The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-03-25
THEGAME OF BILLIARDS,

| THE GAME OF BILLIARDS.
I The Cavaliers who settled Virginia, and
the Hollanders who were the early inhabi
tants Of Manhattan island 1.-THE pfogenitors
of the Knickerbocker stoek) were the frs
to introduce the game Of billiards into this
country; and subsequently the Huguenots
who settled in South Carolina, and the
Spanish under De Soto who settled q
tSt. Augustine, Florida.
The game, as then introdu ced, differed {
little from tue primitive game of ancient
times. The subsequent improvements
made at long intervals, were simply greater
care and finish used il manufacturing thu
tables, the domestic article being rude il
construction, with timber beds and stuffed
cushions, the cue used being taperins
stick without any leather tip. It vas moi
until the spring Of 1923 that one Monsieur
Mingaud, professional billiard player o
Paris, invented the leather tip. and ever
then no theoretical deduction suggested tt
him the wonderful phenomena that wouIG
result from the apparently unimportant
change. but heis entitled TO credit for the
boldness with which he pursued his chance
discovery to its legitimate conclusion, II
the fall Of the same year the tips were i'm
ported into this country, Mr.. Otis Field, {
we'll known and esteemed citizens of New
York being the first to apply and use them
In 1924 James Watson Webb, then Q lieu
tenant in the United States navy, introduc
ed them in Detroit, Michigan, creating
quite CONSERVATION there amongst pro
fessional players by his dexterous play Will
q 1eather.tipped cue. During the yea
above mentioned, the first regular billiard
saloon was opened in the American Muse
um building, the site of the Herald new
marble edifce, by Bassford and Field iOtis
Field) This saloon contained seven Ia
bles aud all the new'improvements, among
which was new spriug cushion for tht
tables, invented and applied by Mr.. Bass
ford. This was said to be the largest ane
best fitted up saloon in the world at thai
time From that period until 1854, al
though billiards became popular game il
this metropolis and in every. town, villiagt
and hamletin the country, but few improve
ments were made in the manufacture of ia
bles. In 1854, Michael Phelan invented
and patented new cushion, which. from
its scientific and elastic qualities, became
a complete success. That gentleman ther
opened d saloon in Chamber street. next t.
Burton's Theatre, since destroyed by fire
From this time Phelan's improved cushion
came into general use, most of the billiard
rooms adopting them; later improvement
by Messrs. Kayanagh and Decker, however
seems now to be taking the place Of Phe
Hams in number of the largest saloons
I In consequence of these many improve
ments, the game of billiards, which some
years since was regarded only an agreeable
Epastime, has gradually risen to the dignit,
of an art, and that art is now reduced to |
THE PLAYERS.
! It has been remarked, that at various pc
lriods in Europe, Emperors, Kings, Queens
Princes, courtiers and men and women o
the highest literary distinction, were com
petitors in the game. In the United
States, beginning with and just preceding
the Revolutionary War, we find that thu
most distinguished military generals wer.
patrons of the game. The Father of hi;
country, the illustrious Washington, Will,
the cares Of o new born nation rested upor
| him, was accustomed to refresh his mind
! weary from the tolls of his exalted station
with the fascinating enjoymeuts Of til,
game. Lafayette, Montgomery, Wayne
l, Warren, Putnam, Marion and Moultrie
were also known to be lovers Of this noble
game. Among our distinguished states
men we find the names of Hamilton, Jay
| Burr, Morris, Madison, Monroe, Jefferson
Patrick Henry and John Quincy Adams
who were not only patrons Of the game, but
were considered capital players.
! At later day, we find several governor
and politicians Of note, and men who ranl
high in the law, literature and science, avail
ing themselves, during their leisure, Of tn
keen enjoyment afforded by this delightful
game; and as before remarked no respecta
. bic private establishment, who can affor
, the luxury, is now considered complet
! without it's billiard room. Elegant publ
billiard temples may be found in varioa
parts Of the city, and also in every primo
! pal city in the Union. In New York alon
there are 3,777 billiard tables, exclusive
large number in private residences.
. There are quite anumber Of superior prt
/, fessional and amateur players in the Unite
!, States, many of whom cannot be beaten b
} fany living professors Of the game in an
+ other part of the world; among which ma
b be named Dudley, Kavanagh, Micheal Ph,
0 Ian Micheal Geary, John McDeyitt, Melvi
r Foster, Joseph White and james Lyrcl
: Of New YORK; Phillip Tieman and job
), Deary of Cincinnati; John Seereiter an
MicheaI Foley, of Detroit; w. Goldthwai
8 Of Boston; Victor Estephe and Ralph Bel
: |iamin, OF Philadelphia. Fox has been dea
], near two years. These men have repeated
9 " figured in billiard matches, in friend
J competition with each other, and have il
vairably exhibited the highest skill, beau'
and science in their play, many of the
d scoring several hundred points without
!, break.
: BILLIARD TOURNAMENTS.
! Ancient Rome and Greece have had the
! ignobie tournaments, in arenas dyed wi,
human blood to satisfy the morbid app
: tites ola semi-civilized people. The Olyr
: pic games of ancient Greece in which Er
. perors, KinSs, Consuls and Senators ha'
:, been victors, were not entirely bloodles
! many of the contestants at times dyir
: within the arena. The Turks were celebr
ted for their annual festivals in Mecca al
! Medina, at which times rude tournament
according to Mehclnedan usage, were CO
Quoted in the name Of the prophet Major
j ct. England has had her tournaments
: a long period of years, to commemorate al
. perpetuate the wars of the Crusades, b
80 Ia NON nf title nr nrincalv blot