Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-17

END OF AN OLD AND WELL
KNOWN ORGANIZATION.
Originally Organized as a Boat Club,
It Won Many Victories and Attain
ed High Reputation.

The Columbia Athletic Club has made an
assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
its president Emil G. Schafer, being named
assignee. It0s explained that its liabilities
amount to S3253S3 and it's assets to S4,-
1922 The list of assets includes unpaid
dues to the amount of S626.37 and sundry
tickets unpaid by members to the amount
of S1S5.G2
At a meeting held at the club house, 1909
II street. last Saturday evening it was de-
cided that the organization and existence
of the club should cease 1t was made
plain that the club was unable to meet and
discharge in full its just debts or its con-
stantly accruing expenses. Therefore tho
members voted to take the foregoing ac-
ton.
Columbia Boat Club.
The decision of the members of the Co.
lumbia Athletic Club to disband Will end
the existence of an organization that has
for many years been well-known institu-
ton of the city! The club was an off-shoot
from the Potomac Boat Club over a score
Of years ago. Dispute over questions OF
administration caused the secession from
the parent organization. The seceders were
young men or energy and determ nation,
and they set about TO build up an organi-
cation that afterwards was one of the best
known boat clubs in the United States. A
boat house was built on the river front at
the foot of 32d st. in Georgetown. 1t was
we'll stocked with boats and frequented by
enthusiastic boating men. Crews were
trained that acquitted themselves credit
ably. The senior eight crew won its race
at the regatta of the N. A. A o. at Wat
kins n Y, in 1884 and the following year
won the race for senior Fights in the re-
gatta of the same association at Boston in
the best time on record al that time MI
merous minor events were captured by the
Columbia and on the Potomac river re-
gattaS thew took a high stand
The C0lumbias were eminently social
club, and their monthly regattas and
dances at the boat house were popular
with the young people Of the city. In the
winter months when rowing was abandoned
rooms were engaged in the upper floor OF
a block on 18th street, where the usual d.
versions Of social club were enjoyed.
Magnificent Club House.
The wave of enthusiasm over athletics
that swept the country in the eighties
caught the Columbias, and il was decided
to enlarge the scope of the organization.
Analostan Island. opposite the boat house,
was leased. A track and a diamond were
laid out, stands built and preparations
made for indulging to the full the athletic
enthusiasm of it's members.
The increasing membership Of the club
encouraged a hope that had long been en-
tertained, to have club house of Its own
Largely through the energy Of the late
Howard Perry, assisted by the efforts OF
local capitalists bonds were floated and
money raised, and a fine club house was
built on G street above 18th. April %,
$780, the club took possession Of its new
building moving from the building on 18th
street below H, which it's enlarged menu
bership had previously allowed IL to lease.
The club now grew rapidly. Its member
ship list was about 1.4G0. 1t determined
upon the browning event of Its career,
which was to hold the annual outdoor meet
of the Amateur Athletic Union. The games
took place on the clubs grounds on Ana
lostan Island and were great success. The
club took leading part in athletics for
number of years. Its base ball nine was
one of the leading amateur organizations
of the country, playing for the champion
ship with the nine Of the New Jersey Ath-
letic Club.
But interest in boating waned after a
while, the members began to fall off and
1t was decided to drop aquatics. The boat
house and contents passed into the posses
sion of Georgetown University. At a
meeting of the club January Z, 1899, II was
decided to give up the club house on CT
street and to lease the Gait mansion. 1909
H street. The Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION took the G. street club house and
the Columbia Athletic Club in its new home
became solely social club, devoting its
attention principally to whist. Although a
number of whist evenings have been given
by the club and much entertainment af-
forded the local lovers of the silent game,
yet it has been apparent for some time
that the energy and enthusiasm that found
ed the club has long been absent. The de-
mise of the organization will be a cause Of
deep regret to those who remember its long
career Of notable achievement.