Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-28
BRAINS AND MUSCLE
To be Given an Equal Chance for De-
velopment in The First Ward.
OPENING OF THE NEW GYMNASIUM
And Reading Room, Under the Auspices of
Rev. Father Sheedy.
WIDE SCOPE OF THE NEW INSTITUTION

There Was very large company present
at the opening of the First Ward Public
Library and Gymnasium, at No. ZIG Penn
avenue, last night.
The rooms, two in number, are located in
the basement of the handsome new school
building, and are nicely fitted up for the
desired uses. The basement, being 100 feet
in length and about so ieet in width, fur
nishes ample room for ordinary require
ments, but there was none to spare last
night, and, in fact, quite number of people
we're unable to gain admission.
A very enjoyable programme had been
arranged for the occasion, and it was carried
out to the qualification of the entire audi
euce. Among the features was an able ad-
dress on Physical and Mental Culture"
by Mr.. A. Il. Reid. young attorney Of
the Pittsburg bar. The Lewis Quartette
and Adonis Mandolin Club rendered some
very fine selections. and the Misses A. Nc
Farland, S. Totten, NJ. Myron, Jennie Nc
Kelvey, and MIR. I. j. Fitzpatrick rounded
out the entertainment with solos and duets
that had been carfully selected.
THE NUCLEUS OF LIBRARY.
Father Morgan NJ. Sheedy, who has been
largely instrumental in organizing the
library and gymnasium, was one Of the
happiest persons present. The success with
which the undertaking has been crowned
surpassed the most sanguine hopes of all
concerned The library at present contains
over 400 volumes, and donations of books
are being received daily. As there is un-
limited room for the accommodation of books
the officials will thankfully receive any that
may be sent in.
In speaking of this feature, Father Sheedy
laughingly remarked that if Andrew
Carnegie or any other philanthropist desired
to lend them helping hand. he would
gladly confer with them any time it would
suit their convenience. The reading room,
which will be supplied with papers,
periodicals, ETC., will be open at all times
during the day and evening, Sundays
included.
Attached to the gymnasium is bowling
| alley, 80 feet long. A fine billiard table
has also been placed in it, for those who
find enjoyment in punching the ivories'
| about. There are also lifting machines,
horizontal bars, Indian clubs. dumb bells
and, in fact. every appliance known to a
| irst-class gymnasium. 1t is the intention
to employ competent instructor in this
department just as soon as finances will
permit.
NOT A SECTARIAN AFFAIR.
AS was stated exclusively in these col
umns some time ago, the association is
wholly unsectarian in character. The essen.
tials for membership are good moral char.
acter and an honest desire to benefit by the
opportunities afforded. The membership al
present is about 130 persons-young ladies
| and gentlemen OF the downtown district
Among the number is a colored lady, a
pupil of one OF the high schools of the city
and young colored man. 1t is thought
that the list will be largely Increased in the
| future
| During tine winter it is the intention Of
| the officials to have course of lectures
| given at the rooms bv able speakers. The
idea will be to make them practical, the list
of subjects including mechanics, history,
moral and mental culture, etc.
| Father Sheedy said that everyone with
whom he had talked on the subject wa:
heartily in favor OF the undertaking. Il
afforded many young people whose hom,
surroundings might not be of the best
chance for improvement, while every induce
ment would be held out to those who were
liable to fall into temptations by running
about the streets at night for want of bette
kind o. diversion. He believed that simila
places should be established in every par
OF the city, but did not know of any effort
being put forth in this direction, outside o
the Duquesne Association. He considered
it only a matter of time, however, wher
other districts would awaken to the beneft
and importance of such undertakings, ant
he confidently expected that more places o
the kind would follow.