1925 - Camden's Marble King - John Guzik II "Jinx" - Marble Shooting Champion of Camden, NJ, Trip to Valley Forge, PA, Championships in Atlantic City, NJ, and Leading Boys Week Parade
John "Jinx" Guzik - Marble King of Camden, NJ (1925)
John Guzik, of 1877 South Fourth Street won the Camden city marble championship in April of 1925. John Guzik, known as "Jinx" was a light-haired chubby Polish boy who represented the Mickle School in South Camden. The showdown for city champion took place in the Genge School yard, in the heart of the city, across from City Hall. This event had several thousand spectators. Excitement built as Wilbur Tharp (defending champ) and John Guzik knuckled down to battle for the title of "Marble King". The fame and glory that came from Jinx's victory was both unexpected and exhilarating for a 14-year-old boy.
As Camden City's "Marble King", or as one article calls it, "Marble Czar", little John Guzik (Jinx) would be sent on a special trip to Valley Forge, PA with the nations other champions, compete in the national seashore tournament in Atlantic City, NJ, lead the Boys' Day Parade in Camden, and receive a special award, a bronze statuette presented by the Rotary Club and Mayor King of Camden, NJ. At the national seashore tourney, Jinx secured a third place victory in the final round of the Eastern Division.
The History of Marbles
From a historic perspective, the origins of marble shooting are unclear. They have found marbles in Pompeiian remains, Egyptian tombs, Native American populations and across ancient history. Marbles themselves were not mass produced until 1884 with clay marbles, and later in 1915 they were mass producing glass. For more information I found this article really interesting & helpful.
Some marble slang includes - "aggies" marbles that are made from agate, "alley" from alabaster, "jaspers" from china. The "shooter" or "taw" is the larger marble used to knock the smaller marbles, "mibs". Referring to the appearance of the marble "bumblebees" are striped yellow and black, and "onionskins" are swirled with layers of color. Creating beautiful marbles has become an art, and there is even museums across the country (Toy Marble Museum, The Museum of American Glass) and a healthy collectors market.
The Camden City Marble Championship
Jinx had a trademark, and was always sporting his little red and green skull cap (pictured above), which one source describes as "famous". Kept in a little cheesecloth, he played with a brilliant, bright green shooter.
Going back to the city's showdown for a migs champion, this event was by every means huge ordeal because even a newspaper in Lancaster, PA reports that Guzik wins while a mass of shouting boys and grownups watch with enthusiasm. The victory over his first opponent, Charles Harper of 332 Liberty Street (representing Fetters School), saw Guzik win 3/5 games, cleaning out all 13 marbles in the first round, and in the next two games a score of 11-2 and 12-1.
"Jinx can put almost as much English on an aggie as a billardist does on his cue ball" (Lancaster New Era newspaper article). Now it was time to knuckle down against the city's defending champ, Wilbur Tharp. He beat him twice with scores of 9-4 and 8-5. Reports state that Guzik played daringly. "He invited disaster by lagging his brown bull's eye into the ring and then banging out the clay mibs, one by one." Harper, one of his opponents, stared in amazement. When asked if he (Jinx) felt surprised and happy he said "Surprised and happy? You bet I am!".
Jinx was clearly living the dream as one news story says that he is living a scene out of a movie, another says that he was "the center of a milling crowd of her-loving boys who surrounded him in the schoolyard where the final rounds were played". This big affair did not go unnoticed by his predecessor Wilbur Tharp, however, the boy was a "good sport" and through a few tears, shook Jinx's hand and told him to "Bring the championship to Camden. You'll have a good time in Atlantic City".
Upon winning, and wiping his face with his cap, he tells how he got to where he is today, a 1st place winner. "I worked hard to win. I practiced every minute I had a chance. Thought I wasn't good enough to beat 'em all. But I did. Gee, I am going to step out". Imaginably he needed a break from the excitement.
Camden, NJ Boys' Week Parade
With this victory, John Guzik is now set to go to the 3rd national marble tournament held on the Atlantic City beach from May 31 to June 6, 1925. He is also awarded the Philadelphia Bulletin's loving cup for winning the Camden championship. All of this is not before being honored at the Boys Week festivities of Camden in the upcoming month.
The idol of the boys of Camden, John Guzik was set to lead an army of thousands of boys at the Boy Week parade. That day, 8,000 children paraded for just as many spectators of every age. It is reported as the "the greatest observance of its kind ever held in Camden". Many awards were handed out to schools and children of Camden, but the star of the show was the Marble King.
The Courier Post states that the children looked on with envious eyes at John Guzik who was said to fill his post as aid to the marshal with becoming modesty. With his greased brown bulls-eye shooter in pocket, he was claimed champion and began to tell the secret to his success.
"Since Christmas I had practiced," said John. "When there was snow on the ground, I rolled my marbles on the cellar floor. I tried all kind of shots, and practice aided me in controlling my shooter. When warmer weather came, I played outside on the lots and to my surprise found that I could beat the kids of the neighborhood easily. That convinced me I had a chance at the city title. Father became interested and built me a clay ring in my back yard. It is as smooth as a billiard table. Every hour I could spare from my school work saw me practicing on the ring in my back yard.".
Practicing in his cold cellar, and clay court in his backyard (built by his father John Guzik Sr.) provided him with the repetition and confidence he needed. "When the time for the final round in the Camden tournament came along, I was not a bit frightened. I had practiced so much I knew what I could do. Why, I took three straight games in the final set with the runner-up."
While all account tell of his humble presence and modesty, it seems like he would agree. "I'm not boasting when I tell of my success. Lots of practice made me a champion. I have about a month before the opening of the national championship tournament in Atlantic City, and you can bet every spare minute will be put in on my back yard practice ring."
