The two houses which Sarah Bess Gray Crow donated to the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County serve notice to the vibrant spirit of Conroe and Montgomery County. Echoing from these hallowed walls are memories of pulsating drama, from stares into the jaws of defeat to embracing glorious victory. At base the theme is entrepreneurship. Our three subjects share common ground as entrepreneurs of sport.
In 1930, reflective of the national scene during the Great Depression, pessimism reigned in Conroe. Keyed by a steep decline in the timber industry leading to the closure of many mills, one of Conroe’s most vibrant banks failed. However, just a few years later, Conroe claimed more millionaires per capita than any other town of its size in the U.S.A. The reason, George Strake, the entrepreneur who, against all odds, brought in the third largest oil field in the US just east of town.
A strong Christian man of the Catholic faith, Strake received two of the Vatican’s highest honors for a layman, the Order of Sylvester and Order of Malta. Camp Strake is also his legacy.
Meanwhile, born in Fostoria and raised in Houston, Dolly Gray was a rising baseball star. With proficiency at first and third base and on the pitcher’s mound, Dolly was much in demand. By 1930, in a position to join the Houston Buffs, Great Depression woes brought him to Conroe. Here he found employment in supervising miniature golf courses in Conroe and Cleveland.
Enroute between these two cities, he happened upon a chance to “suit up” with the baseball team of George Strake, then called the “Strake Wildcats.” Taking advantage of the opportunity, Dolly Gray hit a home run. For the feat he received a simple note from George Strake: “Report for work on Monday”. Thus, was enjoined the initial duo who formed the fabled Conroe Wildcats semi pro baseball team.
Adding to the early luster of the team was the hiring of another stellar ball player called Ty Cobb after his hero, the major league legend. Tyrus Raymond Cobb engaged in café business and managing the Conroe Country Club before his impressive baseball resume, which included time in the prestigious Texas League, landed him a spot with Dolly Gray. As players, managers and coaches they led the Wildcats to stellar victories, including in 1948 a second state title.
In the very next year the fabled
Historicade
made its appearance on the grounds of Lewis Park, home of the Conroe Wildcats, with our dynamic trio playing a pivotal role in the festivities.
A closing note on Dolly Gray comes from a statement by the famous sportswriter, Morris Frank. Frank wrote that “Dolly played so long [until his 60s] that umpires apologized to him when calling a strike.” Dolly, Ty Cobb and George Strake, a dynamic team of the Conroe Dream.
Robin Montgomery is a native of Montgomery County, a retired professor, author and columnist for The Courier.
