Gomer Kraus

Gomer Edward Kraus, born July 7th, 1890 in Clarksville, AR,1 was a professional baseball player from 1912-1914.

Biography

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Kraus' baseball career is unclear. In a family photo, he appears in a Bonham, TX, uniform. Accordingly, a player named "Krause" appeared with the Bonham Texas-Oklahoma State League team in 1912.2 Kraus would have been 21 at the time.

Kraus appears to have signed with Paris, TX, in 1914, but was released before the season began.3

Kraus died on July 28th, 1950 in Johnson County, Arkansas.4 He was buried in Oakland Memorial Cemetery in Clarksville, AR.5

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Excerpts

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" Around 1910 Gomer played baseball in the Texas Amateur League and played for the Bonham team at one time. By all accounts he was a very good pitcher. At one point, while his team was touring in Texas, Gomer contracted the mumps and was too ill to travel to the next town with the team. The lady who ran the hotel the team was staying in cared for him until he had recovered. Unfortunately, he lacked the funds to catch up with the team or to travel home to Clarksville. His opportunity to get home came in the form of al all Indian baseball team that came to town. Gomer signed up with this team and traveled with them until they got close enough for him to return home. Since this was an all Indian team Gomer had to pretend to be Indian. When they reached a new town they would have a parade to attract fans to the game. The entire team would dress in full Indian regalia, including Gomer and march down main street."6

Stats

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1913 Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.