Race for Champions
Jinx was the first city marble champion chosen in the East, and third in the country for the year of 1925. Now, many more cities rush to send a marble champ to the Seashore Tournament in Atlantic City. An Altoona, PA newspaper looking for their champion mentions the winner will be well acquainted with Russel "Rusty" Hamilton, Philadelphia's champ, and John "Jinx" Guzik, aggie king of Camden, NJ.
- Harrisburg Telegraph - Harrisburg, PA - 02 MAY 1925 - Page 9
- Lancaster New Era - Lancaster, PA - 01 MAY 1925 - Page 1
Philadelphia & Camden City Champions Friendship - Rusty Hamilton & Jinx Guzik
Rusty Hamilton, Philadelphia's champion, described as a sorrel-topped southpaw, had developed quite a friendship with John. Together they were named The Evening Bulletin's champs and hosts of an unprecedented party, where 400 guests were entertained.
When it would be time for the two boys to move onto the Atlantic League Championship, the pair would still be friends. On June 3rd the Courier Post reports that during the tournament Rusty and Jinx spend the night before the final rounds at the movies. Each shared their good luck routine, Jinx sleeping in his little red and green skull cap and Rusty refusing to wash his hands until the championships are over.
Special Train Ride & Visit to Washington's Headquarters - Valley Forge, PA
The trip to Valley Forge on the PA Railroad winds along the Schuylkill river, passing by Fairmount park, picturesque Wissahickon Drive, and cutting through the impressive industry of Philadelphia. Arriving at Valley Forge, the excursionists would arrive at +3,000 acres and head to the headquarters of George Washington. The small house (21 feet by 30 feet), built prior to 1768, is wonderfully preserved and filled with war-time relics. In 1925, the young champs would see the house with the original doors, windows, locks, etc. used by George Washington himself.
After Washington's headquarters, the group would hike to Memorial Chapel, and have lunch in a nearby grove and listen to a lecture from Dr. Burke. The Altoona Tribute reports on the experience, "In your histories, you remember pictures of Washington and his troops, poorly clad and without even adequate head to keep them warm in the crude encampment. On this trip you'll see the protection against the British army, which was then in Philadelphia, and you'll see reproductions of log cabins in which the soldiers were quarterer, quant iron cooking utensils and dishes, and the original tent used by Washington when he was in the field. Then to the seashore!".
National "Seashore" Championship - Atlantic City, NJ
(The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia)
The final challenge is officially here and each city's champion heads to Atlantic City, New Jersey for the national competition where one will be crowned the king of the Atlantic League. 64 champions converged in 1925, which was 10 more than the previous year. This tournament even featured the first girl to compete, Marie Lawley of Harrisburg, for more about the evolution of the marbleshooting tournaments, I found this website (Kings and Queens of the Ring) both informative and fascinating.
Award Presented to John "Jinx" Guzik by Atlantic City Marble Tourney Committee at Rotary Club Meeting, Walt Witman Hotel - Camden, NJ
My Insights
I had a new perspective through digging through all these articles, and learning more about the experience the marble champions, and my great-grandfather John had. I was surprised at how enriching and diverse the experience would have been for a 13-year-old marble champion, going to a seashore tournament. In today's times, I feel as though these hobbies or activities children partake in would occur in a bubble. Those who are interested would participate, and those who weren't, would not. It was extraordinary how involved the entire city was. Adults, parents, neighbors, teachers, students, children, and both cities of Camden and Philadelphia seemed engaged and invested in the wins and loses of these young marble shooters.
Beyond marbles, it seems like the cities and population were highly involved in enriching the lives of the youth, exemplified by the "Boys parades" of Camden and Philadelphia. The parades included awards being handed out to schools, and individual children for their accomplishments, character, and talents. The city marble champions even had an experience beyond any of my expectations. Rather than just winning a tournament, getting a trophy, and that's it, the champions were idolized by their peers. I can't imagine the surreal experience a young child would have while leading a 8,000 parade, being interviewed by newspapers, photographed, staying in hotels for a week, meeting leaders of the city, and being invited to host and participate in an array of events.
Rusty and Jinx were invited to be the hosts of what sounds like an extraordinary party to send off the marble champs to the Seashore. A party of 400 sounded like a big deal to me, and this wasn't even the best part of their send-off. The champions from all over the country got to meet each other, and form new friendships on what sounds like beautiful trip to Valley Forge. I found it amazing that rather than hosting a party, or an overnight and calling it a day, the trip focused on providing children with a historic perspective, and first-hand experience that they would never forget. Learning about history is one thing, but being immersed in the experience by seeing the fortifications, listening to lecturers, and doing the hikes across the camp, must have been truly special.
Sometimes, I find it easy to overly simplify the past. Not being connected to the information we need to keep history alive, and not holding the same traditions today, I would have never known what an incredible experience this was to be crowned the "Marble King of Camden". Perseverance, patience, and practice were all things that Jinx exemplified that are exceptional for a child of thirteen years old. It is great to know that such great characteristics were rewarded, and his ability to remain humble is truly impressive.
The big picture is that the community really worked together to reinforce respectable qualities and characteristics in children. Something that I think might not be as true today. While we may have lost touch with old pass times like marble shooting, I did come across some children who are still competing today and keeping the past alive. The annual championship has now moved from Atlantic City, to Wildwood, but it is great to see that tradition continues, and that the battles and championships live on.
If anyone has interesting references and resources to dig a little deeper into this research, please contact me! Thanks!
- Michelle
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