The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-07-17
After Meeting This Morning it Was Decided
That the People Of keokuk Did Not Want
Baseball Any More.
CEDAR RAPIDS AND IOWA CITY IN LINE
Players and Franchise are Turned Over to the
League President Shortly Before Noon
Today and City is Out.


After fighting a losing battle for
two months and sixteen days only one
Of which was worth the effort put
forth, as far as attendance was con-
cerned, the Keokuk Baseball Associa-
ton surrendered their franchise in the
Central Association OF baseball clubs
to President Justice
Lack of support on the part OF the
people of Keokuk, has demonstrated
10 the directors that they do not care
for the national game sufficiently for
them to take the time and efforts nee
sssary to raise the money that Is abb
Eoluteiy essential TO carry the team
through the remainder of the season.
The club viii likely be transferred to
Cedar Rapids or Iowa City. as both
these towns have made bids to Presi-
dent Justice for franchise in case
there was a vacancy made in the
seams.
Only Thing to do.
President Griffey, in behalf of the
directors. said today. 1T was the only
thing left for US TO do. The attitude
Of the fans indicated too plainly what
heir wishes were. and we cannot see
the wisdom Of going deeper in debt 10
satisfy a few people who go to the
games. can not say what the club
VIII do. only know that at a meet
Ing this morning We made the decis-
Ion TO get out OF organized baseball
and surrender our franchise and play
ers TO the league. We have done the
hest that we could with the means al
our command and now that the people
have had their choice and have shown
Us what their feelings In the matter
were, We are satisfied that there can
he no criticism OF the way the team
mas been handled. II ne could have
raised the money to pay the players
today, we had an excellent chance to
get enough money TO tide us over the
remainder of the season BY the sale
Of three of cur men, but IL was impos-
sibie TO get the men together and do
ANYTHING, so VIZ are through
At the meeting Monday night"
continued Mr. Grifey, -tn-.e seemed
10 be the oidtine enthusiasm shown
by the bugs. but at the committee
meeting that was called for last night,
only one lone man appeared who had
been named to serve on the commit
tee. This is positive proof tina; base
ball is not wanted here and we acted
upon the hint
This morning the directors net at
the Offices of the Keokuk Industrial
Association and again tried to come
TO come solution Of the financial diff
hculties that confronted the club.
No reasonable means Of help present
ed itself and the directors vent TO the
Office Of President Justice. where il
was decided to turn the franchise and
players over 10 the league. After the
meeting Secretary Sterne presented
the following letter 10 the president.
Letter TO President.
July II. 1912
N. E. Justice. President censral Asso-
citation. Keokuk. Iowa.
Dear Sir:
At a mass meeting. held Monday
night, q committee Of TWENTY-FIVE was
appointed TO meet Tuesday evening 70
formulate plans to continue baseball
In Keokak With the exception Of the
chairman, not one 81 that committee
responded to the call. Taking this as
an indication that the people OF Keo-
krk do not want baseball any longer.
we herewith turn over to yon. az
president of the Central Association.
the franchise, together with the play.
ers. of the Keokuk Baseball Aseocia:
ton.
We realize that the Keokuk Base
ball Association belongs to the peo
pie of Keokuk AS their agents. we
believe we have done everything nos
sible to keep the game alive, but al
the same time we feel it Is useless t.
continue a losing fight.
Truly.
F. L. GRIFFEY,
A. D. AYERS,
THOMAS H. JOYCE.
JOHN j. CRIMMINS,
JOITIS sTERNE