The First Lacrosse Game Ever Played in Seattle

The first game of lacrosse ever played in this city took place yesterday afternoon at the Madison Street park, between picked teams from Victoria. About 500 people were present, including many old lacrosse players from the East, who have passed years without having had an opportunity to shout and yell as the rubber ball was passed and thrown from the gnarled-looking sticks, or crosses. The game was on the plan of an exhibition, but this did not stand in the way of some very pretty work being done, and before the final goal was won by the Blues the crowd was thoroughly enthused.

It did not take the bleachers long to pick out the difficult plays and their favorite players. Morton caught the crowd first by his long throws and clever work. Then, when the Blues commenced to storm the Whites' goal and P. Williams, who was playing point, caught shots that the spectators could not see after they left the crosses of the opposing players, his stock went up far above par. Competent judges of the play credited him with doing phenomenal work. W. E. Ditchburn came in for a share of applause by virtue of his catches of long thrown balls. The favorite of the spectators, however, was a small, compactly built fellow called Stebbins, who played second home for the Whites. He was nicknamed 'Billy,' and no matter what he did the boys shouted, 'Good for Billy.' He scored three of the Whites' four goals and showed something of the science of shooting goals from the start. The work of O'Connor and J. White, goal-tenders for the respective teams, was brilliant at times.

Owing to the delay in the arrival of the steamer Rosalie, Trainer Foster, called 'Old Jabe,' did not reach the grounds with his men until after 3 o'clock. They lost no time in getting to work.

The ball was faced at 3:40 o'clock, and on the scrimmage the Blues got it. Morton made a riotous throw for a goal, but C. Chisholm was on hand for the Whites and saved the day. For a few minutes following there was a general scrimmage around the Blues' goal, when Henley got the ball and sent it flying the entire length of the field to Hurd, who made the goal for the Blues. Score, 1-0; time of goal, 9 minutes.

Morton made J. White dance a lively jig in his goal. Hurd threw at White from short range, but by a great stop the ball was kept from passing through. Murphy scored the second goal for the Blues in thirteen minutes. Score, 2 to 0.

The Whites now commenced to play hard around the Blues' goal, and O'Connor made several brilliant stops. Ditchburn did some brilliant work by catching high thrown balls, but finally E. Corey shot the rubber ball through for the Whites in six minutes' play. Score, 2 to 1 in favor of the Blues.

The Blues did some fine passing in the next seventeen minutes, but finally Stebbins, or 'Billy,' as the crowd called him, scored a goal for the Whites on a low throw from the side. Score, 2 to 2.

The Blues now stormed the Whites' goal repeatedly, but P. Williams seemed to be invulnerable, for the ball never passed him. He caught shots on his crosse that made the crowd open their eyes and wonder how it could be done. After ten minutes' play 'Billy' scored another goal for the Whites. Score, 3 to 2 in favor of the Whites.

The Blues commenced firing at goal again, but Williams made more phenomenal catches and set the crowd in an uproar. Once Morton threw at the goal and Williams caught the shot before it had left Morton's stick three feet. It was the most wonderful catch of the game and was so recognized by the spectators. At the end of eleven minutes' play 'Billy' scored his third goal for the Whites. Score, 4 to 2 in favor of the Whites.

The Whites got the ball on the scrimmage but lost to Hurd, who threw a goal for the Blues. Score, 4 to 3 in favor of the Whites.

Morton, Ditchburn and Murphy played all around the Whites, but could not get through Williams for eight minutes. Then Murphy scored. Score, 4 to 4.

Four minutes of the two hours' play remained, and each side played hard. Williams saved the Whites seven times, but at last Reiser threw a goal for the Blues, and the game was won by a score of 5 to 4.

The crowd numbered about 500 people and the general comments were very favorable. Trainer Foster said that the players were picked from the senior and junior players of Victoria, and did not claim to represent the Victoria lacrosse club or any other association. It was hoped that the Vancouver team would play against the picked team, but it was impossible to get them. A statement shows that there was no conflict with the Victoria lacrosse club, the captain of which, Ross Eckardt, wired from Port Townsend that his club was not connected with the team billed to play.