Category: Images

Billy hosted a revival campaign in Richmond, Indiana, April 16-June 4, 1922

As reported in The Richmond Item. Sun, Apr 16, 1922

CROWDS THRONG STREETS DURING MARCH TO HOTEL

American Legion Band Leads Parade; Evangelist Delighted With Reception

Opening Service

Opening service—2:30 p. m. The Rev. R. W. Stoakes presiding.

Introducing C. F. Hutchins, chairman of music committee.

Introductions—Mrs. William Asher, Robert Matthews, Miss Florence Kinney by Mr. Hutchins.

Song service—Mr. Matthews.

Devotionals.

Introducing Mr. Sunday—The Rev. Mr. Stoakes.

Remarks—Mr. Sunday.

Welcome—Mayor Lawrence A. Handley.

Financial statement and collection talk, the Rev. E. Howard Brown.

Collection.

Sermon.

“Here he comes!”

“That’s Sunday!”

“There’s ‘Mr’ Sunday!”

“See Billy!”

Those were the exclamations heard yesterday afternoon from hundreds of spectators lining the sidewalks during the triumphal march in automobile of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Sunday from the Pennsylvania station to the Westcott hotel. Richmond gave them a great welcome.

Eager to See “Billy”.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Sunday were waving their hands all the time of the ride, acknowledging the salutes and smiles of Mr. and Mrs. Richmond and their children. The hearty welcome of the populace along the line of march was only equaled by the reception at the station where many more hundreds had every vantage point to see the world’s greatest evangelist, and Mrs. Sunday.

As they made their snake-like trail into the station the American Legion band started to play “The Star Spangled Banner.” The Sundays stepped on the platform a slender man in his early fifties, in a suit of clothes, showing the vigor of youth in every move.

With Mr. Sunday, who was introduced as master of ceremonies, Fred N. Page introduced Mayor Lawrence A. Handley and Chief of Police William F. Eversman. After viewing the mayor’s band, the mayor and the chief of police escorted Mr. and Mrs. Sunday to the automobile.

Salutes Everyone.

As Mr. Sunday passed the national colors, bareheaded, his hand went to salute while the people clapped. Billy missed nothing. Heads were craned from the Arlington hotel windows but they were not that high but Billy could see them and he waved his salutations at them.

Cameras clicked. “Right here, Mr. Sunday,” someone called, and the man of note posed for his picture. “Come in,” he called to others and in twinkling he had the mayor by his side. Mrs. Sunday stepped up, then came the chief of police, Rapp and the Rev. R. W. Stoakes.

The above six with the Rev. Dr. J. J. Rae, pastor of the First Presbyterian church entered the automobile and escorted by the American Legion band with the Sunday school boys and girls of the First church along E street, north Eighth street, north Ninth street, west Main street, west Tenth street to the park where the automobile was waiting with its notable passengers, thinking of the wonderful reception they had received.

Automobiles stood in a double line for a block and a half on both sides. Eight street was thronged. Every available inch of sidewalk was filled with people.

Thanks War Veterans.

Billy was the first to alight at the Westcott hotel. Did he enter the hotel at once? He did not. The band was standing in a circle north of the Tenth street entrance of the Westcott and like a youngster just out of school, Billy scampered off to the bandsmen, shaking hands heartily with the players.

“Lieutenant,” Billy said to Lieutenant Urqupley, “my boy was a lieutenant with the signal corps in the Rainbow division.” Lieutenant Rapp, who by this time had found his chief.

“Where’s Major?” Billy asked as he gained the hotel entrance. “Right here” replied the latter as he entered the hotel.

After Mr. and Mrs. Sunday went to their rooms many of the local pastors and members of the general council were received in the rooms and were being greeted by everyone, he beaming countenance his ever smiling the showing that he was delighted with the welcome he had received in Richmond. Mrs. Sunday also shook the hands of many who were introduced to her.

A platoon of police was at the station regulating the human and (Continued on Page Two)

CROWDS GREET SUNDAY

Continued from Page One)

the automobile traffic. And it was needed, so great was the throng. Preaches Twice Today. Mr. Sunday will preach twice today but last night was not ready to announce his subject for the afternoon meeting. He will speak on “Why Calle Ye Me Lord, Lord,” or “The Sins of Society” at 7:30 p. m.

