The BASEBALL RELIQUARY Inc.

Elysian Fields Soil         During the game James, who had been described as an intuitive type (wrote poetry, unfortunately none has been handed down), was so moved by the game and its manner of being played that, at times, he seemed to be in a trance. After the game, he told George that witnessing the game was one of the most sublime moments in his life, and that he had a vision that baseball was to become a grand and noble sport. He and George talked at great length following the game and a decision was made to return to the Elysian Fields early next morning to dig up a small amount of soil from the area in front of the batters box. This accomplished, he wrapped his booty in cloth and brought it back to Pennsylvania.

        James’ family however did not share his enthusiasm which temporarily darkened his spirit and dampened his excitement. He placed the cloth encased soil in a box and stored it in the cold cellar for safekeeping. He attached a note to it describing its importance to him, where and when it was obtained, and instructions to have it passed down to each male child descendant (the note was lost when my father, Robert S. Orr, attended Girard College in Philadelphia from 1913 to 1917). The Elysian Fields "sod" as it was called by the family, was passed to James’ son James Jr., then to his son Roy S., then to his son Robert S., and then to me upon my father’s death in December of 1975. The original cloth container had apparently deteriorated and was unfortunately discarded. When I received it, it was freshly wrapped in newspaper (Reading Eagle, 4 July 1975) which marks the 122^nd anniversary of James’ visit to New York for his birthday.              Family tradition would have my son, Mark G. Orr, as the next and rightful heir to the soil. I discussed with him your plans to exhibit it and he agreed that the soil should have a public home and be placed on permanent loan to the Reliquary. If you would need documentation of his agreement, please let me know.      

        According to my father, the soil was passed through the Orr generations more out of respect for James’ wishes than a belief in its historical importance. Baseball, as I remember, did not occupy a place of significance or prominence in the family. It was only during a visit to Reading by Albert Kilchesty (I had known him when he was a student at Albright College) in April of 1997 that I became aware of the significance of our family heirloom. He suggested that I contact you, and, well, the rest is history.

Gerald H. Orr

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