The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-23
A BIG BASEBALL DEAL
1T MAY PUT INDIANAPOLIS IN THE
BIG LEAGUE THIS SUMMER.
Dickson & Talbot Have an Option on
the Home Club and Are Nego-
tiating for Cleveland.

Even since Indianapolis cropped out of
the big league there has been occasional
talk of this city resuming its place in the
national organization. Once it was the
Louisville franchise that was to come here.
and at another time it was the st. Louis.
Right now, however, Indianapolis is nearer
d place IN the National League than she
has been at any time since her retirement.
A deal of some magnitude has been de-
Veloping for some weeks and has pro-
crossed thus far: The well-known the
atrical firm of Dickson & Talbot has Sc
cured an option the Indianapolis Club,
and opened negotiations with the Robsons
for the purchase of the Cleveland Club and
franchise, with the expectation of bringing
the Cleveland Club here and putting the
Indianapolis Club and franchise in Cleve-
land. They have received word that the
Robisons are willing to SELL and have as
surances that no obstacles would be thrown
in the way of the transfer in either league.
Thus the only thing necessary to complete
the deal is an agreement on price between
Dickson & Talbot and the Robisons. This,
however, may prove big obstacle, for the
Cleveland magnates will try to get out even
on their losses which would mean big
figure.
This is the first venture of Dickson &
Talbot in the field of baseball, though they
have been favorably inclined toward the
game from a business point of view for
several years. Last year they became in
terested in the Chapman machine for the
reproduction of games by electricity, and
at the close of the season they purchased
the patent and added a number of improve
ments, until now they have the almost per-
feet reproduction that can be seen at the
Grand any afternoon while the, team is
playing away from home. AT the beginning
OF this season they had five of the ma
chimes built and leased theaters in Phia-
delpha, Boston, New York and Cincinnati,
in all of which cities they are conducting
the business profitably.
This brought them somewhat in touch
with the sport and a few weeks ago they
began negotiations with the owners of the
Indianapolis Club for an option. Before
the season opened there was a meeting mere
between Mr.. Brush, Hart, OF Chicago, ana
the Robisons. They We're consulting ABOUT
railroad rates and the Rusie matter, put
declined to say what the subject OF the
conference was. Local newsgatherers con-
ceiVed the idea that there was deal on
contemplating putting indianapolis IN the
putting the Indianapolis Club and Western
League franchise in Cleveland. 1t struck
Dickson * Talbot that this would be
good scheme, and they began negotiations
to that end.
A dispatch from Cleveland received last
night, said that President Robson, OF the ne
Cleveland club. had received message
rom Messrs Dickson & Talbot saying
they had an option on the Indianapolis club
and asking If the Cleveland cup was Tor
sale, and. if for sale. was there any OBJ
stacIe in the way of moving the club to this
city. Mr.. Robson replied that the club was
for sale, and that there was nothing TO
hinder the removal OF it to this city. As to
the price. he informed Messrs. Dickson a
Talbot that he would communicate with
Mr.. Henry Talbot last night affirmed the
statements made in the Cleveland Dispatch
though he said he was not yet in position
to go very far into details concerning the
deal 1T is true that we nave an optlon
for sixty days on the Indianapolis club and
would like very much to buy the Cleveland
franchise We are anxious TO get into the
business. We are in the amusement busl-
ness here, permanently located, and reel
part of that. We have the theaters in the
winter and are in a position TO look after
the baseball business in the summer We
want sooner or later TO get into the big
league and hope to do so this summer.
We are ready any minute to bring the
Cleveland club here. The question. of
course is the price now that Mr.. Robson
says his franchise is Tor SAFE we DO not
expect to pay more than the franchise is
N N9ftn II League a We have MED upon
figure which we think the Cleveland fran
chise is worth. and are willing to give that
amount but we shall treat the matter as a
business proposition. If we do not get a
deal through with Mr. Robson
we may with some other club.
done with the Indianapolis club in case
Messrs. Dickson & Talbot should take both
franchises. He replied that he preferred
not to say at present. 1t is probable that
in such event the Indianapolis club would
be transferred 10 Cleveland. Il would
rather this had not been made public just
vet said Mr.. Talbot. There is no secret
about IT, though and perhaps II had just as
we'll be known now as at any time. But /
don't Ike to have the thing published and
then see ii fall through. The thing has not
yet fully matured in our own minds. What
we are after now is TO get hold of the fran
chise. We can then put the clubs where
We nIensa.',