The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-20
SAvANNAH'S BACKING SOLID.
NJ. NJ. STEWART BUNS AN INTEREST
IN THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE CLUB.

IN THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE CLUB.
To BE Incorporated, and John Nc
CURE 10 he President-S.. Il. Il 1. of
IL. Railway Gives the Club FTnan-
ciaI Aide. l.. A. Park Leased for
the SeasOn-Extensive Improve
ments to BE Mnde-Mr. MCGUIRE
Returned to New Orleans.
The base ball club which viii represent
Savannah in the Southern League the
coming season viii be backed by stock
company and a prominent Savannah mOn
will be largely interested in the team In
a financial way. Mr.. Murray NJ. Stewart
has acquired an interest in the franchise
and the team viii be run jointly by Mr..
Stewart and John Mcguire of New Or
leans. Articles of Incorporation are now
being drawn up, and the company will be
chartered. Mr.. Mcclure will be president
and Mr.. Stewart secretary and treasurer.
The fact that a Savannah man will be
financially interested in the club will do
much to strengthen it, and the Savan-
nah people will look upon the club with
more confidence. Mr.. Stewart is q we'll
known young business man, a member
of the firm of James L. Stewart & Son,
cotton merchants. He has never taken an
active interest or been financially inter
ested an base ball before. though he has
always been a supporter of the game. His
circle of friends is wide, and his name as
a hacker of the club will materially
strengthen it.
John MCGUIRE, who has been here look
ing after the clubs affairs. left yesterday
for New Orleans, having accomplished a
good deal in the few days he was here.
Before leaving Mr.. Mcclure signed lease
for the use of the c. L. A. Park for the
season. He also succeeded in making the
Savannah, Thunderbolt and Isle of Hope
Railway believe that the league games
would be good thing for the railway, and
a handsome sum was subscribed by the
railway towards the Improvements to be
made on the park These Improvements
are extensive The contracts for the build
ing of the stands and repairing of the
fence have been made, and work will be-
gin next week.
The favorable action of the railway COM
pany In assisting the club was a surprise
to those who have been interested in for
mer teams, and those who endeavored TO
get something from it last season. AT the
same time, 1t showed a very enterprising
spirit
Savannah is indebted to Mr.. MCGUIRE
for being In the Southern League this
season and for the condition in which the
club starts. 1t is doubtful if any Savan-
nah man would have taken the chances
of putting out money as Mr. Mcclure did
several months ago, or have done the inn
mense amount of preliminary work incl
dent to organizing a club and signing a
team. Mr. Mcclure has shown himself TO
be a hustler. There is no doubt that he
will be liked by the fans" He Will re-
turn to Savannah about March ! and will
bring Manager Huston with him. Tickets
will then be sent to the players, who
will report March 10.
The league will meet in Birmingham
early in March TO arrange the schedule
and attend to other matters. The sched-
ule committee is composed of the repre-
sentatives of Atlanta, Charleston, Mobile
and New Orleans. The playing season
will consist of 126 games GO at home and
63 abroad. Each team will have three
series Of twenty-one games at home and
the same on the road. Savannah will
kfCs'AA-
BILE will endeavor to get Fourth of July
at home.
The first game that the club will play
will be for benefit of the rebuilding fund
of the Cathedral. The game will proba-
bly, be between Savannah and picked
team. If possible Hiplklns ard Ballantyne
will be secured as the battery for the pick
ed team. If not, a battery from the reg
ular team will be loaned them.
Diminutive Billy York, who played with
Memphis in "a and who is we'll remem-
bered in Savannah, is in New Orleans
trying TO get a berth somewhere in the
league. Billy is an applicant for the posi-
ton of manager OF the Birmingham team
and he is Endorsed by John Mcclure
Clements and Ballan tyne, two Savan-
nah ball players, viii probably get a
chance with Birmingham. Mr. Mcclure
is to see the Birmingham manager and
endeavor to get the Savannah players on
the team In the event they do not sign
with Birmingham he may give them a
show with Savannah.
Savannah has thirteen men signed. Only
eleven men will be carried, however, and
two of those signed will be released or
farmed out when the season commences.