The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-08
WHO OWNS HIN?
A New Baseball Scandal Breaks
Out.
Claimed That HWrlburt Belongs
to Decatur.
COOLEY is CONFIDENT.
Says That Fielder Is Property
Of Topeka.
Never Accepted Terms With the
Illinois Town.
COOLEY is CONFIDENT.


A new baseball scandal developed
this morning, and It centers about
spec Hurlburt. the newly acquired
center fielder OF the White sox. It
came TO light through the following
letter received today by the manage
ment of the oklahoma City team. now
playing i'm Topeka. from William z.
Bering, vice president of the Decatur
team in the Three-I league.
Dear Sir-I have got into compi-
cation with Hurlburt. After receiving
q telegram from Wilkesbarre that he
was free, We made him an Offer for
his services, which he accepted. and
we forwarded him $50 advance money
and ticket money amounting to $40
This money he deliberately took and
then went to Topeka, Kas- A more
deliberate and malicious theft could
hardly be perpetrated. I wish you
would write me and tell me just how
title to that player stands We under
stood from the newspapers that you
had releas ed him to Wilkesbarre, and
therefore when they said he was free
he would by rights come to US. We
do not see how Topeka gets title to
him. unless YOU sold him to them
Will you kindly give US this informa-
ton and the reputation of the man as
ball player? Very truly yours,
w =. BERING.
Decatur Baseball association
This means that tight viii now re-
suit over the ownership of the heavy
hitting center fielder. The Decatur
management declares that he accept
ed its terms and advance money To
back up the statement of that town,
the Sporting News of the last issue
gives officially the release Of Huri-
burt from Wikesbarre to Decatur.
That puts a pretty black cloud on the
horizon. for it means that Hurlburt is
on the official books as the property
Of Decatur. Secretary Farrell gives
out the official announcement of re-
leases. sales and transfer. and he gave
out the one in the Sporting News re
lating to Hurlburt-
Dick Cooley emphatically denies that
Huriburt accepted terms or money from
Decatur Il know all about that" says
the Eminent Richard. I have had cor
respondence relative TO the matter for
a number of days. The fact OF the case
is that some fellow in VVilkesbarre. whose
name will be given out later If this mat
ter comes TO a showdown. used Specs
name in this correspondence with De-
catuF Spec knew nothing about it at
all That fellow got all the money. We
have since gotten after him and we
right now hold letter in which he says
he viii at once, or has already, returned
the money to Decatur. We are not
afraid of losing Huriburt. It doesn't
worry US. He was with US at Joplin
several days before this Wilkes barre
man wrote these letters to Decatur. We
are willing to air the whole matter if it
is forced to the issue. I don't want to
give the name Of the Wilkes barre party
just at this time for it may get him into
trouble. But ] know where I am all
right You can trust your Uncle Dick
for that. They are not going to get past
him. I shall play Hurlburt right along
and not let him miss game know
that if the matter is threshed out by
the board of arbitration or Secretary
Farrell and his committee we shall land
on tap I know just where I am at
bud RisIey announced this morning
that he would protest the games just
PLAYED with Topeka He said he would
also protest the one this afternoon If
Spec is in the lineup. Cooley says that
he doesn't give rap about that, but
that he viii play Hurlburt anyway.
THE situation is complex and much
of mystery says Risley. I'm not
clear on 1t. except as to our part. We
sold Hurlburt to Wilkesbarre and got
500 for him. The check came to-
day. That was all the negotiation we
had concerning him with any club. It
Just seems to be a question as to VIII o
has first claim on him, Topeka or De-
catur. But from this letter. and the
announcement in the Sporting News, it
appears that Decatur must have q pref
ty strong hold on him. I have decided
20 protest the games played here. and
viii protest the one this afternoon If
he plays.
Hurlburt has a sort Of meteoric ca
Teer ia baseball. His wonderful field
ing and hitting prowess has always
been sufficient to get him a good job.
Two years ago he was with Topeka
last year he played the season through
with Oklahoma and was the leader in
the final batting averages This spring
he wanted TO go to Toronto. but Okla
L.
went there but failed fer some mex
plcable reason to make good He
Joined Topeka at Joplin about a week
ago and has been playing a stellar
game in both the hitting and fieldinl
departments
Mr. Bering in his letter from De
catur does not give the dates on which
Hurlburt or the person who wrote thu
letters. accepted terms and advance
money. That makes it impossible, IN
til official data are obtained, to find on
whether Topeka has the first claim O.
not OF course. If the letters from
Wilkesbarre to Decatur We're fraudu.
lent and spurious, then the Decatu
team would simply have to hold tn
sack. But Cooley declares that Hurl
burt did not accept terms and that h
did not receive money. but is clear o
all the charges made by the letter
An interesting time can be anticipatei
in the threshins out of the trouble.
See Rock Island Time card.
Effective Sunday. June 3. 1905. No
tiee new Kansas City-Topeka Colo
RADIO train