New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-06
THE MANHATTAN CLUE.
SUCCESSFUL IN GAMES AT HOME AND
ABROAD


ABROAD.
-Four men sat chatting together at Of the tables in
Delmonioos cafe spring day in 1877. They were
George ". Carr, Il. b. Culbert. w. A. Ridabock and
G.. W Thomas, and had just finished dinner which
was the finishing touch giyen to fye-mile walking
raco in which the four had engaged. The result
Of the chat was the formation of athletic club which
has Tor several years carried of tho championship
colors of tho National Amateur Athletic Association
The four promoters decided that there was plenty Of
room for new club III Ncwi0rk which should have
it, grounds within the city limits, and the title which
,trnck them "a being applicable was the Manhattan
Athletic Club In November of that year the club was
formally organized under that name and grounds were
leased at Fifty-sixth-st and Eghthavc The grounds
were not extensive and for time the list Of mem
bership showed the same popularity. But what the
club lacked in numbers it made MP III pluck and hard
work Soon the Manbattans began 10 be felt a. a
uover in the athletic world At the championship
meetings held in Mott Haven the cluh coiors began to
be conspicuous and championship medals adorned the
breasts of those who spOItcd the coloIS.
couple Of years after the formation Of the club il
began to be whispered about that young man named
Myers q member of the club, exceptionally pro-
fcieut In short distance running After two or three
remarkable public performances H. t. Myers sprang
into position which he has ever since held as one OF
the champion amateur athletes of the world His fame
has gone hand in hand with the fame of the Manhattan
Athletic Club and il j. in measure t. the persistent
efforts Of the clubs officers that the interest shown TO-
ali sides at it, beginning with prophecies from those
whose Judgment was considered as final that in six
months their place would know them no more. the
members have trained their little grounds at Fifty
sxth.st a. good team Of athletes rs one club III the
country has ever turned ont
Six months after the organization, in April, 1919,
the club was Incorporated and within the next -iN
months won n championship The year after Myers
won three championships at Mott Haven and since that
wear tie club has only failed to carry of the champion
ship colors once. That exception II Il said
through the illness and n-equent inability of Of
fine prominent members 10 attend the meeting. The
Wan1attans were the frat American athletic club
which not satisfied with the position il held in
America sent its champions to secure their aures far
afeld Three years ago they sent Myers 20 England,
securing the necessary funds for that purpose by giving
an exhibition IN Madison Square Garden at which the
English professional, ROwel appeared. This exhibition
was largely attended and large sum above expenses
secured Mvcr. gained English championship while
abroad and by doing did much ~ forward the in
te,csts of the club flc also many other valuable
prizes at games given at London, Birmingham and
Wilpes under the Joint management of his and the
London Athletic Club the oldest andt most respected
orcoui,ation of it, kind in the world In 1852 ar
r,ngcmrnts were made with the Mossely lianiers Ath
letie Club. Of Birmingham, England under which ".
q CNOrge champion me-runner Of England, visited
this CITY and competed in series Of races against Myers
winning at the theequaTtcrs and mile and being easily
drfratrd ~ the one,half milc-a distance at which
Myers has no equal either among among amateurs or
professionals.
The membership Of the club had far increased and
the demand for more EXTENSIVE quarters was 80 greatly
felt last year that it was decided to lease new and more
commodous grounds This important move was
between Eighth and Ninth avos Nearly $50 1000 was
laid out in Fitting up large grand stands and construct
ing an excellent track Oncquarcr milo in circuIner
encc, With 220yard strag hiaway which was lad