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William Hutton

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William George Hutton, born August 22nd, 18781 in Tennessee, was a professional baseball player from 1897-1908. He was a resident of Little Rock, AR most of his adult life.

Biography

Hutton with Little Rock, 1901.
Hutton with Little Rock, 1901.
Hutton's professional baseball baseball career began in 1897 with Fort Smith and Hot Springs in the 1897 Arkansas State League. Four years later, he successfully earned a position with the local upstart Little Rock Travelers in the 1901 Southern Association. He performed well, hitting for an average of .303. The following spring, he was again signed by Little Rock, but health complications led him to resign from the team in May.2 Later in the 1902 season, he joined the Birmingham Barons and hit .263 in 39 games. In 1903, Hutton appeared in 11 games for Little Rock while filling in for injured players.3 He also briefly played with Marianna in the independent Eastern Arkansas League.4

After baseball, Hutton entered Little Rock politics. During a successful campaign for Pulaski County treasurer in 1908, he briefly returned to baseball to play with Argenta Shamrocks in the 1908 Arkansas State League.5 He remained in the office of treasurer through 1912 and afterward was elected Pulaski County sheriff in 1912 with the assistance of William Kavanaugh, president of the Little Rock Travelers and a well-known local political figure. He held his position as sheriff for a number of years before becoming a proprietor of a hotel in the Belmont community near Camp Pike, AR.. In 1932, Hutton ran as a Democrat for a seat in the Senate, but was defeated by Hattie Caraway.

Hutton died on July 24th, 1955 in Miami, FL.6 He was buried in Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock, AR.7

Excerpts

"Will Hutton, a local [Little Rock] player has been signed as a catcher and second baseman by Fort Smith."8

"It will be gratifying to the fans to note that Will Hutton of this city [Little Rock] has been signed as an infielder [by Little Rock]."9

"Will Hutton has tendered his resignation to the Little Rock Baseball Association, his retirement being due to the fact that in his present physical condition he could not be of any benefit to the club. Fandom will regret both his retirement and the cause which led to it."10

"Little Rock — William G. Hutton, about 80, Pulaski County Sheriff from 1912 to 1918 and onetime unsuccessful candidate for U. S. senator, died at Miami, Fla., Sunday. Burial will be here, but arrangement have not been completed. Hutton was one of six men defeated by the late Mrs. Hattie Caraway in the 1932 race for the Democratic nomination to the U. S. Senate to succeed Mrs. Caraway's husband, T. H. Caraway, who had died. About 55 years ago Hutton played baseball for the Little Rock Travelers of the Southern Association."11

"As the [Argenta] Shamrocks are in a bad hole, with two players out of the game, efforts are being made to secure will Hutton, former Chickasaw and Southern League star, to help out during the emergency. Inasmuch as Hutton is personally interested in the success of the Shamrocks, just as he would be in that of the Little Rock club, it is possible that he will agree to help them out for a few days."12

"Will Hutton, Democratic nominee for treasurer of Pulaski county, was on first bag for the [Argenta] Shamrocks, and his fielding showed a flash of the fast work that formerly made him an idol of Southern fields."13

Stats

Stats at Baseball-Reference.com.