The times., 1897-08-15
the city, and members of the diplomatic

" tliOSt Oh Seuenldfy naDltS cOlilQ not
even then be oyerestimated, and the
affair became greater success than ever
and promptly jumped into favor, and the
gym. became the popular social resort ,f
the bestpeople of the city.
1t may be added in passing that befo @
Brady s Gymnasium Was opened there hal
been small one in u building which occu-
pied the site of the present Bijou Theate-.
then known as Wallis Opera House.
1t may be interesting to note some Of
the gentlemen who were at that time be-
levers in the gym. and its benefits and
many OF whom are still here to attest Us
benefits. William c. Wood, the &ell-knowa
patent attorney, at Seventh and F streets,
was for number of years president of the
G Gymnastic Association, and was resn-
larly seen exercising in the classes.
Or. Marmion, the celebrated aurist and
oculist, was an active member. His
speciality was with heavy weights, being
able to lift 500 pounds in the Winship
health lift.
Dr.. Thomas Calver, of the auditors Of
flee of the War Department, was the in
structoI in calisthenics. His instructions
were given with piano accompaniment, and
consisted of free movements wands, dumb
bells, clubs and rings. There were three
class nights a week, and seldom less than
sixty men in a class.
Locus d. Alden, of the Treasury Depart
ment, was one of the lest all-round ath-
and parallel-bar performances being noted
for their daring. He was also known as
a daring skater. being swift straight
a.t,r II a.l-f' hat
finishing his feats with a front or back
somersault lie was knows as the star
pitcher of the old Unions, a nine that pla yed
un theC cid White Lot.
Charles A Brown of ftheinternalrevenue,
was especially good in tumiiling, leaping
and acrotatics. He and Clint Moore gave
a fine acrobatic act. The latter afUerward
became professional, and Travelled under
the name of Romelii, doing wonderful act
with brother Of that name. Hedied while
performing in the Paris HipEodrome sew
eral yea rsago Theonly other professionals
known to have been turned out by the
old gymnasium were the Horne brothers
(real name Jacobs and Donovan The latter
has been proprietor of a number OF shows
in all countries. Prof Crossley, of the
C. A. C., is well acquainted with him.
Col. John A. Joyce everybody knows
the silver locked poet-tells you even
now how he used to swing the clubs and
push the bells in the old gym, when just
after the war he was in the internal rev
enuc service.
Am1ng other well-known active mem.
bers Were Seaton Perry dry goods merchant
now; E. F. Droop, music dealer; George w.
Evans, disbursing officer, Interior Depart
ment for several terms secretary OF the
association. Governor C'Boss'') Shepherd,
]. T Over, Gen. J. c. Kelton, q en- Grants
sons, Frank aud Tom Noyes, OF the STAR
Frank Riggs, Rev. Joseph T Kelly, ,ofchurch
Ninth and Grant place, who won medal
for the &est general gymnastics at Prince
ton while a stCden I there.
The love Of athletics still fingers with
some OF the W G. A. members, and in the
Columbia Athletic Clubs beautiful gym
nasim aud clubhouse they find pleas
ant home and everything necessary to the
comfortable indulgence III their fayorite
exercises and among these are t. b Nolan,
Andy Smith land who don't know the
gallant little oarsmanl, John Stokes, z.
Moses, R. NJ. Larner. Rex Smith and H. B.
Bennett. Among the best gymnasts of the
old association that are known TO be among
the living are Ned Tuttle, Zack Carpen-
ter. Tim Coughlan, Frank Lowe, Clint
Moore. Frank SaXton and John Pugh, for
a number 20 years our city's most popu-
lar tenor singer.
The association gave number of eX-
cellent gymnastic exhibitions and hops,
and these were always well attended and
clippings from the papers of that period
give glowing accounts of the performances
and of the performers. One speaks in an
account of a big exhibition, among other
things, OF the appearance of Mr.. Fought
on ''velocipede, the last sensation,'
and spoke of him as a skillfuI manager OF
the modern horse; follow ed by T. b. No
Ian, mounted ON mother wheel, in the
character Of an Irish washerwoman, and
created considerable merriment. SO it is
seen that even the trick riding had place
OF programs.
At one Of the exhibitions of the assoca-
ton held in the National Theater, there
were present over 800 Indian chiefs in full
war rig and paint, and these in their way
enjoyed the show.
The apparatus OF the old association
was sold later, as stated, to Odlum and
Davis, and when they gave up the gymnas
ium TO open the big auditorium on E
street they sold the apparatus TO the Wash
ington Turn Yerein, which Organization
am told, still has II in use
The subject OF the cut, Mr.. Nolan never
tires Of speaking of the pleasures and in
cidents OF the old gym, aud his fund of
"reminiscences is endless. He tells one on an
old-time darkey who had load Of coal to
deliver n, the pyfnp StI,rp which no o,,ob,
was the anne of gentleman but. being
too respectful to call gentleman Jim,
asked someone where James Nasium was
in that locality; and being asked if he meant
gymnasium. he replied by saying: wall,
maybe dey does call him dat for Short
Mr.. Nolan has served several terms as
lieutenant of the Columbia Athletic Club
ia charge Of gymnastics, and takes an active
part in the exercises making himself spe-
ciaily useful to Prof. Crossie Y in the junior
classes, taking great interest In the devel-
opment of the kids. He has appeared in
a number OF the c. 4. c. exhibitions at
the theaters, and nearly always in aero
battles and rs the tunde IStander'' In the
human pyramids aud holder of the Roman
ladders, both requiring great strength and
stead;ness and cool head.
He served three years as a member OF
the C. A. c. house committee, and is among
the most popular members of the club. He
has a remarkable record for good health
not having been Kept away from his bust
ness duties on account of sickness for
single day in over thirty years He attrib-
unes all this to the early physical training
and gymnastic exercise and good care of