Above is presented an excellent likeness of the new president of the famous St. Louis Club, Mr. Benjamin S. Muckenfuss.  Mr. Muckenfuss is German by birth, of a distinguished family and a graduate of Heidelberg, the most famous university in the world.  He is therefore in every sense of the word a gentleman and scholar.  Between Mr. Muckenfuss and Mr. Von der Ahe there exists the closest bond of sympathy and friendship.  When Mr. Muckenfuss came to this country to seek fame and fortune he fell upon evil days, but fortunately for him he found in Mr. Von der Ahe a steadfast benefactor and friend, who placed the struggling and aspiring youth upon his feet and kept him there.  In 1893, Mr. Von der Ahe gave Mr. Muckenfuss a minor position with the St. Louis Club.  A year later he appointed the young man secretary-treasurer of the corporation, and to-day he is the president of one of the famous institutions of the country.  Mr. Muckenfuss on his part has rewarded Mr. Von der Ahe's interest and friendship with unswerving loyalty and steadfast devotion, even in the darkest days of the period of adversity that has overshadowed the unfortunate St. Louis magnate of recent years.  When under the stress of the financial storm Mr. Von der Ahe's fair-weather friends fell away from him by the score Mr. Muckenfuss clung steadily to the sinking ship, until only he and the "boss president" were left to steer it into calmer waters, which they now bid fair to succeed in doing.  For the sterling quality of loyalty alone Mr. Muckenfuss deserves the consideration of the base ball public.  But apart from that he is entitled to a fair chance of success in his new field as a League magnate.  He is young (being but 35 years of age), energetic, honest, intelligent and hopeful.  He has a fine knowledge, theoretically, of the national game, and the public will watch with interest his effort to lift the St. Louis Club out of the slough of despond.  He is also fairly well versed in League politics, having represented the St. Louis Club at the Philadelphia meeting and made a very favorable impression upon the magnates.  Altogether Mr Muckenfuss has a great opportunity before him to distinguish himself in a new field, and we have not the slightest doubt, knowing the man as we do, that he will improve it to the utmost.

​-Sporting Life, February 26, 1898

President Von der Ahe's condition has aroused the sympathy of his fellow magnates of the National League and American Association, and the wires have been kept busy during the past few days for the purpose of raising a sufficient amount of money to get the St. Louis man out of his troubles at Pittsburg.  Frank De Haas Robinson, president of the Cleveland Club, was the first of the magnates to take an interest in the matter, and President Freedman, of the New Yorks, quickly fell into line.  Mr. Freedman says that the New York Club would pay its pro rata share in raising money - between $4,000 and $5,000 - towards liquidating Von der Ahe's debt.  Mr. Freedman said his club would provide its share, either in the way of a loan to the St. Louis man or would donate it outright, which ever the major league agreed upon.  It is therefore evident that, if the other ten clubs show the same willingness to assist a member in distress as the New York Club, Von der Ahe will soon be free of his Pittsburg trouble.  As we go to press we have received word that President Brush, of the Cincinnati Club, and other magnates have decided to relieve Mr. Von der Ahe from his present dilemma.  

A dispatch from St. Louis, Mo., dated Feb. 14, says: "Ex-Congressman John M. Glover appeared before the Grand Jury today as counsel for Chris Von der Ahe in the kidnapping affair of which the Baseball magnate in the spectacular victim.  Glover was loaded down with legal documents and surrounded by an air of mystery.  President Muckenfuss, of the club, did not go before the Grand Jury today, as he was arranging to telegraph money to Pittsburg to procure Von der Ahe's release.  Later in the afternoon Glover filed a claim in the Circuit Court for $50,000 damages, which he claims have been inflicted on Von der Ahe by the latter's forcible detention and abduction from the State.  The prayer for this judgment is filed as a counter claim to the suit brought by Mark Baldwin, who several weeks since instituted proceedings here on the judgment of $2,725.09 for false imprisonment previously obtained at Pittsburg.  Von der Ahe denies all the allegations in this additional suit, and bases his counter claim on an averment that Baldwin instigated the kidnapping affair.