Albert Peterson, Robert Matthews, Mrs. William Asher and Miss Florence Kinney also arrived here yesterday. Homer Rodeheaver will not be here until Wednesday. Mr. Matthews, Mr. Sunday’s secretary will direct the music today, while Miss Kinney and Mr. Peterson will be at the pianos. The opening hymn will be “Faith of Our Fathers.”

Mr. Sunday will address campaign workers at the United Presbyterian church at 10 a. m. tomorrow.

Coverage in: The Richmond Item. Sun, Apr 16, 1922 ·Page 1

Who’s Who In Sunday’s Party; Open Revival Today

While the Rev. Dr. William A. Sunday will be the big drawing card for the six weeks’ revival that will begin in Richmond today, it must not be forgotten that Mr. Sunday has surrounded himself with a corps of workers that hold the record of being second to none in evangelistic work. Counting both Mr. and Mrs. Sunday the Sunday party is composed of nine persons—five men and four women.

Homer Rodeheaver is probably as well known as a gospel singer as his ‘boss’ is as an evangelist, just as Mr. Sunday preaches the gospel, Mr. Rodeheaver sings it. He has been with Mr. Sunday for 12 years. Not only is he a soloist, but he has frequently led the singing at the great revivals held in the country.

At last year’s Chautauqua Mr. Rodeheaver, or ‘Rody’ as he is nicknamed, was reared in eastern Tennessee. After attending the public schools he attended Ohio Wesleyan university. His first public work as a musician was with the Jellico, Tenn., Silver Concert band. He studied music under Oscar Saenger in New York city and Madame Turner Kurtz in Philadelphia. He was for years song leader for W. E. Biederwolf.

Mr. Rodeheaver was sent overseas during the world war by the Y. M. C. A. playing his trombone and singing songs on practically all the battlefronts. Mr. Rodeheaver is proud of the fact that probably his instrument is the only trombone that played the soldiers’ favorite songs while flying over the massed regiments of doughboys.

‘Rod’ is not married in spite of the fact that on frequent trips to southeastern West Virginia, it was said by a newspaper that ‘Mr. and Mrs. Rodeheaver played and sang songs in Richmond.’ The only Miss Ruth Rodeheaver, his sister, and a niece of Mr. Rodeheaver has been labeled Miss Rodeheaver as Mrs. R.

Mr. Rodeheaver is a Rotarian, a member of the Sons of Veterans, the Spanish American War Veterans, Knights of Pythias, the Mystic Shrine and the Methodist church, his home is at Winona Lake.

Robert Matthews, familiarly known as ‘Bob’ is a former newspaperman and served his apprenticeship to ‘journalism’ on some large newspapers, including The Chicago Tribune. He is pianist and solo secretary to Mr. Sunday. Traveling with Billy Sunday from city to city is nothing to Mr. Matthews who has seen many capitals of the world. He has been on every sea, including the Arctic and the Antarctic.

Mr. Matthews was born at Carrollton, Ky. He was educated in the public schools and is a graduate from Lake Forest, Ill., university. His father, Robert J. L. Matthews was a Presbyterian minister. Following his college course he accepted the editorship of a newspaper at Keokuk. He was also city editor of the Burlington Journal, of Des Moines News and the Chicago Record Tribune for five years.

Mr. Matthews is a Rotarian, a Shriner, and is an elder in the Presbyterian church.

Mrs. William Asher, who has sung before in this city, lives at Winona Lake. For seven years Mrs. Asher was associated with the Rev. J. Chapman during his evangelistic work. She has been a member of the Sunday party for eight years. While she is frequently heard in duets with the musical director, her principal work with the party is directing the women’s work. One of the big ‘hits’ of Mr. Rodeheaver and Mrs. Asher as singers in every campaign, is the singing of ‘The Old Rugged Cross.’ The two sang that at the last Chautauqua here and received an ovation.

Miss Florence Kinney is a member of the Methodist church of Springfield, O., where her father has been with Mr. Sunday five years. She will direct the student work in the event and be the Bible teacher with the party.

Miss Kinney is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and of Ohio state university. She is greatly interested in bird life and is one of the consulting directors of the Audobon Society of America. She is a former president of the Women’s Federation of clubs of Clark county, of which Springfield is the county seat. Miss Kinney is recognized as one of the leading workers among young people in the country.

Her musical attainments are frequently shown and if it is ever necessary for ‘Bob’ Matthews to be absent or ‘Rody’ then Miss Kinney takes over ‘Bob’s’ vacated seat at the piano.

