Daily Republican., 1879-10-22
AB9r CnoauEr.
Its POpularity-WhO the Whining
ton Players have Reen and who
They now are-An Association "a
be Organized-Ganle mt Brandy.
wine sprIngs Yesterday.

ton Players nave Reen ana VINO
They now are-An Association 40
be Organized-Ganies mt brandy.
wine springs Yesterday.
1t has not been many years since the
game of croquet was introduced i'll the
country, and time seems to add to its
1t has just sufficient ex-
citement and exercise in it to make it
not only an agreeable means of few
hours pastime, but it is in great de-
gree conducive to health. 1t is not so
rough and does not require so much
physical exertiOn as baseball, aud it is
much more popular, because the ladies
can with equal propriety engage in it.
The immense popularity of the game
is shown by the numerous posts and
wickets that are to be found sticking
in almost every lawn or yard large
enough to coatain set. A game be-
fore meals gives zest and tone to the
appetite and sends the blood into &C.
tive circulation, and game after
weary hours of mental work drives
away the dull edge of literary labor.
1t is in favor Of croquet to say taat it is
no game of chance, but purely one OF
dexterity in handling mallet and
skill in placing a ball that it may
reach desired point or go through a
wicket aud thereby gain point. All
over the country croquet has become
so popular as game Of skill and exer-
else that croquet clubs are being form
ed, governed by we'll defined rules.
Some of the contests that have taken
place this summer in the Lemon Hill
and Philadelphia club grounds, were
witnessed by thousands of people OF
the higher walks of life, including
ladies and gentlemen.
Croquet has always been popular in
Wilmington though no association Of
croquet players has ever been organi-
zed. Amongst the first and most ex-
pert players in this city was Wilmer
Atkinson, one of the publishers of the
Wilmington Daily "Commercial," and
even since Mr.. Atkinson has removed
to Philadelphia where he publishes an
excellent agricultural paper, he still
finds time to engage frequently in cro-
quet playing, and still maintains his
position as one Of the best players of
the day. At the time that Mr.. Atkin-
son was considered the best player in
Wilmington and was named as the
champion of the State, John G. Jack
son of Hockessin, came into the field
and for some time disputed the ground
with Mr.. Atkinson, and many lively
tilt took place between them both al
Greenbank and Hockessin, but with
victory generally perching upon Mr.
Atkinson's banners.
From that time many others CANT
upon the field and indeed all over the
country there seemed to be genera
resort to croquet playing, and the result
was that there were quite a number
who became SO proficient that they ap
propriately merited the name of ex
perts. The City Park at Eighth ant
Franklin streets has for the last two
years been favorite and general resor
of croquet parties, and there was hard
ly day, this season especially, when the
ground was not occupied with from
one to three and four parties.
Amongst the leading croquet players
of Wilmington at the present time may
be mentioned Charles Heebner, II. G.
Robinson, Jerry Mahoney, J. J. McMul
lin, Richard Poynter, William Gala
CHER, Samuel A. Price, s, Hersey, Ben,
jamin Veazsy, w. P. Voshell, John B.
Graves, w. p. West, William Bowers,
William il. Lse, Samuel Allen, John
Nader, Alber! G. Robinson, Thos. Oar.
lingtop, and quite a large number Of
others who might be named, and who
have become so expert as to make a
game interesting. Of all those named
it is no more than right and proper that
Messrs, Heebner and Graves should be
assigned the post of honor and crowned
with the garlands of the champion
players Of Wilmington. Between these
two gentlemen many contest has en-.
sued with victory first upon one side
and then the other.
The formation of n croquet associa.
tion is now projected, and in all proba-
bility one will be organized in few
days. These associations are generally
composed of from eight to twelve mem
bers, a larger number being undesirable
as they could not all play at once if
they desired 70 do so. When an asso-
citation is formed, place will be rent
ed (probably the old foundry in which
the members can play during their leis-
ure hours of winter.
Yesterday number of croquetists
went out to the Brandywine Springs,
the present residence of Mr.. John b..
Graves, where they spent the afternoon
with lively handling of mallets and
balls. The following were the party:
Charles Ileebner, William Bowers, Ben
jamin Veazey, William P. Voshell, W.
r. West and S. Hersey. With Mr..
Graves the company numbered seven,
three too many for four handed game.
In this emergency two sets Of wiclets
were placed, and one of the number
PLAYED two balls to make up for the de-
ticient man. BY the way, two persons
playing two ball game makes the
most interesting game that can be
played. The following is record of
the games played:
Wickets No. |, first game by J. B.
Graves and S. Hersey two balls each,
in favor of Hersey. Game lasted one
hour.
Second game between the same,
persons, was drawn after playing an
hour to make up new game as other
players had arrived.
Third game, four handed, Graves
and Hersey partners opposed by Heeb-
ner and Voshell. Game in favor of