Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-01
PITCHER FERGUSON.
THE GREAT BASEBALL PLAYER sue
CuMBs 10 TYPEoID-PEvER.
News OF His Death Recsivsd Here-An
Almost Irrsparable Loss to the
Philadelphia Club.

The sporting men of Richmond and
the devotees OF the national game resi-
dent here we're shocked yesterday morn
ing TO hear OF the death in Philadelphia
OF Sunday night of Charles J. Ferguson,
the celebrated baseball player, who be-
gan his professional career on the Vir-
ginia Club, and who as pitcher of the
/ Philadelphias for the past three seasons
had made splendid record.
The sad intelligence was conveyed in Ia
private telegram received early in the
morning by Mr.. Lewis H. Smith, whose
daughter Mr.. Ferguson married. Mr..
Smith left at once for Charlottesville,
where Mrs. Ferguson is on visit. and
where it is presumed the remains will be
inferred.
THE PARTICULARS.
The Philadelphia Times OF yesterday.
after announcing the death, which oc-
cured the night before at 1880 at the
residence OF Captain Arthur Irwin, 2512
north Broad street says:
Ferguson died of tyrhoid-fcver. Ito was talen
suddenly ill three weeks ago, and Was thought
70 be improving lHst week, bat on Saturday
there was a sudden change for tho worse. lie
was faithfully attended by DR.. Tnyor, ~ north
Thirteenth street. Dr.. Thomas J. larrow wns
called ia lasf wcck, and on saturday Dr. William
Pepper, Of the Uuiyersiy Of Pennsylvania, was
sent for.
These thrce physlcians we're In consultation at
q o'clock lat night When Dr. Pepper de-
scended from the sick room he said 10 n reporter
Of he TD.es: There Is no hope. HIS condi-
tiOn is yery grave. lie is in the third ,-eeE Of
furN NuHl a. tau uTI bs Il q Tf coil
lie hes responded somewhat 10 remedies pre-
sTibed by Dr. iarow, but Tho hot weather of
to-day has been too severe for him. There IS
scnrreiy chance for biz recovery, but the next
few hours Will decide IT,"
Captain Arthur Irwin walked neryously up
snd down his YBrlOr "Poor forCy." 10 said;
there is 30 chance for him now. tie is cold
above The knees"
outside on The porch Trainer Tom Taylor was
cur.ed up in big rocker. Ton vas silent aud
grave. Ferr son was 0le of hs fny0rites, and
Tho little trainer couldn't tax for the tears Big
hearted Clements sat In = chair Que minute, and
was ont on tho street the noX' 1len he Was
back in the house again There were traces OF
tears iu hts eyes, too lie was Fcrguscu's catcher.
and they were known "a the "Ferorious Bat
tery.n Clements Will mlss his old partner. SD
Farrar stood alone. silent and sad. Other mem
bers of the team wero not far OF. A trained
nurse waitei on Ferguson, but his most ialthful
attendant was his wife. Mrs. irwin 0nd Mrs.
Farrar were also always about the sick ROOM
There was a sad scene when tho great pitcher
dio1 and there will be- = sadder one to-day when
the Ihllues take the field With the kno0l@dgo
that their star tEirler will never more play with
them.
HIS LfFs.
Charles j. Ferguson was born At Chsrlottes-
Vile. VA April Z, 1873. Iis first gained q repu-
tation es ball-p player With the University Of Viz
ginia team in October. lss2. Hc Joined the Rich
mond Club. ~ Virginia, IN 1883 aud pitched for
them three years No gained widespread re-
puiation win the NirginiA- and 10 va. mainly %
his work IN the pitcher DOX thath his club won the
championship oi the Eastern Leaguo. to Joined
the Philadelphia club In lN4 and al once sprang
into promilenco in The league. Ferguson vas
every position well. He pitched thirty.
three games for the Philiies last year, aud stood
third among tho league pitchers ia point Il of-
fecNvenes-. When the Philadelphia Club was IN
want OF a second base man last season Ferguson
PLAYED the position for an 10 wa, worth, and 20
the end ot the season he had au average Of .oi1.
standing second 20 Dunlap alone Ferguson
stood fourth among League batifncn in 1877. and
His average for 90 games was .il2. As . pitcher
Harry Wright saws Ferguson was The great
est that ever lived. He could 90 more
with "a ball than any twir.rr the vote
ran manager over saW. Ferguson ala not play
with the IhIlies iu the Athletic SERIES and hc
was greatly missod n oil the championship
games go far played. a. apayor torgu Dn can
not be replaced, and thers arc many wLo ur-
neve tho loss at bis services win take the Ihll-
lies out Of tho li-t a. probable pcuuRnt winners.
lie was IN receipt ~ p salary of $500 year.
Ferguson was married 90 hchmand lady
two years ago. who survives hifn. lie leaves mo
children. Ho lost Ia infant daughter last sum
mar.