Colored House of David Game Contract – Perry Stadium (1940)

This game contract was drawn up by Harry Crump (team owner and booking agent) of the Colored House of David on a piece of stationary from the Hotel Cairo (Cairo, Ohio) for a game involving his team. The game was to be played at Perry Stadium on May 19, 1940. The terms of the contract call for the Colored House of David to receive 60 % of the gate with a $200.00 guarantee minimum.

The most interesting part of this contract is that it serves as a good example (contract handwritten on a piece of hotel stationary) of how informal baseball could be at the barnstorming and “bush” league level.

Colored House of David

The Colored House of David baseball team was owned by Harry Crump of Sioux City, Iowa. Crump had been associated with the original House of David, but broke with them to form his own team in the 1930’s. Crump’s team barnstormed through the Midwest during the 1930’s and 1940’s. The team was managed by George Osley. The Colored House of David traveled in their own team bus, they were well equipped and they had the reputation of being very competitive on the field.