Wayman C. McCreery

Who was Wayman C. McCreery?

Wayman C. McCreery was a real estate agent, opera composer and the internal revenue collector of St. Louis. However, he is most well known as the popularizer and possible inventor of three-cushion billiards.

It is undisputed that McCreery popularized three-cushion billiards. At least one publication categorically states he invented the game as well.

The very first tournament at three-cushion billiards took place January 14 – 31, 1878 in C. E. Mussey's Room in St. Louis, with McCreery a participant. The tourney was won by New Yorker Leon Magnus. The high run for the tournament was just 6 points, and the high average a .75.

According to an article appearing in the Saturday Evening News on January 2, 1897 soon after McCreery's apppintment as St. Louis' internal revenue collector, he was described as "probably the most accomplished officeholder in the service of the government. He has held the college record for the long distance baseball throw, has been a champion amateur billiardist, is choirmaster of Christ Church Cathedral, is a good singer [and] has composed an opera."

In Willie Hoppe's estimation, regarding the playing of straight rail, McCreery was "one of the finest performers in the country."