Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-11
CUBS HAVE HELD
PROM|NENTPLACE
Recent Deal Marks Epoch in History
of Most Famous Club i'm
League Baseball.

New York, Jan. 1.-THE change in
ownership of the Chicago National
league baseball club which will be COM
pleted on Jan. 20 when Charles W.
Weeghman and his associates pay to
Charles P Taft 100000, balance due
on the half million transaction, marks
an epoch in the history of one of the
famous clubs of professional baseball.
Since the Chicago club was organized
in 1876 it has always held prominent
place in the professional game. Dur
ing its existence of 40 years many
championship pennants have been
nailed to its fagpole. Probably no
other club in the senior major league
: has been so fortunate financially, as
money or the lack of it has never trou
bled the Chicago management. At all
times the owners of this organization
have endeavored to secure the services
I Of great players regardless Of cost as
/ the roster shows and this has been one
! of the strongest factors in the clubs
success In 40 years only six men have
held the majority stock in the club, the
recent deal having transferred control
into the hands of Charles W. Weigh
man, so that owners of the team have
! been few. William A. Hubert and the
late Albert G. Spalding organized the
team in 1876. Later James A. Hart
purchased a controlling interest from
Spalding and held it for IA years. Then,
in 1905, came Charles W. Murphy from
Cincinnati with $125,000 and in buying
/ out Harris interest the club passed in
to the joint possession Of Murphy and
/ Charles P Taft, Frank Chance was
made manager in 1906. During the
ensuing five years Chicago gathered
| together the greatest team it ever had,
winning four pennants and two worlds
series.
! Chance resigned in 1912, but after
an experience of nearly two seasons
with the New York Americans the CAL
/ ifornian, who was regarded as one of
! the greatest leaders in the national
game, quit major league baseball and
returned to his orange groves at Glen
dora. Cal. Johnny Evers succeeded
| Chance in Chicago as manager, but
/ after a wrangle with Murphy was trad
I ed to Boston. Then Hank O'Day, the
/ veteran umpire, became the Cubs pilot,
/ but after single seasons handling of
7 the steering wheel was deposed and
/ Roger Bresnahan was placed in charge,
to be followed, in all probability, by
Joe Tinker next season.
/ In point of continuous service, how
ever, Captain Adrian C. Arson holds
| the Chicago record as manager An
son was appointed in 1877 and held
! the position until 1897, during which
( term the club won five pennants. An
! sons last championship victory oc-
Cured in 1886 and it was not until
! 1906, 20 years later. that the pennant
visited Chicago again through the eff
forts Of Frank Chance
| Arson was succeeded as manager by
/ Thomas f. Burns in 1897 and two
! years later Thomas j. LOTUS took I'D
/ the managerial reins and held them
! for similar period. The late Frank
/ Selee took the team IN hand in 1902
and they finished at the top of the sec
/ ond division that season. In the three
/ following years under Selee's manage
+ ment the Cubs finished, third. second
and third in the pennant races, and
then Chance stepped in to bring them
to the front in 1906.