The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-28
KANSAS news.
Fort Leavenworth to Have a
Splendid Gymnasium.
A Fine Swimming Pool to Be a
Feature.
AT A COST OF $4,000.
Made Attractive So That Troop
ers Will Stay There
In Preference to Visiting the
Resorts of Town.

Leavenworth. Kas., Nov. 2s.-The
Times says:
The remodeling of the old mess hall
at Fort Leavenworth for use as a gym
nasium and soldiers club is RAPIDLY
nearing completion. and if the work is
up to Major Carthy's expectations it
will be finished in time to have a dance
Christmas eve. The interior of the
building has been entirely rebuilt.
commodious basement excavated, an
addition for the swimming pool built on
the east side. and altogether about
900 will have been spent by the gov
eminent when the contemplated i'm
provements are completed.
The north end Of the hall has been
raised; a large, roomy stage, IS by 10
feet built in. with the necessary foot
lights dressing rooms, etc. which will
be put in readiness for any performance
that may be given by home talent
The entire floor of the hall over which
in the past have glided SO many dane
ing feet has been taken up, and will
be replaced with a fine quality of maple
flooring. in short lengths This will be
given three coats of liquid granite, and
finished off with high polish, making
it the best as well as the largest floor
for 1ancing in this part of the state.
The post exchange will be established
in what was once the kitchen of the
old mess hall Cloak rooms have been
placed upon each side of the passage
leading from the main hall to the ex-
change and lockers for clothing are
also being fitted up.
The post exehange,lunch counter, etc,
will be located within easy reach of
the enlisted men of the post, and the
facilities will be far superior to those
now available 1t is the intention of
those in authority to make the entire
building so attractive and pleasant to
the enlisted men that they will have
no desire for the association of the re-
sorts and dives to which they now turn
for entertainment and paStime.
Four bowling alleys, of standard size,
equipped throughout with standard
4 equipment, double sets of pins, etc,
will be located in the basement, beneath
the north center of the building. These
alleys will be built to conform to the
regulations of the American Amateur
Bowling league, and the experts of the
ranging occasional matches with bowl
ers from civilian life.
The shooting gallery, for revolver and
reduced charges in rifle practice, will
also be placed in the basement, and will
be available for use by all enlisted men
who wish to perfect themselves in gal
lery craftsmanship.
The gymnas SUM proper will be locat-
ed upon the main floor of the old hall
and will be 20 by 100 feet in size The
Two additional chest weights, one in
tercostal back, loin and chest weight.
one back and loin giant pulley, one
quarter circle, one travelling parallel,
one horizontal wrist roll, one finger
machine. one high and low neck ma
chine, one ankle machine one rOtat-
ing ankle machine. one arm machine.
one wrestling machine, one leg ma
chine, three horizontal bars, three
horses, seven travelling rings, three
flying rings, six climbing poles, six
climbing ropes, three parallel bars,
three horizontal vaulting bars, with
swing-up. three jump standards with
three dozen sticks, two striking bags.
drums, one rowing weight, twenty
seven mats, assorted sizes, and truck
for same, six medicine balls. six racks
for medicine balls, $50 pairs Indian
clubs, $50 pairs of dumbbells, 15C
standard bar bells, six jumping
boards, one automatic ladder, ten sets
boxing gloves. one scales, one stadio-
meter, one sDirometer, one basket ball
outfit, with two goals and two balls
These articles have been shipped to
the contractor and will be here within
the apparatus except such as is fast
ened directly to the walls may be
easily removed to clear the floor space
when it is desired for dancing or other
entertainment. and all the climbing
ropes, poles, ETC., will be suspended
from the ceiling in such fashion that
they may easily be swung out of the
wav-
A FINE SWIMMING POOL.
One of the best features about the
new building is the addition contain
ing the swimming pool. This pool is
about 20 by 60 feet.