Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-12
WILL WE LOSE 1T?
TEE PROSPECTS VERY DARK FOR BASE BALL
HERE NEXT SEASON.
Mr. Mclaughlin Surrendsrs His Claim to the Island
Park-A Chance to Still Keep the Fran
chiss Here-Ths Situation.

Unless some of the philosophical
and sport-loving citizens OF Wheeling do
something pretty shortly, there will be
no base ball here next season.
1t was definitely announced yester-
day, that Mr.. Mclaughlin, the owner of
the Wheeling franchise in the Tri-State
League, had surrendered his claim to
the lease on the Broadway ball park,
and that the owners OF the real estate
would take possession, not later than
the first Of March next, and sooner if
the grand stand, fences, bleaching
boards, etc, belonging to Mr..
Mclaughlin, can be disposed Of as
old lumber. This being the case, Mr..
Nc Laughlin will have no further use
for the franchise, unless suitable
grounds, easy of access, can be secured,
and the franchise will be sold to any
city or town bidding the highest price
for il. There has been some discussion
looking 10 the relocation OF base ball
grounds, In several quarters OF the city,
but nothing definite has been done, as
yet, but il is To be hoped that the agita-
ton will be kept up until new dia-
mond is secured either in the State Fair
Grounds, on the north point Of the Isl
and out the Elm Grove railroad, or
somewhere else, easy Of access. In a
conversation yesterday, Mr.. McLaugh-
lin said:
Il don't want t. see Tie franchise
leave Wheeling, and wiz do my part
to keep it here, if an effort is made to
secure grounds. have talked with
several people. having an interest in
eligible locations. but there is nothing
definite. Ii strikes me that the best
place for the grounds would be the
State Fair ground, but ! have not
spoken to any one connected with that
corporation. There has been some talk
OF ground on the upper end of the
Island, and also out the pike, while the
Bellaire people seem disposed to do
something, but things are very much at
sea. 1t is my earnest hope to keep the
franchise here, and cannot but believe
that our people will aid in that en-
dcavor."
A similar hope was expressed by a
number of other gentlemen interested
in outdoor sports, and it is probable
that something will soon be done.
1t has been expected for some time
that Mr.. Mclaughlin would surrender
his lease on the ball grounds, and his
decision To do so is very much to his
credit, and probably avoided some liti-
CATION, which would have been both in
teresting and long drawn out. The
situation has been very complicated
for some months. and As a considerable
number OF people are interested in the
matter, in one way and another, the
facts may be here briefly stated.
When the original lease was made for
the ball grounds. from the heirs of the
Waters estate, it was in duplicate, one
copy being retained by counsel for the
heirs, and the other by Mr.. W. Il.
Howell, for the Base Ball Association.
This lease called for the surrender of the
grounds in the spring of 1880, but by
mutual consent, this time was extended
until the close OF the season, 1890.
When the old Association died, and the
lease was transferred TO Mr.. Wright, il
was found that the figures ''ls90." in
the copy held by Mr.. Howell had been
changed by some one to read 1881,
the deviation from the original date be-
ing plainly visible. The duplicate
copy of the lease, in the posses
sion of counsel for the heirs, remained
1890, as originally drawn. Mr.. Me-
L9ughln finally came into possession of
this amended" lease as an innocent
party, and as such claimed a legal right