The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-07-08
A DEAD DUCK.
The RO,k Island Base Ball Club a
Thing of the Past. The Meet.
ing Last Night.

We are cast down with grief. We have
met the enemy and are theirs. There is
Grape on our door bell We walk up and
down, but the air gives US back nothing
but the sound of of our weary feet. for
empty is the cradle, baby's gone" We
have labored in vain. All our toll and all
our prayers have been for naught, for
today we are widowless, clildless, balDd>
less and compelled to don on sack cloth
and bow our head in the ashes, and lift
up our voice in loud lamentations But
to digress. Yesterday our base ball club
(ours then, but ours no more( met the
Grand Rapids club on the field of battle,
and were shorn of their top knots to a
man. The visitors hit us ON the right
hand and ON the left hand, in the center
and all around; for six straight times they
hit US for three baggers, and not satisfied
with this they knocked US clear over the
fence, and then to add insult to injury
they walk around on the bases laughing
at US in great glee. for they not only had
time to make home run, but plenty of
time to stop at each base and take rest
Twas sorry game. Hogan pitched.
Hogan may be good pitcher. He once
had the reputation of being a pitcher, but
it has taken the wings of the morning and
flown away. When Hogan had been
batted all over the grounds, GOggin was
put in the box. Poor Goggin. If the Wis
itors had hit Hogan, they hammered Cog
gin. He throwed swift ball, but alas,
and aleek, they hit him nine times out of
ten. which made him feel bad, we know
The game at last came to an end, and it
was well. 1t ought to have come to an
end before it ever started. The score was
81 to 2. Woe, woe. unto us!
The association held a meeting in
Turner hall last night. The
meeting was pretty we'll attended.
1t reminded us of a greenback caucus.
| Nearly everybody in the house wanted to
speak at once. Several fond souls had
to be sat down on, hard If he wouldn't
sit down, some friend would grab him by
the tail of his coat and weigh him down
The question was whether to live or die
1t was decided, almost unanimously to die
That is to say, TO go dead. and stay dead
1t was also resolved to pay all indebted
ness that had been contracted, and to pay
the players off in full, give them bless.
ing, and start them off on the road, to
battle with cold and unfriendly world
There were many causes that lead to The
dsbandment of the club. In the frs
place the club was disbanded for want o
encouragement. The people of this city
as mass, were not liberal enough to pat
ronize the games. Then again the clut
was badly managed. Every time they
went on trip they lost money. The
capital stock was only S2,5OO and thi'
sum was soon exhausted. There was NJ
more money forthcoming, hence thu
henceness of all this 'Tis sad it is true
but the saddest part of it is,it is true.
The boys who composed our club, arr
gentlemen. They have conducted them
selves in circumspect and godly manner
, We cheerfully bear witness to this fact
We have known them intimately, and wit
large number of other citizens, regre
that matters are thusly, but it can't bc
helped. Wehope TO hear of them in othel
lands, whittier they will no doubt GO, t.
seek fortune, some of them wife, an,
reputation that will be as bright and a
lasting as the sun. Good bye, boys, ma
you all grow fat, prosper and multiply, a
r it were.