Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-06

Rapids Gazette, a comparative new
conner in Iowa sportsdom who wrote
his first account Of Central associa-
ton ball game in mid-season last year.
has taken exception to the story re-
Gently published concerning the deal
involving the transfer Of Bull Dur
ham from Marshailtown to lMuscatine
in the season OF 1916. Incidentally he
defends Med" Dgan as the perfect
sportsman and compares him to frank
Boyle, much to the disadvantage OF the
latter.
Az the Cedar Rapids boy was not
familiar with business affairs Of the
Central association in 1916. and more
especially matters concerning the at
fairs either Of the Marshalltown or
Muscatine clubs, his version Of the
Durham deal is purely speculative or
his alleged information came to him
from someone who processes to know.
possibly one Of the moguls Of the
Cedar Rapids club.
Gazette Version Of Sale.
According to the Gazette Boyle
found himself with four unusually good
outfielders on his hands in 1916 and it
was necessary to cut one loose. So
far the story adheres to facts. Con-
tinuing, the writer says that Boyle
would not let Murphy go. and was
obliged to keep Lee because he was
change catcher, and between LeBeau
and Durham the choice should have
been simple, as Durham was far the
better man. In his haste to get one OF
the players out Of the ball lot. accord
ing to the Gazette author, Boyle shut
his eyes and let his finger point in the
direction Of one Of the athletes, and ~
happened that his digit was directed
toward Durham. Having so decided,
Boyle sold Durham to the first man
ager who made an Offer which hap
pened to be Egan, and lived to rue the
day he made the sale. for Egan's out
field was greatly bolstered by the ac-
QUESTION Of Durham, who aided the
'1Muskies" in winning the pennant"
Purport Of Story.
Anyone knowing the facts will be in
terested in knowing the purport Of the
story, for it is strange that the Cedar
Rapids fans could have an interest in
a tale which concerns player who was
never connected with the Cedar Rapids
team and who was ne:er over-popular
with the Bunny hackers. Apparently
the story as printed in the Gazette was
inspired by the old hatred which was
engendered at the time Marshalltown
began it's fight on NJ. E. Justice as
president Of the league and terminal
ed with the defeat of Justice at Cedar
Rapids in January. 1917 This hatred.
perhaps, became more bitter when
Marshalltown opposed Belden Hills
rule or ruin policy. which resulted IN
the boiling of the Cedar Rapids meet
ing by the Cedar Rapids and Clinton
delegates when defeat was apparent
and it became evident that Mr.. Hill
would not be the compromise candi-
date. This opposition to MIR. Hill did
not arise thru any personal antaS-
onism but because of the tactics en-
ployed by the Cedar Rapids and Gin
ton delegates and because there was
no hope of uniting the opposition to
Justice on any candidate other than
John +. Ford. AS the last determined
fight to Gust Justice originated in Mar
shalltown, IT. is natural that this City
should be the target for the attack.
Gazette Guesser 6lunders.
The Gazette version of the Durham
transaction, however, is much in error.
The story has been told correctly in
this paper and Mr.. Egan would not
deny that he admitted that he pur-
chased lemon" when he parted with
one hundred iron boys for the fence
buster. AS to the wisdom of Boyle
parting with Durham when he did
there is no question, and that he put
one over" on Egan has been admitted
by several managers in the association.
Eventually Egan was compelled to turn
Durham loose, while LeBeau, who Is
not given credit with being in Dur
hams class by the Gazette writer,
proved most valuable man for Boyle
after Durham had passed into the ranks
of the "has-beens.' AS a matter OF
fact, Durham never saw the day when
he was in class with LeBeau as
fielder, and it is doubtful If in his long
career as ball player he ever came
within twenty pliers Of 14eBeau's rec
ord as baserunner established last
season. LeBeau, Of course, was no
fence buster, but in a pinch, against
all kinds Of pitching, he was a safer
man than Bull" especially in the last
two seasons Of the latters career.
Durham was doomed for the skids