The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-31
FATHER OF ROWING
Julius H. Barnes Is the Upton
of q. S. Oar Sport.
Duluth Boasts Greatest Blade
Wielders in the Country.
BY FRANK G. MENKE.

BY FRANK G. MENKE.
New York. July 31.-A western
rowing authority once remarked:
"A Duluth oarsman can shoot a
shell backwards at faster clip than
any other man can send it forward"
The man from the sunset region of
the U. S. A. probably was carried
away bit by his enthusiasm over the
prowess of the Minnesota blade WELD
ers. but the fact remains that the Du-
luth boys are greatest natural oars1nen
in the world; that they are the stand
ard by which all others are judged.
The record established during the
past few years by the youths Compel
ing under the colors of the famous Du-
luth Boat club is an amazing one; a
showing that ranks beyond that of any
other strictly amateur rowing organi-
cation in the world.
Competing in the regattas run under
the auspices of the Northwestern Row
ing association and the National Row
ing association, and pitted against the
most skilled oarsmen in the United
States, the Duluth Boat club crews,
since 1911, have achieved the follow
ing:
The Great Record.
Won forty-eight firsts. eight Sec
onds and one third in fifty-eight
starts. just once in the five-year
sweep did a Duluth shell finish I'M
placed, although every one of its boats
were raced against shells manned by
the crack oarSmen of the country.
Duluth sweepers and scullers have
established so many records that even
the oldest inhabitants have lost count.
They hold almost every time mark in
the many different events that consti-
tute big club regatta. The immense
clubhouse is filled with trophies, and
a Duluth oarsnan. when fully bedeck-
ed in his medals and ribbons. takes on
the parade appearance" of Euro
pean field marshal of "commendabl BILE
bravery
Is 1t any wonder that Duluth oars
men, and perfect Craftsmanship have
become synonymous?
And to julius H. Barnes, the Lip
ton of Rowing" goes the major por-
ton of the credit for the remarkable
accom- plishments of the Duluth blade
wielders during the past fifteen or
twenty years. In Duluth and every
where else where this wealthy grain
importer is known. he is hailed as lone
of the finest sportsmen in the warld,"
which he is.
Lover of Rowing.
Barnes has been a lover of the row.
ing game all his life. Back in 1896,
when he was in his early twenties, he
pulled a blade in Duluth's original
four crew; the quartet which
first brought oarsmen fame to the
Minneapolis town; the big Four"
which, for several years, swept ahead
to the finish line in the majority OF its
races.
When business cares forced Barnes
to abandon active participation in -he
game, he decided to do all in his pow
| er to popularize the rowing.
| 1T is one of the finest sports in the
world; it is a wonderful brain and
body builder for boys" he said. II
want to give the youths in Duluth
chance to become real oarsmen and to
| innbibe its benefits"
| And so Barnes opened wide his
purse strings and started boom for
rowing which, in the years since then,
has lifted Duluth to the crest of TIE
rowing world; which has resulted in
keeping the game all over the United
States and making it one of the great
est summer sports in America
Backing Barnes in his efforts to lift
rowing to the highest possible plane.
was the Duluth Boat Club. Barnes
quiet, modest and unassuming declares
that the splendid cooperation by the
club officials was the prime cause for
the great increase in rowing interest.
But the club officials have a different
viewpoint.
| Credit to Barnes.
sit was Julius H. Barnes who made
rowing the great national sport, who
practically made the Duluth Boat
Club and who enabled its crews to
score so many notable victories say
the officials. TT is true, the Duluth
Boat Club existed before Barnes time.
1t was organized in 1885 with eleven
members. Along in '96 and 81, when
Barnes became active in behalf of
rowing. the club had a membership OF
a hundred or two, but not many of
them were extremely active. Our club
house was small.
| But Barnes changed all that. He
gave unsparingly in time and money
| In, ten years he spent close to $4,000
to help the game. He built new BOAT
houses and hired special coaches to
tutor the boys. He saw to it that cur
oarsmen lacked nothing in equipment
and preparation. The finest shells OBJ
| tainable were not too good for our
BOYS, in Barnes opinion. He awakened
the town to the real sport in rowing
and, as a result, our membership IN
creased by leaps and bounds Today
we have an enrolment of something
like 1900 and have club and rowing
| establishment which is ranked as
among the finest in the world.
! And to Julius H. Barnes, that
! grand sportsman-and to no one else
goes the real credit"
|