​-New York Clipper, February 19, 1898

The hearing in the habeas corpus proceedings was held Feb. 9 by Judge Buffington, of the United States District Court.  Mr. Ferguson, Von der Ahe's attorney, showed by his client's testimony that the abduction had been forcible, and that Von der Ahe had not been permitted to see his attorney at St. Louis.  The attorney for W.A. Nimick, Von der Ahe's bondsman in the Mark Baldwin suit, cited several Supreme Court decisions to show that a bondsman has the right to go into any State and take therefrom the defendant without a requistition.  

In his decision Judge Buffington laid down the principle that a man's bondsman has absolute custody of his principal, no matter in what State he may be in, at any time or place.  When he does take him the arrest is not made by virtue of a court paper, but in the exercise of an undoubted right, based upon the relations the parties have established between themselves.  The Supreme Court of New York, in Nichols vs. Ingersoll and Johnson, 541, and the Supreme Courts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania hold that the contract between the bondsman and the principal which was enforceable in another without recourse to extradition proceedings.  The United State Supreme Court, in Taylor vs. Taintor, 10 Wallace, 371, decided on the same principle.

On the evening of Feb. 12, Von der Ahe was placed behind bars in the Allegheny County jail, to await the arrival of money to pay the Baldwin judgment.  His attorney said the judgment, costs and interest would be satisfied on Monday, but he expected to refuse to pay the bill of $917.27 for kidnapping expenses, for which Mr. Nimick contends.  Chris submitted to imprisonment with good grace and walked jauntily to his cell, after having turned over to the warden his diamonds and valuables, as required by prison rules.  It is stated that soon after being locked up Von der Ahe became sick, and a physician had to be summoned, but his illness was not serious.

Von der Ahe spent a quiet Sunday in the county jail, hearing his imprisonment with stolidity.  During the day he received several telegrams, including one from Muckenfuss, of the St. Louis Club, which stated that the funds to get him out would surely arrive in Pittsburg by Monday.  Watkins, of the Pittsburg Club, called at the jail on Sunday, but was not admitted to see Von der Ahe.  It is understood that Watkins and other Pittsburgers are prepared to put up the money in case the money does not come from St. Louis.

​-New York Clipper, February 19, 1898

Circuit Attorney Eggers has looked up the law on the matter, and to-day [February 9] declared the abduction of Chris Von der Ahe, the base ball magnate, by a Pittsburg detective a high-handed outrage.  He announced his intention of issuing warrants for every person concerned in it as soon as he can find out who personally saw Von der Ahe forcibly taken from the St. Nicholas Hotel and carried out of the State.  As soon as the warrants are made out application will be made to Governor Stephens for a requisition on the Governor of Pennsylvania for the return of the kidnappers to Missouri.

Governor Stephens, 

who is in the city, announces his intention of granting the requisition.  Governor Stephens discussed with his friends this evening the abduction of Von der Ahe.  "It is the strangest incident in my experience," he said.  "The idea that a citizen of another State can come into this State and carry away bodily a citizen of Missouri without leave or license is rather startling.  I don't care what a citizen of this State has done in another State, nobody has a right to convey him outside the territory and jurisdiction of Missouri without the consent of the Governor, and upon formal application from the Governor of the State wherein the crime was committed.

"The fact that Nimick was the bondsman of Von der Ahe gives him no authority to abduct the person for whom he became surety.  It may give him the right to apprehension.  But he has not even the right to arrest unless he has a warrant from the constituted authorities of this State.

It Was A Crime.

"Bendel, the detective who too Von der Ahe and carried him away, has certainly been guilty of a crime in the seizure of Von der Ahe's person.  A warrant can be sworn out in this city against him, and upon such warrant I would issue my requisition upon the Governor of Pennsylvania for Bendel's arrest and return to this State for trial.  A requisition, of course, is a writ of courtesy between Governors, but a refusal to honor such a writ on any other grounds than those of informality in the drawing of the papers is of rare occurrence.

