Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-01
PORTSMOUTH ATHLETIC ASSO-
CITATION.
The Opening of it's New Club Very
Interesting Event Indeed

The opening of the new club rooms
last night of the Portsmouth Amateur
Athletic Association at the corner of
Second and Harrison streets was q de-
cided success from every point of view.
The men who constitute the club have
every reason to feel proud of their new
quarters. as the new, commodlous and
decidedly attractive building, fitted up
as II is In excellent shape, Is the result
OF the labor, at odd times. of those who
feel honored by membership there
rms cluD was brought into being in
1891 and has a record second to none
IN the South. 1t has sent out famous
athletes whose names are known far
and wide for the successes earned by
them. The famous Elizabeth crew was
OF this club, and those nj all acquainted
with the history of the city know full
well or this crews great achievements
Then the famous Single scull," Will
liam Murray. whose great feats at
Geneva. N. Y, winning from men of
national reputation the junior and
senior amateur races, places this or
ganiZation in the front ranks of the
best known and most successful anna
teur organizations OF the kind in this
country
This club Is now composed of four
teen sterling young men and the Cor
dial and hosDitable manner IN which
they received their guests last night
was In keeping with the we'll known re-
putation of those who have preceded
them as members. They have as
mementoes of the days that are gone
souvenirs Of the prowers of the club.
for SUSPENDED from the ceiling is n
portion OF the famous odd Elizabeth"
the first boat owned by the club, and
upon each side of the main hall of the
building, carefully preserved, Is the
nisl' AL, Z. Ill.
the reputation of the club and city was
upheld to the highest degree in sports
aquatic.
The banquet furnished by the Chill
dren of Mary" was one Of the very best
Everything the heart could wish or the
mind conceive for the satisfaction of
the inner man was there in abundance,
and the "Chldren of Mary were highly
complmented for their skill In prepar-
ing such a feast and for possessing the
faculty Of anticipating so successfully
what would so we'll please.
The master OF ceremonies Of the occa-
sion was Mr.. r. 19. O'Connor, and we'll
did he fill the role.
A goodly number of the friends of
the Club surrounded the festive board
and good fellowship ruled the hour
| Many speeches were delivered and
songs sung, all OF which were much
| appreciated, the following gentlemen
| being called upon Mr.. John ]. King
entertained the assembly by an elo-
quent address, taking the "Lifc of Pat
| rick Henry as his subject, and the
gentleman handled his subject in an
| exceedingly clever manner.
| Messrs. Charles II. Bland, Patrick
Riley. S. r. Montague. e. L. Dashieu,
James Riley, p. J.. Flynn, John Teal
lilce. John Belts, John Cox, Charles r.
Lash. p. J. Lyons and Dennis Nlichaels
responded to calls by making short
| addresses.
| The music of the occasion was furn-
ished by these gentlemen, who sweetly
sang songs of their choice: Mr.. Hugh
| Steele sang decidedly entertaining
| ballad, which was encored to the echo
"Iamesie Morgan" was exceedingly
| we'll rendered by Mr.. John Ryan, as
was 1.-THE Thicker You Pluck Them