The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-19
Notes OF south Side
Happenings Of a Day That viii Interest
Many Tribune Readers.
HISTORY OF AN ATHLETIC CLUB
The Scranton Athletic Club to Cele-
brate Its Tenth Anniversary This
Evening-It Is Meritorious Organ
ization with a Large Membership.
New South Side Street Railway
ScheduIe-News in Brief Form.

Schedule-News in Brief Form.
The Scranton Athletic club will cell
ebrate its tenth anniversary this even
ing, and brief history of the organi. |
Zation will not be Inappropriate.
The Scranton Athletic club was or
ganized Jan, 81 1894 at tho house Of
John A. Neuls, on Pittston avenue, a
membership of forty-two The "Seran
ton Turnversin" was at that time the
most popular organization of its kind
in northeastern Pennsylvania; and
among the many applicants for mem
bership in the same were several pro.
minent young men of the South Side;
but on account of petty jealousies they
were rejected, and this gave birth to
the Scranton Athletic club which, to-
day. ranks with the foremost in the
sporting world of Pennsylvania.
Among the most earnest in instituting
this organization were Benjamin +.
Moore, Charles G. Nsuls, Charles Helm,
Robert p Koshler John Schunk, Charles
Desing, John A. Neuls, William Scholl,
Fred Weichel, Charles Wirth George
p Hartman. Gerhard Dresser, Phillip
Wirth and William Koch, jr, The fore
going are still numbered among the
active members of the club with the
exception Of William SchOll, who
was the first president, now deceased,
and Robert p, Koehler, resigned.
CLUB QUARTERS OPENED.
The club opened quarters with
gymnasium at Matters Hall, on Alder
street, where it remained until Dec. /.
1892, when it removed to its precsnt
home over Germania Hall. Philip
Wirth was its first captain, and by rea-
son Of his ability and popularity still
holds the same position. The present
cozy home Of the club comprises suite
of four rooms, we'll furnished with
hall attached, which is used by the
members when in training, Among
its membership, which today numbers
l112 athletes. are found some Of the
most popular and prominent residents
of Scranton and vicinity Although
composed largely Of young men of
German descent, it welcomes any and
all nationalties that may apply for ad-
mission when found to be OF the right
caliber. 1t has claimed the champion.
ship of Northeastern Pennsylvania in
general athletics barring boxing, for a
period of eight years, and stands ready
today to defend its we'll earned laurels
in wrestling. sprinting, base ball, tug of
war, bar, trapeze and dumb-bell exer-
cises.
During the ten years Of its existence
the club has lost but two members by
death. The first to pass into the great
beyond was its first president, William
Scholl who died ia March, 1888 In
the parlors today can be found portraits
of this popular official. The second to
pass away was Edward Mcmahon, a
celebrated semi professional wrestler,
who died at the homo of his parents in
Dunmore on Jan, 2, 1894, aged 81 years,
from internal injuries received in a
wrestle previous to his becoming a
membsr Although but member Of
the club for two short weeks, by his
genial, sunny disposition and honest
ways. he had become favorite,
NEVER BEEN DEFEATED.
Secretary Emil Boun, who of late
has been his private backer In speak
ing of him stated that he had never
been defeated; that he had bested the
champions of the athletic clubs Of
Philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn,
Trenton and Newark. Several i'm
portant matches had been arranged to
come off this month, one Of note being
with ConnorS, the English champion,
who had lately arrived from London
During the past few months box
ing instructor has been at work with
some Of the boys, and it is whispered
that at least dozen of the members
have become so proficient in the manly
art Eof self defence, that in the
near future a public tournament will
be held at Music hall. Among these
are Peter Marker, William Fox, Will
lam Jansen, William NeulS, Charles
Driesing, Jacob Ballus and Billy
Smith, who are considered handy
with the dukes" The per-
sonnel Of the base ball
team is officially reported for
season of 1894 ia made up as follows:
Captain and pitcher, Philip Wirth;
catcher: William Smith; first base, Ed,
Robinson; short stop Emil Bonn; third
base, Fred Wirth; left field, Peter Mar
ker; center field Jacob Ballus; right
field, William Fox. Reserve PLAYERS
P p Neuls, Peter Neuls, William
Jansen Suits and all the necessary
paraphsrmslia have all ready been pro i
cured and the team will start out with
the object of making a record for it
self this coming year,in all probability
the Central Park grounds will be Sc
cured
POWER IN POLITICS.
In politics the club has always been
q power, although 1t has never taken
active part it is a significant fact that
two OF its members have been elected
and at the present time are council
men from the Eleventh and Fourteenth
wards, aud another is a member of the
board of control, while four of them
hold County" positions. 1t may not
be local "Tammsny," but they have
a peculiar way Of taking care of each
other and in the proper way,
Socially, the club leads the South
Side, and so large is the public attend
anco at its balls, festivals and enter
tainmsnts, that it is the intention of
ths club to limit admission in the
future to club members only. Ga May
10, 1890, a charter was granted by the
late Judge Connolly, and the club will
soon apply for membership in the Am.
ateur Athletic association of tho United
States, where 1t rightfully belongs, and
whereit will win for itself and members
''namss" aud records Financially
it is one Of the strongest organizations
of its kind in Pennsylvania.
The following officers will look after
its destinies the coming year: Presi
dent, Philip Scheuer; vice president,