site.

McAuley Residence Hall was located at 145 Fish Avenue and was originally St. Mary's Hospital in DeKalb.  It opened in 1967 (according to the site, here it was 1965) and closed in 1971.

It is currently for sale with asking price of $345,000.  According to realtors it was built in 1900 and has 24,000 square feet on approx. 2 acres and 20 parking spaces.  It was St. Mary's Hospital in the early 1900s and office space after that.

Property tax in 2012 was $3,813.

I Was Kind of Wondering Where It Was.  --Cooter


Thursday, November 17, 2016

Veterans Day Through the Ages-- Part 6: Resisting the Change

Veterans Day was moved from November 11 to the fourth Monday in October.  Many of the states, with support from veterans, refused to celebrate the holiday on any day other than the significant November 11th.  This pressure by the American public and veterans caused Congress to return Veterans Day to November 11, which was accomplished by 1978.

Throughout the nation Veterans are honored on this date and many of the services are mindful of including the time of that cessation of fighting in World War I, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

This is the time that the American Legion family and VFW in Fox Lake, Illinois, have their ceremony.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Veterans Day Through the Ages-- Part 5: Creation of the Three-Day Weekend

However, it was many years before those who had served and lived through World War I began to think of it other than Armistice Day.

Veterans were pleased with the celebration of Veterans Day as it continued to honor and recognize the importance of that date to World War I veterans and still included those who served in later wars.

Then the federal government interfered in 1968 with the creation of three-day  holidays for federal employees with the passage of the Uniform Holiday Bill.  The holidays affected were Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

Officials believed these three-day weekends would encourage tourism throughout the country.  However, this meant that these holidays would not always occur on the exact day as previously celebrated.

Veterans Day, Through the Ages-- Part 4: Name Changed to Veterans Day

The states, by actions of their legislatures had begun to make Armistice Day a state holiday already, but it took U.S. Congress until May 1938 to proclaim it as an official federal holiday.

It should be noted that there are no national holidays as the states retain the right to designate their own holidays.  The federal government can only designate holidays for federal employees and the District of Columbia.  Essentially, most states follow along with the federal designations.  That is why some states don't observe some national holidays.

As other wars came along, many if the veteran service organizations began lobbying to change Armistice Day to veterans Day to honor those who had fought in all wars, not just World War I.

They successfully achieved their goal in 1954 when Congress voted to change the name to veterans Day.


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Veterans Day: Through the Decades, Across the Wars-- Part 3: Honor Guard at the Tomb

Today, the Tomb of the Unknowns has an honor guard 24 hours a day, regardless of weather.  On veterans Day, the president or some other high-ranking government official places a wreath at the tomb to honor those who have served their country.

In 1926, Congress passed a resolution that states, "the recurring anniversary of November 11, 1918, should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations."

They further suggested the president make a proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day.


Monday, November 14, 2016

Veterans Day: Through the Decades, Across the Wars-- Part 2: Tomb of the Unknowns

On the first Armistice Day, November 11, 1919,  business was halted at 11 a.m., just as the war halted at 11 a.m..

In 1921, another significant event occurred on November 11.  On this date the remains of an unidentified American soldier, who had lost his life in World War I, was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.  On that same day, the remains of other soldiers who had lost their lives and couldn't be identified were laid to rest in their countries.

A French soldier was entombed at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and an English soldier's remains were buried at Westminster Abbey in London.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been maintained as a national monument (and a very fitting one), but it is now known as the Tomb of the Unknowns when remains of unidentified from other branches of service and wars were also entombed.


Veterans Day: Through the Decades, Across the Wars-- Part 1: Armistice Day

From the November 9, 2016, Hi-Liter by Sandra Landen Machaj.

It happens every year on November 11.  The nation celebrates Veterans Day.  Sadly, not all schools are out this day.  I understand that we have Memorial Day in May to honor those who have fallen and served, but I think another day of remembrance would definitely be in order.  As a teacher, I know that other teachers do not teach about the significance of these days.

Veterans Day was first known as Armistice Day, a day to commemorate the end of World War I or as it was originally known, the Great War.  A temporary cessation to the fighting agreed to begin on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 between the Allied and German forces.

