Patrick Welch, born about 1867 in Arkansas, was an amateur baseball player with various Little Rock teams.
Biography
In 1885, Welch played with the amateur Little Rock Crescents, and in 1886, the professional Little Rock Base Ball Club.
Welch continued playing baseball in Little Rock until his accidental death in 1889. While working as a postal clerk on a train, Welch was fatally shot when a pistol fell from a letter rack and discharged into his body. The accident occurred late Thursday night, and he died on Friday morning, April 12th.
Welch's obituary noted: "He had a fascination for base-ball and was considered one of the best all-around players in the state, having been engaged at different times with several clubs throughout Arkansas.".
Excerpts
"A telegram was received here at 2 o'clock this morning announcing that Pat Welch, the postal clerk on the Wagoner Branch, had shot himself accidentally, and had been taken off of the train at Fort Gibson. A pistol fell from the letter rack and discharged, the ball lodging in Welch's body. The surgeon at Fort Gibson wired that there was but little, if any, hope for Welch's recovery. Welch is a Little Rock boy and has been in the postal service but a short time. His train leaves Van Buren shortly after 5 o'clock in the evening and gets to Wagoner about midnight. As Fort Gibson is very near Wagoner, the accident is supposed to have occurred shortly before midnight."1
"The remains of Patrick Welch, the young man who was accidentally shot Thursday night near Fort Gibson, L. T., from the effects of which he died Friday morning, arrived last evening from Wagoner, L. T., and were taken to the residence of his mother, Mrs. Mary Welch, on Fourteenth and Battery Streets, from which place the funeral will occur this morning at 10 o'clock, services by Father Reilly of St. Andrew's Cathedral. Deceased was the youngest son of a family of six children, all of whom are natives of Little Rock. He was a most exemplary young man, steady in his habits, capable and industrious, and being the youngest, was the favorite of his mother's household. He had a fascination for baseball and was considered one of the best all-around players in the state, having been engaged at different times with several clubs throughout Arkansas. His death, which was by accident, is deplored by all who knew him, and the sympathy for the heart-broken mother, sisters and brothers is sincere and extends throughout the entire community."2
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Biography
In 1885, Welch played with the amateur Little Rock Crescents, and in 1886, the professional Little Rock Base Ball Club.
Welch continued playing baseball in Little Rock until his accidental death in 1889. While working as a postal clerk on a train, Welch was fatally shot when a pistol fell from a letter rack and discharged into his body. The accident occurred late Thursday night, and he died on Friday morning, April 12th.
Welch's obituary noted: "He had a fascination for base-ball and was considered one of the best all-around players in the state, having been engaged at different times with several clubs throughout Arkansas.".
Excerpts
"A telegram was received here at 2 o'clock this morning announcing that Pat Welch, the postal clerk on the Wagoner Branch, had shot himself accidentally, and had been taken off of the train at Fort Gibson. A pistol fell from the letter rack and discharged, the ball lodging in Welch's body. The surgeon at Fort Gibson wired that there was but little, if any, hope for Welch's recovery. Welch is a Little Rock boy and has been in the postal service but a short time. His train leaves Van Buren shortly after 5 o'clock in the evening and gets to Wagoner about midnight. As Fort Gibson is very near Wagoner, the accident is supposed to have occurred shortly before midnight."1
"The remains of Patrick Welch, the young man who was accidentally shot Thursday night near Fort Gibson, L. T., from the effects of which he died Friday morning, arrived last evening from Wagoner, L. T., and were taken to the residence of his mother, Mrs. Mary Welch, on Fourteenth and Battery Streets, from which place the funeral will occur this morning at 10 o'clock, services by Father Reilly of St. Andrew's Cathedral. Deceased was the youngest son of a family of six children, all of whom are natives of Little Rock. He was a most exemplary young man, steady in his habits, capable and industrious, and being the youngest, was the favorite of his mother's household. He had a fascination for baseball and was considered one of the best all-around players in the state, having been engaged at different times with several clubs throughout Arkansas. His death, which was by accident, is deplored by all who knew him, and the sympathy for the heart-broken mother, sisters and brothers is sincere and extends throughout the entire community."2
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