The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-03
IN HELENA.

Last year the Helena Athletic club
promised to become n of the popular
organizations of the city. Other towns
no larger than Helena boosted of as
sociations devoted to physical culture
and healthy recreation and it was be-
lieved that enough material of the right
kind could be found III this city to make
a successful institution of this sort.
The club was started under favorable
auspices. Energetic young men were
placed in charge, grounds convenient to
the city were handsomely laid out. a
grand-stand was built and finally the
result Of expenditure was an athletic
park as fine as could be wished for.
Last summer the attractions were a
series of base ball games and wrestling
contests between noted professionals.
This summer the grounds have scarcely
been opened and it is quite possible that
the property will change lands.
Now, this can be avoided and the
club yet be made a permanent success
if the members will arouse from their
midsummer lethargy and infuse life
into the clubs affairs. The first cause
of this unfortunate situation was the
failure of members to catch the right
spirit and real purpose of the a~ssocia-
ton. An athletic club, not a prize
fighting club, can be a success only
when each member devotes time to
gymnasium work and takes a personal
interest in the physical development of
his body. After a little work in this
line he finds the reward of sound recre-
alton and genuine pleasure. Then he
becomes enthusiastic in the pro-
motion OF the clubs interests.
In this way all successful
athletic clubs have been built to pros
perity. There are no earthly reasons
why such an organization should not
prosper in Helena. We have the right
men and the resources. All that is
needed is a groundwork Of individual
effort on the lines suggested. To bring
this about we suggest a club gymnasi-
UNI in the city. We do not mean an ex-
pensive club house or deliberately fur
nished apartments. A hall conveniently
located could be rented at a moderate
price. At no great cost it could be fur
nished with bowling alleys, bars, rings,
weights, clubs, baths and the usual
gymnasium fixtures. The place should
be we'll lighted and heated and always
open. The most essential feature is
that the work should be under the di-
rection of a competent instructor. All
this can be done without great cost.
The membership can easily be increased
because the club would then become a
popular institution. After a winters
work the members would make good
use of the park. Spring and fall field
days would be established and amateur
base ball and football teams would CON-
bine to make the athletic park a place
of interest rather than a neglected spot
in the brief history of Helena athletics.
At this time it is useless to discuss the
feasibility OF a league base bah team in
this city. Exorbitant railroad fares
would alone absorb receipts from at
tendance at the games. The time will
come, however, when Helena will be
represented in an established circuit if
an interest in outdoor sports can be
aroused.
In the meantime We earnestly hope
the athletic Clue will discuss some
method OF indoor work for the winter.