Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-18
DONE in PHILADELPHIA

nectod with Robin Hoods days. Probably rev
Philadelphians were aware that this city look
a prominent part in archery 90 years ago. ana
that so much OF the pastme as has gained
a foothod in this country is directly traceaole
to the efforts made here at that time
believe it would be safe to say that not
dozen Philadclphans ever have heard of the
| United Bowmen of Phadelphia; or IL they
have, have promptly forgotten 1t.
/ confess that the story of tho United Bow
men would never have been known to me
! had II not been my fortune to stray upon
! little volume entitled "Archers Manual" which
was published in 1890, during Of my visits
! TO an old book store. 1t is an interesting
| little brochure and / valued IL also because OF
| its frontispice showing the Bowmen on the
| butts, in the quaint costume which had been
| designed for them by Titan Peale, an artist
who was the founder of the organization, the
| plate had been drawn by Thomas Sully, the
portrait painter who also became one of the
founders.
Whenever you want to know something of
the history of the city, every good Phila-
dephian should, you hasten to consult the
pages Of Scharff Il Westcotts History and
Watson's Annals. Being n Philadelphian and
having this habit fully developed 1 did the
same when 1 desired to look up the United
either Of these works.
Yet l was curious and continued my search
and was rewarded by uncovcring n little his
tory of this ancient society of archcrs.
Tns pamphlet was pcnncd by the survivor
of the little band of bowmen, II. b. Davidson,
who died in 1853. at the age of so years, and
who realizing that he held the key to the
mystery, told the story of the rise of the
association.
1t rather ambitious name with which
to start organization Of half dozen en-
thusiasts. 1t also seemed equally ambitious
for thcm to adopt costume for the purpose,
but they did.
And it all came to pass Just because Titan
Peale felt tightening of the chest after his
return from the Rocky Mountains on Longs
expedition, and felt the need of exercise before
breakfast
Titan Peae the fourth son of the first
great American portrait painter Charles Will
son Peale and although himself draughts-
man and naturalist, he was not generally
regarded as a painter, yet, of course, he could
paint
Peale accompanied Longs expedition in the
early part OF the last century to explore the
Rocky Mountains In then recently taken
over Louisiana territory He died in 1885 at
death he gave the history of the formation of
the Bowmen to Mr. Davidson.
need not quote him further than to give
his explanation Of the genesis of the archers
here, and the introduction of archery into this
country.
I'm 1926" he wrote, "after returning from
Longs expedition to the Rocky Mountains and
feeling the want of outdoor exercise and dis
liking billiards tenpins, etc, a few friends
Joined In choosing archery before breakfast
and walk in the country"
The friends who became the first members
and founders of the United Bowmen wero
Franklin Poale, Titan r. Peale, Dr. Robert
g. Griffith, Samuel p. Griffith, Jr, Jacob G.
Morris and Thomas Sully 1t appears that
Sully, who at that time was almost at his
height painter. did not take a very ac-
tive part. He did take the walks in the coun-
try for the country much nearer the
center Of the city than it is today
This will be better understood when I foil
you that the Bowmen held their first tourna
ments' If they may be so-called, Mt Bush Hill.
where they set up their butts Bush Hill was
close to tho city hospital, and the archers
may be said to have congregated for their
sport in the neighborhood Of Goth street and
Paramount avenue There is not much IN
suggest open country in that neighborboo5
now. But this was in 1928, when Peale had
his Bowmen organized
l should mention that they did mot bol5
tournaments under that name, but had their
HELD days" Tho costume, as can be soon
by Sully's picture of the field day uniform
was rather prepossessing, but looked n great
deal Ike boys suit Of the period that had
reached full growth
This uniform consisted of a light sporttnp
cap Of black bombazine. an iron gray ioclet |
bound with black braid and white na,,a- |
Icons, Thus were the United Bowmen ottirad
on field days and prize days, as thew caIIed |
the days when the archers shot for prizes.
You can imagine thar this was a rather |
exclusive circle. Only friends of the fo,,ndors
Were likely to apply for admission, and ,yhiIe |
'he number was gradually increased, at no !
time did It contain more than % members
In 1896 they changed their uniform again
This time they abandoned all suggestion op
boyhood In the design. The new costume
consisted OF a Single-breasted frdcll coat with
s'aHo'hS coilar OF drapdete, Lincoln green
~ '"'or' c''uehty IN honor of the great archer.
i'op'n iiooa and this coat was trimmed with
gold lace, so you see they must have nodo =
very pFstV picture when they were all out
on field day at Bush ulI
An arrow worked in gold adorDod u,o
of the coat, and a straw hat coverad ,,,tth
green cloth, turned up sauclIv NJ on, a,5
with three ostrich feathers couchant" formed
a fitting capital to a noble figure Nh
mainder Of the costume included white 49,
looms guard and belt of black leather an,
geld buckle. ''
The rapid extension OF the CITY caused a..
club to change its grounds every few years
They at one time rented a farm ar E,o,,,tai-