Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-07
CHILDREN CONTEST
FAIRGROUNDS OF BENEFIT no
LITTLE ONES

The activity of the committee engaged in
the establishment Of Fairgrounds for the
children Of the city Is shown in the fact
that nineteen have been fully established
and are In successful operation. Fifteen of
these are on the premises of the schools
where there are facilities for the undertake
ing and in parcels Of ground that are suit
able for the purpose. Some are in rather
confined places, like the back yards Of resi-
dences or small unoccupied lots. But they
all do and accomplish the ends desired.
Four are on larger grounds one on North
Capitol street, one at Yale and 18th streets
and one in the southeast at Virginia avenue
and 18th street. The fourth one will be for
colored children. The interest shown in
the movement by the citizens Of Washing
ton Is manifested by the contributions in
money material. toys and work done on the
grounds. specified sum was asked for by
the committee and 1t has been nearly raised,
although no one will object II the amount
exceeds that asked. There are many needs
constantly springing up that must be sup
piled. One of the largest, II not the largest,
of all the Fairgrounds is In Southeast Wash.
ington. 1t is in charge of Prof. Murch and
Miss Mabel Fowner. The attendance there
of children frequently on a pleasant day
amounts to from 800 to 500 1t is bare,
forbiddng spot. but the swings. the slides.
the flying rings and the other apparatus and
para phernalia. with the children, make it a
very enjoyable and attractive place, SO
much so that the parents of the children,
their friends and the curious make the num-
Der in attendance every day very large.
The children are all trained in some ath-
letic, strengthening and health-giving ex-
ercise-running. jumping and swinging on
the flying rings. 1t can be estimated what
a strenuous and vigorous race will be that
of this country in the future when, in early
life, the future fathers and mothers go
through the exercises such as are now con-
Quoted in almost every city in the land
The ancient Greeks, 1t is said, were the
finest formed people that history tells us
about, because the children were trained in
athletics almost from the cradle. The
count any old Greek who took prizes for
: running about the little peninsula on the
Mediterranean Il the present predisposition
for athletic training continues 10 be al
prevalent rs it is at present.
Origin Of the Idea.
The playground idea was first inausu-
rated in this city tive or three years ago,
In the back yard Of the Neighborhood House
In South Washington. by Mr.. Charles J.
Weller. the secretary Of the Associated
Charities, and now the general secretary OF
the public Fairgrounds committee. From a
very small beginning 1t has spread to Its
present proportions. Teams are formed on
every playground Of little girls and little
boys, and one source of entertainment and
pf0llt IS the visits or tneSe teams 10 Otner
Fairgrounds Ambition and emulation are
aroused and the work done Is sometimes
creditable and always amusing. AS an
illustra ton there was meet OF teams from
the Neighborhood House grounds and the
Southeast at the grounds of the latter last
Friday evening. Miss Harvey had charge
of the children from Neighborhood House.
There was q large attendance and much
enthusiasm, many OF the parents Of the
children being present. There were nine
events, all well contested.
First a twenty fve-yard dash for little
girls-Won by Rose Sullivan of the South
east club; Bessie Cabel, Southeast, second.
Second twenty-f1ve-yard dash for little
boys-Won by Rodney Hinwood Southeast;
John Mask, Southwest, second.
Third, twenty-fve-yard dash for girls
over ten-Won by Berthe Bateman, South
east; Mary Bentley, Southeast, second
Fourth, ffty-yard dash for boys over ten
Won by Clarence HILL Southwest: Robert
Grace. Southeast, second.
Southeast team, Rose Sullivan, Bessie Car
BEL Inez Clark, Eva Hardin. Ethel Hardin.
Sixth, potato race for large girls-Won by
Southwest team, May Brooks; Mamie Tay-
lor May Jarvin, Rebecca Applestine, Bessie
Tolstoi
Seventh, potato race for boys-Won by
Southeast team, s. Oliveri. Robert Grace.
Hutcherson, Norfolk Humphrey. Spencer
Taylor. Irving Maddox, Melvin Hall. Paul
Nicholson, Rodney Hinwood.
Eighth, broad jump-Won by Rose Suill-
van, Southeast; Amy Thomas, Southwest.
second
Ninth, relay race for boys and girls-Won
by Southeast team, Robert Grace, BERTHE
Bateman, Sam Little Willie Bean, Navel
Lynch, Bessie Cabel Eva Hardin. Melvin
Hall Alvie Fairall. Frank Walker, Ernest
Shafrer, Rose Sullivan, 1nez Clark, Melvin
Soper, Frank HUTCHINSON, Edna Hager,
Rodney Hinwood.
The judges were Miss Jessie Holman, Miss
Alma Harvey Miss Travel Myrth, Miss Mel
lie Warner, Prof. Murch, Mr.. Dunn and Mr..
Francis kuhnert.
Winners received ribbons as follows: In
the dashes. yellow for first place, red for
second place; broad jump, pink for first
place, blue for second place; relay. white;
potato races, green.
THURSDAY of this week, at 8 o'clock pm.
there will be a meet on the same grounds.
The directors invite all persons interested
In the Fairgrounds to be present.