The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-07
Won DER AHE DEAD,
UNIQUE MAGNA1E
MOST PICTURESQUE FIGURE Ev,
Err CONNECTED WITH GAME
FORMERLY OWNED BROWNS.

ST. LOUIS. MO, June Chris
Won der Abe, owner of the old st.
Louis champion baseball team OF
1858, and years ago one OF the best
known baseball magnates in the coun-
try. died at his home here late yes
terday afternoon.
Won der Abe had been seriously i'll
for two months. Death was caused
by cirrhosis of the liver and dropsy.
He was sixty-one years old. was born
in Germany and came to this country
In 1870. The eccentric German sprang
into fame in 1881, when he bought a
majority of the stock in the st. Louis
Baseball association for $500. In the
following year he made 100000 or
the investment.
When the st. Louis club Joined the
old American association Won der
Ahe's Browns became the famous
four-time winner Of 1857 and 3.
His luck lasted for eight years. his
last winning club being that OF 1891,
which finished second in the American
association. In 1892 he entered the
twelve-club National league, but his
teams invariably finished last or next
to last until 1899, when Sportman,s
park and club were sold to satisfy
tors.
Last Days in Poverty.
The last few years have been lean
ones for the once wealthy baseball
magnate. A little saloon he maintain
ed hardly brought in enough to keep
him. Old-time baseball friends con-
tributed regularly to his living.
Won der Abe was one of the most
picturesque figures ever connected
with the national game. He was
type of nagnate by whom money was
made to be spent. and Chris, accord
ing to all accounts. made some high
water marks for getting rid of his
money quickly and joyously.
In the days of the old American as
ISOLATION Won der Abe was probably
the most prosperous of all the mag
mates. As the owner of the st. Louis
Browns he managed to get together
great collection OF ball players. which
included such stars as Bushong, Car
Gleason. Arlie Latham. Dave Foutz.
Tip O'Neill and others.
The team won four remnants for ST.
Louis, and in those days Won der Abe
was in clover financially. The old
Athletics of Philadelphia, then man
aged by the late Billy Sharsig. knock
ed the Browns out of pennant in
1881 In one Of the most sensational
fishes on record.
One of the decisive games was play
ed on a Sunday in st. Louis, The re-
ceipts for those days were enormous.
both for attendance and for refresh
ments. which included the famous st.
Louis product-beer.
Won der Abe didn't know much
about baseball. II was his luck to
secure such a manager as Comiskey,
and for years fortune smiled upon the
magnate.
Discharged All His Men.
Numerous tales are told by old
timers like Arle Latham and Tim
Hurst of the rawlings of Won der Abe
after a defeat. He has been known to
discharge every player on his team af-
ter losing a game. On the other hand.
nothing was too good for his players
after a victory.
Tickle fortune finally turned on Won
der Abe and his descent down the fl
nancial ladder was rapid. He got
into one complication after another
and finally lost his franchise. Then
he embarked In the saloon business
in St Louis. This venture prospered
only for time and soon Der Poss
PRESIDENT" was again on the rocks.