Coca Cola Stars

I came across a reference to the Coca Cola Stars of Knoxville last night.  The three articles were all from 1910.  I have not yet had a chance to look at the local papers, only the ones on GenealogyBank.   Since they were mentioned in The Freeman of Indianapolis I'm making an assumption that they were a black team.  I'm wondering if their name was derived from a sponsorship with the soda company or if it refers to the color of their skin.  Hopefully I can find some answers.

The Freeman - June 4, 1910

The Freeman - July 16, 1910

The Freeman - September 3, 1910

Lexington Herald - September 13, 1910

Step Right Up, Folks, and Meet the Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Sunday Journal - March 24, 1935

image obtained from the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

John Tarleton Home for Children

Reader Mark Deaver sent these photos to me with the following note:

I came across your Old Knoxville Baseball website and thought you would like these two old photos of my Grandmother's brother playing for John Tarleton Chirldren's Home in Knoxville in 1935 and 1936. His name was Charlie Graham (he is seated 1st row left in the 1935 photo) and he played for the baseball team as well as the football team at the home.

Information on John Tarleton can be found here.

Formation of a 1900 Southern League

The Columbus Enquirer-Sun - December 28, 1899

images from Genealogy Bank