The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-12-31
TOBOGGANING.

uACA VIC WCAO a OCllUOl UUy, ~ W uo
a favorite pastime in winter to "slide
down hill'' On a homemade hand sled;
in later years it was called coasting,""
and, on boughten" sleds, which are
still largely in use; but the favorite
method of sliding down hill at the
present time is called "tobogganing"
Where natural hills abounded it re-
quired only beaten path in the snow
to commence operations free of cost.
Not unfrequently company of boys
would unite and appropriate some
farmers horse-sled, rushing down the
steep hill with railroad speed, and
woe to any person or thing which was
caught in the way.
For tobogganing, an artificial hill is
built of trestle work, making a slide
400 to 700 or 800 feet in length, covered
with snow and ice, and the toboggan
used consists of broad at-bottomed
sledge, costing from So to $40, depend
ing on size and exquisite finish and
ornamentation. 1t is so light as to be
easily carried up the hill by hand.
Both sexes join in the slide, the la
dies wearing a parti-colored fancy dress
and cap, gotten up expressly FOR the
occasion. AS it requires some invest
ment to build the slide, of course an
admission fee must be required. In
some of the cities the sport seems des-
tined to take the place of the craze and
furore of the roller skating rink of
two or three years ago.
The old geography which we studied
long years ago in the country school
contained picture of Russian boys
sliding down artificial hills, which we
gazed at with longing eyes, little think
ing the same sport would eventually
become prevalent in this country.
This pastime was introduced from the
Canadas, where it has been prevalent,
for some years, and if not carried to ex.
cess will prove an exciting and exhil-
arating amusement. A mandatory
in Vermont is turning out toboggans
by thousands and sending them
throughout the country.
We are in doubt regarding the ety.
mology of the term " toboggan," for it
is an accession to our language since
either Webster's Dictionary or the
American Cyclopedia was issued. AS
the practice is said to have been preva-
lent many years among the Esquimaux
Indians before its adoption by their
more civilized Canadian brethren, it is
not improbable that the word is an
importation from their language.
And now the Kenosha boys or Boat
Club, true to their fun-loving instincts,
and not to be out done by any commu-
nifty, have ventured upon toboggan
slide. Taking advantage of the steep
river bank at the north end of Con.
gress street, which was great saving
of expense, they have built double
tra.k to accommodate the boys and
girls-both old and young-for a small
consideration. If we measure the en-
terprise of the boys by the length of
slide, compared with the local popula-
ton, they have outdone the metropoli-
tan cities
We recommend that the seniors of
both sexes unbend their dignity, for
get their gray hairs and rheumatism
and come out and join in the festivities
of their youth. 1t will renew their
age, and turn back the dark shadows
of life many degrees on the dial of
time. Come out by all means. We
predict that the boys will, if requested,
appoint a time for the sold Peoples
Pastimes," and accord you a gracious
reception and good send-off from the
top of the hill. Come out and enjoy
an old-time frolic, with all the mod
ern improvement ts." It will renew the
gallantry of the fathers and the roses
in the cheeks OF the mothers. ID.