Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-03
HOW BARNES GAVE
US. ROWING START
Multi Millionaire Enthusiast
Spends Thousands of Dollars
to Give Sport Boost.
IT GAVE HIM HIS HEALTH

New York. Dec. Julius Barnes,
called "The Father of American Row
ing" has done more than any other
man to popdlarize the aquatic sport
in America, which has come forward
with such leaps and bounds during
the last fifteen years. And behind it
all is a pretty story-one that tells
how a man, grateful for what sport
has done for him, has spared neither
time nor money to raise it to ranking
among the major sports OF America.
Twenty years or so ago Barnes,
then living in his home town of Du-
luth, faced a nervous breakdown. He
was emerging from his teens, but
hard work and long hours had made
their impress upon his health, Doc
tors told him it was best that he
should go away for long rest. But
that was Just what Barnes couldn't do.
Barnes today is rated as multi
millionaire. In the other days he was
a poor boy, working his way along
toward success, and travelling the
long, hard road. And so he could not
follow the advice of his physician, be-
cause to quit work meant to abandon
his means of livelihood.
And then it was that Julius Barnes
took up rowing. In that darkest hour
he saw ray of light and it DIRECTED
him to the water, to boat and to a
pair of oars. Every evening when
his work was done he would take
himself down to Old St. Louis bay
and row up. and down until nightfall
and beyond.
The exertion at first, tired him
very much. But in little while he
found that he could pull harder and
faster-and not feel tired, Soon his
cheeks filled out and began to bloom.
His chest took on bulge and muscles
began to develop on his arms, his legs
and on his body In less than year
Julius Barnes. frail, wan and worked
out developed into a strong, husky
youth, with clear eyes, clear skin and
superb health.
Regains His Health.
at was rowing that did it for me-
and nothing else" said Barnes.
when I took up the sport was in
poor condition. Within year had
regained all my lost health-and
much more. And have been a row.
ing enthusiast ever since"
A year or so after he took up row.
ing Barnes joined the first crew that \
ever represented Duluth. 1t was
remarkable quartet--one that swept
its way to victory in almost every
contest that it entered. y
Fifteen years or so ago, when
Barnes was forced to abandon the
sport as a regular pleasure to devote
his time to his grain business in New
York and Duluth, he decided to BOOST
the game whenever he could.
Rowing probably saved my life"
he once said. II know what it did for
me in upbuilding health. And so |
felt that it was only right that
should open the way for other boys
to grow strong and healthy through
its medium" .,-,...
Patron of Club
Barnes became the patron of the
Duluth Boat club. He spared nothing
to make it success. With several
others who loved the rowing game as
he does. he helped to build the strug-
Cling club up to first ranking among
organizations of its kind. Its menu
bership jumped from score or more
to something close to $500. And the
crews that they turn out there in
Duluth are the greatest in America.
A Duluth oarsman has become the
standard by which all others are
judged. Craftsmanship has been de-
veloped to its highest possible stand
ard in the Minnesota town, and dur
ing the last few years the story of
every big amateur regatta has started
with: Duluth again won the laurels,
scoring flrsts in nearly every event"
Duluth is city that is filled with
husky little elfs. And each is an
oarsman. The boys there begin row.
ing at an early age, and when they
are II or IA they can pull blade
with the skill--and oftentimes the
power-of an adult. And so it is
with the girls. Several years ago
some of the daughters of the men,
bers Of the Duluth Boat club, begged
for a chance to row. They got it.
Duluth now has some girl rowers
who are the equal of many masculine
stars of other cities.
Il think rowing is the greatest
sport in the world" said Barnes.
Nothing is better for young boys.
The combination of water, sunshine
and fresh air, together with exercise,
builds up their bodies to the highest
point of efficiency. 1t develops them
in every other way and makes them
manly little fellows.
THE lesson that the boys learn in
that way becomes invaluable to them
later in life. And the superb health
that rowing gives to them stands
them in good stead in later years."