The Emancipation Day celebration at Lockwood Park was marked by a spirited and jubilant atmosphere as the community came together for a day-long event, highlighted by a thrilling baseball game between the Gatewood-Browns and the Richmond Black Sox.

The Gatewood-Browns honored Emancipation Day in style, securing a decisive 7-2 victory over the Richmond Black Sox. The game, witnessed by a crowd of 500 enthusiastic spectators, was the pinnacle of the day’s festivities. The Browns’ bats were active throughout the game, amassing ten hits against Heran, the starting pitcher for the Black Sox. However, their momentum was somewhat checked by Ellington, a former Browns pitcher who allowed only two hits after relieving Heran in the sixth inning. Jewell, pitching for the Browns, gave a solid performance, allowing seven hits.

The day began with a lively softball tournament at the park, setting a festive tone for the afternoon’s main event—the Browns-Black Sox game. The excitement of the game was mirrored by the community’s energy, with public speaking engagements and an Emancipation Day dance rounding out the day’s celebrations.

The score by innings reflected the Browns’ dominance: Black Sox 010 010 000-2 7 3, Browns 002 410 00x-7 12 2. The Gatewood-Browns demonstrated their prowess on the field, much to the delight of the gathered crowd. Looking ahead, the Browns are set to face the Lexington Tigers in another anticipated matchup this coming Sunday afternoon.

This Emancipation Day at Lockwood Park was more than just a series of events; it was a celebration of heritage, freedom, and community spirit. The collective joy and unity experienced during the festivities will be remembered fondly by all who attended.

This historical account, originally published in the Moberly Monitor-Index and Moberly Evening Democrat, is preserved thanks to The State Historical Society of Missouri.