1897 Auburn, NY, minor league baseball team; Pfrom back left; photo courtesy Cayuga Museum of History and Art
Old-Time Pitcher Dies
"Christ Pfromm, retired constable who served this community for 20 years, died suddenly in bed, sometime early Saturday morning at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Emery Werkheiser; of 659 Franklin Ave., in Palmerton. He was 69 years, 4 months and 22 days of age."
Mr. Pfromm was born in Germany, a son of the late John and Elizabeth Yeager Pfromm. He came to America at the age of 15, settling in Hazleton, where he found employment in the coal mines. Because of a serious accident two years later, he shifted bis vocation to painting.
"Dutch," as he was better known throughout the county and eastern section of the state, gained much fame in his early years as a baseball pitcher. He became known as the iron man of the Lehigh Valley semipro baseball circles. His best years on the diamond were given to the Slatington A. A., when it became valley champions.
When Constable Robert Evans died in 1918, Pfromm was appointed by the court to serve the unexpired term. For 22 years he served as constable, having been reelected five times. In addition to his duties, he also served as night patrolman from 1914 to 1934.
He was placed on a special duty list at his own request. He retired from office at the end of his term in 1939.
Source: The Slatington News, 24 October 1940
Here are two other articles from The Slatington News that provide information about Pfrom’s baseball career.
Officer Pfrom retires To-Day
To-day, Officer Christ “Dutch” Pfrom retires from active service as an officer of the local police department. With a fine record of twenty-years of continuous service, officer Pfrom who is in his 63rd year, made his last “beat” last evening as a regular officer, and goes on the retired list with the well wishes of his many friends.
...
“Dutch” as he was familiarly known thruout the county and eastern sections of the state, gained much fame in his early years as a baseball pitcher. His pitching ability made him a much sought after player and he became known as the iron man of the Lehigh Valley In semi-pro baseball circles. His best years on the diamond, however, were given to the Slatington A. A., when it became valley champions. This was during the period of 1903-1908. Sometimes when his pitching partner, Dean Marshall, was unable to perform on the mound, "Dutch" would pitch in the morning game of a double header, while "Pfrom" would take the mound in the afternoon tilt. On many occasions Pfrom took the mound for both games of doubleheaders and winning both games.
...
He was appointed patrolman in 1914 by the late Burgess George Miller.
In the twenty years, and with the many arrests he made, he never was compelled to use his gun, and on only one occasion made use of his club.
...
His most thrilling experience in the course of his duty occurred four years ago, when he was called to subdue a drunk-crazed man who was wielding a hatchet. The fact that Pfrom still retained his agility alone saved his life, for when he entered the house the assailant pounced upon him with the hatchet before he could draw his gun or use his club. However, Officer Pfrom "got" his man. In all similar cases he never knew the meaning of the word fear. At the same time he exercised a real dignity and diplomacy in quieting disturbances.
Source: The Slatington News, 1 March 1934
Officer Pfrom Celebrated 61st Birthday
On Friday Officer Christ (Dutch) Pfrom, who is a member of the local police department, quietly celebrated his sixty-first birthday anniversary, and many friends of town and vicinity including the upper end of the county were busy extending congratulations to this stalwart, robust officer, who still retains much of the agility which he evidenced during his younger days.
Mr. Pfrom was born in Germany, a son of the late John and Elizabeth Yeager Pfrom. Like many other youthful Germans in his day, he had heard of American opportunities, and at the age of fifteen, made the trip over the Atlantic. Settling In Hazleton where he found employment In the coal mines. He worked at this occupation for two years, when a serious accident compelled him to seek other fields of labor. He then chose the painting trade and for many year was active in this vocation.
He loved to play baseball, and thru his persistent efforts became a catcher on one of the Hazleton teams. However, he began to lean toward pitching and finally he forsook the catching end of the game to become a pitcher. In 1893 he joined the Freeland Tigers. He made good, and the following year he joined the Hazleton State leaguers. For two years he continued with this outfit and then in 1896 went to Melville, N. J., of the South Jersey league. In 1897 he was offered a better salary with the Auburn New York State league team, and stayed with this club for one season. In 1898 he arrived in town and played one season with the Slatington A. A. The following four years he was with the Allentown Professionals, which were then managed by "Piffy" Bear. Then in 1903 he played with the Ingersolls, of Easton.
