The Denver star., 1915-09-11
AMONG THE TENNIS FANS.


Labor day was indeed a great day
for Denver's tennis fans, whose num-
| ber has been greatly increased during
the present season.
The two courts, one at End and
York, known as the Toussaint tennis
court, and the other at 32nd and Mar
ion. known as the Marion Racket
club, decided some time ago to play
a championship match to decide who
the real champions were.
The Marion street court was decid-
ed upon as the place to hold the con-
test and Labor day the time. Each
court held it's eliminations, with the
| result that Adams was to represent
the Toussaint and Mcknight the Mar
ion in singles, and Oscar and Hugh
Smith the Toussaint and Parks and
Earl Smith the Marion in doubles.
The singles was far the better con-
test, keeping the roOters and specta-
I tors almost continually applauding.
Mcknight played good in fact at
times brilliant game. He seldom
served doubles and made many re-
turns of real championship quality.
, but little Jimmy Adams was steady
and cool and shaded him in almost
every game Where Meningitis was
good, Jimmy was better, and when
Mcknight got brilliant, Adams seem
ed to have gotten little more brill
liant and won three straight sets and
the pennant for the city champion
ship singles.
Hugh and Oscar Smith had little
trouble disposing of Parks and Earl
Smith in the doubles. One, two.
three. and another championship pen
nant had been added TO the Toussaint
club.
At 2:30 in the afternoon large.
enthusiastic crowd assembled at the
Toussaint court to witness the play
ing of the consolation singles and
doubles.
Albert Robinson for the Marion,
Denver's far famed tennis champion.
who would have been in the cham
pionship game had conditions per
mitted. was pitted against Hugh
Smith, an unknown quantity. The
Eas, Siders had placed their hope in
''Al" to save the day for their court
and he went into the game confident
that he would not disappoint them.
The Harmonites had nothing but
confidence in ''Hughey' because they
knew what a remarkable player he is.
From the time that Al shot the first
ball across the net until the last play
all was excitement. The first two
sets were won by Hughey and then
he weakened and AL took the neNt
two. 1t was then that excitement ran
the highest, the rooters on either
side shouting themselves hoarse for
their man.
Hughey settled down in the fifth
and came back at Al with vens-
eance and won the set and the pen
nant The Harmonites went wild
with joy and all but carried the vic
tor about on their shoulders.
To give an idea of the excitement,
q long funeral procession passed dur
ing the said excitement and the writ
er has not yet found the second per
son who saw it. When funeral pro
cession can pass crowd of colored
people without being seen. you know
there must be something doing.
1t was the most beautiful tennis
contest ever staged in Denver and
with the proper backing these two
boys could be sent across ihe CONT
nent taking championships as they so.
So far. with every honor gone
Gatewood took Al with him in the
consolation double to see if he could
not redeem his club. and Adams and
Oscar Smith lost the only game OF
the day for their court. Gatewood
played wonderful tennis: the gibes OF
PA" and Grandpa from the oppos-
ing rooters seemed to spur him on to
victory He and Al won three straight
sets. taking with them pennan'
each.
True sportsmanship by players and
spectators marked all of these con
tests. nothing of an unpleasant nature
happening to mar the day. Though
he lost. Albert Robinson comes in for
special mention as a true sport, with
every courtesy of the court.
IF. A. G."