Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-26
The Progress or billiards in Nash
Vile

One Of the neatest and hands0mest bill
lard halls in the South is the Apollo, re-
Gently fitted up in the Masonic building by
Messrs. Wand & HyrOnemuS. The hall is
lis feet in length by 20 in width, with q
room adjoining, 80 feet by Is, which is
furnished with two tables and set apart for
the sole use and benefit Of those who seek
recreation III the soothing charms Of pool
billiards, the main hall being provided with
ten tables.
The rear of the main hall is lighted with
two large windows, reaching nearly from
floor TO ceiling, and between which is
placed q magnificent French plate mirror,
the polished surface Of which reflects the
hall and its appUTtenances, presenting a
brilliant scene indeed, when the numerous
burners are lit and the various tables Oc-
CUpied, with a long line Of spectators on
either side, intently watching the progress
Of the games.
The tables are the hands0mest ever
brought to this city, being made Of rose
wood inlaid with birds-eye maple. They
are ftOm the famous mandatory of Bruns-
wick & Bake, Of Cincinnati, and the cost
Of the ten tables, together with the ex-
pense Of bringing them to Nashville and
placing them ir position, fOots up nearly
$1,000. The chairs were made especially
for Messrs. Wand & HyrOnemuS, st the
Tennessee Chair Factory, aud are speci-
mems Of workmanship Of which any city
might well be proud. When the prOprietors
Of the hall were in Cincinnati purchasing
their tables, they made inquiries as 10 the
cost Of a handsome set Of billiard chairs,
and learned that they could not get chairs
Of the character they desired for less than
SO per dozen. Upon returning home they
left their order for chairs at the Tennessee
Chair Factory, and had it filled at the rate
of $50 per dozen-thirty-three and a third
per cent. less than they would have paid
for precisely the same chairs in Cincinnati.
Along the walls of the hall are ranged
revolving cue racks, designed after the
most approved fashion and finished of in
elaborate style. Near the entrance is a
large cue rack reserved Tor The use Of the
regular patrons of the establishment, and
furnished with locks and KEYS for the safe
keeping Of the cues which said regular pa
trons Lad found specially adapted 10 their
peculiar style and build. This rack was
also made at the Tennessee Chair Factory
and is a very handsome affair.
1t IS very much TO the credit Of Alessrs.
ID
their business beyond the influence Of any
local option law; not drop Of liquor is
sold about the establishment, though lovers
Of a fine cigar are furnished with all the
facilities for gratifying their taste in that
direction, as the best brands are
always kept on. hand. Their pa
irons are from among the solid
business men Of the city, who find here a
quiet. well-cOnducted hall wherein they
can while away leisure hour or so with
the pleasures Of the game prc-eminently
distinguished as s'thc American gentle
mans game" The Apollo has been open
ed bat two months, but it has already been
the scene of number Of closely contested
games between famous players, and will
doubtless be the scene Of many more, rs it
is rapidly gaining name and fame through
out the state, and has become one of the
features Of Nashville, as BrUuswicks hall
was Of Chicago in ante bellum days.
It's a generally admitted fact that the
game Of billiards is steadily gaining in
favor ali over the country. The game can
not be used for gambling purposes, and it
is an encouraging sign Of the times 10 note |
that while billiards gain in popular favor, !
card playing decreases.