The Portland daily press., 1890-06-04
RIDERS OF THE SILENT SIZED
dedicate a New Home by a Recep-
ton Last Evening.
The Portland Wheel Club Its Growth
and Present Pros perlty.


Inc new rooms of the Portland Wheel
CLUB were last evening opened for the in.
spection of the public, and large member
oil people availed themselves of the priyI-
iege OF examining the pleasant home on
High street. The club certainly proved a
most hospitable host, entertaining in an un-
pretentous and yet delightful manner
Before O'Clock the rooms were thronged
with numerous friends, who were all pro-
fuse In their praise of the furnishing and
the comfort Of the quarters. Many ladies
young and old, were among those who looked
over the rooms where so much of the spare
time OF their enthusiastic cycling friends
had lately been occupied, in fixing the adorn-
ments and doing the more commonplace du-
ties OF making home habitable, and one
and all warmly acknowledged that the work
had been well accomplished. The express
sions OF the ladies were particularly note
worthy. for they are recognized authority in
all matters pertaining to the decoration of
home. and all agreed that the wheel club
had perfectly delightful quarters and $50
cosy and homelike" would always be added.
About O'Clock, short but pleasing musi-
cal entertainment was furnished by members
OF the club, the spacious front rooms being
crowded until there was not room for anoth-
er listener Professor Rankin rendered sew
eral selections upon the piano in his usual
admirable manner, while Messrs Stevens
and Pierce sang solos and duets most pleas
ingly. DIR. Dow read an amusing selection
to the evident delight of the gathering But
the event of the evening was the presenta
tlon to President Stevens of an elegant silver
water service, given him by the club as an
expression of their deep appreciation of his
interest and labor for the welfare of the or
ganization. MIR. Stevens had just sang
solo, but the boys would not allow him to
step to the door for air. He wondered at it,
nor could he imagine what the secretary had
to say to the company as minute after he
saw him speaking. A most thoroughly sur
prised cycler was he as he learned that his
wheeling brethren were giving him such
handsome present. He briefly replied. in
DIS of pleasure, for the thoughtful re-
membrance.
The following telegram from E. B. Pills
bury of Boston, an honorary member, was
read:
. Long life to the Portland Club and its president
In their new home.
The occasion was most happy and one of
the most important events in the annals of
the enterprising Wheel Club, since it notes
not only the opening of elegant rooms, but
1t also turns the leaf of history for the re-
cording of what promises to be the most
prosperous era ever known in cycling circles
in Portland.
Only ten year ago the Wheel Club was or
gained at the private house of a still es-
teemed member. For several years its life
was uncertain. Cycling but slowly devel-
oped, and often it seemed as though the or,
ganization must disband. For period there
were no meetings, until in 1884, at the office
of Mr.. Stevens, came reorganization, since
which time the club has steadily progressed
upward, until now it has attained an emf
nence, which certainly marks it as among
the most prominent clubs In the city. Meet
ings were first held at the homes of members,
then one room was obtained on Congress
street, stepping notch higher. A few years
ago two pleasant rooms in Franklin block
were made headquarters. The demands
have steadily been increasing until now they
have taken possession of the whole house
which, with their rapidly increasing men,
bership promises to soon be none too COM
modious.
The house stands on the western corner of |
High and Pleasant streets, and externally is |
ratner attractive, having Doom reoonmy
painted in ecru, with bronze green trim
mings.
On the front door plate of unique design |
informs the approaching visitor that the |
house is the abode of Portland's 10 year old |
cycling club. Passing within to spacious |
hallway, at the right hangs collection of |
photographs of the rooms of the Massachu-
sets Bicycle Club. while on the opposite
side is handsome bulletin board designed
and presented by Mr.. John c. Stevens. An
umbrella stand of antique pattern is in one
corner, the gift of Mr.. lib. Morrill,.
The parlor is the pleasantest room of all,
and with the many pretty draperies, ban
ners, ETC., the work of fair friends, has de-
cidedly homelike appearance On the man
tel stands nice clock given by Mr. E. S.
Pendexter. picture presented by Mr.. Phil
lips is on the wall, also sketches by Mr..
Stevens, etc., while an elegant piano lamp,
the generous gift of Merrill & Gage. stands
beside the piano. Directly behind this
room, and opening into it by sliding doors,
Is the common room for chatting and smok-
ing. Pictures and photographs, calling to
mind many happy meet of the past, adorn
the walls, while round table is crowded
with the leading magazines and weeklies
There last evening stood Dana Robinson
and dispensed delicious fruit punch.
In the rear is the kitchen, which will be
used for the storage of wheels.
On the second floor the front room is occu-
pied by pool table, where many pleasant
hour quickly passes; in convenient alcove
Is space just large enough for card table.
The secretary's room is cosy nook, just off
the pool room, and separated therefrom by
portiere. On this same floor two rooms are
assigned the janitor, Mr.. Drew and wife,
and which they have prettily furnished. The
bath room is In the rear
Above are four rooms furnished with ash
chamber sets and looking very neat and
cosy, which will be let to any who may de-
sire. From there it is but step to the roof
of the ell, over which will be stretched an
awning, making one of the most charming
summer gardens Imaginable, just the place
for quiet smoke among the trees.
Higher up is the cupola, from which su-
perb view of the harbor, islands and ocean is
seen.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.