Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-05
The WheelIHE Gymnasium

Beyond DOUBT one OF the most useful
missionaries that ever visited Wheeling
vas Sam Scranton, the pugiIist, or Young
Sam Scranton as he delighted to announce
htmselfin the papers. 1t is high praise to
Young Sam TO say that he was one of the
most useful men that ever visited this city
because he was an unwitting agent OF use
fulness. Boxing was his profession, not
usefulness, per Sc. Sam probably wouldn't
be useful .'if he knew it" He was, how
ever, as We shall proceed to show.
He came here and started boxing
school, around in the old AEguJ sauctum,
on Main street. He had fifteen or twenty
scholars, and he amused them and they
him, by an hours mutual cutting apiece per
day. To learn to cuff was not the primary
object of Sans. scholars. They were
better class of men than that. They want
ed e1ercise--physical deVeIopment-some
German Turnerism. So when they learn.
ed all that Sam had to teach in the way of
''sIAshiug straight from the shoulder" aud
that wasn't much. permit US to say, they
began TO cast about for further develOpe.
ment -deVelopement for their legs as we'll
as their arms-in fact for the whole body
and incidentally for their minds And
thus The idea of the Wheeling Gymnasium
was started
Tall oaks from little acOrns grow. Very
little results commence oftentimes quite low
down. The Gymnastic Association was a
very puny little affair to commence with.
Its all was cash capital, paid in. of posi-
bly, IA hundred and fifty dollars-euough to
buy few dumb bells, three OF four pair OF
war clnbs, TWO sets Of bO1iug-glOves, two
cr three e-pulleys and ladder or two,
not forgetting the sPring-board This Was
the bill-of-fare for good while-as long
as the Association kept the Turner'S Hall,
on Main street. OF course it didn't draw
very we'll. The members made a duty of
Attending-that is, those who did attend.
The enterprise rather languished; uudoubt-
edly it would have died had it NOT been for
change of place and fare. a few ener.
getic men like Messrs George X. Wheat
Chas. Marshall, John f. Wilson and 9th.
ers. took hold of its waning fortunes and
raised the seige. The present room, on
the second story of Paxtou's Row, Market
street, was procured and fitted up with
all the old fixtures, to which was added
Two ten-pin alleys-a startling innovation,
but most successful stroke. The thing
took new lease of life. The alleys drew
like play, ten cents and all as was the ex-
peusiye price At first. The membership en-
lArged daily at five dollars head and per-
quisites. The revenue overlooked the cof-
fers, and the price was reduced oue-half.
This stin further POPulArized the gymnas-
ium, and another alley had to be added,
and still further reduction in the price
of rolling Was made, the revenue at txo-
and-a-half cents being found ample for all
expenses.
But the enterprise of the Association did
not stop With this successful hit. They
cast about for more varieties. The idea Of
billiards was preached. By and by i.
took, and overtures were made to the old
Billiard Association that for a long time
had had a room up on Monroe street, to
cast IN its lot with the Gymnasium and all
have one purse. Aud so they did, and the
two tables which they owned were handed
over to the Gymnasium-the agreement
being that stockholders in the old Billiard
Association should become stockholders in
the Gymnasium. To the tables obtained
in this way, have been added two more
splendid oues-Phelans best marble tops.
OF course, with these very great addi-
tions TO their original stock of fixtures, the
Gymnasium Association have had to en-.
large their room. They have now two
roOmss occupying the whole second story.
both well fitted up, the billiard room ele-
gantly so. Both are well lighted, provid
ed with water and every other convert
ence. The discipline is excellent, too
No one can mOnopoIize the benefits and
enIoyments of the tables. You 90 in and
write your name on the blackboard, wait
your turn for a chance, and when you get
it, you play one game and then giTe up
the cue, AFTER paying Eve cents for your
fun, to some one else. You eau register
your name Immediately again, and in a
few moments have chance At another ta-
BILE, aud SO on during the whole evening, If
you are fond of the game.
Nothing can be Pleasanter, when in need
of recreation for alfred mind, than to go
to the bowling room of the Gymnasium
and roll awhile with good company, aud
then go in and take hand ON the tables,
Orat any of the other branches of exercise
and amusement that are provided. From
morning until night there are always per-
sons going through the manual. You eau
always find company. especially after
night. The ladies go in day time, to the
bowling alleys, aud visit in day time has
therefore peculiar advantages. OF eoprse