The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-28
FAILED To SHOW UP
sAVANNAH-JACKSO FOOT
BALL GAME CALLED OFF.
FLORIDIANS MISSED TRAIN.
THE ONLY REASON OFFERED FOR
THEIR NON-ARRIVAL.

Manager Vinzant Lays it to TOO
Much Gala Week''-Saynnnah Play
ers Put Out but Not Responsible
for Failure of Game-JacI<sOnv
Dispatch Says Only Nine Mem
bers of Florida Team Were Ready
to Come 20 savannah and the Man
agement Decided 10 Stay at Home.
What promised to be the most in
teresting and holly contested game of
football ever played in Savannah was
knocked out yesterday afternoon by the
Jacksonville team failing to put in an
appearance.
Manager Vinzant of the jack
sonville Rifles team arrived early
in the morning for the purpose of max
ing arrangements for his men. He
had arranged that they should be
quartered at the Turkish baths, and
he was trying to secure bus to trans
port them from the depot, when tele-
gram was received from Harry Geno-
var, assistant manager of the team,
saying: Men disappointed me. Can t
come"
Vinzant At n Loss.
This was a blow other than Mr.. Vim
zant expected, and he was at q, loss to
explain the mystery, as all the men he
said were in perfect condition when he
left Jacksonville, and were sure of
coming, except one or two from the
fire department, who at that time had
not been relieved from duty.
The telegram was received shortly
after noon and it was a death blow TO
those connected with and promoting the
game here. All ARA ngements had been
made to accommodate a large crowd
the largest ever gathered on a gridron
in this city-and the news was more
than a shock to those interested.
Tried to Get Up Local Game.
Mr.. Vinzant, Immediately after re-
ceiving the information, conferred with
Manager Michaes of the Savannah
team, and an effort was made to get
on a game with some local team.
Tybee preferred, but the time was too
short, and the whole programme, as
had been outlined and planned for
weeks. resulted in a farce.
Mr.. Vinzant could not find an ex-
PLANTATION for the non-arrival of his
team. When he left Jacksonville We'd
nesday night all of the men were APP
parently anxious to come, and the
failure is that some of them INDUCED
in too much gala week. and
failed to make a connection with the
train. This is his only solution of the
problem.
JacksOnvilIe's Explanation.
The explanation of the non-arrival of
the Floridians, sent the Morning News
last night, is as follows:
Jacksonville, Nov 21.-Only nine of
the Jacksonville Rifles football team
showed up at the depot this morning
when the time came for them to take
the train for Savannah to play in the
game which had been scheduled to take
place this afternoon. The manage
ment of the team gave out no explana-
ton of the cause of their failure to
get a complete roster and with the two
members missing at train time, the
captain decided not to make the trip to
savannah
After the information had been re-
ceived that the Jacksonville team would
not come, Mr.. Vinzant was besiegad
rious crowd, seeking information. He
could explain nothing-in fact knew
nothing, except what the telegram con-
veyed
savannah Men Disappointed.
Manager Michaels. who had adver-
tised the game extensively. and who.
naturally, will be held responsible by
many for the game not eliminating,
was greatly disappointed. He had
planned for good game and, although
he expected his team to win, he antic-
ipated hard-fought struggle.
The largest crowd that ever attend
cd football game in this city" said
he, would have turned out to this
at most unfortunate mo-
ment and time. We had adj
vertised the game extensively and been
to considerable expense, and the fall
ure of the Jacksonville team to show
up here as scheduled. will forever be a
par to game again between these
teams"
Mr.. Michaels said that he believed
Manager Ninzant was sincere in his
eHorts to have the game played and
that he had no blame whatever to at
tach to him for the players failing to
appear The inform ton spread rapid
~ that the game would be called off.
but despite this many did not hear the
news, and went to the grounds expect
ing the game to be played, but were
turned away with the only information
jacksonville has disappointed us and
there will be no game"
blame on Florida Team
This was all that could be learned
then and is all that is known now WHY
the Jacksonville team did not ma Ike
its appearance 1T looks like a case of
cold feet" said a football enthusia ST.
though Manager Vinzant denied that
any such conditions existed in the
team, and his explanation appeared
reasonable"
Manager Michael and others connect
ed with the Savannah football team
while terribly worked up over the ac-
tlon Oh the Jacksonville players, could
lay no blame to Manager Vinzant, and
he was exonerated of all connection in
the matter. Many regrets were ex-
pressed to him in the position he was
placed, and the players of the Savan-
nah team offered every coincidence pos
sible assuring him that they believed
he was working sincerely and thar the
circumstance could in no manner be
attributed to him.
AT the rooms of the Young Mems
Hebrew Association Mr. Vinzant was
received royalty and regrets were ex-
pressed TO him on every hand that the
prospect OF fine game had ended as IL
mad, and ne was complimented for the
interest he had manifested in getting
up and arranging the contest.
Mr.. Ninzant left in the afternoon for
ms native home, jacksonville but be-