Telegram-herald., 1890-09-20
Az ATHLETIC CLUB
Which Is Unlike Anything Of the
Kind Ia Michigan
TURNED OUT NAVY PROFESSIONALS
TIE Grana kAPtds EadePeadsnt AthisatS
Ciab-A Iug-of-w al Ts&sa That VII
Shaiissxs the Initsd states
Ihose " hO are Ga Ghs ke@a-

AZ ~ %AaA - tt+Nt@ @AtNN 49,
letie Club, which wss incorporated iss'
week, 5 one Of the most formidable
organizations OF the kind IN the West.
During rs existence OF less than three
years. il has graduated some Of the
best talent the country possesses. IL Is
a training school for young men, and
the degree of success that many Of us
members have attained Is certainly sur
prislng. Ii is unlike the Detroit Ath-
letic Club and similar organizations, as
there j. no pretense TO compete IN neid
exercises, although il contains plenty
of such material. The instructions aTe
chiefly in physical culture, and visit
to their club room when the young men
are going through their performances
Is well worth the while. Such tumhlers,
aerial artists, club swingers, etc, are
seldom seen outside Of a circus, or the
atrical specially show. The greater
portion of the Grand Rapids public are
ignorant of the fact that such club
exists in this city, though they have,
doubtless, applauded many of its mem
bers as they appeared before the foot
lights, dozens of times
The Grand Rapids Independent Ath-
letc Club WAS organized November j,
1877, by W. IL. Tradewell, Henry kade-
maker and Burt Stell. The member
snip was limited TO sixteen and only the
very best available material was Sc
! lected. The object WAS 10 form an as
sOclatiOn OF young men who would,
alter a short course OF training, become
proficient enough IN their several lines
10 give credltable local performances
for the amusement of their friends, and
otherwise if desired. Ii was also IN
tended as social organization, and a
training school for physical culture
Their success was not behind their am
bltlon. and on many occasions they have
exhibited in public. They have often
assisted at entertainments given by the
Owashtanong and other clubs, and IN
every instance they have been received
with enthusiastic favor.
! As is ALWAYS the case in athletic or
CARNATIONS, there are always more OF
| less of the members who eventually
| JOIN the professional ranks, and the
Grand Rapids Independent Athletic
| Association has not been different III
this respect. While the club is not in.
tended as a training school for profes
! sIOnals, still several of the young men
VINO received their first instruction:
| there are now among the leading per.
| formers OF the world.
Eddie Smith and Geo. Cobb, profes
sionally known as "Reyo" and "Reno,'
! the premier contor.ionists of the coun
| try, are graduates of the club. They
have Just returned to the city
after finishing their third season witt
! Sells circus. Then comes Henry Rade
maker, Joe Garnello and Ernest Laun
| der, clown, known as the "GarnellC
Brcs.," bar performers with the Dorrl
show. John Klap, "Ravello," suspend
ed perch artist, with Howe's Londor
show. Andrew SHOEMAKER. doubl,
trapeze artist. Henry Noyle, "Zooella,
ariel flying trapeze artist, with Sell
! Bros circus for three years.
The following are professionals whC
nave rehnqushed their membership t
the club: Ollie Preteorion, "Montello;'
Eddie Brown, eddie Estus." pyramiC
hand balancer, with Al. Fields min
strels; Laverne, the juggler; Leondo
| Bros, acrobats, who performed a
Smiths theater last week.
There are many prominent member
of the club who do not aspire to 60 OF
the road. Among them are Tradewel
and Kruger, wrestlers Lnd heav-
weight lifters and posturers. Tradewel
was instructor OF the Owashtanon,
! 4. L.. Dt,,1 S-,,tk L.
heavyweight wrestler and an athelet
of great promise. Fred ]. Daily is
boxer, sprlnter and general all-roun,
/ athelete, who bears the distinction o
having never been defeated. Chris
Christopher IS also a boxer of merit.
Another who should receive promi
nent place is Henry Beekman, th
champion club swinger Of the North
west. He is now IN the city. Last sea
son he WAS with the CASTILLO show. The
there IL Burt Stell, the middle-welgh
Greco-Romsn wrestler and ladder pei
former.
Among the other members arc Gu
Neinhardt, Vim. Tibold. Paul Rade
maker, Phil. Egsn. John Fallon, Jane
Heaney, I'd. TAYLOR, Otto kustcrer. l
Vincent, VIM. Chenick, W. c. Beeso
and others.
The club Will soon organize n tug-oi
war team, which will be ready by sprin
10 challenge any team in the Unite
states. II will be composed Of Wm. Il
| Tradewell, anchor, Fred Daily, -
smith ana o. Kruger. TrsdeveIl wa
one of the team which won the chan
pionship at Detroit. June IA. cOmpetin
against the crack team OF tie Unite
| states.
The present gymnasium is located q
WaterloO-st.. bat the club il looking fo
more COmmOdi0us quarters. The
would take a ten years lease OF a gym
uss.um in the top story Of some reT
/ building e it vas built according 6
their Instructions.