The first baseball played by a Manning team was at Gray in July of 1882. Several games were played but it appears that Manning never took much interest in baseball till the spring of 1893 when it came with a vengence, and Manning soon developed a nine that was to gain for itself an enviable record (10 wins and 7 losses). In 1895 the team was broken up because of businessmen being transferred and others attending college.

In the spring of 1897, baseball enthusiasm was again revived, and a subscription was raised to defray expenses, and to hire the Coon Rapids battery, which consisted of Morrison - pitcher, and Strawser - catcher. The Manning team consisted of; Sisson - right field, Strawser - catcher, Burgett - center field, Morrison - pitcher, Triplet - shortstop, Patton - 3rd base, Sutherland -left field, and Bennett - 1st base. The most interesting game of this season was against Glidden which Manning won by a score of 7-5 in 12 innings.

Throughout the early 1900's and into the 1920's the Merchants Baseball Team continued to have success and provided many team players and fans with a recreational activity.

Into the 1930's and 1940's the Merchants Baseball League continued. Some of the players at this time were; Bill Petersen - pitcher, and others listed by their last name on the score sheets and box scores: Schrum, Barten, Petersen, Signal, Dethlefs, Brady, Hinz, Bald, Bingham, Frahm, Knaack, and Schwaller.

On August 8, 1935, an interesting twist was added to the game of baseball. The Firemen played a Donkey Baseball game. It is not known who won, but it seems that most of the time was spent trying to get the donkeys to cooperate.

Through the late 1950's Manning's town team was playing in what was considered a semi-pro league, the Central States League. Kenny Dethlefs was the manager of the team at this time. (Bob Kuhl was manager of the team throughout the 1930's.)

Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, Little League programs became popular. Boys ages 8-15 avidly participated in the summer baseball programs which were designed for recreational activity purposes in an organized fashion during the summer months. Today girls also participate in summer softball programs.

In June, 1924, a movement was created in Iowa and Nebraska to form a league of petitioners and voters to pledge to use whatever pressure possible locally and nationally to prevent the price of gasoline from ever exceeding 15c per gallon. Headquarters of the league were in the Omaha Loan Building.

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festivals and entertainments for the purpose of renewing friendships, to learn to know each other and to create a better understanding between us. I do hope that our children will maintain and uphold the traditions of celebrating as we do here today, in the same spirit of friendship and harmony as of old."

To this day, many of the members are descendents of the founders of the organization; Jurgen Ohde, John H.C. Peters, Wm. Pruter, F.W. Pruter, Louie Tolgard, John Oeser, Peter Martins, Heinrich Stender, Joachim Puck, Hans Suhr, Heinrich Hagedorn, Claus Thiedeman, Claus Strathman, Carsten Voss, Carl F. Hagedorn, Adam Schneckloth, Claus Grage, Heinrich Schroeder, Wm. Wiese, Claus Plagman, Claus Anthony, Heinrich Goettsch, Henry Rohwer, Wm. Rowedder, Louie Hannemann, Claus Hagge, Hans Eggers, Heinrich Grimm, Han. H. Kruse, Herman Jahn, Wilhelm Martens, William Hill, Timm Anthony, August Dethlefs, Heinrich Kruse, William Hanneman, Meves Schacht, Chris Lemster, Fritz Hagedorn, Herman Martens, Claus Engeland, Heinrich Joens, John Reinholt, Otto Kruse, Heinrich Greves, Ferdinand Blocker, Heinrich Vinke, J.F. Jahn, Wm. Jahn, John Groth, Joachim Lamp, Heinrich Piening, Hans Joens, Peter Clausen, John T. Ohrt, Anton Wells, Heinrich Schoenjahn, Heinrich Dohse, J.H. Mumm, Nick Schumann, John Jetter, John Ehrichs, Claus Grube, Peter Goettsch, Herman Grundmeier, Heinrich Flenker, John Rathjens, Heinrich Schelldorf, Heinrich Klingberg, John Ohde, and Detlef Wiese.

At the beginning, the group met once a month and gave prizes for the best marksman. These prizes were usually a piece of hardware or leather goods. The king's prize was often a larger piece of furniture. The monthly gatherings were later changed to annual celebrations. Other events during the year included a Children's Day, Ring Riding for men on ponies, Ring Riding for women on merry-go-rounds, harvest festivals, goose ball on Thanksgiving, dances at Easter, Christmas and New Year, and the frolicsome masquerades.

During the early years, from about 1890 to 1895, the Hayes Verein had King Shoots with Manning's Three Mile House and the Wall Lake Verein. One of the meets was won by August Rohwer, who was awarded Mrs. Potts' sad irons. Later, from about 1910 to 1939, the group met with the Manning and Three Mile House Vereins in a "Gold Medal" meet. John Oeser was king four times, in 1913, 1914, 1922 and 1939.

The verein has met every year for the past 97 years, except during World War I, when it was difficult to secure ammunition, during the World War II years of 1943, '44, and '45, and during the Korean War in 1951.

The annual King Shoot is now held on Pentecost Sunday every June. The day's activities start with a nine a.m. procession to the home of the king of the previous year, where music is provided by a live band and refreshments served. At noon, the group -- often numbering 400 to 500 people -- return to the Five Mile House for the contests. While the men shoot, the women have a ball throwing contest. The winners are named the king and queen of the year; dances are held in the afternoon and evening.

Officers elected in April, 1980, were president, Wayne Schroeder, Manning; vice-president Joe Brandt, Aspinwall; secretary, Wayne Jahn, Manning; treasurer, Gene Thiedeman, Westside; and trustees Gordell Lamp, Manning, Merlin Nulle, Westside and Robert Phillips, Manning.