The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-08
PUEBLO PLANS BIG FIGHT.
SmeItcr City Will Not Give Up Team
Without Struggle

| Denver, Colo, Jan. S.-What will
| the outcome of the present tangle OF
| ownership in the Western league clubs
be ? The question is one that is occupy
ing the minds of Colorado fans more
than any other at this time, and well
it may, for the general outlook APP
| pears to be that Pueblo is doomed to
| lose its franchise unless some radical
action is taken by the Smelter City
fans. The continued absence of own
er Frank ISbell leaves the PueblonS
considerably in the dark as to his in
tentions, but the general belief now
is that, in plain language, IsbeH is
forgetting the $4,000 bonus given
him by Pueblo last summer, the warm
| support awarded his team after the
transfer, and is deliberately double
crossing the Smelter City business
men.
Shortly before the announcement
that Isben and F'airweather had
bought small interests in the Des
Moines club, Isben sent an emphatic
letter to a Pueblo man in which he
made the positive statement that he
would not sell the club. The fans were
not prepared to believe that it was the
plan OF the owners of the circuit to
syndicate the clubs, hence the an
nouncement that he had taken an in
terest in Des Moines was considered
first intimation that he is planning to
pull out of Pueblo.
The authoritative word that follow
ed, to the effect that Isbell is dicker-
ing with Wichita business men for the
sale of the Pueblo franchise, came as
a well nigh final argument, and re-
luctant1y Pueblo fans are preparing
have held in high regard.
If ISEelI wants to pull out, let him
do so, but he must leave the club be-
hind him, is the sentiment of the
some days ago arrangements were
made to offer ISbelI a fair price for
his interest. If he refuses to accept
this, the issue will be taken to court.
The consensus of opinion here is a
warm sympathy for Pueblo and a de-
of lsbell's tactics.
Wichita Still Plans for Team
Wichita, Jan. 8.=PuebIo is getting
decidedly busy in the past day or two
on the idea that Frank Isbell is really |
contemplating the sale of his Western
league franchise, and that Wichita is
in the field as d buyer. Pueblo is de- !
termined to keep the team at any cost, |
and say they will put up real money |
and plenty of it if necessary to close a /
deal.
Mr.. Isben received wire from Mr..
Cakes of Pueblo yesterday, asking
him what his low cash price on the |
team would be and asserting that the |
questioner means business. Mr.. Isbell |
wired back asking for an offer and it t
is understood that he got one, though |
he is reticent about saying what it |
was, if he did.
Wichita, in the meantime, is active |
ly engaged in selling stock to finance |
the project of buying the club, not |
denying that Pueblo is being consid- |
cred. Stock sales commenced actively |
yesterday following an agreement on |
the park proposition, and it is under |
stood to have gone well. Ackerman's |
island has been offered to the promo
tiers at remarkably low figure and
the county commissioners will arrange
to make it possible to reach the island
easily from the Douglas avenue bridge,
making a walk of only three blocks
from the main business center.