This was not the official end of the war, as some believe.  That didn't take place until the Treaty of Versailles and not signed between Germany and the Allied nations until June 28, 1919.  At that signing, Allied interests were represented by British Prime Minister David Lloyd, French Premier George Clemenceau and U.S. President  Woodrow Wilson.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Area Lakes Were the Key to the Growth of Antioch, Illinois-- Part 1

From the 2016 Stateline by Sandra Landen-Machaj.

In the early 1800s, the Antioch area was the home of the Pottawatomi Indian tribe, a semi-nomadic group that moved throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin hunting and fishing.

The area had a rolling landscape and many glacial lakes and was rich in fish and wild fowl.  Life was good for them until the arrival of the white man.

The first recorded settlement in what was to become Antioch was a log cabin built along Sequoit Creek, a tributary of the Fox River.  It was on this spot that brothers Darius and Thomas Gage built their cabin shortly after the winter of 1837.

One of the first businesses was a sawmill.  One was built by Hiram Buttrick in 1839 to provide for the lumber needs of a growing community.

--DaCoot


MLB in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs-- Part 4: The Chicago White Sox Come to Town

In the early 1900s, players in both McHenry and Johnsburg (McHenry County) while not making it to the majors, did play against a MLB team.

Well-known in the baseball world as both a player and a team owner, Charles Comiskey (it's still Comiskey Park to me) was just as well known in the Chain of Lakes area, as was his team, the Chicago White Sox.

Thanks to Comiskey, a game was arranged for the McHenry White Sox to play against the Chicago White Sox in McHenry.  Legend has it that the Chicago team arrived by train early in the morning of September 9, 1914, and were taken out to Pistakee Bay by boat.  The Chicago White Sox won the game 13-1  But there may have been various games played on different dates.

The McHenry White Sox were not the only local team to play the Chicago White Sox.  On October 2, 1929, 250 spectators gathered in the Johnsburg Ball Park and paid $1 each to watch the Sox play the McHenry County champions, Johnsburg.  The Sox won this one as well.

--CootSox

Thursday, November 10, 2016

A Lot Happened Today-- Part 2: Came the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and Opening of the Berlin Wall

1969--  Children's educational show "Sesame Street" made its debut on PBS.

1975--  The ore-hauling ship Edmund Fitzgerald and its crew of 29 vanished during a storm on Lake Erie.

1982--  The newly finished Vietnam Veterans Memorial was opened to its first visitors in Washington, D.C.

1989--  Workers began punching a hole in the Berlin Wall, a day after East Germany abolished its border restrictions.

--Cooter

A Lot Happened Today-- Part 1: USMC Birthday I Presume

Happening on November 10th:

1775--  The U.S. marines were organized under authority of the Continental Congress.

1871--  Journalist-explorer Henry Stanley found Scottish missionary David Livingston in Africa.

1919--  The American Legion held its first convention in Minneapolis.

1938--  Kate Smith first sang Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" on her CBS radio program.

1941--  Winston Churchill delivered a speech in London in which he said, "I have not become the King's First Minister to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire."

1954--  The Iwo Jima Memorial, inspired by the famous Associated Press photograph of the Marines raising the U.S. flag over Mount Suribachi during World War II, was dedicated by President Dwight Eisenhower in Arlington, Virginia.  Marine birthday, you know.

And Some More.  --DaCoot

MLB in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs-- Part 3: Some Major League Ballplayers

Here are a few ballplayers from Lake and McHenry counties who made it to the majors:

CHUCK HILLER from Johnsburg had an outstanding career in the majors.  As a member of the 1962 New York Giants, he made history becoming the first National League player to hit a grand slam in the World Series.  This allowed the Giants to beat the Yankees 7-3 and win the World Series.

BILLY AND BOBBY KLAUS were professional ballplayers from Fox Lake.  Billy played in the major leagues from 1952 to 1963, playing for several teams in his 11-year career.

His brother Bobby had a much shorter major league career, playing for only two years, 1964 and 1965.

