17 boys climbed up a tree; they got to watch the game for free. (The year was 1923.)

This spectacle was witnessed on the afternoon of the Ohio State game, which kicked off in Ann Arbor at 2:00 p.m., on October 20, 1923. Ferry Field was the scene of the contest; the open end zone was right across State Street from this "catbird seat." The final score was Michigan 23, Ohio State 0. In fact, Michigan was undefeated in all its games that year. Each of these agile lads saved himself $2.50 -- the price of an admission ticket, if you could get one.

 

One trusts that each was fully mindful of the gravity of his situation.

 

And beyond that -- what about halftime bladder relief?

 

Free or not, these seats look damned uncomfortable.

 

Note the cars parked on lawns beyond the pedestrians. The house in the background still stands, at 1105 South State Street. Alas, the boys -- "town kids" -- and their roost are long gone. . . .

 

The picture comes from the photo album of an unknown old grad; it turned up recently at a rummage sale in Buffalo, New York.

Done