Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-12-26

tlS IVY tUAC NUlS KIN KIN
SKETCH OF APOPULAR CLUB,
One of the most popular of the many social
and other organizations which thrive in Free
land is the Tigers Athletic Club. Organized
on June ~, 1882, nine and one-half years ago
with the primary object of promoting ath-
letics, principally base ball, in the town
but with the further object of advancing
its members in all that might aid them in at
tanning the higher ideals of manhood, regard
less of their walks in life-this club, by strict
adherence to several principles which are
tersely expressed in the following article
taken from its constitution, has steadily risen
in prominence and respect in the community
The object of the club reads as follows:
"The object of establishing this club is to
deyelope in our members a broader sense of
their duty toward their God, their country,
themselves and their fellowman, that the same
may have tendency to promote more friendly
relations between all classes of people, and
that by associating together we will dissent
nate spirit of brotherly love- good fellowship
and true manhood among our members, and
advance their condition socially morally and
intellectually As means of attaining these
objects the club shall establish and maintain
rooms wherein the members and the public in
general can assemble and spend their leisure
time with profit to themselves by the reading
of good, sound, moral and instructive litera-
ture, by an interchange of views on matters
pertaining to the welfare of all and in the en-
joyment of games and sports"
The club has, perhaps, won most of its fame
through the work of its members on the base
ball diamond. 1t maintained a ball club dur
Ing its younger days which was a success so
passing away of the older association of this
town the Tigers saw their opportunity to ad-
vance the game to "A higher level and they
forthwith made use of the same
EARLY in the spring of 1894 the late Eckley b.
Coke agreed to give the club control of the
Freeiand ball park, after receiving Batisfac-
tory assurances that the sport would be con-
Quoted in broad and uplifting manner
which agreement was faithfully fulfilled
Without delay the ground was improved
fences, grand stand, etc. erected, new uni,
forms and equipment procured for the players
amounting to $40 for preparations alone
This action of the Tigers gave an impetus to
base ball in Freeand State league clubs
seasons of 1894 1896, with an occasional
Eastern league team playing against them.
these games, and Freeland soon achieved a
reputation as a base ball centre and the home
of basr ball players which still cinus 10 it,
The Tigers continued to furnish "A high
grade of this sport until the pubics appetite
in that line had been satisfied. One OF the
most signal successes was the game play
ed here under their management on SepteIn-
Der -, 1895, between Wilkesbarre's Eastern
league team and Hazleton's State league club
the third OF a series for the championship of
the county. This was witnessed by thousands
of people, over 600 coming on special trains
from the county scat alone.
While base ball was their principal out door
amusement, IL was not at any time allowed to
oyershadow the more Important object of the
clubs existence. In 1901 the members leased
the Goeppert building on Walnut street, and
in II short while it was necessary to enlarge
the quarters by the addition of another story
Here several oil the members In
nightly, surrounded by the leading daily
papers and the best magazines and few places
more pleasant and more conducive to Young
mems welfare can be found. Already the
nucleus Of good library, has been secured,
and within short while several hundred
volumes from the best authors will find a rest
ing place in the rooms.
The club has occasionally held public enter
tatnments, the most important in that line
being lecture on THE American Citizen" by
DIR. ID. j. Stafford, of Washington, ID. c., which
was preceded by musical. of extraordinary
merit ON this occasion the entire clergy Of
the region became the guests of the club and
very large audience aud! was present, notwith-
necessary by the sum paid this noted orator.
The club comes before the public twice
p cnic on May 30 An unbroken series of sue
oesses mark its record, from the date of the
first ball to the present time. The Tigers have
yet to meet their first failure, having, upon
every occasion, succeeded in accom- plishing
whatev-r the majority agreed to do. This can
be attributed only to the intense LOYALTY of
the members to the organization and to the
energetic spirit that is awakened when action
and united work becomes necessary.
day, the annual ball-the tenth-wll be held
next Friday evening. The members expect
this event to surpass all their previous sue
cesses, and preparations are being made ac-
cordingy. Their decorations, heretofore a
feature, will have the aid this year of electrical
effects Practically the entire building has
been leased, and the club will take charge on
Friday aud remain in possession until the fol-
lowing Tuesday. In the dance hall DePierro's
1rlp Of pin r,ia
the music ON Friday night, while st. AIMS
Parish band will do likewise on Saturday
and Monday evenings.
In numbers the club is not as strong as il
might be IL the members desired more names
on its rolls Owing to the membership being
limited discretion is necessarily exercised in
electing applicants. However, any male of
good character, sixteen wears old or over can
be proposed race, religion, color or politics
being no bar to membership.
The roll of active members is as follows:
Boyle, Bernard Gillespie, John
Boyle, Hugh, Jr. Hanlon, Edward +.
Boyle, John H. Houston, John
Breslin, Hugh, Jr johnson, Condy j.
Brogan, John }; Keenan,, Bernard j.
Buckley, Daniel s. Malloy, Hugh, Jr
Cannon, James j. McGroarty, John
Dever, Patrick McHugh, John H.
Dever, Roger McMenamin, Hugh A.
Doggett, George McMenamin, John j.
Ferry, James McTighe, Patrick b.
Ferry, James b. O,Donnell, Andrew
Gallagher, Charles O'Neill, John
Gallagher, Charles J. Qmigiey, James b.
Gallagher, james NJ Riley, Andrew
nulldButr, JoHn IllnOny, james
Gallagher, Peter d. Welsh James
Gallagher, Peter G. Welsh, Thomas
Another roll is maintained, known as the
honorary list, comprising active members
who are temporarily or permanently absent
The honorary roll contains the names of the
following, with their residences on the 1st inst:
Boyle, Manus, Bnyonne City, N. j.
Boyle, Michael p, Kingston.
Brennan, John, Philadelphia.
Breslin. Patrick j., Bayonne City, Nj
Broderick, Matthew, Villanova.
Burns, James. Fortress Monroe, Va.
Carey, Joseph p, Trenton, N. j.
Cunningham, William F., Weatherly
Doggett, William, Allegheny City
Dugan, Edward, New York City
Gaffney, Edward j., Worcester, Mass.
Gallagher, Bernard San Francisco, Cal.
Gallagher, Edward f., East Hartford, Conn
Harvey, James, Philadelphia.
Heron, James, South Bethlehem
Houston, Peter, McAdoo.
McCafferty, Eugene, Manayunk, Phili,
McFadden, Bernard, Villanova.
McGarvey, John j., Gallitzin.