There are plaques honor these two at the Grant High School baseball field in Fox Lake.

ERIC ECKENSTAHLER was born in Waukegan but attended high school in Antioch.  After attending Illinois State University, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers and played 27 games for them in 2002 and 2003.

--Baser


Wednesday, November 9, 2016

MLB in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs-- Part 2: Local Teams Played for Community Pride

And, the game of baseball is still real popular.  Just look at what happened in Chicago last week when the Cubs won the 2016 World Series.

Baseball has been around since 1839 and is played by young and old alike.  The Major Leagues began with 8 teams in 1876 and now has 30 teams.  Since the 1800s, local teams have played for their communities.  While these players may dream of getting a spot on a major league roster, it is highly unlikely.

From the late 1800s, the local teams in Lake and McHenry counties in Illinois were very active and competed against each other.  Community pride was at stake.

Some players from local high schools did make it to the majors.  Some only lasted for a short time, others got to be well-known.

Tomorrow I Will Write About Some of Them Who Made It.  --Cooter

MLB in the Northwest Chicago Suburbs--Part 1: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

From the September 7, 2016, Hi-Liter "A brush with the big leagues."

"Take Me Out To the Ball Game" was written in 1906 and is sung at every major league and many minor league parks, usually during the 7th inning stretch.

It was written by Jack Norworth and Albert von Tilzer and is the third most-sung song in the United States after "Happy Birthday" and the Star-Spangled Banner."  And, for the 7th inning is is often sung by those with great voices and, especially at Wrigley Field, some of those vocals are hard to take.

--DaCoot


October Anniversaries: Peanuts, Circus Circus and Legos

From the October AARP Bulletin.

OCTOBER 2, 1950--  The first "Peanuts" comic strip was published.  I am glad the Chicago Tribune continues to reprint them daily.  Gotta love that WWI Flying Ace and, if there was a Major League Baseball team that could have been Good Ol' Charlie Brown's, it would have had to have been the Chicago Cubs.

OCTOBER 18, 1968--  Circus Circus Casino resort opened in Las Vegas on The Strip.  Last I heard, it was still there, but probably not for much longer.  My favorite casino on the Strip is Slots of Fun back when they had the $1 Blackjack tables and 75 Cent bottles of Heinekin and Corona as well as the huge quarterpounder beef hot dogs.

OCTOBER 24, 1961--  The patent was approved for toy building blocks that became known as Legos.  I was ten, but never got into Legos.  They seem to be doing pretty well now.  But, I was pretty-well hooked on the Lincoln Logs and Erector Sets (and what was the one with the spindles and wooden round things?).

I Built Many a Great Fort With Those Logs.  --Cooter

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Comparing the 1945 and 2016 Wrigley Fields-- Part 4: Transportation

TRANSPORTATION IN 1945:  Streetcars ran along Clark Street and the elevated train ran along the current Red Line tracks.  the existing Addison station was in place before the ballpark opened in 1914.

In 1945, however, transit in Chicago was run by a number of agencies; the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) wasn't formed until 1947.

TRANSPORTATION IN 2016:  There's the Red Line, of course, and neighborhood parking has spawned a cottage industry with residents selling spots for hundreds of dollars.  Gone are the days when we would get off the expressway at Addison, stop at the White Castle then drive around the Wrigley neighborhood for awhile and find a parking spot in the street (for free) and walk a few blocks to the park.  That all ended with the coming of lights and neighborhood parking stickers.

I  think that the city should get a cut on the neighborhood parking.

--DaCubber

Comparing the 1945 and 2016 Wrigley Fields-- Part 3: Statues and Rooftops

For more on the 2016 Wrigley Field, check out my RoadDog's RoadLog blog.

STATUES ]IN 1945:  There were no statues at Wrigley Field in 1945.

STATUES IN 2016:  There are now four statues around Wrigley:

Harry Caray, unveiled in 1999
Ernie Banks, 2008
Billy Williams, 2010
Ron Santo, 2011

ROOFTOPS IN 1945:  Photos from Wrigley Field's earliest years show fans atop the adjacent buildings, though not on the built-out and up structures that exist today.  Back when I was watching in the 1960s and 1970s you would sometimes see a few fans on those rooftops.