No Excuses.

"No matter what the aggravating circumstances were that caused Von der Ahe's seizure, no man had a right to carry him out of this State a prisoner without the official cognizance and permission of the Governor of Missouri.  To hold otherwise, under the common or any other law, would be to throw down all the safeguards of the Federal statutes, destroy the writ of habeas corpus and made of no avail the law of criminal procedure.  Carrying away a citizen without a warrant is a serious matter.  A bailee has always the right of apprehension; he never at any moment has the right of abduction.  I don't think the Governor of Pennsylvania would refuse a requisition I might make in due form for Bendel's return to Missouri to answer a charge of violating the laws of the State."

The statues of Missouri provide a term of imprisonment in the penitentiary not to exceed ten years as a punishment for abduction.  

Muckenfuss To The Rescue.

President Muckenfuss, of the St. Louis Club, telegraphed a wad of money to Von der Ahe to-day.  He expects Chris to return by Saturday, being confident that the habeas corpus proceedings at Pittsburg will result in the magnate's release.  Muckenfuss had an engagement to confer with Governor Stephens concerning action in the case to-day.

To add to Von der Ahe's troubles his wife this afternoon filed a cross bill in the divorce suit which he recently instituted.  She charges that he called her names, struck her, spied on her compelled her to do housework, and finally refused to give money to her.

​-Sporting Life, February 12, 1898 

Chris. Von der Ahe was allowed $150 by Judge Spencer Saturday morning for his services as trustee of the St. Louis Club.  This was all that Chris. gets out of the wreck of his once profitable base ball property.  Before Von der Ahe's claim was allowed he made a hot fight through his attorney, William Kinnerk, against the acceptance and final approval of Receiver Muckenfuss' report.  Judge Spencer in conclusion spoke sharply for the first time during the entire litigation to Mr. Von der Ahe's attorney, stating that his objections had no weight.  The receiver's report was approved and the Court ordered his discharge.  Muckenfuss was allowed the sum of $1404.83 in addition to what he has heretofore been paid for his services as receiver.

-Sporting Life, April 8, 1899

When the League met late in the day…St. Louis had no delegate and no proxy, and here is where another piece of political strategy came into play. Mr. Muckenfuss was absent but Mr. Becker was in attendance. The latter, however, did not enter the meeting, as he claimed he had no right to do so, not being an officer of the club, although it subsequently developed that he might have entered had he been disposed to do so by virtue of authority delegated by Muckenfuss. In the position assumed by Mr. Becker, St. Louis was left without anyone to offer resignation, as had been the supposed programme and this apparently made expulsion necessary, if the St. Louis muddle were to be settled then and there.

The debate upon Mr. Hart’s motion to expel the St. Louis Base Ball Association, in accordance with the recommendation of the directors, and to admit the new American Base Ball and Athletic Exhibition Company was long and bitter and a show of hands proved Colonel Rogers to be left alone to bear the burden of argument, cajolery and denunciation. Mr. Hart, in support of his motion, stated that the expulsion of the St. Louis Club was only a matter of justice to the League and to its law abiding members and that it was also essential to the successful and satisfactory settlement of the St. Louis question. He furthermore now favored such a course because the situation no longer invited judicial interference. Mr. Brush took the ground that the move was the safest for the League and the best for those who proposed to operate base ball in St. Louis, who would thus be protected against unfair harassment for debts contracted in other ventures by Mr. Von der Ahe. Mr. Robison also made the same plea and stated that Mr. Becker agreed with him in this view.Mr. Becker was called before the meeting and stated that he was decidedly in favor of the step, he having made a satisfactory arrangement with Mr. Robison regarding the new club and the disposition of the Cleveland team. All of the other delegates expressed similar views except Colonel Rodgers…

Finally, however, partly from exhaustion and partly in compliance with the pleas of Soden and Young, (Rodgers) yielded and consented to make the vote for expulsion unanimous…This done, the old St. Louis Club was expelled and the new club admitted by unanimous vote, after a long and exhausting session.

