Wichita eagle., 1888-11-30

Petoskey team during the season of 1887 He
had not only developed into a reliable
catcher, but a splendid all around player as
well The Lima, O., club wanted him, and
their offer was SO liberal that before the sea-
Son of 1887 Lad fairly advanced he wore
Lima club uniform. 1t was largely due to
Franks proves that the Lima club won the
Tri-sta1e pennant this season.
BUDDING GENIUS
A Petoskey hotel, five years ago. boosted of
q billiard table that had a bed of wood,
cushions made of rags, and set of balls no
two of which were Of the same size Only
one was of ivory, and that WAS Clipped
Frank used to play every Saturday during
the winter time, as the rest Of his time during
week days WAS occupied in his fathers turn
ing mill The mastery manner in which he
handled the cue attracted attention. The
hotel proprietor had eye to business, and
purchased a second hand pool table.
1t took Frank but three weeks to
discover be could play pool George
Sutton, the jolly, red checked pool
sharp, happened IN Petoskey one day,
and coaxed Ives to play game. Sutton had
SS5 in his pocket when the game began.
Frank had it when the play was finished.
Sutton was really the first expert to discover
Ives genius at billiards. and wanted him to
so To New York, but Frank is conservative
and liked the atmosphere of Michigan too
wei TO seek new fields at that time How
ever, he would now and then venture into
towns that were provided with good billiard
tables and balls and, to use his own express
sion. surprised himself.
Frank is a fine looking youth. To be sure,
he is spawned, knockkneed and ringboned,
while his fingers would indicate that he had
been afflicted with rheumatism from early
childhood, but this is due to his bail playing
proclivities. Not a single joint on his left
hand is normal in size. Frank looked good
deal Like countryman when he first visited
Chicago town. This was nearly two years
ago. George Slosson was then keeping
saloon ard billiard hall on Monroe street,
near State He challenged Slosson to a bout.
George accepted. They played at cushion
carroms, and George paid for tho drinks,
Ives gave Slosson the story OF his life-told
how he had taken Sutton, Burleigh and other
players Of some prominence into camp-and
Slosson hired him. Then came the St. Louis
tournament, during which he defeated Car
ter and Slosson, and gave the champion the
hardest run of his life. 1t was handicap
affair, as many remember, and Ives viii
TIE COMING MAN
During the past year Ives has improved
rapidly III billiards Schaefer says he is the
coming player and will match him against
any player IL the country, barring Slosson,
at the 14-inch balk line game, or any other
game, in fact. This announcement at st.
Louis several weeks ago was what brought
about the match with Cation. A Friendship
has sprung UP between tho champion and
Ives that is bound To result to the lads
advantage. Schaefer has twice conceded
tho boy tho odds allowed other players ut
tho 1i-inch bals line and lost. The last
time they came together ut the cham
pion's rooms on Clark street Schaefer was
beaten oven up. Ives plays q good deal like
Schaefer. BE has that same brilliant stroke
and dashing style and never appears to get
ratified Ee nurses beautifully and has the
prettiest stroke, barring tie champions, per-
haps, ever seen around billiard table Like
the champion, Ives depends good deal on
bis masse shots for position. Ee would rather
tackle maSse, no matter how difficult, than
go around tho table, ut any sta ge OF the game.
Recently he averaged 81 q i'll game of zoo at
the l4inch balk line IcSl CT the experts
want to keep him under cover to subserve
their own interests. Schaefer declares he
shall come to tie front Tom Foley has
also taken a deep interest IL the young
man. \ balk Ere tournament VIII follow
the Catton-lveS match, - which the latter
viii cut quite figure He VIII carry the
banner OF the west against the cast