Biographies: Walter "Kill-a-Brick" Kimble, 1976, Winn Parish, La. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: July 21, 1976 Winn Parish Enterprise News American Kimble Honored By City by Vernon Ray Davenport, Sr. Mayor Kenneth "Jack" Henderson proclaimed Friday, July 16, Walter Kimble Day in Winnfield. Kimble, a 61 year old bulldozer operator, was given the key to the city and a plaque at ceremonies Monday night, July 19. He was honored for his contribution to baseball in Winn Parish over the last 30 years. Walter, better known as "Kill a Brick", came to Winnfield Sept. 6, 1940. He bought the lumber and built a ballpark where Pinecrest High School now stands. Walter also built the stands and put bushes on top of it to keep the rain out. As if that wasn't enough, he bought the uniforms and all the equipment for his players. He even hunted baseballs in the bushes when they were lost. The Shreveport native sponsored, managed and coached baseball teams in Winn Parish for a quarter of a century. He is credited with bringing black baseball to Winn Parish. Each Sunday his teams would draw about 500 fans to the ballpark. The Winnfield Tigers, as the team was called, was one of the best in Louisiana. Some members of the squad at various times were Ezell King, Billy Kimble, Henry Pikes, Johnny Jenkins, Joseph Brew, Ivory Smith, Oran Samuel, George Smith, George Thompson, O. T. "Oak" Jackson, Preston Powell, Clint Smith, T. W. Hardimon, Freddie King, Sr., Willie D. Samuel, J. B. King, Frank Weatherford, John L. King, James Cook, Collie J. Nicholson, Jack Braken, Cleve Lewis, Brazie Bradley, Tolbert Tripplett, Sr., Bill McFarland, Jr., J. L. Johnson, Robert "Baby Junior" Davis, Rayford Moore, Benny Beasley, Charlie Cole, Haston Powell, Tim Bradley, Gussie Williams, Oscar Williams, Elmore Williams, Chester Coutee, Robert Farr, Dr. Mayfield, Addison Hobbs, and Thaddus Bernstein. Many of the men later became great athletes. Ezell King played briefly wi the Baltimore Orioles of the American League and Preston Powell played pro football with the Cleveland Browns. Walter is well liked by everyone. According to Glen Moss, who is also devoted to the game, Walter is one of the friendliest and warmest persons you could ever meet. He has the heart of a lion. He never meets any strangers. On any Saturday night he can be found at the laundromat at the corner of Fuller and Brown Streets joking with everyone who comes along. Earnie Miles, a Monroe T. V. newsman, said, "If a man deserves the honor, it has to be Walter. If there is a nicer person in the world, I would like to meet him." "He comes home after a hard days work on the bulldozer and rushes to the park where he coaches a team of little boys," said his wife, Juanita. "I have never seen anyone love baseball as much as he does." Walter is Winnfield's answer to Sachel Paige. At 58 he still plays baseball. According to Glen Moss, who also managed a team for years, Walter still has an excellent eye for a baseball. He seldom strikes out. He can also steal bases. Walter acquired the nickname "Kill a Brick" because many years ago as he was working, he threw a brick which disintegrated before it hit its target. The name has stuck with him. As long as baseball is played in Winn Parish, the name "Kill a Brick" will be remembered. Walter is married to the former Miss Juanita Jones. The couple have four children, Wanda Michelle, 12, Michael Lynn, 18, Kelvin Roy, 16, and Terrence Wayne, 11.