“When rich villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will.” –William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing” (Scene 3, lines 112-114) GUNS OF AUTUMN, PART IIThe Richmond Saga, 2.2 Manhattan, New York September 15th, 1902 The corpse was covered with a tattered blanket. Removed with little decorum from the alleyway…
The Richmond Saga, 2.1 Near Wakefield, VirginiaSeptember 8th, 1861 In the morning light of a dew-laden clearing, barefoot boys with baggy suspenders and sun-stained cheeks emerged from the wood like acolytes to play the game of base ball. They hooted and whistled with the cardinals, darting at the crack of the worn-down ball, yarn bursting…
A note brought me there, slipped to me by a red-faced boy on my daily walk along the banks of the Mississippi. A simple note,eight words and a signature, words that could mean everything, or nothing, maybe both, scrawled in delicate cursive on a stationary note from the First St. Louis Savings and Loan. A.C….
Jericho Downing, Richmond Daily News 14 August, 1902 Insiders at Libby Hill report that Frank Selee, one of the few Managers left from the National League era, was fired by Rifles owner and tobacco magnate Michael Monroe this morning. Selee managed the Boston Beaneaters of the National League from 1890-1894. He led the Richmond Rifles…
Oilers’ RHP John Oxenden sat anxiously on his front step as he waited for his company to arrive. He tapped both of his feet on the concrete uncontrollably and his mind raced as he dared to imagine what the day had in store for him. Why did the Oilers’ GM want to meet with him? …
August 10, 1902Written By: Scoop Waltner, Doves Beat Writer In an interesting twist in an already disappointing season, Doves owner, Jack Vaughn, has been linked to organized crime boss Big Jim Colosimo. A tip was given to the Chicago Tribune that the unidentified source has seen Mr. Vaughn entering The Saratoga on numerous occasions. A…
After a hard-fought Legacy Cup with their Western League rivals, the Twin City Empire, the Brooklyn Whales have emerged from the 1902 season as Legacy Cup champions for the third consecutive year. The Legacy Cup was a nail-biter of a series full of bad blood and lingering animosity after Brooklyn played spoiler to Twin City’s…
After a horrendous 1901 season, the Brewers weren’t on anyone’s list for a postseason appearance. The team came in third with the worst franchise record, and there was a lot of work for the club leadership. Although Philadelphia bounced back successfully, the gap to the defending champions was scaringly big. New additions The Brewers fired…
In 1901, shortly after the offseason began in the LBL, Philadelphia Brewers General Manager Martin Pitsch went on a crusade to significantly improve the roster and the staff. Pitsch sacked Jeff Asher, who acted as the Scouting Director since 1895, and attempted to hire Frank Letwin. The Rifles snagged him with a $10,000 contract, but…
Libby HillRichmond, VAJuly 30th, 1901 Preston Kirby knocked softly on the door to Michael Monroe’s office, answered by a gruff and distracted “Enter.” Monroe’s gaunt clerk followed Kirby with a withering squint as the General Manager opened the oak door and proceeded into the suite of the illustrious tobacco magnate. “Ah, Mister Kirby.” Monroe sat…