Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-06

days ago, that Mr. Doyle had don, more in
raising finances for his old club when money
was necessary TO keep things going than any one
else, and that in other ways he had done
mere for the PotOmacs when things were not
going so well than any other person in the club.
One thing we do know is that he is a mighty
fine fellow and valuable citizen and the writer
understands that Mrs. Doyle at one time was
as handy with the oars as her delightful
husband
MR. DOYLE is of an old Washington family.
~'~ his people having lived for some years ON
the corner of F and Eleventh streets, where
is now the building Of w. B. Moses & Sons,
and he has lived to see this street grow from
a quiet neighborhood section to WaShington's
busiest thoroughfare. Naturally he is enthusi-
astic about his home town, but no more so than
he is about the Potomac Boat Club, and seeing
that he was fellow after the writer's own
heart for old events, he asked him few days
ago If he would not tell him something about
the Potomac Boat Club in which he was SO
active when it was making rowing history for
the District of Columbia OF course, in his
charming manner, he agreed to do SO, and
therefore what follows in quotations marks is
a part, at least, of what Mr.. Doyle recalls Of
the old days of the Potomacs:
"One might write book of hundred pages
properly to give an accurate history Of the
rowing clubs Of the District in the balmy days
OF the Sport-when one of the requisites of
the young men of standing in those halycon
days, was to be associated with one of the three
organizations, AnaloStanS,e ColumbianS, or
Potomacs and like all things in those days. how
vain and egotiStical members did strut and do
their part to make 1t appear that their side
was the only one to be affiliated with, and in
the course of such arguments something, some
how, was said that nettled the others-and
mo q
were the good old days of sport and the
regattaS held under the auspices OF the three
clubs, which formed the Potomac River Rowing
Association, attracted the best clubs of the
North, West and South, and the Potomac River
course became one of national reputation.
1T was common in the good days to see such
clubs as the Argonauts of Toronto, the OttawaS
of Ottawa, the Shoewatts Con Mettes of Michi-
gan, the crew that startled the world by the
rapidity Of its stroke, and once when contest
ing in the Henley in England ran the same
up to SO to the minute the New York Athletic,
Vespers of Philadelphia. Fairmonts and West
Philadelphia: Detrots Of Detroit the PullmanS
of illinois, the Molines Of Moline. Ill, and also
crews from st. Louis, New Orleans, Richmond,
Lynchbury and Baltimore but open up vision
of the golden days of rowing
1T has always been a contention that the
oldest club in point Of age was the AnaloStanS.
and for years this was agreed by all the his.
of the PotomacS.
BE it as it may, 1t is known that many
years ago convivial group of gentlemen, among
whom were Col. Frank Jones, D. B. Mcleod
Charley Wheatley, George Fox, Pop" Truax.
Samuel Wheeler, Edward Derrick, Cation Gads.
by, Col B. r. Blackjack and others, met in the
drinking parlors Of the old Morgan House and
discussed the question of forming boat club.
The idea took quickly, and soon nearly all Of
the scions of old Georgetown were enrolled
on the list of membership, thus starting an
organization known as the PotomacS that has
run all these years-has seen the ups and downs
of the game, has seen other clubs like muSh-
rooms grow up and die and has seen its colOTS
carried to the fore in many of the great races
Of the times when pitted against the best OF
Americans especially in the days when Sara
toga Lake was the fighting place for all big
aquatic contests
:G7>HIS Potomac Boat Club has had wonder.
full stretch of history from its MEMBER
ship of the very best citizens, boat house that
for years was the gathering place for cOtillonS
and dances Vi all kinds by the elite of George
town. their assembly room in the old house at
the foot Of Thrty-hrSt street, being one Of the
largest in the city, and every necessity of such
places, lounging room, reception room, retiring
rooms with lockers being provided for guests,
and this was supplied with heating arrange.
ments for Winter gatherings. Oh, it was swell
place and In its brightest days was the resort
of the beaux and bellies of the period. 1t will
be then seen that the club made much Of its
social whirl and hence the place became the
home Of the cotillonist, as much so as to those
who went into the rowing game.
Added to the glamor of the boat house, the
club also possessed an up-river landing known
as Potomac Landing where barge parties and
picnics were almost daily happenings during
no REPRESENTATIVE