The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-18

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/ immense crowds, and for the first time be
fore or since then the summer went by
/ without single wet Sunday. The Browns
/ notwithstanding the fact that they played
/ miserable ball and finished in sixth place
/ drew great crowds, and Won der Abe
cleared no less than S7S, 900. The three Sic
ceedlng years were nearly as lucky. Be
fore entering the baseball business Won
der Abe was comparatively well off,
( but the bulk of his fortune has been
amassed through his immediate connec-
ton with the national game His original
investment was $500. Out of that sum he
has cleared upward of $3.50, COO. He now
practically owns the St Louis club.
In fact he is the club, and his fellow direct
ors are simply figure heads.
Won der Abe is a quaint character. He
is shrewd, cunning and pugnacious. and
now that he has lost the services of Com
iskey and Manson has shown that in spite
Of the general belief to the contrary he
had much to do with the success of his
club. With poor material to start with
and no prospect of getting any stars. Won
der Abe has not only made his fedgelinps
play good ball, but has finally got together
almost as good team as any in the asso-
citation. Chris, as he is known famiIiarlv
by newspaper men, is q martinez on disci-
pine to an extent that makes him veri-
table tyrant. His methods are drive.
drive, drive, and keep on driving. Still he
is always ready TO reward a deserving
player, and this fact viii probably be cor
roborated by even COIniskey, who used to
say time and again that he would close his
career on the baseball field as a member of
the St. Louis club.
Mr. Won der Abe has figured more con-
spicuously in the public prints than most
first, because he is always ready
to entertain and talk with newspapex
men; second, when he does he neatly
always gets into n middle with some
of his fellow nagnates; and third, be-
cause his pecuIarities of manner and
language make him a most interest
ing personality, and provide a fund of ma
terial for healthy imaginations unsur-
passed by any other man In the business.
Chris is very suspicious, and is always
looking for some one to try and get the
best of him, and never fails 10 impGrt his
suspicious in the quaintest of English to
the first scribe who comes along After all,
Won der Abe is a generous man with de-
in his character.
The fast Brown Stocking nine, under
the management of Won der Abe, was cap
tanned by Comigkey. The latter came
from Dubuque, Ia, in 1851 He had COW
evered first base for the nine of that city,
which included such famous players IS the
GleasOns, Hadbourne, Billy Taylor, LOTUS
Tom Sullivan, Refs and others. Comis-
key commenced his baseball career in Chi
cago rs q member of the Li9arty nine in
1871 He pitched for the Libertys, and
under the old rules was quite a twirler
When he went to St. Louis he found that
Oscar Walker, of tho old Brooklyn Allan
tics, had been signed to cover first base for
the Browns, but at Walkers own sugges-
ton COmislley was placed ut the initial
bag, and he covered the point so well that
he was retained, while Walker was given
a permanent place in conter field.
When Comiskey first went to St. Louis
his salary was S75 month, but his work
was 50 good that Won der Abe raised his
salary at the close of his first months en-
Eagement, and before the season closed he
wss receiving a salary of $50. This was
increased until 1854 when Won
der Ahe says Cosniszey had 5000. This
year ho is captain Of the Chicago Players
league team. His salary is said to be sc, 800.
Comiskey had great Success with the St.
Louis Browns, and is generally considered
as one of the greatest Of captains As q
ball player and handler Of young men he
has been Is successful as any other man in
the business. Arson and Harry Wright
are his only rivals in this respect What
he can do with seasoned veteran players
who will not be driven remains TO be seen.
One Of the most agreeable Of men, and
one little known 10 the public, is Frank De
Haven Robson, the youngest OF all the
baseball maSn2tes GS well as one Of the
richest He is about s. years of age, and
the general verdict IN Cleveland, where he
resides. j. that he Is Sd all round good fei-
low and a successful business man.
Mr. Robson owns oue-hfth Of the stock
IF the Cleveland National League club and
IS president of the organization. In ms
private business he is president o. the Su-
perior street. 81. Clair street and Payne
Avenue street railroad lines, president Of
he New Cleveland Cable Road company,
1t present engaged in laying cable and
ines on each Of the above three. In add
non to that he is mem Der of the firm OF
tractors
Mr.. Robson Is popular man in Cleve-
land and has been progressive manager.
He has always been LIBERAL and fair with
ais players. and when the Players league
started the man were mostly very sorry
10 leave HIM, and three or four Of them
absolutely refused TO SO when il came 10 s
point. The personal popularity Of Mr.. |
. A'son has been sufficient TO give his /
,lub nearly half share in the Cleveland /
baseball patronage.
One Of the most able and shreyd men IN /
baseball today IS Aaron ). Stern, the pres /
dent o. the Cincinnati club. lie has we'll I
1ecn called the little giant" His intro /
iuCtion As q Ela1asIe was a novel expert 4
snce. While sitting in his ot6ca in the .
spring OF 'S2-for Mr.. Stem is about forty /
-ears old and Is one Of CiuciEnsti's cloth (
NJ p-i-ces-he was asked 70 BUY $50 .
worth OF ball S5ock- Re had then seen but +
cw games IN his lifc, and nos knowing +
What It WAS be rho1cGt he would take
,hAnocs on = Eyer OF t1ss sort and he