Fred W. Rapp, business manager of the party is already known to thousands of church goers in Richmond. He is a graduate of the Nebraska university and has been engaged in Y. M. C. A. administrative work for 15 years. He is a native of Allentown, Pa. His home is at Winona Lake. He is married and has one daughter, Helen.

Like his colleague, ‘Rody,’ Mr. Rapp was overseas during the world war engaged in ‘Y’ work. Owing to his administrative abilities he was one of 12 men selected by John R. Mott, head of the national Y. M. C. A. to go to France. He was on several battle fronts engaged in special administrative work with the American forces. He is a Mason, Kiwanian, star tennis player and amateur boxer.

Albert Peterson, familiarly known as ‘Pete,’ is tabernacle custodian. He is a big fellow. He weighs 215 pounds and stands six feet three inches. He is unmarried. Of Swedish descent, he claims to have his home in the land of Blaker, Minn. He is classed as the major-domo of the tabernacle. He has been with the party for 10 years. He is a member of the Methodist church. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias. He was a star wrestler in his younger days.

Keeping the tabernacle in good condition and seeing that the temple is not the only duty that falls to ‘Pete.’ He plays the piano when a ‘sub’ is necessary, he sings tenor and will be a frequent speaker at the shop meetings that will be held here during the campaign.

Miss Alma Thomas herself is the authority for saying that she is not a member of the Sunday party, but she is placed here as part of personnel notwithstanding her status. Perhaps she can better be placed as the ‘advance’ of the party, for while the others are carrying out their duties in one city, Miss Thomas is acting as Mr. Rapp’s secretary. She is generally ahead of the campaign and works perfecting the plans that bring the various organizations into being to bring the rest of the party to the next stop of the campaign.

Miss Thomas is from the Empire state and makes her home with her mother in New York city. She has been with Mr. Sunday for 10 months. Mr. Rapp is not known to have a secretary with the Sunday party, and Miss Thomas is the first one he has been doing here for the last six weeks.

MILTON, IND.

MILTON, Ind.—The Cary club met Thursday with Mrs. Henry Mueller. The following program was given: ‘Education in South America,’ Mrs. Frank Broaddus; ‘Women and the Family in America,’ Mrs. Aaron Doll; ‘Fusion of Races,’ Mrs. E. C. Denny; ‘Relation of South America to the Rest of the World,’ Mrs. William Huddleston.

Dayton Warren and Blance Coyne are home from Ohio State university for a few days’ vacation.

Roderick McCormick is home from Butler for a few days’ spring vacation.

The senior class of the high school took a trip to Dayton Wednesday evening.

Alma Wagner and Ernest Jones are home for a few days’ vacation from Indiana university.

Miss Naomi Squier, of Richmond, spent Sunday night with Ina Crawford.

The Richmond Item. Sun, Apr 16, 1922 ·Page 8

How did the 1918 Billy Sunday Chicago campaign do by the numbers?

Chicago Tribune. Mon, May 20, 1918 ·Page 1

Bily Sunday Tabernacle. Chicago, Navy Pier, c. 1918.

49,165 SOULS AND $56,000, BILLY’S SCORE

Great Crowd Hears Revivalist Close Campaign.

Trail hitters (total) ………… 49,165

Attendance at tabernacle and meetings led by members of the Sunday party ………… 1,200,000

Money raised for current expenses ………… $135,000

Money raised for free will offering to Billy Sunday, which he will give in its entirety to the Pacific Garden mission ………… $56,000

Number of churches co-operating ………… 424

Length of campaign (including 11 Sundays) ………… 10 weeks

BY THE REV. W. B. NORTON.

Billy Sunday has prepared his own epitaph, which he says he wants chiseled on his tombstone when he shall be laid away in Forest Home cemetery, where, he says, he expects his body to rest. It is this:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.”

Last night Billy announced the end of his revival campaign here by saying:

“I’ve done my duty. Like a physician after he hands the new baby over to the mother and the nurse, takes his departure, so I commit these new converts to the churches and I go on my way to other fields.”

A Strenuous Finish.

For the first time since Billy began preaching in the tabernacle at Chicago avenue and the lake ten weeks ago, he pulled off both coat and collar and went at his task as in the old baseball days. It was his final sermon and he put into it all the power and feeling he could command.

