Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-02-20

When Wheeling lovers of base ball
have been asked whether the city is
to have club this season, they have
invariably been compelled to answer
Dunno, ask Torreyson And when
Torreyson is Intercepted he smiles
a sweetly, sadly pathetic, enigmatical
smile, and says: Wait
The fans" are beginning to fear
that while they are waiting. the base
ball franchise will be transferred to
another city.
The sporting editor Of the Eegister
yesterday received a long letter from
Manager Torreyson, which was re-
markable for the information it did not
contain. He says matters are much
the same as when he left Wheeling,
with the exception that he has about
given up hope of securing grounds at
Belle Isle Park. His hopes are now
centered in the Giles property. Judg-
ing from the tone of his letter, there
is not much upon which to base his
hopes, as he indicates that he is not
disposed to pay the price asked for the
Giles property He states that he
cannot see how he can make tie club
pay. He has asked the street rail-
way company TO try to close lease
with the heirs at what he regards as
a fair price. He is making every eff
fort to close the deal by the middle
of this week, as his partners have sta
ted that they will not wait longer
than Wednesday for a final answer. If
he fails, he will give up all hope OF
locating in Wheeling"
Torreyson states that he will offer
the franchise for sale at what he con-
siders a fair price, and he invites i'm
mediate correspondence from any per
son in Wheeling who cares to take the
risk If Wheeling people do not want
it. it will be put on the market to the
highest bidder.
There is no doubt" says Torreyson,
'but what Wheeling is the best town
mentioned for the franchise, but any
one who thinks it can be r5ade pay,
when they have to pay so much for
ground rent, can have the chance. We
90 not want to speculate with it, but
will ask about enough to let us out
on our expenses of last year. The sale
will also include all the players signed,
and | am sure that they alone are
worth the price that will be asked.
Il have, however, every hope that
matters will be fixed up so | can say
that l myself will be there with it.
Il have about completed the team,
having to-day signed VIM. A. Smith
for left field. He is the man who
managed and played left for Norfolk,
Va, of the Atlantic League, last year.
+ To Gil mo llitChpI'
if | can get the one | want.
No one will be more sorry than | If
we don't get the ground question set
tied up, SO that we can locate in
Wheeling. But you know it is a ques
tion of business with me. | know
there are some towns where the pub
lie are willing to subscribe certain
amounts just to have their town repre-
scented. If we do not get located, and
if there is any one or more who wish
TO subscribe and purchase the fran
chise and continue the club as an adj
vertisement, they will have the chance
to do So l have an elegant club
signed and think it will hold its end
up with the others in the league.
Mr. Torreyson states that he looks
dI Lie lOCdl SIlQdlIOi1 I'm BUSINESS
standpoint. and no person will blame
him for this. The Wheeling public,
however, will doubt the sincerity Of
his intentions with regard to this city,
if he allows such a sum as $500 TO
stand in the way of closing deal for
grounds The price asked by the Giles
heirs is not known, and it may be
excessive. yet the property can be
secured, and the local fans" stand
ready to cooperate with Mr.. Torrey-
son in any reasonable proposition for
raising the difference between his fig
ures and the rental asked by the own
ers of the property.
A story has been started in Indian
apolis to the effect that at the eXpira
ton of the ten-year agreement in the
National League, movement led by
Freeman, of New York, will be carried
out, and an eight-club league will be
formed of Eastern cities, which are
now in the National League. 1t is said
that Boston and Philadelphia are in
the conspiracy, that Baltimore is
wavering. and that Freeman is now
working on Washington and Pittsburg.
Providence and Buffalo are mentioned
as cities in the new circuit.
We do honest watch repairing and at
reasonable prices.
nITION WHEAT G HANCHER co.