Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-23
DISTRICT TURNER'S.
Popular Athletic Organization Of Ger
man-Americans and Object Of Society.

Z +
man-Americans and Object Of Society.
The German Turner's of this city, perhaps
better known as the Columbia Turn-Veren,
are but one organization Of a number that
extends through the whole OF this country,
as well as across the ocean. AS an organ
ization, national in character. its member
ship is large, and represents the pick OF
the German residents. The good OF the
organization can hardly be appreciated out
side of those who belong to It, Cultivating
a social Intercourse and improving the mus
GUAR development of the members and
their children are the prime objects Of the
association. The word turner means simply
one who takes regulated physical exercise,
and comes from the same root as tourna-
ment. A turner is one who exercises for
his benefit alone. opposed to the word
athletic. in its professional sense. The aim
of the society is to furnish, what the Amer
leans would term It, an all-round and uni
formed development of all the human fac
ulties In this respect it differs from ath-
letic and acrobatic sports, where one set
OF muscles is developed generally at the
expense of the others. The organization
believes in a progressive system of develop
n;ent not with the idea to make champions,
but strong, healthy men. The motto Of the
organization Is symbolic. and the cross
like monogram. F. F. 8. T., stands for
The organization was founded in Ger
many in 1910 by Frederick Ludwig
Jahn The best part of Europe at
that time was at the feet Of Ma
conclusion that the only way his beloved
fatherland could rid itself of French OPP
preston was by the systematic physical
education OF the German people While
had great personal attraction, and he
opened the first gymnasium In Berlin In
1911. He met with considerable opposi-
ton, and finally was thrown into prison as
dangerous to the government. The opposi-
ton to the gymnasium did not disappear
until 1872 when King Frederick William
" permitted its reopening and encouraged
gymnastic exercises. At present gymnas-
high schools and in the German army, and
the victories in the war of 1872 have been
ascribed to this cause.
The first society in the United States was
started at Cincinnati in the latter part of
1S48. a second society being establish
ed soon after In New York Two
years later there were thirteen So
eieties in the United States, and the
first convention was held in 1850 at
Philadelphia There were 100 societies in
this country at the outbreak OF the war.
Many OF the societies were compelled to
disband. however. on account of their menu
hers enlisting, but soon after the war they
were reorganized, stronger and better than
ever before. The national body OF the
Turner's meets every two years and is
called the Nord Amerikanischer Turner
Bund, which consists Of thirty-four dis
tricts, representing over 800 societies and
nearly $4,000 members There are also
number of Independent Turn Vereins.
The first Turn Verein in the District was
organized July II. 1852. the name of which
was Social Demokratischer Turn verein Won
Wash The first officers OF this orranf-
cation, most Of whom are still living. are
Anton Eberly. president; George Enlolf,
treasurer: Louis Dietrich, recording secre-
tary; Ad. Cluss corresponding secretary:
Chr. Dietrich instructor. and Jac Imruich,
financial secretary. Among those who be-
came members later were John Holzchuh.
JAG. Karr. Charles Mades. Hoffa brothers
and others. The membership of the society
was very small In the beginning, but after
a few years. as the membership increased.
they secured q good gymnasium and meet
Ing room on 9th street, opposite the Center
market.
The young club took an active part In
the athletic meet at Baltimore In Septem-
Der. 1852. In the year following the first
flag was presented to the association This.
with another flag. which shortly afterward
came into their possession. was carried
through the civil war and is now the prop
erty of the present Columbia Turn yerein.
In the year 1855 there was dissesion In the
ranks of the Turner's on account of the
slave question, number of the members
Washington Turn Verein. In 1851 however,
both societies were again united.
Immediately upon the breaking out of
the civil war the Turner's organized as
military body. uniformed themselves at
their own expense and offered their serv-
ices to Lieut.. Stone. the commander OF the
city forces. who then furnished Them with
arms At the first inauguration of Presi-
dent Lincoln the stalwart Turner's acted
az his body-guard. and when shortly after
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