Fort Wayne Indians

[5][6] In 1896, the Fort Wayne "Farmers" began play as members of the Class C level Interstate League.

[6] The Jackson Wolverines, New Castle Quakers, Saginaw Lumbermen, Toledo Mud Hens, Washington Little Senators, Wheeling Nailers and Youngstown Puddlers teams joined Fort Wayne in beginning league play on May 2, 1896.

Robison had invested $4,000 in the team, hired manager George Tebeau and stocked the Fort Wayne roster with Cleveland prospects.

[6] With a final record of 70–36, Fort Wayne ended the season 8.5 games behind the first place Toledo Mud Hens.

[2][9] Despite folding at the end of the previous season, in 1897 Fort Wayne resumed Interstate League play, known as the "Indians.

The Indians had a record of 63–59 in the eight-team league to end the season in fourth place, playing under managers Fred Cooke and Eddie O'Meara.

[12] Fort Wayne ended the 1898 season with a record of 71–84, finishing 16.0 games behind the first place Dayton Old Soldiers in the eight-team league.

Ford Wayne ended the season 5.0 games behind the first place New Castle Quakers in the Class B level league.

The Indians ended the regular season in second-place finishing 7.5 games behind the first place Dayton Veterans.

[16] A playoff was held between the top two teams and Fort Wayne won the league championship by defeating Dayton 4 games to 3.

[2][17] In 1900, Fort Wayne manager Doggie Miller was involved in a major incident with an umpire during and after an early season game.

The Grand Dutchess was the nickname given to the grandstands at the League Park site in 1871, so named because of their extravagant construction for the era.

In 1893, the grandstand and fence were moved to Lakeside Park, which was located one mile east of downtown Fort Wayne.