-From Sporting Life, April 1, 1899

President Von der Ahe, of the St. Louis Base Ball Club, last week elected his Board of Directors. Of course, the stock holders went through the form of an election, but as Mr. Chris Von der Ahe owns about seven-eighths of the stock the election was merely a matter of courtesy. Anyhow the following directors were elected for the ensuing year or rather as long as they do what is right with the great base ball interests of Mr. Von der Ahe: Chris Von der Ahe, J.W. Peckington, Charles Higgins, Benjamin Steward Muckenfuss and Edward Becker...

Next week a meeting will be held and a statement will be made regarding the business done during last year in horse racing and base ball. It is stated that the Browns cleared $12,000 on the season.

Von der Ahe acknowledges that there was only one year in all his experience as a magnate in which he lost money on base ball. That was during the Brotherhood year. And in the future he promises to stick entirely to base ball and become a pillar in the church. This change in Chris' temperament is accounted for by an interview which appeared in the "Republic" the other day, in which a director of the St. Louis Club says:

"We buried about $40,000 in the chutes, which, all stories to the contrary, paid us about 25 per cent on the investment. That leaves us still $30,000 in the hole on the chute question. Then we paid Fred Foster $42,000 for his interest in that track and we lost some money running races in opposition to the other tracks. Oh, we had a mazy time of it when we went against the racing game. I think that we will make money out of the chutes, and we have it fixed so that we will not lose another cent on the race track, so I think we have gotten over our worst days."

It is hoped that this is true and that the St. Louis Club will use some of its profits in the future purchasing new players.

-Sporting Life, January 23, 1897

As The Sporting News goes to press, the stockholders of Sportsman's Park and Club are holding their annual meeting for the election of five directors, puruant to a warrant issued by Justice of the Peace Henry S. Harmon, at the request of E.C. Becker and B.S. Muckenfuss, two of the stockholders. The majority of the stock is held and will be voted by Mr. E.C. Becker, who acquired it from Chris Von der Ahe to secure advances. Neither Chris or any of his retainers will be elected to the Board and thus Von der Ahe will be without any claim to recognition from the League, should he attempt to represent the local club at the meeting. 

-Sporting Life, February 25, 1899

The Major League magnates have arrived (in Baltimore) and will begin their spring session at the Hotel Rennert at noon to-day. Rumors of a sensational order are flying thick and fast. They involve the transfer of the Cleveland Club to St. Louis and the location of the Browns in that city...Von der Ahe, who arrived this morning, is accompanied by Mr. E.C. Becker, a St. Louis capitalist, who is regarded as Chris' "Angel." It is said that he has already secured 25 per cent of the Browns' stock and is here to protect his holdings in case Robison makes a deal for the Browns. 

St. Louis is expected to cut a big figure at the League meeting. Not because Von der Ahe carries any influence or that he is apt to offer large sums of money for franchises and blocks of players but because the other owners are expected to help him out by giving him some of their surplus material and in this way strengthen the otherwise weak Browns. The great national sport was never in better repute than it is to-day. This healthful state of affairs is noticeable in every city in the country holding league membership excepting St. Louis. That city is rapidly on the wane as regards base ball. In the old days Comiskey's champions were world-beaters, now (the Browns) as at present constituted have little or no chance of finishing in better than last place. Something may drop at Baltimore and it may be that Chris will cause the dull sickening thud.


-Sporting News, February 27, 1897

Late Wednesday afternoon Sportsman's Park and Club filed a chattel deed of trust securing liabilities in excess of $108,000. Chris Von der Ahe is named as trustee. He is also a preferred creditor in the aggregate of $91,000. Thirty other creditors are named with claims ranging from $100 to $3,075. The largest sum is due to the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.

