The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-08
4. P. SIMPSON THE OWNER
Bought the Base Ball Franchise from
President Belts Yesterday.
HE WILL HAVE ASSOCIATES
Thomas H. Brooks and Edward Wade
VIII join MIR. Simpson-They Will
Associate ex.prcsidcnt Belts with
1hcm-Ltberal Policy Outlined.


The Eastern league franchise, ball
park lease and other property of the
Scranton Base Ball association was
bid in at sheriff's sale yesterday by
W. L. Belts, president Of the associa-
ton. through his attorney. Robert j.
Murray. Within an hour President
Belts sold his interest to Harry P.
Simpson, the young and well-to-do coal
operator. who, during the next few
days. will associate with him Thomas
II. Brooks, another young coal man,
and Edward Wade, secretary of the
Finch Manufacturing company. Pres
ident Belts will retain a one-quarter
interest In the reorganization. This
will be done according to previous ar
rangement, the new owners wanting
the benefit of the eX-president's eXper-
ience and advice, although by his own
stipulation he will not enter into the
active or detailed management of the
new venture.
The property was bid In for $2,1SO.5e.
whichsu w.!lnave to satisfy judgments
amounting to about $500, and held by
seven of the directors. Obligations that
will have to go unsatisfled are note
of 5000 held by a Scranton bank. a
sum approXimating $500, due President
Belts. and separate from his judg-
ment, and various other debts which
only creditors to be benefited by the
sale are the seven who held judg-
ments amounting to $2,SO0, and they
will be paid their proportlonate share
Of the s2,1S0.5O realized from the SALE
McDermott for Manager.
Last night message was sent to
McDermott, this seasons manager OF
Fall River. of the New England league,
instructing him to come to Scranton
tomorrow and close a contract for next
year. Mr. Simpson will at once pro-
cure estimates for a new grandstand.
bleachers, gates and fence, and will
negotiate with the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western company for wide
ming and lengthening the park, possibly
fifty feet, in each direction.
Twenty minutes before 4 o'clock, the
hour advertised for the SALE there had
gathered at the park President HanlOn,
CT the State league; Marty Swift, the
CarbOrdale manager; President Belts,
Treasurer SwayZe and Directors Jor-
dan and Coleman, of the Scranton asso-
c.ation: Alex Dunn, jr., and Morris
Davidow, of the pawnbroking firm Of
Dav.dow Brothers. and several re-
porters and spectators. The presence
of Mr. Dunn and Mr.. Davidow was not
clearly understood until after the sale
opened. and then they bore an import
art par. in what transpired.
Previous to the sale, Mr.. Hanlon the
State league president, who had reached
the city at o'clock, made a conditional
offer of $500. This sum was refused
and Deputy Ferber proceeded to cry
the sale, announcing that the franchise
and lease would first be sold jointly and
Independent of the grand stand, bleech-
ers, two sets of uniforms, tickets,
chairs and other almost useless things.
Davidow Bid $500. ~.
The pawnbroker quite appropriately
started the ball a-rOlling by bidding
500, and Attorney Murray proceeded
to go him so cents better. Mr.. Davidow
increased his bids at 800 a clip until
taken while Mr.. Davldow and Mr.. Dunn
whispered In one another'si ear. and
President Belts, Attorney Murray,
Treasurer Swayze, Director Jordan and
Director Coleman got in their corner
and carried on another whispering
bee. Then the attorney and the pawn
broker came together and the one told
the other that $1,000 was about the sum
required to fatten the base ball Golfer.
Mr.. DavidOw said something about
seeing himself in warm climate and
the game was resumed. '"
From $1,70O the bidding match be-
tween the two went on to $2,175, when
Mr.. Davidow suggested call of time,
and another conference was held The
prospective buyers here learned that
the attorney would continue to bid to
very high figure In order to have the
property knocked down at a. proper
sum and they forthwith decided to
withdraw. Attorney Murray raising the
pawnbroker's bid from $2,175 to $2,175-
so, at which figure the sale was made.
The rest of the property went to the
attorney for bid of IS, making 81, ,1SO. so
in all.
NIr. Murray Immediately announced
that he had made the purchase as
attorney" but whose attorney was
not mentioned. And the crowd but
toned its coats, drew long breath of
relief, smiled and left the grounds in
the belief that the association had bid
In its own property. On this point
there was either q prearranged un-
derstand!ng or misunderstanding. as
Lawyer Murray really bid as attor-
ney for President Belts, and not for the
association, which fact transpired dur
ing the next hour.
Went to tho sheriffs Office.
Soon after s O'Clock Mr.. Simpson, ac-
companied by President Belts, emerged
from the formers Office and proceeded
to the court house, where, in the sher-
iffs office, the rsale was recorded to
President Belts, and the other finan cial
settlements made which made Mr..
Simpson the owner Within the next
few days Mr.. StmDson and the men he
will associate with him will decide upon
a definite course of procedure. AT
all events. McDermott will become
manager after his arrival here .tomor-
row, and will at once be sent on
skirmish for a dozen and a half or
more players from among whom next
seasons Seam will be selected, during
practice play In the spring. as 1t Is
not probable that the Scranton play
ers on the reserve list will be retained,
Pat Meaney excepted, and possibly
Pete Eagan.
Mr.. Simpson was unwilling last night
to discuss at length his new venture.
He intimated. however. that a broad
policy would be established; that the
comfort of the public would be well
looked after: that the grounds would
be modernlzed and made up-to- date.
and that as good club as money can
procure will be brought here. He be-
lieves that the more liberal the policy
and outlay. the more liberal will be
public appreciation and support. He
said he makes the investment chiefly
frcm pride In Scranton and the sport,
and that he and his associates will be
satisfied II their effort brings them a
fair profit to pay for their work and
trouble. .rs
Challenge Is Acce pied.