The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-10
A Very Excellent Idea That Quite
Recently Found Expression
in Boston.
Fitted Up So That People May
Take Exercise With
Pure Air.
Gymnastic Apparatus Designed and SUI
perintended by DR.. Sargent, tho Fa-
NOUS Harvard College Athlete.


feature Of a grand new park, the Charles
River embankment, delightful pleasure
ground laid out on the Boston side of the
Charles river, between the two historic
bridges, CraiRie's and West Boston.
The gymnasium comprises four acres Of
ground, or almost one-half the entire park
which is ten acres in extent. The ground il
oval-shaped, and surrounded by railing
which completely encircles it, and is un-
broken by any gateway whatever. Entrance
to the gymnasium is obtained in the follow
ing original manner. At the head of the
gymnasium. outside the railing, is small
two-story building, fancily built of yellow
shingles, which is connected with the
ground by short bridge with two arches,
which leads from the house and crosses,
high above the railing, into the gymnasium.
The lower floor of this building is occu-
pied by the police and others employed in
the grounds, whj the upper floor, ap.
steps, contains clothing and closets for the
use of those frequenting the gymnasium,
and an office for the functionary in charge,
who, posted behind counter, passes out q
check to each applicant for gymnastic priv
ileges. Attaching this check to his breast
like badge, to denote that he is entitled
to lie gymnasium ground.
Oh entering the ground the embryo gym
mast first sees horizontal bar or trapeze,
and, close by, two machines for exercising
the arms. of which pieces of gymnastic APP
paratus he can take his choice.
The machines are provided with roofs to
protect their mechanism during Indictment
weather. One of them is large enough to
accommodate dozen boys at once, while
the other is only large enough for six. The
next apparatus to attract attention is
Tor med OF two high hardwood poles, from
rings at the ends. These the exerciser
Rrasps and throwing his whole weight upon
the rope, whirls merrily around latter the
fashion of child dancing about May
pole. Each of these poles can accommo-
date four boys at once, and this exercise is
of a narrow framework suspended between
two upright bars with an iron rod connect
ing them in the centre. You are to rest
your weight on the end of this framework,
with q companion at the other end to bal
ance it, and the exercise is to move backward
the machine. Near this apparatus is an
other horizontal bar, and close by a pair of
parallel bars, the method of using this latter
being to grasp each bar with hands, and
raising the body, swing along the bars with
the aid OF the arms and legs. There are
70
we'll as many dumb-bells. kept over night
IN a locker. But the most original appar-
atus on the grounds consists of high hori-
zontal bar, supported by two uprights, in
the center Of which are two long ladders,
one on each side running from the top to
the ground. One Of these ladders is pro-
vided with rungs like an ordinary ladder,
while the other is open and similar to the
ladders used by brewers for sliding casks of
beer.
Ascending to the summit of this novel
machine BY one ladder, the seeker for gym
nastio delights reRains terra Arma by slid
ing down the other, much in the fashion |
that the ale cask slides. This sliding ma
chine is in great favor with the frequenters |
of the gymnasium.
In addition to all these there is a fine
It is used by bicyclers, at times, and at
others by sprinters.
As may be imagined, the opening of this
novel exercise ground created a furore of
excitement among the youths of this city,
and applicants for admission were by no
a pupil Of DR.. Sargent, the celebrated ath-
lete and physician of Harvard University,
who is instructor to those who wish to use
the apparatus, which was designed for
the gymnasium by DR.. Sargent him
self. 1t is Interesting to see the crowds of
men and boys exercising in this grand
glorious blue one, and where fresh
sea breezes temper the heat of midsummer.
The ground is we'll placed. It is absolutely
Tree. The ground is open now only during
The day. but in the coming summer electric
lamps are to be put in and the gymnasium
will be open in the evening as well as in the
day. Good judges pronounce this novel
pleasure ground to be far ahead of any
hing of its kind in the country, and SO
successful has it become that companion
ground for the exclusive use of women and
children will be opened in the same park
;he coming summer.