Saturday, September 27, 2008

Wild Rumors About A St. Louis Brotherhood Team And A New Ballpark

It is reported (in St. Louis) tonight that a big exchange of stock between Will Johnson, the local street railway magnate, and Chris Von der Ahe, President of the St. Louis Base-Ball Club, has been made, Mr. Von der Ahe becoming interested in Mr. Johnson's railway properties and Mr. Johnson securing a large holding in the St. Louis Base-Ball Club franchise. It was stated that the recent increase of the capital stock of the St. Louis club from $5,000 to $50,000 was closely identified with this transaction, that the lease on Sportsman's Park will soon be given up, a new park established on the line of Mr. Johnson's street railway in South St. Louis, probably the present Brotherhood Park property being secured, and the future home of the St. Louis Browns being located there.

It is also stated that certain parties identified with the St. Louis brotherhood movement and who have for some time been antagonistic to Mr. Von der Ahe have been placated and no more opposition will come from that source. The general interpretation put upon the new situation by the few who know of it is that Will Johnson, a strong brotherhood advocate, has about succeeded in arranging a peace with the brotherhood and Von der Ahhe and for the early transfer of a club to this city, probably from Cleveland, Buffalo, or Pittsburg, and its consolidation with the present Browns, the two making one of the strongest organizations in the country.
-The Chicago Daily Tribune, May 16, 1890


Base ball circles are agitated over a report that has gained currency apparently on good authority, which would indicate that there is a prospect for peace between the Browns and brotherhood. The story is to the effect that a big exchange of stock between Will Johnson, the local street railway magnate, and Chris Von der Ahe, president of the St. Louis Base Ball Club, had been made. Mr. Von der Ahe becoming interested in Mr. Johnson's railway properties, and Mr. Johnson securing a large holding in the St. Louis Base Ball Club franchise.

The significance lies in the fact that Johnson is heavily interested in the brotherhood project here and the park of the brotherhood is on his line of railroad. It was stated that the recent increase of the capital stock of the St. Louis club from $5,000 to $50,000 was closely identified with this transaction, and that the lease on Sportsman's Park will soon be given up and a new park established on the line of Mr. Johnson's street railway in South St. Louis, probably the present Brotherhood Park property being secured.

Both Mr. Von der Ahe and Mr. Johnson are out of the city, and positive confirmation cannot be obtained, but others interested say there is good authority for the story.
-The Boston Daily Globe, May 17, 1890

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