The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-20
THE HELENA TURNvERE|N,
History Of tho Organization and
Growth Of tho Popular
Society.
It's Teachings are Three-Fold. In
Guiding Gymnastics, Music
and the Drama.
Turnvater jain, Founder Of the Society
-Omcers of the Helen. Turnverein,
and Its New Hall.

The modern Turner society, more proper
" known az the Turn verein, had its or
igin about the year 1910, in Prussia. Fried
rich Ludwich Jahn, of LAM, province of
Brandenburg> is accounted the author of
the organization, and was called by his pu-
pills and disciples Turnvater jain, in recog-
milton Of his patriotic labors, for he was in
spired by a national hatred of French
domination and a loyal desire to do some
thing that would enable his native land to
throw off the CALLING Napoleonic rule. In
furtherance of his desire he conceived the
idea of bringing together the young men
for the practice Of gymnastics, and at the
same time Undertaking them with patri-
otto sentiments. National schools quickly
grew up all over Prussia and their infiu-
ence was potent at the battle of Waterloo.
The yoke Of the foreigner having been
thrown OF, the government began to regard
these meetings of patriotic young men AZ .
too fruitful source of liberal ideas and the
reopened, however, and again became
popular. One of the excellent institutions
brought by the German emigrant to Amer
lea was the Turnverein, which had ceased
to be mere device for the development of
Drawn and had assumed the higher mission
of disseminating useful knowledge and &C.
QUESTION of mental culture.
The national organization in the United
States is the North American Turner Bund.
and the state society the Montana Turn
Bezirk. At present there are two Turn
vereins in the state, at Butte and
Helena, although it is expected one
will soon be organized at Great
Bezirk are: L. II. kleinschmidt, president;
Herman Richter. secretary; F. w. Kuphal,
treasurer; Charles Teichert, secretary; L.
c. Schumacher, turnwa1t.
The Helena turnverein was organized in
July, 1884, Mr.. John Steinmetz being the
first president, which office he has held
ever since, except one year. when Mr.. John
Steinrenner occupied the executive cha r.
At first the membership was quite sinai,
but loyal to the cause, and their efforts
have resulted in gradual growth, until at
present the membership is given at rs.
The current officers are: John Steinmetz,
president; c. w. Fleischer, vice president;
+. C. Schumacher, secretary; Louis DeLes-
try. assistant secretary: +. w. kuphal,
treasurer; J. Opp. first. and Henry Stein
metz, second tournwart; John Bill, warden;
John Wick, John Geier and John Adams.
trustees.
Business meetings of the society are held
on the first and third Thursday of each
month. Tuesday and Friday nights OF
each week are set apart for the work of the
turner's, or gymnasts. At present there ii
no regular teacher employed, and the drill
and practice are conducted under the lead
ership of Fred Schimpf and are participat
ed In by quite a large number of younf
men. The gymnasium is we'll equipped
with $1,000 worth of apparatus of the lat
est and most approved designs. As yet NJ
Sampson has grown up from their ranks
although they boast several superior all
round athletes, one of whom is Mr.. Schu
macher. He has won more diplomas thar
any other member. Two team contests
have been held with Butte. in both o.
which the representatives of the Silver Cit,
we're compslied to lower their colors and q
down before the superior muscle and prov