New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-05
STATEN ISLAND ATHLETES.
GROWTH OF A POWERFUL CLUB.
A LUSTY YOUNGSTER DOWN THE BAY.
CHAMPIONSHIPS CAPTURED BY IT'S MEMBERS
IN MANY BRANCHES OF OUT
DOOR SPORT.

IN MANY BKANCnES Or JUL
DOOR SPORT.
Erastus Wiman said few years ago that
! Staten Island was destined 10 be the home of all
outdoor sports for NEWCOMERS. The advantages
offered are many and varied, and Mr.. Wiman's
words may yet come true 1t is now the home
of the Staten Island Athletic Club, one OF the
most complete outdoor organizations of its kind
in the country, and its record is one that will
prove an incentive to the many athletic Or
CARNATIONS throughout the country. The CLUB
property is estimated TO be worth in the neigh
| bTrhood Of 100000. This is remarkable
showing for the youngster, Cor it was only IN
1877 that William Ikcn, veteran athlete, con-
ccived the idea which has matured into the present
powerful organization.
The Staten Island Athletic Club indirectly owes
its existence TO one of the old North Shore ferry
boats About thirteen years ago one OF these
boats was bringing its load of Staten Islanders to
| this city 10 business As frequently happened
| then the trip was long and mOnotOnOus one, and
several of the passengers huddled together TO see
| If conversation would not dispel WEAKNESS Among
! those huddlcd passengers were William ken,
! Oliver r. Johnson, w j. w. Roberts. Robert I. p.
| Fishe, John w. Edwards and Frank g. Jansen
| An athletic club on the beautiful island in the
| bay was proposed and the idea was well received
! by them all Most of those present were well
supplied with muscle and were athlcucally in
cncd and they went to work on their new hobby
with zcst which was sure and has been re-
wardcd with success most bountiful
These men were present al the first meeting
toward organizing club, which was held at the
boathouse of the Iesper Boat Club: Thomas
/ Clute Henry 4. Carsar. William ken, Oliver I.
/ johnson. John w Edwards. William r. Wcmple.
! 7 /
/ w Jansen. Robert T. p. Fishe John II. Rmmer.
! Frank g. Jansen and +. L. Rodewald. The sup
posed unlucky thirteen soon got to work, but the
lamp which furnished the light went out, and
the meeting had 10 be adjourned The next
meeting was held in New brighton, and as each
of the original thirteen brought recruits II proved
! to be- more formidable gathering than the first.
| Everything was done IN shipshape order this
/ time and officers were elected. bylaws and rules
| established and a natcrnal supper wound mp the
evening W r. Souttcr was elected the first
/ president The first athletic venture in mud and
/ rain Al the Ncw-Dorp Trottng Track is still fresh
/ in the memory Of the old members. Enough pu-
4 walton was undergone that day 10 stampede an
/ army Grounds were then leased at Bcment and
/ Henderson ave-, nj West Brighton, and the Staten
/ Island Athletic Climb ha, been established sue
cess ever since In the spring of Isl, the club
I
one race wa, run, and WoodIaw won, with Jansen
second. Tie storm was q severe one, and the
crowd and contestants stampcdcd.
EARLY UNSUCCESSFUL MEETS.
Another unsuccessful EFFORT was made to hold
t H.. 49,. -. .l, .
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.,..r t..,. d., t.r country, .r1 many f,mou,
.,-..,, ,Iiar.ouI battle. l,ye been fought there.
H.. ..,..,,,t. r,,, ovrrJ hv the club measure,
1870. bv $50 feet. lndcrendcnt If the 300 feet
49,. I'M. ,,,t.r from, The Climb house IS a spaclou,
,,. dt,.J nm with an rlc krlck-l<pac,yS dear 10
,l. be.if, of athletes and lovers of club-lifs
IT,. h..,t.Y.. If ur club !, - pcrlccr a
,,..,. , ,.l,,c.,,r, 40 , ruoIcrn boothousc
t, ,,.uL. r,.I ,,..,l, in f,,pt NJ the club.
- rto .,.,,.,i flor il. .n,,,o,,s and consists
If ,.,.t,,, h,I.iny and dressing rooms The
,..,,,oo,,, j.. -o,ao feet - s,z. while the both.
ro,.u, ba, , c,paclty for SIN shower baths and a
.,..,,. ,..,t Tho drcs,,r.,.ro o,n * nearly 30
foot s,uorc nioz1o md balcony run around
,t - mar, =, -. I,,I,Iir, from ubicb a
.nicrdiJ view Of the Kills and harhor can be had
Tia. float III, ono of the LARGEST IN the country. and
i, fo>eo feet On the second floor there is u
hallway ID icct square, and or this floor IS the