Wikipedia:
In 1880, Sunday relocated to Marshalltown, Iowa, where, because of his athleticism, he had been recruited for a fire brigade team. In Marshalltown, Sunday worked at odd jobs, competed in fire brigade tournaments, and played for the town baseball team.[7] In 1882, with Sunday in left field, the Marshalltown team defeated the state champion Des Moines team 13–4.[8]Sunday’s professional baseball career was launched by Cap Anson, a Marshalltown native and future Hall of Famer, after his aunt, an avid fan of the Marshalltown team, gave him an enthusiastic account of Sunday’s prowess. In 1883, on Anson’s recommendation, A.G. Spalding, president of the Chicago White Stockings, signed Sunday to the defending National League champions.[8]
Sunday struck out four times in his first game, and there were seven more strikeouts and three more games before he got a hit. During his first four seasons with Chicago, he was a part-time player, taking Mike “King” Kelly’s place in right field when Kelly served as catcher.[9]
Sunday’s speed was his greatest asset, and he displayed it both on the basepaths and in the outfield. In 1885, the White Stockings arranged a race between Sunday and Arlie Latham, the fastest runner in the American Association. Sunday won the hundred-yard dash by about ten feet.[10]
1885 Iowa Census shows Billy Sunday living at the Tremont Inn as a Professional Baseball Player
In 1902 there was a fire at the Tremont Inn
It was believed by some that the Tremont Hotel fire of March 4, 1902 was the direct cause of the council deciding to establish a paid department. This however, is not true as newspaper accounts of council proceedings for some time prior to the hotel fire told of steps being taken to provide for a paid service. In fact, the Times-Republican of February 11 1902, a month prior to the Tremont Blaze, said: “A paid fire department is assured. Contracts were entered into last night for the purchase of all equipment except horses. The fire extinguisher company’s bid of $2,050 for one combination wagon and chemical extinguisher and one straight hose wagon was accepted by the council.”
Marshall County Historic Society:
The three-story Tremont House hotel in this image was built in 1874 and destroyed in a fire on March 4, 1902. The current two-story Tremont Building was constructed in that year, and has been the home to dozens of businesses and medical offices throughout its history.
