The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-03

August OIL the Sailb year tno pldHs oA VIC
architect, Mr.. Henry A. Schulze, were &C.
cepted.
| Many meetings had been held for the
| purpose of aiding the building scheme, but
that called for March Is. 1884, was the one
| which assured practical results.
The first to rise in response to the ad-
dress of President Harrison was Mr.. George
| T. Folsom, who had been one of the found
| ers of the club. In stirring little address
ne signed the subscription list amidst the
| applause of his younger members. Follow
| ing him came others and the subscription
list grew rapidly. Senator Fair stated that
he believed in the sterling qualities OF the
boys Of California, and particularly in those
| who formed so large part OF the member
| ship of the Olympic Club. While no had
helped the club a little toward securing its
| own home, now that the members had
could assure them that the rest of the bonds
would be placed An Olympic cheer greeted
these welcome words OF promise.
The meeting adjourned, and on the 9Th
of April, twenty-five days later, President
Harrison, a number of the directors, AMI a
gathering of representative members as
sembled on the lot for the purpose Of break
ing ground.
On the afternoon of October 16, 1891, be-
fore an audience composed of delegates
from the German Turn Vereins and other
athletic associations, the members OF the
club and their friends, in all to the number
OF fully 5000. the cornerstone of the clu b
building was laid by Mayor Sanderson, in
the unavoidable absence of Senator Fair,
with impre ceremonies.
A review of the membership of the
Olympic Club furnishes so large a number
of persons prominent in its affairs that it
is only possible to mention those who we're
| clever as athletes, or who have rendered
some signal service.
In the early days of the club nearly every
| r. -.
been member. With but few exceptions
those who took active interest in the club in
days gone by still remain members, bouhd
by that innate love for athletics which once
contracted never fades
OF the charter members the following
sixteen are still living: E. Wolleb. J. 81.
Coleman. e. Bonnel. j. l.. Dubois. T. III.
Lloyd. II. Duncan, A. X. Durbrow, III.
Eastman, w. II. Eldridge, G. Z. Folsom, I'll.
G. hanks, j. M. KIeruff, II. 2. Livermore
c. E. Livermore, j. Muller and W. z. Mer-
RAM.
Mr. G. W. Bell, the first president of the
club, met an unfortunate death not many
years after its organization.
The early members are past the time
when men take active exercise, but many of
them are represented by their sons. Mr..
Bonnell, the first secretary, is an instance OF
this.
Mr.. II. Russ Joined the club soon after its
organization. and with the exception of a
few years spent abroad has ever since been
an active worker in its interests. No other
member can furnish like record. He was
leader for three years when the club first
started. has been elected treasurer seven
teen times. and was president during the
term of 1856. The Office of treasurer he
has filed continuously from 1879 TO the lay
ing of the cornerstone. and ii is expected
that he will continue In that important
position for many years To come.
Mr.. w. ). Lawion ranked as one OF the
clubs finest all round gymnasts, being
equally at home on the bar, parallels, rings,
trepeZe or slack wire.
The services of Mr.. Reuben II. Lloyd
have been already referred to-
General McComb. twicei president. was
celebrated as fencer. and with him were
+. o. Wegener and L. T. Cannon. Among
the boxers were General McComb; Sidney
V. Smith. the lawyer; John K. Orr; Dick
Carroll, lately deceased; Hiram b. Cook
and George Rossiter
Mark Twain was contemporaneous with
these gentlemen. but his exercising was con-
fined TO studying up jokes TO play On his
fellow-members.
Mr.. George III. Strong was one Of the
Samsons of the club and acted as heavy
man at the ladders.
III. II. Moore. the bookseller once presi-
dent, was considered one of the best all
round gymnasis. Carton Curtis was also
a gymnast, as was Charles W. DUNCAN, the
opera singer William Bunker of the san
Francisco Daily Report was good general
gymnast and acted in the eounsels of the
club for three years as yice-president.
i. p. Ward frequently performed with
Russ and Lawton and being very light and
quick was top man in tumbling. etc. he
was also quick boxer and fencer.
or all The well-knOwn names none Is bet
ter remembered than that Of Charles A.
Bennett. Threatened with consumption.
through the order Of his physician he be-
came actively Interested in the Olympic
Club. He improved his muscular develop
ment until his biceps measured liz inches,
with forearm and chest in proportion. He
was clever gymnast, but excelled as a
boxer.
Mr.. Stombs was one of the clubs cleverest
gymnasis.
Nj. Horace Fletcher was vice-presideui
in 1S77-7S and president for four years.
During his time OF office he infused some OF
his own stirring energy into the affairs Of
the Olympic.
Coming down TO later days the names of
so many clever athletes present themselves
1t is impossible to call attention to even a
rart Of them. AS one OF the leaders of in
door performances Mr.. John A. Hammer
smith should be mentioned, both for his
wonderful skill as a performer on the hori-
zontal bar. and for his success in developing
the talent OF those With whom he exercised.
In outdoor events Mr.. Walter A. Scott is
justly entitled TO mention for, while oecn-
plying an exacting position. he accom-
plished good results In largely assisting to
make outdoor sports more popular with the
public.
The various boards of directors have, of
course, assisted their president in the car
rying cut Of the details of the building
scheme, the late Mir. Holloway, secretary
I or three years. being of particular service
in the disposal Of bonds, as was Director
Gilhuly.
w. =. Lawlor, though never occupying
office, has given valuable legal assistance at
various times and In various ways.
But 1t Is TO the president OF the club, Mr..
William Greer Harrison. that the members
must give thanks for the laying Of the
cornerstone OF the new building, an oc-
currence which marked a new era in the
clubs prosperity. For years plans for
securing the Olympic home of its own
had often been discussed and as often laid
aside. 1t was left to Mr.. Harrison to take
up the project and carry 1t to completion.
Undaunted by failure, persevering in the
face OF disheartening circumstances, he has
worked untirngly, at last accomplishing
what the faint-hearted declared impossible.
Thrown at times upon his own resources,
and often almost ngle-handed, he has been
compelled to coerce and cojole, implore and
command, that results nights be secured.
Ever before him, however, has been the
goal of which the members Of the Olympic
Club Of to-day see the fruition. and with the
opening Of the new building MI Harrison
sees the reward Of unflaggiEg zeal in good
cause.
o4ohvto0 H.dsa