The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-18

Rubensteins of Canada, Louis and Moses,
the champions Of the Dominion, and
George ID. Phillips, the most celebrated
fancy skater in the United States.
While there are many claimants for the
championship in fancy skating ard delin-
cation on ico il may fairly be asserted that
George ID. Phillips and Louis Rubenstein,
though their records were made some
years ago, still tand at the hend of the
list, AND the prospect Of their again meet
ing gives promise of an event OF unusual
interest In this class OF sport. In 1891
they met In a championship contest In
New York, whom the honors were even,
their performances being adjudgod equally
m~eritorlous. II is still a question which
is entitled TO the distinction of being the
worlds champion.
In athletic circles, particularly skating,
George ID. Phillips is, without doubt, ono
Of the best known men In America. The
Spider, rs he has been called for years, is
about 8 feet 5 inches In height, and when
In condition would weigh about 100
pounds. He has been before the public
prominently for the past 90 years and has
done something each year In the athletic
line Of notable merit.
Louis Rubenstein, who ranks with
Phillips as u fancy skater, and by some
critics is regarded as his superior, is a ma
tive of Montreal, where he still resides.
He made his first appearance in 1879,
when he won the championship Of Mont
real at figure skating. In 1881, at Mont
real. he won the championship Of Canada
In fancy skating, scoring IS points out OF
a possible As. In 1884 he won tho fancy
skating championship of New Brunswick
by 43M points out of a possible 45. He
subsequently wen pen competitions at
Moncton, New Castle and Chatham, Hal
flax, and Bathurst, n. b., scoring Al
out Of "a possible as points. His next APP
pearnnce was on Jan. 2S, 1885, at the
Montreal carnival, for the championship
of America, when he defeated Bluhm OF
Chicago, champion of the northwest;
Shaw of Cambridge, Mass. Murray of
Brookville, Ont. Bruce Of Gait, Ont, and
Robinson and Meagher of Toronto, scoring
2S2 points out of a possible 300.
In 1883 he competed Mt the Victoria rink
for the championship Of Canada, and again
won the title. In the same year he com
peted in New York, winning the National
Amateur Skating associations champion
ship, with az points. In 1889 he again
visited New York, coming out ahead with
20 points. On his return to Montreal he
competed for the Canadian championship,
winning easily. In 1891 Louis Ruben
stein made a third visit to the United
States, where be tied Phillips in a contest
for the National Amateur figure skating
championship The same year he went TO
Europe to compete In the international
tournament at st. Petersburg. He fairly
defeated oil competitors, and on the first
day was awarded tho first prize, but the
judgment WAS afterward reversed. His
treatment by the Russians has always been
regarded by sporting authorities as shame
full and unjust.
Moses Rubenstein, who ranks next TO
his brother Louis as an expert in fancy
maneuvers OF tho ice, clearly stands at the
bend Of all other figure skaters in Canada,
and the Dominion has produced many
notable performers in this class OF sport. He
made his first appearance in an open COM
petition at Burlington, VT, i'm the winter
Of 1887, when he won the principal prize,
n gold medal, defeating many of the crack
skaters Of the time, including his brother
Louis. In 1890 he was awarded tho anna