ROOFTOPS IN 2016:  Now, the Rooftops are a real big business.  A long-running conflict between the Cubs and the owners of the lucrative rooftop buildings has died down with the Ricketts family slowly purchasing many of the properties along Waveland and Sheffield.

"Let's Play Two."  --Cubter

Monday, November 7, 2016

Comparing the 1945 and 2016 Wrigley Fields-- Part 2: Concessions

1945  CONCESSIONS

By 1945, fans could enjoy Borden's ice cream for 10 cents.  Beer was first served at Wrigley in 1933 after the repeal of Prohibition.

2016 CONCESSIONS

Ballpark food features plenty of classic Chicago dogs ($7) as well as the occasional Polish sausages ($) and even 'smokies" ($7.75).

Beer vendors now carry Goose Island IPA, 312 Ale (named after the prefix for downtown Chicago telephone numbers) as well as Bud and Bud Light.  Harry would be so proud.  Obviously, beer today costs a bit more than in 1945.

Coming home from my first visit to Wrigley Field in April 1981, I wrote in my journal that I could no longer drink at Wrigley as they had RAISED the price of beer to $1.50.

CootBeer

Friday, November 4, 2016

Comparing the Ticket Cost 1945 and 2016

As you might guess, there is a huge difference in tickets between the 71 years.

In the 1945 World Series, an upper-deck seat cost $6 ($80.48 in today's dollars).

Lower grandstand seats went for $7.20 ($90.57 today).

Scalpers sought $50.

2016 SEASON

Standing-room only tickets to Game 3 Friday were going for $1,800 on Stubhub with many seats going for more than $15,000.

Needless to Say, We Weren't There.  --CooCheap


Wrigley Field in 1945-- Part 3: Pitcher's Mound Where Home Plate Was

FACADE:  The front of the ballpark featured terra cotta roofing, but the ironwork of the 1930s, considered the ballpark's Golden Age, was already gone in 1945.

FIELD:  The position of the field was shifted in the 1922 expansion, which added more seats to the grandstands.

The result;  The pitcher's mound was moved to the spot of the original home plate.

UPPER DECK:  The upper deck was completed before the 1928 season.

--DaCubber

Wrigley Field in 1945-- Part 2: Original Lights Taken Out By World War II

The last time the Cubs were in a World Series Before this year.

OUTFIELD:  Under Bill Veeck, ivy was planted along the outfield walls in 1937.

CLUBHOUSES:  The old Cubs' tiny clubhouse was located under the left field mezzanine.

LIGHTS:  P.K. Wrigley assigned Bill Veeck to lookinto lighting options for Wrigley.  The team ordered parts in 1941 but Wrigley donated the steel to the World War II effort after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

MARQUEE:  The famous Wrigley Field marque was installed in 1934 and was originally green, and then was painted blue a couple years later.  Of course, it is now red.

--Cubter

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Wrigley Field in 1945-- Part 1: About That Scoreboard

From the October 28, 2016, Chicago Tribune "Wrigley Field's transformation."

As I continue recovering from the wee hours of the morning celebration in Margaritaville for the Cubs who won the World Series for the first time since 1908.  they are calling it the longest any professional sport franchise has ever gone between championships.

1945 was the last time a World Series game was played at Wrigley Field, 71 years ago.

1945 WRIGLEY FIELD

TRIANGLE PROPERTY--  The triangle plot of land northwest of the ballpark contained a cluster of coal silos as tall as the upper deck in 1945.  They were demolished in 1961.

BLEACHERS--  Permanent bleachers were first built in 1937.

SCOREBOARD--  Wrigley's iconic center-field scoreboard was installed in 1937 when the park went through a major renovation.  It was originally brown, but was painted green in 1942.

--DaWrig

Wilmington Historic Sites Weathering Hurricane Matthew

From the October 24, 2016, Wilmington (NC) Star-News " Cape Fear  historical landmarks weather the storm" by Hanna Dela Court.

MOORE CREEK NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD  --Pender County.