In 1903 the Slatington A. A. club again made him an offer and he forthwith came here, and in the following years up to 1908 he helped to put Slatington on the map in the baseball world. His best season was in 1905 with the Slatington A. A., which "cleaned up" everything in the Valley and became valley champions. In those years the clubs were small, only ten men being on the roster. In 1905 the Slatington club had only two twirlers, Dean Marshall and Dutch Pfrom, but these two moundsmen had enough dope to stop any team in the Valley.
Age had its effect on Mr. Pfrom and he retired from the game In 1908, but to this day he is a close follower f the game, and is also a keen basketball fan.
In 1903 be married the late Lillian Hunt. There are three sons and two daughters in the family. His oldest daughter, Helen, was a former high school basketball star, and is now director of physical education and coach of the girls basketball team in Northampton high school.
"Dutch" Pfrom has been an officer on the police force for eighteen years.
He received his first appointment in October, 1914, under the administration of the late Burgess George Miller. In 1918 he was appointed constable by the then Judge Clinton A. Groman, succeeding Robert Evans, who died as the result of an explosion in the Trojan Powder Works. Mr. Pfrom has been re-elected to this office for four consecutive terms. He has a fine record as a constable and officer of the borough and his many friends are wishing him many more years of active service in these capacities.
He is a member of St. John's Lutheran church and is affiliated with Slatington Chamber, No. 6, Knights of Friendship, Foresters of America and Fraternal Order of Police.
Source: The Slatington News, 2 June 1932
You might wonder, did Pfrom actually, occasionally pitch both games of a double-header?
"Coaldale Drops Two games"
According to the box scores, Pfrom pitched both games of a double-header vs Coaldale. The morning game Slatington won 17-2; the afternoon game Slatington won 14-7.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, 5 July 1905
And Pfrom could be a dominating pitcher, even at the age of thirty-four!
"Slatington Downs East Ends"
"Slatington defeated the East Ends squad from Phillipsburg 9-3 in a game in which Pfrom struck out 10."
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, 28 May 1905
"Highland Team Shut Out"
"Pfrom threw a one hitter as Slatington beat Highland of the Philadelphia Suburban League, 5-0."
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, 14 July 1905
Here are some more news articles about Pfrom’s pitching in 1905.
A Phenomenal Record
"There are few pitchers in amateur ranks in the Lehigh Valley whose record will equal that accomplished by Pfrom of the locals, especially during the last six games be has participated In. Five of the six games were victories and one a tie, while four were shut outs and in the other two only three runs were scored of which errors were alone responsible. This is a record Slatingtonians can point to justifiable pride and there is not the least doubt but that Pfrom is now pitching better than he ever really did. It is also a noticeable fact that whenever Pfrom is in tho box his teammates play with more gingery effect and display an encouragement that is alone accountable to the confidence they place in him. Then again, when a game is to be played and it is known among the fans that Pfrom is to do the pitching bright chances for victory loom up and but twice this season has fate went against him - once to the Superbas, of Easton, and also to Lehighton. But it was no fault of his. He has pitched in fifteen games thus far. Mark our words, Pfrom will yet land the championship in Slatington ere the season is over."
Source: The Slatington News, 19 August 1905
There were some losses for Pfrom that year though.
On Saturday, 19 August 1905, Pfrom could not play because of illness. The following Wednesday, the Slatington club traveled up to Hazleton for a game which Hazleton won 10-5. The Slatington News reported,
“Slatington took the lead at the start and Pfrom who was doing the pitching had his opponents blanked until the sixth inning when they scored a run on an error. By this time Pfrom showed the effects of his recent illness and would have retired from the game, but during the hustle and bustle of Deane Marshall to catch the train from here he failed to take his trousers along and of course not being in uniform on the field could not take Pfrom's place. Prior lo the game efforts were made to secure pantaloons for Deane but none could be found in the town. Our boys then realized it was all up and began preparing for the worst. However, Pfrom stuck pluckily to his task and our boys then he would of pulled through, but the umpire took a hand and made matters worse with rank decisions when the side should have been retired. Up to the seventh inning Pfrom allowed only three singles. Hazleton being Pfrom’s former home he naturally felt like putting in his best work but fate acted otherwise and prevented him without the least doubt from carrying off the honor.”
Source: The Slatington News, 26 August 1905
Eddie Evans, my great grandfather, was an umpire for many of Slatington’s games that year.
[Note: Christ (Christian or Dutch) Pfrom was born in born in the Hesse region of Germany and arrived in the US in 1886. In 1903 he married Lillian Mae “Lillie” Hunt (1876-1926), and on the marriage application he listed his occupation as a slate maker. They had five children.
His minor league baseball stats are on baseball-reference.com.]