The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-13
DEATH OF "BO' NEEDHAM
The Well-KnOwn Sporting Author
ity Passes Away.
Prominent Writer on Baseball
Subjects-sccretnry and Treasurer
of the Washington American
League Team-SIsetch of His Career

"Bo" Needham Secretary and Treas
urer of the Washington Baseball Club,
American League. and well known as
sporting writer. died at the Garfield Hos
pital. Saturday night. shortly before $50
O'Clock. Mr. Needham had been serious
ly III for the past fortnight, and his death
was ascribed to typhoid fever. compii-
Gated by nervous and kidney trouble. He
had been connected for several years with
the Detroit Free Press " as sporting ed
itor and possessed wide acquaintance
with baseball men all over the country
His residence in Washington has been
only OF three months duration, since the
formation OF the Washington Baseball
Club. in which he was financially inter
ested. He had already made host of
friends in this city.
His remains were removed from the
hospital to the undertaking establishment
of s. H. Hines & Co, and prepared for
burial. The casket containing the body
was SHIPPED on the Baltimore and Ohio
train leaving the city at sos last night
for his home at Rockford, Ill. The fun
ersl will be held at Rockford, on the ar
rival of the body, Tuesday morning.
He is survived by his father, i. NJ.
Needham; his mother. and three broth
ers. Samuel f. Needham, George NJ.
Needharn, and II. F. Needham, all resi-
dents of Rockford. His brother George
NJ. Needham arrived in Washington Sat
urJiay morning, and viii remain in the
city to arrange the affairs of the deceas-
ed.
..Bo" Neeham was born in Rockford.
ILL.,. in June. 1869. He was christened
Moulton Thomas. but this name was
almost unknown, even to his most inti-
mate friends. The pseudonym of "Bo'
was attached to him from his childhood,
given to him by his infant brother. then
about two years old, who was able to
give only this lisping pronunciation OF
the name Moulton.
His education was received in the public
schools of Rockford, and at that time he
was enthusiastic in his attachment TO the
game of baseball. AS schoolboy he was
always the leader and captain of some
bail team. which usually, through his
training. was prominent in all of the vii
lage contests During his school days
he organized the Athletics. a team which
contested successfully for the supremacy
in the national game with mines from viii
lagos and towns in the neighboring
country.
His business life commenced as a clerk
in drug store. Subsequently he received
a position as secretary and treasurer of
the W. b. Reynolds circus. which ex-
hibfted in the smaller towns in the North
west.
His newspaper experience commenced
with his employment as a reporter on the
Morning Star of his native town. He
also served in the same capacity on the
rival paper. the Republic" of Rockford.
He became editor of a paper in Marshall
town, Iowa, in 1895, but this journal not
succeeding according to expectations, he
accepted & position, i'll less than year
after, on the "Ohio State Journal" of
Columbus, Ohio. He was sporting editor
of this paper for two years, and laid the
foundation of his reputation as a sport
ing authority. and OF his acquaintance
with baseball players. which afterward
became very extensive.
In 1898 he received an offer from the
Detroit Free Press and accepted the
desk of sporting editor of that well-known
paper. Mr.. Needham's abilities a sport
ing writer soon became extensively rec
ognized- He became known to every base
ball player of consequence in the coun-
try, ana was an intimate friend of
great number of baseball magnates. His
reports of baseball news were inimitable.
and his reputation as a writer of such
was second to none. He was known as
an expert score keeper. and was not only
interested In baseball but in horse racing
and prize fighting. and was detailed by
his paper to cover some Of the most note
worthy races aud matches all over the
United States.
Mr. Needham received g fiattering Of
fer from the Boston Globe. to assume
the desk Of sporting editor on that paper,
and subsequently an offer from an
other Boston paper. Both of these Of
1ers he declined, as his health had not
been of the best, and. he mad become de-
sirous OF getting out of the newspaper
business, which he found exacting and
wearing upon him. He had for some
time conceived the ambition, which soon
became the dearest wish Of his heart, to
be interested in baseball as a partner in
some team.
During the conferences between Fred
Postal and Jimmy Manning. in Detroit,
Needham saw his opportunity. AIR Pos
tai was the proprietor OF the Griswold
House at Detroit, where Mr. Needham
lived, and they We're intimate friends
MIR. Needham expressed his wishes 10
Postal, and 1t was largely through his
persuasion that Mr.. Postal decided to
take an interest in the proposed Wash
inston Baseball Club. The club was final
ly organized last winter with Mr. Postal
as President: Mr.. Manning as Manager.
and Mr. Needham rs Secretary and Treas
urer Air. Neadham had an interest in
the organization.
? On the occasion Of Mr.. Needham's de-
parture from Detroit for Washington.
.,
quoted by his friends. On his arrival
here he set to work, to prepare for the
coming season. The new American
League Park was built under his dIrec-
tion, and upon his shoulders fell the en-
tire responsibility Of superintendence
While not engaged in attending to his
duties te was occupied in making friends
and II. the short time of his presence
here had become widely known and ex-
ceedingly well liked
Mr.. Needham has not been in good
health for some time. His illness became
acUte about two weeks ago, and for sew
efal days he was confined to his rooms
He grew rapidly worse. and was taken TO
the Garfield Hospital about ten days ago
AT this time he was suffering from a
violent fever. his temperature recording
1bi degrees. His case was diagnosed as
typhoid fever. Under treatment at the
hospital his fever was allayed normal
temperature beins; recorded, and his con-
Nalescsnce was anticipated.
About four days ago he became worse
and his friends were not permitted TO
visit HIM at the hospital. Symptoms OF
acute nervousness made his condition ma
brother, George NJ. Needham arrived
from his home in Rockford Saturday
morning, and hastened to his brothers
bedside 30 was unconscious and uey-
er recognized his brother He died at
about $50 o'clock Saturday night
Charged With Larceny.
George, alias Cockney. Grimes nine
teen-year-old colored boy. was arrested by
Policeman I.atchford of the E,if,h =,