Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-06-22
Tenth Anniversary of the Turn-Bezirk
OF the Pacific Coast.

/ rOChtt5 thitNcneu INC Sccho throughout
Arrived ut the hall they were welcomed
In speech from the President of tn,
Verein, Herr Conrad Jacoby, succeeded
by an address OF welcome from Mayor
G. T.. Thorn. Here the visitors receiveG
greetings from the different bodies ol
Turner'S, which were very warm and en-
thusiastic. A large number of Turner:
having met at the Turn Bezirk
in San Francisco, lust year.
renewed their friendships and
greetings, in most cordial manner.
THE ToRcH.LIGHT PROCESSION.
Started from Turn Verein Hall about
half.p . o'clock, moving through the
streets as advertised. The members ol
the procession moved in a quickstep. 10
the. .pniS5 OF bombs and fireworks. FOL
lowing is the
ORDER OF PROCESSION:
Platoon OF police.
American Band.
Eagle Corps.
Truck with fireworks.
City Band
Visitors from four Nereins.
Los Angeles Verein.
Thirty. eights Engine Company, with
pumes.
Union Band.
Chief OF Fire Department, Walter s.
Moore, and Assistant Frank X. Day.
Thirty eghts Engine Company.
Park Hose Truck.
Enst Los Angeles Hose Company,
with hose-cart.
Truck with fireworks.
Confidence boys, including torch
boys.
Two's engine and hose-cart.
The old hose-cart formerly used by the
Twos.
The new Hayes ladder truak, with the
driver, tillerman and members.
Tho procession, after marching through
the principal streets of the city returned
to Turn Hall, thence to the various en-.
gne houses and Armory Hall, after
which a delegation escorted the associa-
tions which participated in the splendid
parade back to their headquarters, to
the music of the American Band. A So
cial time at Turnverein Hall followed
the close of the procession, and was en-
joyably spent by both the An
geleho Turner's and the visitors.
This will lead to fraternal
contest during the four days which
complete the Turn Bezirk for the year
1884.
The whole affair was most brilliant and
che ering, and was the largest torchlight
procession ever seen in Los Angeles.
The display of fireworks was elaborate
and beautiful, and made the very atmos.
phere scene OF beauty and joy.
The Turn Verein Germania Society,
VIII oss anniversary has caused Los
Angeles to assume her holiday attire has
for its sole object the development of
the human muscles, and is similar tomany
gymuasiums, only being mure popular,
embracing large memberships and carried
on in more systematic manner. Organ
izations of this kind have been in exist.
enca for many years past. The first au-
thentic account of competition for prizes
in games, races, requiring muscular ability
is furnished by Homer's lliiad when
the belief existed that the
dead would be nppeased or gratifed by
the same exhibition which pleased them
in Jifeas each of the great Grecian games
were held near some shrine of consecrat-
ed spots, and they were also connected
by myth or legend with some Hero or
demigod or Deity. The Olympan
games were among the earliest requiring
great skill and endurance, and caused
great rivalry between Athens and Sparte.
Some of the foot-races being for dis.
tance of several miles, and frequently
the victor expired. The prizes for this
great sacrifice were of little intrinsic
value being simply q garland of wild
olive, which, according to tradition, were
secured from sacred tree with golden
sickle. AS years advanced the athletic
sports seemed to degenerate, and at the
time of the existence of the circus
Maximus in Rome, which seated
three hundred and hity thousand the
audience assembled to witness combats
of the most iiendish kind, in which
human blood flowed like water. How.
ever, we are now on the eve of new
era in athletic sports, in which our Ger
man people seem to take universal in
terest, and from the general decorations
which greet the eye upon the street our
citizens evidently wish them success and
hearty welcome. The Turnveren So.
ciety was first formed in Berlin by Fred
erick Ludwig jain, at an early date,
and the membership has increased so
rapidly that it is now one of the most
extensive German organizations in ex-
istence. st. Louis is the fountaid.head
OF the Turner's in this country, and at
this point they meet in conclave yearly
and establish laws for their general gov
ernment i'll America. The Turner'S form
a league composed of all the societies in
the State, which meet yearly at some
designated place for the competitive
ability of the members selected from the
different societies. This State organiza.
ton is known as the Bezirk, and it is the
10th anniversary that will be celebrated
in the festivities OF the coming week.
The word Bahnfrei, which adorns some
of the banners suspended in the streets,
IL the motto meaning clear the way, and
is used during the progress of the games.
The shield which bears the letters across
the face, +. L. s. T., is the emblem the
English translation of which is Fresh,
Free, Strong, True. The Germania, or
Los Angeles branch, was organized in
June, 1871, and embrace a membership
Ont uunuTeu anu slAly PERSONS,
forty of whom have been added
since last January. The classes consists
of 30 girls, 50 men aud 80 boys who have
daily course of training by competent
instructors in the use of dumb.bells, In.
dian clubs, etc. A rifle section of twenty
five male members also form part OF the
institution, the whole being uniformed
with gray suits and straw hats, on the
bands of which are the letters r. V. c.,
meaning Turn Nerein Germania. The
officers, well-known citizens, are as fol-.
lows: Conrad Jacoby, President; +.
Adam, Vice President; A. Fuhibtrg
Secretary; 7. Frehlinger, Treasurer.
Turn Verein Hall is decorated in n
superb and artistic manner. The names
Of each of the different lodges compris-
ing the Bezirk are displayed diagonally
across the face of a shield around which
is gracefully blended the American flag
and society colors red, white and black,
while festooned from the center chan
delier is the red and white of the home
society, together with Chinese lanterns
and other attractive decorations. The