Sylvester
F.
Wilson

SYLVESTER F. WILSON was, when it all comes down to it, not a very nice person. In Camden he made the newspapers in the 1870s for assault and battery, ticket scalping (which involved a certain amount of forgery and counterfeiting), and I'm sure is I spent more time in local newspapers I would find more transgressions.

Not long after he wore out his welcome in Camden, Sylvester Wilson began promoting all-girl baseball teams… the "English Blondes" and the "American Brunettes". In time he ran afoul of the law, as at least two of the girls were underage. He also appears to have had a habit of skipping out on paying bills. Sylvester Wilson served time in the New York penal system in the 1890s for his activities, and apparently was still up to his old tricks as late as 1903. 

In his time, Sylvester Wilson generated a lot of newspaper articles, which I think you will find to be an interesting look into days gone by. If you know more about Sylvester F. Wilson, please contact me by e-mail

Phil Cohen
August 5, 2009

Philadelphia Inquirer - February 12, 1878

Philadelphia Inquirer - February 13, 1878

Lowell Daily Citizen - March 27, 1879

New York Herald - May 13, 1879

New York Times - December 9, 1892

New York Times - December 20, 1892

Charlotte Observer - December 25, 1892

Philadelphia Inquirer - December 25, 1892

New Orleans Times Pelican
December 27, 1892

Boston Journal - June 29, 1903