The rain beat heavily on the roof, and occasionally an umbrella began to rise, but was quickly put down again, so as not to obstruct the view of others. Finally all of the roof windows were closed and the doors opened. At least 13,000 were present, many of them standing. A considerable number were in the seats at 5 o’clock with knitting or papers in hands, determined to have a seat for the final service, no matter how large the crowd.

Appeals for the free will offering for Billy, which is to go to the Pacific Garden mission, were made by George W. Dixon, chairman of the committee on the offering; W. A. Peterson, chairman of the finance committee; the Rev. John Timothy Stone, and Mel Trotter, superintendent of the Pacific Garden mission.

1918, Navy Pier.

Chicago Tribune. Mon, May 20, 1918 ·Page 4

Sunday Is Pleased.

“I consider the most remarkable feature of the meetings has been the evident hunger of the people to hear the gospel, their eagerness of attention, and the steadiness with which they have come,” Mr. Sunday said yesterday. “Every time the invitation has been given there has been a steady stream of hitters, not as I have seen it elsewhere, many coming at one meeting and almost no one the next time. I feel that it has been a remarkable meeting.”

Chicago Tribune. Tue, Jun 25, 1918 ·Page 3

The building (at Chicago Avenue and the lake) is the largest tabernacle ever built for the use of Mr. Sunday and was fourteen feet longer than the next largest one built in New York. It accommodated an audience of 16,000 when the vestibule was filled, as was done on several occasions during the revival campaign.

More images of the Chicago 1918 campaign.

Fred G. Fischer – Choir Leader and Soloist and Charles Butler – Soloist

We recently acquired this image.

The reverse back of the postcard is blank.

Billy Sunday worked closely with two key musical assistants: Fred G. Fischer and Charles Butler, both of whom played significant roles in his evangelistic campaigns.

Fred G. Fischer – Choir Leader and Soloist

Fred G. Fischer was among Sunday’s earliest and most trusted collaborators. Serving as both choir leader and soloist, Fischer was instrumental in organizing and directing the musical components of Sunday’s revival meetings. His tenure with Sunday spanned approximately from 1900 to 1910, during which he helped cultivate the energetic and participatory musical atmosphere that became a hallmark of Sunday’s campaigns.

Charles Butler – Soloist

Charles Butler served as a soloist in Billy Sunday’s team, contributing to the musical aspects of the revival meetings. His role involved performing solo pieces that complemented the choir’s performances and supported the overall worship experience. Butler’s involvement with Sunday’s campaigns was notably during the years 1907–1908.

Both Fischer and Butler were integral to the musical dimension of Billy Sunday’s revival meetings, enhancing the emotional and spiritual resonance of the events through their leadership and performances.

Circa 1907 (1900-1910)

Logistical support from Fred R. Siebert, C 1910 postcard

Fred R. Seibert played a pivotal role in Billy Sunday’s evangelistic campaigns during the early 20th century. As a member of Sunday’s core team, Seibert was known as the “handy man of the tabernacle,” overseeing the logistical and operational aspects of the revival meetings. His responsibilities included managing the physical setup of the tabernacle, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring the smooth execution of events. ​

Beyond his logistical duties, Seibert was deeply involved in the spiritual mission of the campaigns. He authored Rescue the Perishing, a guide aimed at assisting new converts in their Christian journey. Published in 1921, this work provided practical advice and biblical teachings to support individuals in their newfound faith. ​

Seibert’s contributions were integral to the success of Billy Sunday’s revivals, combining organizational acumen with a commitment to spiritual mentorship.

BELOW – Article in The South Bend Tribune. May 1, 1913.

HERE IS STORY OF FRED’S LIFE

If you have heard Billy Sunday, you have also heard him say, “Here, Fred, open some of these ventilators, it’s too hot in here,” or “If you people want song books, you can get them from Fred.”

In fact, Billy started talking about Fred long before South Bend people ever knew there was a Fred. But most of the people who are going to the tabernacle these days, know Fred now.

Fred is a stock sort of a fellow, with raven black hair. His last name is Seibert and his initials might be “A. B.”—always busy—but they are not.

Fred Seibert is official custodian of the big Sunday tabernacle on Vistula avenue and he guards the immense building day and night. If you want to hear an interesting story sometime, just step up to Fred and ask him to tell something of his life history.

But maybe Fred would be backward in speaking to a stranger about the matter, so you can be saved the trouble of approaching Fred by continuing to read this story.

