The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-23

them did not burn or collapse, for the oapa;
city of many was constantly overtaxed and
little heed was paid TO fire regulations.
Curlously enough the craze did not reach
its height in New York or the other large
cities but in the smaller cities and villages
throughout the country. The Moha VIZ
Valley in this State for instance was a great
centre for the sport. Each own had It's
rink, its band and its polo team, In many
places companies were formed TO build
rinks, and the returns On the stock In the
height Of the craze we're enormou
The rivalry between the polo teams was
so intense that il became the fashion after
a while to hire professional players. Inc
village of Frankfort, a small settlement
near Utica, supported a crack team and
when they went to any other river town
to play they were accompanied by a band
and most OF the population went along 70
root for their favorites.
The excitement over these contests was
intense. Once more thln 800 people as
sembled in the Amsterdam rink, which was
built to hold half that number, 70 see a polo
game which the local team was confident OF
winning. So eager we're the people TO see
the game that hundreds were turned away
and some Of the spectators watched the
game while clinging 70 the rafters'
In many villages throughout northern
and western New York town halls or the
local "op'ry" houses we're fitted up az skRt-
ing Kinks. Everybody from the grand
fathers 10 the children scarcely old enough
TO walk tried the sport. The musicians
frequently caught the spirit, and IL was no
uncommon sight TO see the members OF the
band skating around as they played.
Bunches OF log drivers and lumbermen
came in from the camps Of the North Woods
and often the roller skating was turned into
O wild celebration. There seemed TO be
something unusually exhilaratfng about
the sport for them and as the woodsmen
whirled around on the wheels they fire.
ouently gave forth whoops OF joy. and.
one tripping up another, the whole mas
the band would put on extra steam and the
spectators Join In the general hilsrity,
In those DAYS the skates furnished by the
Kinks in the interior we're largely OF the old
strap style. The wheels we're generally OF
sham lockwood and they revolved directly
on the axle, thus neceesitating FREQUENT
and liberal doses OF oil. The constant
motion in one direction caused the inner
rollers TO wear on the edges and run down
like a mans shoes at the heels, II WA long
before a remedy was found for this In the
establishment Of q rule 70 clear the hoor
al intervals and then start the skaters IN
the opposite direction.
With the rise In popularity Of polo the
interest in roller skating itself began 70
fall of. A big crowd would assemble 20
witness a game. but that was all they came
for. and IL began to be a difhcuit thing 20
get a paving crowd on nights when no
special attractions were provided: There
were many fancy skaters going about the
country giving exhibitions Of their skill
but none OF them could attract the crowd
that hocked 70 a polo game.
These players got 70 wearing skates
with rollers on them 90 email that they
would scarcely turn, Rarely IN the oourpe
Of the game did any OF them attempt 70
skate. II was a running match from the