The Union Bank of St. Paul has a claim for $1,751.46 and the Northwestern Savings Bank a claim for $100. David Nicholson is a creditor to the amount of [unreadable] and the Laclede Gas Light Company to the extent of $800. The other claims aggregate about $10,050, making the outside indebtedness about $17,000.

The alleged indebtedness to Chris comprises 32 notes of $1,500 each and 20 notes of $1,000 each. One big note of $13,935.72, another of $12,000 and one for $3,950 were executed Wednesday, all three being for a period of six months. The other indebtedness to Chris comprises over 30 counts, running from $50 up...

Von der Ahe is authorized to take charge of the assets, which consist of the entire Sportsman's Park outfit, and sell the property at private sale, in six months. Such assets as remain unsold at the end of six months are to be sold at public sale at the east front door of the Courthouse. He is also directed to keep the property insured for $31,800. 

Duly recorded mortgages and judgments against Sportsman's Park and Club are not affected by the deed. Neither are the bonds to the amount of $20,000 guaranteed, by the St. Louis Trust Company. Mr. Becker, it is understood, has as security for his loan a large block of stock enough it is said to give him the controlling interest in the club. He waived protest on the 12th..., on Chris' promise to take up the note for $12,000 up on Saturday, June 15. The deed of trust puts Mr. Becker's security in danger, as the stock will be worthless if Von der Ahe's preferred claims are paid.

While Von der Ahe held the office of president of the corporation, Sportsman's Park and Club could not assign to him and give his claims preference. In order to do this in uniformity to the law, he as the principal stockholder elected B.S. Muckenfuss president and J.W. Peckington secretary and they turned the trick.

The effort to bar out other creditors will be fought bitterly in the courts, and in the opinion of these familiar with Chris' mental abilities, the deposed boss will not be able to stand the ordeal of cross-examination and the chances are that the conspiracy against his creditors will fail in its purpose...

(Muckenfuss stated that) "Mr. Von der Ahe is not at all concerned about what he owes personally, as he is to all intents and purposes insolvent. His real estate is mortgaged to such an extent that his creditors can't realize a dollar on judgments and his personal property is pledged to its full value. What he wants to do is to save something from his base ball interests and his lawyer is hard at work on a scheme with this in view. Then again he is desirous of defeating his wife in an effort to secure alimony. In other words, he don't intend to sell his club or anything he has unless he finds a way to avoid the payment of his debts."

This movement on the part of Von der Ahe confirms the opinion of Mr. John T. Brush that the affairs of Sportsman's Park are in such a rotten condition that it is impossible to give a clear title to its holdings...

The total liabilities (of the club) including the $20,000 issue of bonds and the Becker note for $12,000, as set forth in the Muckenfuss statement amounted to $58,717.54. The debts of the corporation according to the deed of trust aggregate $127,000...

Chris' claims were never referred to and considerable surprise was caused by the announcement that he was creditor of the club to such a large amount as $91,000. The efforts of the other creditors will be directed, so it is said, to establishing in court that his claims...should not be allowed. From the manner and method of the assignment some are of the opinion that Von der Ahe executed a flank movement on his creditors. Others declare that he had gained nothing but time and to do this has had to confess he is hopelessly bankrupt.

The assignment settles one question. The St. Louis Browns will soon pass from Chris' control. Without cash or credit, he can never as magnate or trustee put the team in the field. All his transactions from now on with the railroads and all other parties must be on a cash basis and he is without means...

The troubles of Von der Ahe were not ended when he covered his club with a blanket trust deed. The matured bonds of the club for $20,000, guaranteed by the St. Louis Trust Company, must be paid and the Becker note for $12,000 can not be extended. Other creditors are not idle. Sheriff Henry Troll has levied upon whatever interest the Sportsman's Park and Club has in the following property:

"A lot of ground situated in city block 9,386 beginning at a point in the northwest corner of Grand and St. Louis avenues and extending along Grand avenue...Also, a certain leasehold given and granted by one Jemima Lindell to the said Sportsman's Park and Club on April 1, 1892 for a period of 15 years and six months from said date on (a piece of property on Natural Bridge road)...

