The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-01
TRIED TO CARVE BILLIARD
Balls FROM COWS HORNS
Harry Cline. who VIII Play Here With
the Champion Billiard Players
League, Born On q Farm in Ian
caster County

Harry Cline, the ex-ehampion 1879
billiard PLAYER was from mis- youth of
an inventive turn of mind. The first
real disappointment of his he was his
failure to carve set of billiard balls
from the horns of COW.
Cline's father was a farmer in Ian
caster county, Pa, and Harry was OF
rural habits until he visited the billiard
room of the country hotel at Lancaster,
which his father conducted in connec-
tion with his farm.
Young Cline was at once fascinated
with the game but on account of mis-
youth wes forbidden 10 play the game.
At that day the environments of BIZ
lard room were not considered the best
influence TO throw around one of tender
years. But that was years ago and
things have changed.
But Harry liked billiards and was
determined to play the game. At first
he utilized a corner of the loft of his
fathers barn. There he covered a
smooth pine board with green Canton
iannel cloth, rallied il with cotton-cov-
cred lathes, converted an umbrella stick
into eue and used large marbles. such
as the boys of those days called "Peb-
bles. y for the balls. 1t was an unique
invention and for time Satisfied the
asperations OF the enfbreyo champion,
but not for long.
Harry yearned for some real billiard
balls, just like the ones used on the
table in his fathers 5 hotel. His -investi-
cation led him to the knowledge of the
fact that the best balls were made of
ivory, and he also learned that Ivory
came from the tusks of elephants.
Now. there were no elephants ON the
Cline farm in Lancaster county, but
there was an old red and white COW
with reputation OF being rather meek.
If billiard balls were made from the
tusks OF elephants why not from the
horns of cowsf
Az least so reasoned the young genius
of the Cline family. and the reasoning
was accompanied by visions of his
heart s desire. And so with the aid of a
rope and saw and neiehbor's son
the meek and lowiy member of the
Chne dairy was deprived of her port
side weapon of defense.
And then the Youthful Harry dis.
covered that cows horns eopld pever
oe successfully used as billiard balls.
Harry S disappointment was as dee, as
ms secret but deeper than both was the
mystery of the lost horn. The loss OF
TINS ont of headgear in no way affected
the value of the COW as a milk producer
out for years afterwards the whole
countryside spoke of the Cline's one.
horned cow.
In time the elder Cline withdrew his
ob1ectlons to his son taxing I'M tbe
game and his expertness soon won him
more than local fame.
Later in life he annexed the three
cushion championship and then in Jan.
uary, 1911, at Orchestra hail. Chieauo.
ne Won the 1872 title from Calvin De-
marest, but lost it TO Willie Hoppe in
May OF the same year at the New
York theatre.
Cllne is one of the members of tine
champion Billiard Players Leacne and
VIII De seen in this city this season
wnen ne viii play other members of
thls on5ani!ation Of champions. He il
now at his best as a billiard plaver and
mas nope Of once more csyturinq his
FORMER honOrs. He is now fuliv con.
.lneed, however, that the best billiard
pals are made of ivory. and manv Of
une natives of Lancaster countv pa
are not even yet wise to the sasrst of
the lost horn. secret Oh