The sun., 1898-01-05

me VvSIi-HRsSvn BasebAI H1agnste succutsl
10 ms LohR Illness.

Charles II. Byrne. President Of the Brooklyn
Baseball Club, died yesterday morning at his
residence, 107 wost Eleventh street. after a long
illness. II was only his remarkable will power
that kept him alive during the last two weeks,
during which time he was In comatoso state.
His death was due to q complication OF diseases.
Tho funeral will take place on Thursday morn
ing at 1880 o'clock from st. Francis Xavier
Church, In West Sixteenth street
Byrne was born here about fifty -fve years ago.
Ho was educated in the public schools, and
when about 10 years old he was choir boy at
st. Francis Xaviers Church in West Sixteenth
street. He studied law later on but was novor
admitted to the bar. He was 25 years old
when he wont into tho real estate business. with
an office on Pine street, but soon after that he
went West, settling at Omaha. 1t was while
there that Byrne was chosen deputy Sheriff. In
no n' b g Icy n tss
years
Coming back here, Byrnc with f. A. Abcr
ture. situated on Ann street, for many years.
It was he who suggested that Brooklyn should
when en- the club " was ' admitted Into tho Inter:
state League in 1883 he began to work like q
Trojan to make ma IL sassessfp The club was
was so good that Byrne secured q franchise In
tho American Association in 1884; He was
as asa a member Of The tho Board Of xfbtration no
was power and was so recognized by the mag
mates OF the National League
aided by the liberal backing of:A bell and Doyle
gave to the patrons of the Rame across tho
Of 1857. 1855. an and 1853, at Washington Park,
Of the club were allied to ovcrfowng. In
players and the war with tho brotherhood.
This movement gave tho opportunity TO Byrne
Byrne, I with his usnS diplomacy @ @ and skfu
manipulation Of tho wires, managed to secure
for the Brooklyn Club o much coveted fran.
was, Of course. necessary TO withdraw from tho
American Association. and as Cincinnati made
wrock. So generously had tho Brooklyn play
ers been treated by Byrne that only one OF the
team that Son the 9S pen
inston Park. E won the National League pennant
y6e' 5e 1ns q sS
the following, winter. came troubles that grad.
nsly broke down the health and ,nn rsnsth l,tS 9f
up the differences with the Players, League
clubs here and at Brooklyn. Boston. fittsbure,
Chicago, and Philadelphia; In consolidating
bis own BrSeRlyn Club With the rival piayers ,Sat
Byrnes club should leave the popular Wash.
ington Park and 60 to the present grounds at
East New York. The move proved SO disad-
yantageous that it soon became q losing ven
A breach between Aboll and Doyle, the lat
ter being Byrne's brother.in-law, made moro
complications, and the failure of tho minority
stockholders of tho club. to help Abel and
Byrne to meet the clubs losses caused in
creased worrment Of mind. Added to these
unfortunate circumstances was the poor play
ing of the BrookIyns during the past three years,
which helped to increase the strain and break
down the Little Napoleon as Byrne was
Board of Arbitration, the highest honor that 9
magnate can receive. Byrne showed wonderful
ability to decide many cases complicated
enough to puzzle q Supreme Court Justice.
He was always fair in mis- dealings, and ever
thoughtful of tho welfare of the game he helped
Only a few weeks ago Byrne attended the
meeting of the League at Philadelphia. He
was very feeble. but would not desert his post.
The Brooklyn Club was hauled before the Ma
tional Board to show cause why Second Base
man Egan should not belong to the Pittsburg
by Manager Barnie. who did not know that
Pittsburg had prior claim. Although 1t was a
sad blow to Brooklyn, Byrne, with his con.
freres after hearing tho merits of the case,
promptly voted to return Egan to Pittsburg.
The decisions handed down by the National
legal construction. and many persons have
wondered who drew them up. But every
member of the board will attest the fact that
Byrne. remcmbcrinr what he had learned In
" no habitually wrote the opinions.
Byrne. while a vigorous fighter in baseball
politics, and fair square enemy. was always
O warm, sincere friend. especially to those in
trouble. He was respected by the entire base.
ball world, and the National League will find
unmarried, and leaves brother and two sis.