The Washington times., 1903-01-02
DEATH CLAIMS MANY
IN WORLD OF BASEBALL
Historians, Judges, and Play
ers Pass Away.
DUNLAP AMONG THE DEAD
Tom Burns First to Head List of Play
ers Passing Into the Great Beyond
in Ioo2-Jimmy Calvin Gone.

In the past year death claimed many Of
the oId-tmeTs in the world of baseball,
many who have figured as its most bril-
liant historians. handled the indicators
as judges of play. and directed the for
tunes Of the game Perhaps the most
prominent of the writer's on the national
pastime to cross the great beyond was
Harry Weldon. for years weII-known aa
the sporting editor Of a Cincinnati pa
per. No one was more popular. Weldon 5
death was followed closely by the suicide
of a Kansas City newspaperman who had
devoted much of his time to the develop
ment of all kinds of sport. He was
Crazed by worry over Western League
affairs, of which he was president. Later
in March. Thomas T. Burns was found
dead in bed at Jersey City. He was one
of the famous Chicago stonewan infieId
in the days when Arson, Williamson. and
Pfeher made up the White Stocking
quartet. He had just accepted the con
tract TO manage the Jersey City club
when 1t was Cancelled by the hand of
death. Closely followed the demise of
Fred Tevne. a veteran umpire who tum-
bic cut of a Denver hotel window to his
death. Matt RiIliIea. one OF Ban John
sons advisers and supporters, went to
Texas in search of health, and journey
ed back to Milwaukee to die, IN the same
city he had kept in the Western League.
Early in February. William Sharsig. who
helped TO give Philadelphia its first pen
nant in 1888, when he managed the Ath-
Ietics, passed away after years of suf-
fering. Other oId-timers to pass through
eternity's gate were jim Calvin, once the
pride of PittsbuFg pitching department;
Tim (Bridget) DOnohue, the local catch
er: Fred Dunlap second baseman, and
one Of the greatest of ball players; and
Mike ManseII, who wore a Cincinnati
uniform with credit
George ". Burnham, umpire and wit,
his mind blank. and enjoying visions Of
untold wealth in a Michigan sanitarium,
died leaving memories OF 4 genial per
sonaIity. and a reputation as a story
teller, who helped enIiven the overflow
sessions at a baseball meeting--both Ma
tional and American.
Just two players in harness were
stricken down by disease in the year.
Luther FreeIand one of the Crescent
City's twirlers who had been a member
Of Gen. Fred Funston's brigade in tha
Philippines, was attacked with fever and
died in July. That too was the fate OF
George P Prentiss. one of the Boston
American pitching corps. He was a VIC
tim of typhoid in a more virulent form
than that Of G. P. Winters. who ignored
his Cincinnati agreement, and removed
to his home at Wilmington. Del Winters
fortunately recovered At least one nota-
bic figure OF the early days Of the game
was ground to death under the wheels
Of 9 moving engine. Dave Eggler was
killed under the wheels Of New YORK
Central train at Buffalo in april. Kid
MunToe. who once played in the Tri-
State League, suffered death in the same
manner at Canton, Ohio. August 70, and
only a few days ago Frank King. who
played in the Pennsylvania League was
fatally mangIed by coal train at Eas-
ton. Pa.
Sport has its sorrows as well as its
joys. and Just now while boosting the
living. let one pay Just tribute 10 the
memory OF those gone.