The Washington times., 1920-07-11

at the struggles of the poor old mar
Having due regard for the verltles'
your reporter went hunting down
these varied rumors. First he went
to Clark c. Griffith, president and
manager of the Washington baseball
club.
DO you know one oliver Chill9"
the reporter asked.
NO; don't want to know him.
Never heard OF him. and II | did,
never heard anything good about
him." was the reply.
Did you ever hear that he was
robber a thief and a regular rascal?'
'You bet | did" came the fiery re-
sponse Hes the worst blankety-
blank thief in the game. He'd take
pennies from a dead mans eyes. He'd
rob a poor box. He'd
VERIFIEs THE RUMOR.
Then it is true that this rumor has
come to your ears?"
There's no rumor about 1t. It's
the truth. He's a thief. a burglar. a
murderer and ought to be lynched."
Then your reporter went to George
Mcbride. field leader of the Washing
ton club. The same question was put
to him.
"Yes. | heard that story. remark
ed George. Il first heard it some
five years ago, but | didn't believe
IL then. But today, after looking
at the villain in action. l know that
story was true. IL you saw what
he did today. you'll have to agree
with me, that's all Chill is a robber.
He is a thief. He would take delight
In hamstringing an infant. He'd
Then your reporter went to Stanley
Harris, who Is professional base
ball player. now connected with the
rl nh nf %
American league, putting to him the
same question as to the character of
one oliver Chill.
SAYS THE SAME THING.
"Yes. you're right" said Harris.
"He's the worst thief in the history
of baseball He stole that first game
away from US and did his best to
choke us of in the second. Did you
ever see such rotten umpiring l wish
somebory would bring a shotgun to
the park today and let him have both
barrels. He ought to be burned at
the stake, that's what ought to be
done with him"
Leaving the members Of the Wash
ington club, your reporter went into
the stand and conferred with an old
man in the upper tier. The same
question was asked
"If / had a son who would do what
that thief Chill has done today said
the ancient baseball fan, I'D disown
him. I'd cut him of in my will"
Then your reporter spoke with
doughboy, asking the same question.
THAT blankety- blank. blank. blank
robber: he ought to be killed. If had
quart bottle Id like nothing better
than to climb down there and bust
him with it."replied the doughboy.
RUMOR TRAVELS FAST.
Entering the pest box. your re-
porter asked the various gentlemen
there as to the rumors running
around the park. The scribes seemed
rather cynical. but agreed that they
had heard such rumors.
"He may be all they say about him"
replied George Moreland. who origi-
mated the game. but back in 80 there
was a worse thief than he is. That
was in the old Oil City League. His
name was Steinhauser or Steufenfelt
or some name like that. He was the
worst robcr who ever called them be-
hind the bat. One day
"But how about this Chill person."
your reporter querird.
We'll. admitting he's a thief and
robber and probably double-dyed
murderer, I've seen worse" came the
veterans reply. For instance. in 20,
in the old Three Corners League, in
southern Ohio"
HENDLEY BELIEVES TT.
Then your reporter ran up against
Gene Hendley. rooter, who grows
red in the face when the home team
Is scoring and white as fresh, un-
laundered collar when the enemy is
doing that thing. The same question
was asked.
Did you ever see such a thief in
"He would steal wounded soldiers
insurance. He would burn down an
orphan asylum. He would drown all
the inmates OF an old mans home. I'd
like to put bullet right through
that bone head of his"
So there you are. And all these
rumors started from what one oliver
Chill, a half-pint sort o. person. did
at Georgia avenue yesterday He just
about ruined Bill Snyder's effort to
remain an unbeaten finger. He came
close to upsetting the best efforts of
the Griffs behind J. Grunting Shaw.
As a result of his various crimes. n
non bottle was hurled in his direction.
and. when the second game ended, a
bike cop with funny, puggy legs and
Hon. James ODea, ma jordomo at the
park, fell in on each side. escorted by
several ball players and saved that
robber. thief and general miscreant
from the angry vengeance OF 10000
fans, who had heard the rumors and
believed in them.
CHILL BEGINS HIS WORK.
Chill began his work in the fourth
inning OF the opening game when Bill
Snyder was leading, 2 to o, and doing
n mans work out there on the hill.
He called Bill Wamby safe at second
when everybody in the park saw
Frank Ellerbe, in mastery fashion,