The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-10-03

ootDoil, "ilIie IL IL d rough game,
is also one very much enjoyed by
lovers of sport.
The story Of football begins far
back in history, and has, except for
brief period, steadily grown in ia
vor
Even in the early dawn of Grecian
civilization a simple form of this
sport was enjoyed. Then a rude
ball, made Of bladder or rough skin,
was used, and the players propelled
it by kicking, not being allowed to
put the ball forward, in any manner
by the use. Of the hands
The Romans. too, were expert play
ers. They called it harpastum. AS
the history of the word implies, they,
unlike the Greeks, were permitted to
seize the Ball in their hands and car
ry it, as well as kick it.
Football is much older game than
cricket, and is more suitable for the
winter season. In fact, it was soon
called the "winter game" cricket be-
ing dubbed the "summer game"
1t is believed that "The History of
London" by William Fitzstephen,
written about the year 1175, makes
the first historic mention Of this game
in England, although it seems certain
that it was introduced into Great
Britain in early times by the Romans.
In England, for long time, there
were no clubs, no code of rules, and
no special organizations to give con-
troll, in any way Of this exciting pas
time. On Shrove Tuesday people of
all ages and both sexes were seen on
the football field III two great con-
tending forces, to be found wherever
there was opportunity for this spirit
ed contest.
There seemed to be little organiza-
ton almost any means, fair or foul,to
Each person was permitted to use
get the ball to the desired goal. SO
rough did the game grow that even
throughout the city Of London win
dow shutters became necessity, and
in many cases barricades were built
around houses in localities were the
game was waeed most fercely This
sort of thing could not last long.
The game fell into disrepute.. Ev-
ell in the time of James |. the heir
apparent to the throne was forbidden
to play, the king saying: 1.-The game
is meeter for tanning than making
able the users thereof Into such
disfavor had the game come in 1880
that, for thirty years almost nothing
was seen of this, then, rollicking.
noisy, turbulent scene of the Shrove-
tide season.
But in 1860 amateur athletics were
organized in England by the public
school and university men, and in
this widespread movement football
was to have due prominence.
At once the game again grew pop
ular Now the whole English nation
was strangely moved by this amuse-
ment. Soon it vas seen that careful
ly formulated rules must be made.
There MIST be a society with power
to leg;slate. SO the Football Associa-
tea was organized in 1868. This So
ciety stood for strictly and care
fully played game. If possible every
play was to be regulated by exact
rules. Since 1871 the Rugby Football
Union was instituted. This society
stood for a less strictly guarded
game.
The association used ball i'll the
shape of a perfect sphere. the union
one egg shaped The balls were now
much improved, being made then
much as now. by using inflated india
rubber bladders covered with leather
carefully laced together.
In the United States the great coll
le@es and universities. as in England. |
led in giving popularity to football |
And the interest manifested in this
form of athletics has been and is /
now. in most sections. intense and alb |
sorbing.
Now not only do the colleges and +
universities have their teams to win /
honrs for their respective institutions,
but, also. it is found that almost all I
the small schools. the town kigh
schools, villages. etc. are represented i
by well organized teams.