Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-25
THE ORIENT ATHLETIC CLUB
An Old Foot Ball Organization Reorganized
on a New Basis.

Although the general public have a fairly
good idea Of what foot ball player is made Of
sti outside Of the colleges little or nothing was
known here of the old English game of Rugby
when the Orient Athletic Club was organized.
lhls was In the fall Of 1883, and the members
of this organization claim to have introduced
modern foot ball in this city. For months
after their organization they were, on account
OF there being no other club in the city to COM
pete with them for honors, compelled to be
content with practicing among themselves.
They secured grounds Immediately back OF
Lincoln Park, and it was there that they prao-
ticed kicking and tossing the sphere.
Another essential part Of the practice was
the evening runs which were taken two or
three times week during the month lmmedi-
ately preceding the opening OF the season.
On these evenings Capt. Williams and his men
could be seen coming up East Capitol or most
any other street on Capitol Hill at a rate Of
speed which would Justify the astonished on
locker in stopping and waiting for passing
posse of policemen.
The next year. however. the pupils Of an
athletic turn of mind of the Washington High
School came to the conclusion that they would
do well to take advantage of the opportunities
for the much-needed and health giving exer-
cises afforded by this rough-and-tumble game,
and as a result OF their efforts the High Schools
ana Amateurs, Tor the cluD from Capitol Hill
was then known by that modest name. met on
the field of battle and about the first regular
game of foot ball ever played in this city was
decided in favor of the latter club.
After holding the championship of the city
for nearly four years the members did not
think it right that they should longer retain
the name OF Amateurs and accordingly changed
the name OF the club to Orient Foot Ball Club
During the past few years, however, the club
has not participated in many games, most Of
the membe having either married or entered
business, which made it impracticable for them
to keep up their practice.
Being DESTROYS, however, of keeping up the
organization. it was decided only very recently,
10 again change the name to Orient Athletic
CluD, and to transmute the organization into
an association embracing any and all forms OF
athletlc sports. 1t is the intention not only to
have foot ball club, but a tennis club and a
base ball club, or any other kind of club which
the members desire to form. 1t il also the in
tenton to secure a room or rooms on Capitol
Hill and inaugurate gymnasium and reading
room. 1t Is to promote this end that the CLUB
has arranged for the musicale to be given at
Masonic Temple tonight.
The committee in charge of the arrangements,
composed of Chas F. Roberts. chairman; b. L.
WEIGH, Arthur Copeland. Frank A. Carpenter
and Lee L. Miller, have been very successful In
securing some excellent talent for the occa-
sion. among whom are Lizzie Macnichol-Vetta
OF the Emma Juch Opera Company, who Is at
present sojournlng in this city, and the Phil
harmonic Quartet. After the musicale the re-
mainder Of the evening will be spent in dane
ing.
The officers Of the club are as follows: Presi-
dent. j. VI. Williams; vice president, Lynn II.
Iroutman; secretary, Arthur Copeland, and
treasurer, Lee +. Miller. The board of man
ayers is composed of the four above named
officers and Anton Stephan.