The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-05-11
Wy NlIVAoTIUc.
Athletic Club Entertainment
Monday Evening.
A Splendid Exhibition of Skill and
Muscular Development Given at
the Opera House.

The gymnastlc exhibition given oy the
Mankato Athletic club at the opera house
Monday was not as we'll attended as its
merit warranted. Those who were
present were we'll repaid, however. for
they witnessed most excellent entertain
ment. In all, sixty-four persons partici-
pated, and the work done illustrated the
benefit which the Athletic club is to those
who take advantage of the opportunities
which it affords for physical culture. Al
though the club has been in existence only
a few months many of the members have
made remarkable progress and lnstruc'
tor Gerstenhauer's classes show the bene-
fit which has resulted from his instruction,
not only in their ability to do exercises
but. what is more important, in their
strong and healthful appearance. Mr..
Gerstenhauer, who had charge of the pre-
paration and presentation of the entertain
ment, is certainly first class instructor.
The Concordia orchestra added greatly
to the pleasure of the evening by its
excellent music, both during some OF the
exercises and the intermissions. The
program opened with wand drill and
exercises by the girls class, numbering
about twenty The girls wore pretty uni
forms and showed that they had been
carefully drilled. Their marching and
wand exercises were all done with pre-
cision and in time to music.
Two lads Messrs. Porter and Thomp-
son, engaged in a lively FIVE minute
wrestling bout and displayed great skill in
the art. They used the various holds and
worked diligently on each other, but
neither was able to win fall in the time
allowed, Messrs. Guth. Hockey, Albert
and Hughes followed with some excellent
tumbling Very creditable exercises on
the horse by members of the Athletic club
followed. The boys class gave an exhi.
bition in marching and dumbbell exercises
that was creditable alike to them and
their instructor. They wore neat appear
ing uniforms.
The New Ulm class of nine, under In
structor Schneider, gave an exhibition on
the parallel bars that was very fine. They
brought their own apparatus with them.
arriving on the p. m. train and going at
once to the opera house. These young
men showed remarkable development OF
muscle and skill and their work was
greatly admired by all. They were dress
ed in neat gray uniforms.
Pyramid work by members of the Man
kato Athletic club closed part of the pro-
gram, after which President U. G. Truax
made few remarks.
Messrs. Youst and Hughes did some
single and double trapese exercises that
were very commendable. The New Ulm
class gave fine drill with iron wands.
The boys class gave an interesting exhibit
ton on the parallel bars. Messrs Rockey,
Mayer and Youst did some very pretty
work at torch swinging. The New Ulm
and Mankato classes illustrated the hori-
zontal bar work. Instructor Schneider
and Ed. Petry, of New Ulm, did some
work with the foils that proved to be an
interesting feature. Mr.. Petry is one of
the best fencers in the state. The pro-
gram closed with statue work of the
gladiators is seven positions and was well
executed by Messrs. Guth and Rockey.
The program was carried out without
undue delay and the various features were
literally applauded.
After the conclusion of the entertain
ment theAthletic club entertained the New
Ulm class at supper at the Stahl House. 1t
was two o'clock before the festivities came
to close. Speech making was INDUCED
in and all present enjoyed themselves
greatly. The New Ulm class took the
early morning train for home. Now that
the people of Mankato know how good an
entertainment the Athletic club can pre-
pare, future exhibitions will no doubt be
literally patronized.
The New Ulm party consisted of Ed
ward Petry, Henry Kunze, Fred Graebe,
Hugo Roos, Willie H. Stroll, Otto Melger,
Robt Petry, Albrecht Stork, James
Schneider. Frank Sistzal and Lorenz