Closed October 7, before Matthew struck and is still closed because much of the park is still under water.  However, the water has dropped about 3 1/2 feet over the last couple days.    Even so, about 2/3 remains flooded.

The park has six monuments and five are still under water.  Some of the lowest spots are believed to be under eight feet of water.

The park is expected to be closed for awhile.

BRUNSWICK TOWN/ FORT ANDERSON STATE HISTORIC SITE, Brunswick County.

Flooding was minimal and has been open normal hours since October 11.  It lost a few feet of waterfront.

--Cooter

Ex-Chicago Bear Matt Forte, the Highlights-- Part 2

BIGGEST GAME:  In 2011, Forte registered his only 200-yard game in his career.  Ran for 205 yards on 23 carries against the Carolina Panthers.  He had runs of 46, 40 and20.  He also ran for a 17-yard touchdown.

BEST SEASON:  Rushed for a career-best 1,339 yards in 2013.  he also had 74 catches for another 594 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

LAST GAME:  On January 3, 2016, Forte ran for 76 yards.

RECORD RECAP:  Ranks second in bears history behind only Walter Payton in six major categories: rushing yards (8,602); 100-yard games(24); catches (487); receiving yards by a running back (4,116); yards from scrimmage (12,718) and scrimmage yards per game (106.0).

Forte's 45 rushing touchdowns rank fourth behind Payton (110), Neal Anderson (51) and Rick Casares (49).

He topped 1000 rushing yards a season five times and 1,500 total yards four times.

Quite an Offensive Weapon.  We Sure Miss Him.  --Cooter

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Ex-Chicago Bear Matt Forte, the Highlights-- Part 1

According to NFL stats, Matt Forte has run for 542 yards in eight games for the New York Jets this year.  Not too slouchy.

From the February 14, 2016, Chicago Tribune "Heck of a Run: Hard work secured Matt Forte's place in the history of great Bears running backs" by Don Wiederer.

In eight years with the Bears, Forte totaled 12,718 yards from scrimmage and scored 64 touchdowns.

THE BEGINNING:  Became a Bear April 26, 2008, drafted in the second round (number 44).  Joined Cedric Benson, Adrian Peterson and NIU great Garrett Wolfe in the backfield.

FIRST GAME:  23-carry, 123 yards.  Spoiled the first game for the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.  Had a 50-yard-first-quarter touchdown.

LONGEST RUN:  A 68-yard touchdown run in a 23-6 win versus Carolina in 2010.

--Coote


Tuesday, November 1, 2016

All-Time Bears Running Backs-- Part 5: Suhey and Harper

9.  MATT SUHEY--  (1980-1989)  Walter Payton's blocking back, Suhey found time to place 10th on the team's all-time rushing list and eighth in receptions.

10.  ROLAND HARPER--  (1975-78, '80-82)  A 17th-round draft choice in 1975, Harper is eighth on the Bears' all-time rushing list.

He gained 992 yards in 1978 before a knee injury derailed his career.

I definitely remember these last two as being on the same team as Payton.

--Cooter


All-Time Bears Running Backs-- Part 4: Gallimore and Jones

7.  WILLIE GALLIMORE--  (1957-63)  Once featured in an NFL Films video of the top 10 elusive runners, Gallimore's career was tragically cut short when he and teammate Bo Farrington were killed in a one-car accident during training camp after the 1963 title season.

8.  THOMAS JONES--  (2004-06)  Jones became the team's sixth-leading rusher in only three seasons before the Bears decided Cedric Benson would be better.

Jones went on to have three 1,000-yard seasons for the Jets.

--No Cedricter

All-Time Bears Running Backs-- Part 3: Anderson and Casares

5.  NEAL ANDERSON--  (1986-93)  Anderson followed Payton and surpassed all previous Bear runners except Payton.

His 51 rushing touchdowns are second only to Payton's 110.

6.  RICK CASARES--  (1955-64)  Ranks fourth on the team's rushing list behind Payton, Forte and Anderson.  His 49 touchdowns are third behind Payton and Anderson.

Led the team in rushing six years in a row, had league-high 1,126 yards in 1956.

--Cootsares