New-York tribune., 1875-11-26
THE OLDEST SPORTING CLUB.
HISTORY OF 1.-THE STATE IN sCHUYLKILLT

influences are work here deep down in the suOso O.
socety suoh TO he found In few American cities
one not thoroughly conversant with this state OF thhsS
Ia often faull in hs attempts Ia interpret OF 10 Pe'
the course of events in any given emergency casual
observer might conclue for instance. that the quaker
element had virtually died out in the City Of Penn re"
broad brs or straight be the streets;
there Is little of Tbeeng and Thouing n SOCIAL lntei
course; yet he would be wOefully mistaken who shod
hence conclude that the principles aud maNins Nni'n
formed basis Of Penns idea OF social ana civil COM
monwealth were no longer power in this community
Ii is the existence Of this unobtrusye but powerful ee
ment in society which explains that general sobrey IN
entering upon business enterprises and that sturdy
courage and pluck in carrying them ior"aru Whsh oec
begun, which have been often noticed IL explains 'oo'
that disposition generally prevalent her. 10 Keep w
old customs and usages. did not begin tins letter now
ever with view OF discussing generae, bat rather to
describe one particular feature Of Philadelphia lfe upon
which few days since accidentally stumbled There
exists here a curious social organization known ~ the
quaint title Of "The state in SchuylkllL"
This society or club has mad a continuous eNiStence
with hardly pcrcepthe change in its proceedings ana
usages for nearly century and half II was organ
fed I'm 1872 and il believed be Tire oldest INSTITUTION
of its kind in existence. The Royal Beef steak Ciub of
London AT time supposed 10 De Odei p' Vh ~
animation ii found have come into existence one
year than its Philadelphia sister, namely III I1'
The Beef Steak Club with al its ilustfou-
princes and peers and with all the conservative inhu
eners of John Bail in such matters, was yet allowed
few years ago, die out, while the noiseess niue stat
in schuylki survives in CHEEKY and serene Old age te
very model and bean Ideal Of healthy ana thorOusm!
enjoyable social club
This club called originally The Colony IN Schuyl-
killr gut after the War OF Independence, when the
other American colonies became states, this little colony
likewise changed it, style 20 that Of state II has now
ever never entered the American Union but ike it'
sister republic of Marine, has government ana Ter
rtory of ts own. This territory was originally on the
west bank of the schuyill about mile above faI-
mount dam and formed a part Of what Is now the fail
mouut Park Here the little community held peaceful
SWAY for 90 years In 1922 the construction OF the dam
and the waterworks having put stop To thelf h'ns'
and the other game abundant IN that region nav
ing disappeared they engrated to teir present terri
tory at tidewater the east bank OF the Schuy A'
about three miles below the city and opposite Old Bar
trans Garden"
Tho society was originally fishing and fowng club
the members many Of them emlgrants with Penn being
Gentlemen wealth and culture, who were tond OF ns
in and otheT kinds OF outdoor sports Two other ciuDs
OF ike general character hourished In the early history
Of philadelphia These we're the "Goucesier Hunting
Club" Organized In 1866 which continued IN operation
until 1915. period Of 81 years and the society o
Fort It Davids" association Of sporsmen ID cary
Colonial times, who had their buntln< and hshinS
grounds on the east side 0i the Schuy near the pres
ent Laurel Hill Cemetery. On the dissolution oil THESE
two societies Of their curious old furniture came
INTO The possession Of The present surviving club Many
OF the members indeed had all along been members Of
this orguizlton IL is therefore, the ueai representa-
tive OF Ill three Of these celebrated sporting cuhs, anu s
fish house known as The Castle" il filed with impe-
mens Of the culinary art Of the Olden tme the sacred
relies Of all three s0ceties-huge pewter dishes
bearing the Of william Penl, cranes large ifon pots