Eighteen years ago, in a little town out in Iowa, there lived a young man who, like many other young men, was wasting his life away on cards and similar vices.

One night the young fellow got up from the gaming table with no money. Some people call it “broke,” while others who are without money, say they are “strapped.”

Well, “broke” or “strapped,” the gambler had no money, and he was disgusted with cards, the world and himself. He left the place and went out in the street. Near the corner he heard music. It was the singing of a church choir, but the fellow did not know that when he entered the building.

He knew it a minute after, however, when an evangelist in the front of the room arose to announce his text for the evening.

The man tried to leave the building, but a usher held him.

“I guess I done passed by my station,” said the gambler, but the usher thought otherwise and told the other so.

That gambler, broken spirited and penniless, was Fred Seibert, the “Fred” to-day of the Billy Sunday party.

And to-day Seibert can look the best man in the world in the eye and say casually:

“My friend, my life has not been in vain for the reason I have had the pleasure of bringing 12,000 people to the altar, and showing them the presumptive military pages to them who accept it.”

And Fred has earned a nation wide reputation as a Bible student and a personal worker. He has committed 1,400 books of scripture to memory and can do a trick with the Bible which is a common enough one with playing cards, but is a decidedly unique one when it comes to the Bible. He also enjoyed the privilege of assisting to escort his mother and six brothers and three sisters to the altar.

Pick up the Bible and turn to any page in it, and Fred will tell you the name of the book and just about the chapter you have your hand on.

Seibert was born in Waverly, Ia., and worked as a broom twister for nine years. After he was converted he entered the Moody Institute, where he stayed for a year and a half. Five years ago he joined the Sunday party. Ever since his duties have been that of taking care of the tabernacle and personal work.

To assist himself and others in this work, Fred wrote a little pamphlet, “Rescue the Perishing,” which has been accepted as an authority by experts of the Bible throughout the country.

Seibert is married, and as two children, who live in Santa Monica, Cal., but the greatest thing, next to his family and his God, is the greatest respect.

Fred pays his children so much for learning scripture and they have to memorize every week and recite it word for word.

The little boy and girl of mine keep on learning scripture and they interrupt their “daddy,” said Fred.

And they that follow me, because I do not believe he doesn’t care.

1909 postcard of Billy Sunday has writer defending reputation of famous preacher

A postcard postmarked November 23, 1909, recently sold on eBay with the following handwritten message by the sender.

[This text is legally in public domain.]

Dear Mother & Father,

Am sending you this of “Billy Sunday” if anyone ever says anything against him tell them they don’t know a thing about him he is a sincere Christian he doesn’t go around the bush for any one he is out spoken and some people can’t stand that. are all well hope you are the same.

Mary

Postcard w revival impact detail handwritten, April 7, 1914 postmark

Billy Sunday conducted his Scranton, Pennsylvania revival campaign from March 29 to May 17, 1914.

Billy Sunday’s 1915 revival campaign in Syracuse was held in a massive tabernacle specially constructed on the grounds of the old Scranton Driving Park, a former racetrack near the intersection of Providence Road and Green Ridge Street. The venue, built to accommodate the large crowds drawn by Sunday’s fiery preaching, held around 8,000 people at full capacity.

Over the course of the campaign, tens of thousands streamed into the tabernacle, with some estimates suggesting that more than 100,000 people in total heard Sunday preach during the weeks-long revival. The response was overwhelming—not just in attendance but in impact. Reports from the time estimate that between 13,000 and 15,000 individuals made public decisions for Christ, “hitting the sawdust trail” as they came forward to commit their lives to faith. The scale and energy of the campaign made it one of the more memorable revivals of Sunday’s career, leaving a significant spiritual and cultural imprint on the city of Syracuse.

The Scranton campaign was notable for its massive local organization, media coverage, and impact on surrounding cities. It was one of his early high-profile campaigns in the northeast, setting the stage for later revivals in Boston (1916), New York (1917), and elsewhere.

Here is the detail on the postcard and the handwritten message.

Postmarked 7 April (7:30 pm) from Scranton, PA

Dear Friend Mrs Lewis and Daughter

I have send papers to you and some to you to day. I want you to Read the sermons. Oh the grand Parade we had. All the Sunday’s school did turn out and those have been converted. We can feel the spirit of God in this place. Please let get word from you. I’d be thankful. RC Jones

To:

Mrs Jean Lewis
Dedham
Carroll County
Iowa