Sportsman's Park and Club does not own any of the above described real estate. It only has a lease-hold interest in it.

This levy was made Wednesday by virtue and authority of an execution issued by the Circuit Court...On the strength of this execution the Sheriff announces that he will sell all the right, title, claim, interest, estate and property of the Sportsman's Park and Club to the above described property at the Courthouse February 5.


-The Sporting News, January 15, 1898

Von der Ahe elected himself president of the Sportsman's Park and Club last Thursday afternoon, and also selected a Board of Directors to his liking.  Under a decree of the Courts a meeting of stockholders was held for the purpose of electing officers.  Chris and his friends were there in force, and when the meeting organized Chris was elected chariman and appointed tellers.  He presented 1678 shares of stock, which with others he controlled made 1716.  

Muckenfuss protested that Chris had no right to vote the stock as he had sold it to Becker, and Becker had a certificate of sale.  "He can't show the sale on the books," Chris retorted - Chris has the books.  Becker tried to vote on the certificate, but was ruled out by the tellers, and therefore Chris is triumphant.

Receiver Muckenfuss was not present when the meeting was called to order, but when he arrived raised a protest against voting 1678 shares of stock which he said were owned by Edward Becker.  The matter will be taken to the Courts for final settlement.  Chris will attend the League meeting or, if his health does not permit, he will send a representative.  Becker is undecided whether to go.  Muckenfuss says he will not attend.

-Sporting Life, March 4, 1899

The situation in St. Louis remains unchanged, except that during the past week Receiver Muckenfuss took steps to repair a serious oversight.  When he was deposed - illegally, he claims - by Mr. Von der Ahe from the Sportsman's Park and Club presidency, he neglected to call a meeting of the stockholders, in order to secure a legal president for the bankrupt club.  This has been done now, with a view to supplanting Mr. Von der Ahe entirely and leaving him no chance to come in officially at any stage of the final settlement, both with creditors and National League.  The controversy over the title to League membership of the corporation which is to be disposed of at public sale March 17, by order of the court, still rages, not only in St. Louis, but to some extent all over the circuit.  Varying opinions have been given, colored, of course, to suit the purposes and plans, hopes and fears of the various deliverers.

-Sporting Life, February 25, 1899

Mr. Von der Ahe's latest retaliatory move against Receiver Muckenfuss has been the bringing of a suit against Muckenfuss in Justice Harmon's court for the possession of the residence at 3613 St. Louis ave., and for $150, alleged due on a note.  This may cause both the parties interested more or less trouble.  The note is dated October 21, 1898, signed by B.S. Muckenfuss, who promises to pay Moffitt & Franciscus $150 for five months' rent on the property at 3613 St. Louis avenue.  Both Von der Ahe and Muckenfuss are making admissions that may cause them some trouble in court.  Muckenfuss said that he gave Von der Ahe the bar and lunch privileges at Sportsman's Park, despite the fact that the Court gave him orders to get $100 a month for the same.  When he goes to make his report to the Court as receiver he may be called upon to explain his action in disobeying the Court's orders.

"Muck's" Tale Of Woe.

Receiver Muckenfuss said in reference to the suit: "Mr. Von der Ahe owes me a year's back salary for attending to his personal affairs.  He told me and my wife last fall that we could continue to occupy the house without paying any rent until he settled with me.  At the time I appreciated the favor, and in return gave him the use of the bar and restaurant at Sportsman's Park without charging him one penny's rental, when the Court had instructed me to collect $100 a month for the use of the same.  Besides I hired his father-in-law as night watchman, giving him $50 a month out of my own pocket.  His lack of appreciation of the favors extended to him by me is a big disappointment to me."

Were Friends Once.

These admissions show that, although Chris and Muck have been fighting themselves in the Court and before the National League, a strong personal feeling has always existed between the two.

-Sporting Life, January 28, 1899