New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-11
BOWLING A WOMAN'S FAD.
srUyvEsANTs, ROOsEvELTs. WANDER
BILTS AND GOULDS ROLL THE
SPHERES
MISS HELEN GOUID'S MAGNIFICENT ALLEYS A.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. LADIES


Bowling Is the fad OF the hour among women.
Never before in the history of this wholesome indoor
snort have so many OF the genter sex given them
selves tip TO its destinations. Many clubs composed
o. women devotees OF the sport have sprung into
existence. and certain afternoons and evenings OF
the week all the best alleys in the city are turned
over 20 their exclusive use.
Few OF these organizations are composed exclusive
~ O, women. Husbands and brothers are eligible
70 membership In mos. OF them. for the reason. as
one fair bowler explained II. that they so delight
fully useful in carrying wraps and taking us home.
But In only half dozen OF the notable clubs do the
men take any part whatever in rolling the sphere.
Only few days ago a woman's bowling tournament
FOR the championship of the United States was be-
gun in the alleys in East Fifty-seyenth-st., near
Lexington-ave.
The girl Of the period goes in for bowling in
door pasne OF the winter season for the same rea-
son that she Is deyotee Of outdoor sports during
the summer She yearns for strength and physical
development Besides. she finds bowling lots Of
fun and so recommends it 10 her friends
THE KNICKERBOCKER CLUB.
Perhaps the most fashionable Of the many clubs in
which congregate nowadays to roll the
wooden spheres and knock down the tenpins is the
Knickerhocker. which meets every Wednesday after
noon at the Tennis Building in West Forty -frst-st
Not only do the members OF the club howl at their
weekly meeting. but they have very refreshing
and enjoyable luncheon a sort OF side issue The
back OF the alleys are tasefuy decorated and
the tables laden with sandwiches and coffee.
The majority Of the Knckerbocker Clubs members
are young women Only a few OF them married
One Of the bylaws of the organization states that
no married person is eligible for permanent mem
bershp unless member previous 10 the year 1891
The rules OF the club provide that the permanent
membership shall not exceed l75, and the season
membership 80.
Mrs Isaac Lawrence Is pretty generally conceded
to be the most sktu bowler in the club She the
best record among the women players and has the
proud distinction Of having beaten the clubs contest
ant for the championship. man.
OLD FAMILIES REPRESENTED.
Many OF the clubs members Knickerbockers
by birth. Some Of New-York's oldest families are
represented there and a glance at the roll Of
members reveals such names Van Rensselaer,,
stuyvesant and Roosevelt Mrs. Adrian Iselin
Mrs Henry Clews. Mrs Bryce Gray and several
Other fashionable fSIk are on the list ~ o,o
GoeIet, Mrs. Braas.y Martin, Mrs James Hooker
s Stevens and Mrs Mrs { owsoa Pe MIS- b. ~
AnG!her 60Tng WhGh meets the
indicates the members play on the last evening
hoffman. Miss Carrie , de Blllier and Miss Hannah
The Americas Club and the vigilant are two
more bowling organizations which use the alleys
Of the Tennis CLUB.
ALLEYS IN PRIVATE HOUSES.
The clubs by means show in their aggregate
membership the number of women who devo-
tees OF bowling Many Of the city's private resi-
dences are equipped with alleys. The houses of
both Cornelius and William K. Vanderbilt and
those Of Henry Clews and Police Commissioner
Avery ID. Andrews, for example. all fitted up
wiki the most approved type of bowling alleys:
The feminine members of these families are all
proficient in the game
All OF the Goulds bowlers George Gould,
his wife and his brother Edwin play in The alleys
of the Manhattan Athletic Club. Helen Gould.
who. couple Of years ago. had magnificent alleys
built in her home at lrvingtOn-o on the Hudson,
when IN this city bowls at the Berkeley. as did
her sister Anna. now the Countess de Castellane
The finest bowling alleys In the country are said
70 be those Of John Jacob Astor. at Rhineclin;
n y They have been the scene OF many tOVial
parties. where the fair sex WED with the men for
the evenings record.
Whether bowling will remain fad or be adopted
as heath-givng sport is probemalicai. That
there is no better exercise for the development OF
the body is generally conceded