The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-09-16

n RISSOULA, Mont. Sept. 15.-Presi-
IN IN dent w. r. Lucas Of the Union
Nu association OF professional base
Iv8 ball clubs dropped dead at his
home hero today.
Mr., Lucas had complained for several
days OF having difficulty in breathing
and late today his wife was adjusting a
plaster over his chest He fell over into
her arms, dead without a word. Death
was due to an aortic aneurlsm.
Was a Great Organizer.
SPOKANE. Wash. Sept. l5.--W. II.
Lucas has been identified with baseball
In the western part of the country since
the late eighties when he organized the
first Northwestern league, which included
Duluth, Minneapolis and st, Paul. with
Lucas as manager OF the club That
league was absorbed later by the Amer
lean association.
Lucas came to the Pacific northwest in
1890 and organized the Northwestern
league. which included Portland Seattle,
Spokane and Tacoma, This league last
ed two years. He spent two years AS
manager OF the Kansas City club in the
American association and then was in
the lumber business In Wisconsin He
returned 10 the northwest in 1900. or
ganizing the Montana etate League, in
Guiding Helena, Great Falls, Butte and
Anaconda.
The following year he organized the
Pacific Northwest league with the four
organization. He was president OF the
league through four stormy seasons, saw
the league expand TO an eight-club or
canizatlon and finally was driven out of
northwestern baseball after the bitter
fight between the northwestern towns
and California cities.
Formed Union Association.
To Lucas was directed one of the most
peculiar orders ever recorded in the
northwest. The superior court or Spok-
ane county issued an Injunction forbid
ding Lucas 10 organize. conspire to or
ganize or TO discuss baseball within the
city of Spokane
His next organization was perfected in
1905 when he banded the Vancouver.
Everett, Wash: Bellingham Wash, and
Victoria. r. c., league. This organiza-
tion was Joined later bv Spokane. Butte,
Mont; Tacoma. Wash; Seattle and
Mr.. Lucas was not re- elected presi-
dent Of the Northwestern league at the
expiration OF the season OF 1910 and i'm
mediately began the organization of the
Union association. which has Just closed
It's second season.
McCloskey's Fine Tribute.
Special 10 The Tribune.
OGDEN. Sept, 15.--John j. McCloskey
said today:
/ have known William II. Lucas
for the past twenty-nne years, and
was Intimately associated with him
much OF this time. During all OF
this time l regarded him as abso-
iutsly the squsrest man In ba scball.
in fact his frmness was his only
fault. AS regards his ability 7 be-
lleve he was the best baseball presi-
dent in the country, barring none.
IL IL almost certain that none had a
better knowledge of baseball not only
from the standpoint OF the game IT.
self but In the business end of the
sport The announcement OF his
death brings 10 me one OF the great
est sorrows OF my life
w. II Lucas was born at Cleve-
land, Ohio. receiving his early base
ball education on the Independent
clubs of that city. I first met him
when ne was playing center field for
tho 81. Paul Rcdcaps In 1888 His
first experience In the mana geriaI side
Of baseball was gained in 1886 and
1887. when he managed the Duluth
club OF the old Northwestern league.
During the next two seasons he man
aged clubs In the old Interstate
league, Burlington, Ia. being one of the
cities in which he was located.
Managed Tacoma Club.
For a few years after leaving the
Interstate league he was not connect
cd with baseball, having associated
himself with a relative In the lumber
business In Wisconsin II was in
1891 that he first became known in
the west managing the Tacoma club
In the Pacific Northwest league He
MI trr..I h.