Clyde N. "Peanut" COWELL was born in 1885, the son of Elias S. & Mary L. (WILDMAN) COWELL.

Outside of Peanut's devotion to his family, baseball was his second love. He was 48-years-old when he quit playing baseball. He had played semi-pro in 45 of Iowa's 99 counties. Eight major league friends had been in his barber shop in Maloy.

newsclipping, May 11, 1900

The Maloy "featherweight" ball nine have organized with the following members: Everett PARKHURST, pitcher; Frank COWELL, catcher; Leo SHAY, 1st base; Dick HART, 2nd base; Lon WILDMAN, 3rd base; Clyde COWELL, short stop; Willia LAMBERT, right field; Ed SHAY, center field; Babe SMITH, left field; Captain - Ed SHAY.

Peanut COWELL was a very colorful competitor. His use of a white potato in a game at Grant City, Missouri, almost created a riot when a player was called 'out.' Only by reversing the decision was calm restored to the ballpark.

Once Peanut was late in arriving at the game held in Maryville, Missouri. The public address announcer proclaimed that Peanut's tardiness was due to the fact that he was arriving from Maloy on his bicycle. The manager met Peanut at the gate and gave him a bicycle. Peanut hung his gear on it, then rode it past the grandstand, wiping his brow and nodded to the applauding crowd before taking his position. No one told the crowd anything differently.

On another occasion the umpire called a low ball as a strike. Peanut sat down on the ground and refused to stand up. He told the umpire that if strikes were going to be called that low, then Peanut was going to get down low enough to where he could see them.

Peanut was especially proud of the 1917 game played for the benefit of the Red Cross as Maloy. Several major league players were on the Field Hopsital team from Fort Dodge. Peanut warned them that they major portion of the crowd had never seen a big league player and he wanted the crowd to see them at their best. Peanut's challenge was accepted and Maloy was defeated 19 to 0. However after expenses, $507 was raised for the Red Cross.

SOURCE: Maloy Centennial book, page 55

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010