The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-18

CLINTON SCOLLARD. sanitation M % With 'iaO Mas membership a of prominent young men. The first meeting was held on the second floor of the. Wheeler building. at the corner of Main street and Fair field avenue. in the spring of 1870.
 As the years progressed, older men were admitted to membership until fifty completed the full quota After few meetings in the Wheeler build ins, quarters were secured in the Curtis building, at the corner of second floor of the Burroughs build ing was taken for a term of years. Nowadays the Public library occu- pfes this building.
 These last quarters were we'll and handsomely furnished. Besides a billiard room, there were a music and office or committee and club meetings.
 The majority of the members were in the hey-day of life They were for all sorts of good times. During the summer season, the Electric Baseball club would cross bats with the Ours club of New Haven. Games at Seaside Park and return games in New Haven followed in succession.
 High Scores the Rule
 Frank Lyon was pitcher and John Hawley was catcher, The members of the nine appeared in all kinds of grotesque uniforms. and the games attracted large numbers of the elite of Bridgeport both at home and in New Haven. None of the outfield CTS understood the game very well and all sorts of ludicrous situations fol- lowed one after another until the spectators went into fits of laughter. Scores ran anywhere from 40 to 80 2 game and night usually fell be- fore the game ended
 Another extravagant pastinne Of the club members was yachting crui- ses down the Sound to New London, Newport, Narragansett Pier, Mar tha's Vineyard and Cape Cod Usully Archibald McNef was comm odore of the fleet. which included sometime es with Nose Hayes as cook for all hands. Once In a while Mr. McNetl would secure AspinwaHs large yacht the Day Dream. of New York and the club members would ship in this luxurious craft feeling like million aires.
 When these smart sailor boys made port way down East, the girls would flock to the landings to give "40's boys 8 welcome. This name was given to cruising club members that they tried to be real tough t tars, when away from home port, as that caught the girls.
 cluded a party of club members, who would sail over to Minor Smiths in Stratford or to Meadows End to enjoy one or NeCtletOnS s Snre dinners. Once at one of these affairs, George Richardson partook of such sub stantial repast that it made him sleepy: John Hawley, Frank Lyon on the beach and buried him in the sand. They placed one of MT. Rich ardson's detachable cuffs over his mouth so he could breathe and the other they stood up on his chest. When he awoke he thanked MT. Hawley for saving his life, thinking I -T<5 ,Ifr
 The memories of those salt air excursions are sweet, yet they never were recounted. but buried in the deep blue sea on the way back home.
 "Good Time Had By All,
 During the winter months, mem- bars of the club would invite their friend to attend the club dances. These events were considered about as ''swelr' as a Court ball in Eng land or White House reception in this eoutry: Full dress. a good or Quisite dance programs-souvenirs to be treasuered by the fair ones be- cause every line was filled-suppers at which Brown officiated.
 A fleeting glimpse of the toilettes of those days would give the grand danes of the present time mysteries. in their hair. which was dressed in waterfall fashion. Silk and satin gowns were cut high in the neck Be hind were the bustles and long, traiI- ing skirts, and, fastened to the end loop was utilized during waltz, gaiop or shottsShe sch b.,6 by the the nS eharmtng skirt by slipping the loop gracefully over her arm, while she kicked her train out behind in a most becoming manner It gave a sort of 'kanga- roo" effect.
 If the fashions of today-the one piece affairs. short skirts, bare backs and so on, had obtained in the good nl6 Ey~la Yr-io -lrN1o I f I ,B@ have been any more club! Those se- date members would have taken to the woods for good and all. For 1t was these same sedate men and wom- en of long ago who formed and up- held the dignity of Bridgeport aris- tocracy, and that is why we, as city. are envied by New Haven and Hartford, as wei as our smaller sister cities and towns. But who am I to crate of fashions?
 Frequently, in the evening, Samuel $. Sanford. well known musician, would wander into the club Some of the members would be engaged at cards or billiards, or discussing poli- ties MT. Sanford would sit down at the piano and play one of Chopin's opuses, or Wagner march, and then would switch off into '-The MilIigan Guards" Instantly every club mem Der would seize cue. shoulder enson would take command of the battalion. Then he would put the members; through company drill with Guards" at the top of their voices and Sam whaling that wonderful tune out of the plano until the rafters rang.
 "United We Stand'
 Another strong feature for win ;ch this club was noted was that although the members were about equally di- vided politically, they would all unite often in voting for a popular candi- date. Take. for instance. the Molly Pitchers.' a campaign club. John Hawley was captain and when the organization turned out for a torch light parade. the entire club joined in.
 Daoney Christian, a colored preach CT, was leader of the torch bearers He headed the procession ensconced inside a monster frame shaped like a pitcher and covered with while cloth. The pitcher would dance from side tn side. with the minister inside. noth-