Poem to Festus Higgins by Eugene Carney

By Maria Montoro Edwards

The following poem was in my Aunt Winifred Philbin Rader’s scrapbook. It is an original typed copy probably given to Winifred’s mother, and Festus Higgins’ sister, Winifred Higgins Philbin. In the fourth stanza is the following, “He’s quietly, gently resting, With a pal that he loved so”. I wonder if the author is referring to James Connolly who is listed as “mascot” on the famous Minooka Blues team photo.  James “Francis” Connolly was the first World War I death for Minooka and for whom the legion is named. Festus Higggins was a promising pitcher until he was hit by a fast pitched ball in 1908 against a team from Carbondale, and his career was cut short. He continued to play in minor leagues following the injury but was never the same. My grandmother, Dolores Philbin McDonough remembered her father, Patrick Philbin taking Festus to a mental hospital of sorts. He had seizures following the injury.  The funeral was in the family home of Patrick and Mary Mulkerin Higgins on Pittston Avenue and the funeral mass was at St. Joseph’s Church. Honorary pall bearers were the O’Neill brothers, Chick Shorten, and Mike McNally.  Attached by paperclip to the poem was a scapula with scalloped edges and “J” and “M”.

This Poem Is Dedicated In Loving Remembrance Of Festus Higgins. One Who In Life Taught Me Much.

“Memories”

Years ago there was a dreamer.

            Hoping, waiting day by day,

With a heart that was never yearning

            For in big league games to play.

He had youth and strong ambitions,

            Hoping someday to win fame,

As a pitcher in the majors,

            Playing in a baseball game.

Poem in Memory of Festus Higgins

Poem written by Patrick Higgins in honor of Festus Higgins and his scapula.

Festus Higgins' Obituary - 1924: Festus Higgins, aged thirty-one-years, well known professional ball player and son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Higgins of Burney Avenue, Minooka, died this morning at 4 o'clock from hemorrhages from which he had suffered the past few years.

The death of the former ball player can be attributed to an accident on the diamonds at Carbonale, sixteen years ago, when the Minooka boy was struck on the side of the head by a pitched ball while doing mound duty for the Carbondale team. Following the accident Festus, then a boy in knee trousers, underwent two operations in hopes of relieving what surgeons thought to be a pressure on the brain. He never fully recovered and frequently suffered from weak spells that affected his work as a pitcher in later years.

Patrick Higgins, Minooka merchant through his brother-in-law, Michael G. Cusick, yesterday forwarded a check for $3000 to Rev. Peter Cusick, Buffalo, NY, the income of which is to be used perpetually help defray expenses of worthy young men desirous of studying for the Catholic priesthood. The scholarship endowment is in memory of the late Festus Higgins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Higgins, the well known baseball player who died a few weeks ago. Mr. Higgins, senior, made no condition for the endowed scholarship except that it be used to help out young men who feel an urge to enter the priesthood but who may be deterred because of lack of funds to meet expenses at school. He was prompted in making the gift from a knowledge of his son's interest in young men seeking to improve their education. Festus Higgins, during the years he played professional baseball, was a model as to both speech and conduct. He never uttered a profane or foul word. He refrained from all gambling or questionable means of entertainment. A devout Catholic, he approached the sacraments frequently. 

Farewell to Festus Higgins

Back in Minooka, that beloved spot just south of the city line, men, women and children bowed their heads in sorrow and prayer today as Festus Higgins, a native son and baseball star, was lowered to rest in St. Joseph's cemetery. All the honors that Minooka, the home of the famous O'Neill brothers, Charlie Shorten, of the Cincinnati Reds; Mike McNally, of the Yankees, and other celebrated diamond performers were bestowed upon Higgins. As the large funeral moved from the Higgins home on Birney avenue to the church and cemetery, there were many who recalled the boyhood days of "Festy" Higgins. They saw him sprout into a dazzling sandlotee like most of the Minooka boys fifteen years ago. Higgins became a wonderful pitcher. He starred for the Minooka Blues He moved up higher in the ranks and took his pace among the professionals. (This last paragraph is damaged) Minooka's basemen who would someday ….. ring honor to his luck by a pitched ball one day years ago. ….He recovered in time and again .....baseball men .... he seemed to be as good as new when the injury came back and threw him off his game by the blow of so many years ago caused the ... alone today in mourning her diamond ... 

Funeral of Festus Higgins Attended by Many People

Requiem For Former Star of Diamond is Sung in St Joseph’s Church, Minooka

The funeral of Festus Higgins of Minooka, a young man who was popular as a baseball player and had rapidly advanced into the profession when illness overtook him, was held this morning from the family home. It was very largely attended, hundreds of persons gathering at the deceased's hometown to pay the last tribute of respect to the younger man who was so well regarded and beloved in the community and in a wide circle of friends. There was also a splendid tribute of love in the many beautiful floral pieces among them a special contribution from his former associates on the Minooka Blues ball club. Among those attending the funeral were members of the Holy Name Society, of the Minooka Baseball Association and of the Young Men's Institute. 

From the home the funeral proceeded to St Joseph's church, where a solemn high mass of requiem was celebrated by the pastor P.E. Lavelle, the deacon being Rev. John Kelly, subdeacon, Rev. Joseph Golden of Troy, Pa.., and master of ceremonies, Rev. John O'Neill. Mrs. P.J. McNeals and Miss Helen O'Neill were the soloists during the service. They sang "Jesus I Come to Thee," an Ave Maria, and "Beautiful Land on High." interment was in St. Joseph's cemetery, the services being conducted by Rev. Father Lavelle. The flower carriers were Joseph Schofield, William Gallagher, Patrick Mulherin, Gerald Philbin, Donald McCrea, Peter Grogan, Francis Grogan and Joseph O'Hora. The honorary pall bearers were former baseball associates, Steve O'Neill, Michael McNally, Charles Shorten, Ted Walsh, Jack Connors and Gerald Langan. The active pallbearers were Thomas Joyce, Thomas Fitzhenry, John Mulherin, Edward Burke, Patrick Gallagher and Leo O'Malley.

Contributed by Maria Montoro Edwards