New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-21
NOVEL CLUB FOR BOYS.
MILITARY DRILLS AND COOKING
CLASSES ARE THEIR CHIEF
DELIGHTS

There is a club for boys in Hartford Conn.,
which is novel and interesting IN many respects.
1t is called the Good VIII Club and is located in
a roomy building, where boys from the street
spend their evenings and be sure of having
jolly time and of learning lots Of useful things
besides.
The building resembles a vast beehive and ap-
preaching it hears the hum Of the human
bees. The basement is well lighted with electric
lights, and here held the classes in cookery, car
pentry and wood carving. The second floor ''Keney
Hail." is used for games-croknole puff billiards.
chess. checkers, etc. all played there. The
whole is under the management OF Miss Mary
Hall. who is assisted by her brother David S
Hall. who meets the boys at the door, and after
the coats and hats are checked sends them to
the various classes or the game room.
AS is often the with good works. this club
was the result OF a small beginning AS far back
as 1880 the idea occurred Miss Hall. lawyer in
Hartford, to. form plan to interest the poor
boys Of the city who had nowhere but the streets
IN which to pass their evenings So she secured
room, gathered a few boys together and read to
them stories furnished games and talked upon
natural history, geology and other subjects. The
boys were delighted. and she met with them once
week the number of boys gradually increasing.
Ihey soon had to seek larger quarters. and after
time the boys, under her supervision, organized.
ADOPTED a constitution and bylaws and selected
officers from their own number The plan had
nothing IN It Of the day school or Sunday school,
Inc IDEA was mainly to entertain the boys with
interesting games stories illustrated papers, etc.
The meetings had such attractions for the boys
| that they usually came with companions from
their circle Of playmates and their quarters soon
grew too small. Larger rooms We're procured; they
were opened two three evenings week. and
| finally every evening except Sunday Entertain
| ments were given to the boys from time to time
these being contributed by friends. Gradually they
secured a library; piano was hired and singers
/ volunteered their services
| The name Good VIII Club was adopted in 1880,
also badge having for design a star and crescent
| This is for regular members only for there is a
| distinction between those whose names are sim
| ply entered on the books and those who, by rea-
son Of good conduct and attendance belong to the
regular organization and are eligible to Office in it.
Boys are received from eight years of age to
/ twenty-one, and about two hundred and fifty have
/ been enrolled as regular members while over eight
hundred names were entered on the books the last
! year.
The club at the present time owns its own build
J Ing which allows boys ample for their
J classes, gymnasium and drill Boys over twelve
/ years Of age who have been approved by the d.
/ rectors may become members in full and wear
! badges, If they will take the following pledge:
Il solemnly promise TO abstain from the use of
an IntG1lea1ng liquors except as medicine, and
profanity, and vugarity; and I also promise to
honor and obey my parents"
( badge and membership.
held military df5 Pa during S 4 the Win Winter MONTHS
when they wear fatigue caps; belts and cartridge
! the close Of each season two prize medals, one OF
( gold and one Of silver, awarded the two
! boys who have been the proficient in the
school OF the soldier well faithful in attend
/ ance. The medals remain the property of the
/ club, but the boys who have won them wear them
/ all public occasions.
There is class in carpentry, where the boys are
! taught TO use the tools properly. Then there is
/ too class in wood carving. also cooking, which
/ by the way, the boys enjoy immensely especially
! the bread making.
Glasses in paper cutting and jack knife work have
recently been added, and the Penny Provident Bank
/ helps the boys to become economical and thrifty
| Many of them sell papers and as they say, they
! cannot hold TO their money" the bank
/ helps them to hold on" and often a neat little
sum is put by. 1t IS saved for many different pur
! poses-for clothes wedding presents, bicycles. for
! Christmas, for small summer trips, etc At the
end Of one year boy had saved $50. besides buy
! At the Good VIII BuiIding every night between
! two hundred and three hundred bows assemble to
enjoy the privileges Of the club.