20. hooks toas,ingforks gridrors. &C. such as were
ND "A hal "a
D. the members In cooking their savOry meals Tbs table
al which the f-asting Is done il the same that was uSe
IN The original Castle" III 1882 1t is huge aihr oi
stout threench plank spoteSsy ciedn nut gilIIcs oi
cloth or napkin and looks in it giant strength and pro
portions if Thor and Odin might have drunk their
huge bumpers Of mead over IT,
CUSTOMS OF THE SOCIETY,"
Until within very few years it was the custom of the
Club to obtain by he rod ANA the gun oil the game used
in their 0sts Every second Thursday in Summer from
the first OF May the his OF October, for over l4O
ycarz the have assembled regularly on their
ground. snd made day OF IT,, catching cooking, and
eating the sh and other game which formed the staple
OF their DAYS entertainment. Since the establishment
of the petroleum below the city, however, the
fish OF the neishboTh0Od have become worthless NOW
therefore, al provisions Of the Club are bought IN the
market by one of their number detailed for the occasion
but the dressing cooking and serving are done by the
members ana more grotesquo sight does not often
see than that presented By these gentlemen, IN the
rough straw aud white aprons busiy engaged IN the
various operations Of the culinary art nor N It possible,
even in tH, city where good eating has become ono Of
tho chief OF the ne arts. TO find elsewhere such steaks
such arbecues such panned sh aud oysters, Such
ceptonabc cookery Of every kind The members assem-
bic n 10 o. m ana every present not excepting the
invited guests h assigned to duty IN preparing the feast
and woe betidc the wight whose tack not done sce"d
GrieB even Though be 30 huihO4e rs tHat o4 oo"nE
and boiling the t.1tItOc-.
The Cul pudcs itself preserving all its primitive
rules and usIges. gt 10 y Ike going oacs 10 the on
Colonial times be among them for dGy The number
of members is limited 20 %, with the HlSou ol hfr
elected apprentices, Who are taken on tlL Atr an az
urentccship OF a few years II gentleman proves
himself adept in the culinary aT aud l fouid 20 ha'r
sary t him for citizenship IN the oomnunS Lr hi-
chance OF being elected L. mcnDtr-mP whehes seI VA
bers nave belonged to te club Tor more tbah % years
and the members generally are well on 10 ne Inet Ola
men leave Offices andLheir counting houses ana the
rc.sitre of business out here al stated aud re
auently recurring intervals aud have DAY oi free I'M
rerr:u0ugus. social enjoyment IN Jhe open ar Ihrir
feasts while uvuriUu t0 quality ar married. WIN rA-
trcme simplicity aud the greater relish from benz
prenlrrd bY thC; hauds. never stw company Ol
geni icnen enjoy dae's retxaon Win krthet It7t'
fhev are de,eryedly proud 0f their traditions. Among
/ these two three may Doe NAMED.
Several chiefs ~ the Leni Lenape indians. tho tribe
! with whom Penn made his celebrated treaty, attended
on ono occasion meeting OF tie Council o Tho State IN
Schuybnl, and granted ID due Indian form to the mem
Der. and their forever the uhdSptth rgAt
ana privilege % hunt m thc woods ANA hsh u tAo waters
! OF tie SchuyikiN, within mo .WeHHhtd geuh'diie~
named in The grant. The Philadelphia 'iy lfo"p the
uidest volunteer military Or-uu1aiion lnsttuied Tor nc
defense OF Am rc3u h rites had Us origin among the
Deunrr- of tine state boo schuy Kill This Troop of
rauled in l-7i years before the declaration OF n-
qertulen,e. aut hi- hId uuDrOhcu existence lrom
that dav tn ths. n SERVED with ,rat l3ianry In tht
revolutionary war the war of l7lA ana again 30 the
ate War and always at it, own caI-c Ia tno rtyou-
fiOuarv war il Tie battles OF IrutOn Prince
ion and Monmouth. and uue or its members, Anthony
Morris fell the battle nf Princeton ln 1870 iAi1fetf
.sas entertained with great pomp hy ht ltlH -ihic h
l.uylsl. Iet ON thls Orcasicu tie company ft-
fused % its customary usa-es. The General
r m other invited guests, had "a don h- coosingapron
and earn hi. dinner with the rest o Lcu ihe part a
sped to Nm was 10 brr bccfsteak and he performed