Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-15

Chicago, Apr. 14-Adrian c. An
son. old time baseball player, known
to millions of fans as Pop" Arson,
died today.
Mr.. Arson was stricken while out
walking last Sunday and was rushed
to a hospital where he was operated
on for glandular trouble. For a day
or two his condition was critical, but
then he rallied and it was thought
he was out of danger. To-day, how
ever, he suffered a relapse.
Mr.. Arson was more than 20 years
old. but despite his age was active in
outdoor life up to few days before
his death, only recently becoming
manager Of a new golf club. While
much Of his life was spent on the
baseball diamond his first games be-
ing PLAYED when he was still in his
teens. in recent years he had become
great devotce of golf. He seldom
missed a day ut golf during the sum-
NOR months, being known to thou
sands of public links golfers who
knew him simply as "Old Man An
SON. without realizing that he was
one of the first base ball players in
the professional game, and that he
was, an international character.
A beautifully built man in his
palmyf days as an athlete, Mr.. An
son had become exceptionally heavy
in his old age. and was easily lecog
nizahle far across the links because
of his bulk,
He was known through his life as
an advocate of clean sports and
man who had done much to build up
baseball and keep it on a high plane.
Kcnesaw NJ. lands, baseball com
missioner was deeply shocked when
informed by the Associated Press of
the death of Pop" Arson.
'Not Pop Arson? You don't mean
my old pal Pop is dead?' he ex-
claimed.
When assured that it was Pop"
Arson, the baseball commissioner
said;
"Oh, I Just can't say anything He
was such wonderful fellow, and to
think that he's dead
Adrian Constantine Arson occupied
a unique position in the history of
American baseball. His diamond
| career began with the period which
marked the birth of the professional
PLAYER and closed after the profess
! sional league and game was firmly
established as an American institu
! ton To the present day fan he was
! Pop Arson. q player Of the past,
| surrounded with n maze Of legendary
| base ball deeds and records. To those
| Of his generation he was Captain An
! son, the greatest PLAYER of them all:
| the forerunner and peer of Dan
| Brouthers. Roger Conner, Pat Te-
| beau, Jegs DOnahuo, Dan McGann
| Frank Chance. Hal Chase. Jake Dau-
bert and others who have made base
| ball history at first base.
In theemhryonic days Of the game,
| during the late sixties, when base
hall was emerging fro mthe stage of
"roundcrs' to the fuller development
of scientific contest, Arson made
| his appearance as player while still
in his teens at Marshalltown. Iowa.
Tall. lanky and lacking the physical
Development of later years he stood
out as a player of unusual calibre in
the town teams Of that period, being
known as the "Marshalltown Infant"
His fame as a batter and fielder
spread rapidly. In 1871 Arson was
playing third base for the Forest
Citys of Rockford, ILL.,, the team made
famous by the pitching of A. G..
Spaulding a few years previous. The
leading clubs of those DAYS occupied
the same position of the higher class
semi professional teams of the pres
ent. Expenses. lucrative positions
and portions Of the gate receipts
found their way to the players. 1t
sional ball which Arson took with his
team mates late in 1871 when the
National association Of Professional
Players was founded. Two years la
ter he Joined the Athletics of Phila-
delphia and in 1875 Arson signed with
the Chicago club Of the newly formed
National League of Professional
Baseball clubs. With the birth of the
National League Arson rose TO base
ball playing heights seldom reached
by players of the past or present.
Under his managerial guidance
the Chicago club won pennants in
1sS0-1-2 and again in 1856. From
1875 to 1897, with the exception Of
two years, Arson batted over 800.