The Victory In Dubuque

A private dispatch received from Dubuque yesterday says that the base ball match in that city was won by the "Empire Club," of St. Louis, on a score of twelve for themselves, and five for their opponents.  The prize contended for was a superb ball of silver, offered by a club at Dubuque.

-Missouri Republican, September 30, 1865

I know I've been mocking the Empire Clubs' big victories of 1865 but they really are significant.  They were the first games played by a St. Louis club against outside competition and the first victories by a St. Louis club against outside clubs.  The idea that the Empires were the best club in the West doesn't really hold up but these games were historically significant.