Hide Article Text (OCR)
? MGYMNASTICS.a^3 ^ ..;i*vA History or itojO^.~Tlie Societyof the Turned-The YWnersoT this City.the Milwaukee gymnasium.iIn introducing some remarks upon thft sui* ject of gymnastics generally, and its applica-tion to thiA vicinity more particularly, it may not be unnecessary to state that the word itself is of Greek derivation, and from a root meaning, literally, naked. It may be defined to be a system of exercises which de* velops and, invigorates the body It is said that gymnastics properly directed increase and give additional power to every muscle of the human trunk, arms and legs, expanding tho chest and facilitating the play of the lungs, rendering the joints more supple and imparting to the whole person grace of movement, ease and steadiness of deportment, combined with strength, spring and speed; an injudicious mode of training, however, it is said, will usually confirm and aggravate the physical imperfections for which it is in tended to seek a reiuedyEvery science, every art, every system like each unity in tho total that represents aggregate humanity has a period of infancy when it may be said to have been initiated; and in speaking of any subject of sufficient importance it ia always interesting to grasp a synopsis of its history. Athletic feats were, of course, at first performed by each individ-uil according' to his own notionand inclination, and as • may beinferred, were readily encouraged among youth aa uniting both amusement and exercise. They were at length reduced to a uniform system; which in the ancient Greecethat gave to modern tiroes the foundation of so great a part of its civilization, formed a prominent feature in the state regulations for cduoution. As the nature of \he warlike weapons in use by those early times constituted. the high development of physical force a matter of much military importance, athletic sports wero continued during manhood, and public games, implying general and severe training, were consecrated to the gods, and were conducted with all the pomp and ceremony of which the times were susceptible.In bringing recollection to bear upon the subject, the earliest reference that can be found to the sports of the gymnsii, is iaihe Iliad of Homer, book 11., which contains a description of the Greeks as contending at javelin-throwing and quoits. Again in book XXIII the blind poet mentions that Achilles instituted games in hoqor of Patroclus, and issued prizes to te successful contestants in wrestling, boxing, quoiting, chsriot-racing, etc. Versatile, old Plato informs ps also that just previous to the period of Hippoctates that gymnasticsconstituted a part of medical study, as being*well adapted to negative the influences of indolence *and luxurious habits of life; and that subsequently they w^re reduced to a system, and becamo a state matter under the superintendence of state officers.The first public gymnasia were erected by the Lacedmraonians, and wcr* initiated at Athens, where in the walks of one institution of this character, called the Academia, Plato instructed his followers, and in another known’as the Lyceum, Aristotle taught his disciples. At Athens these establishments were carried to a condition of much perfection; the whole institution was superintendedby a chief Officer; another officer superintended the gymnastic exercises, and medical officers were also in attendance, who prescribed the character and amount of exertion to be undergone. Then, as now, the learner iniutiated his course with feats not at all difficult or laborious, and gradually advanced until he reached the. highest degree ofstrength and agility. In those times baths*were connected with these establishments; and thcipupil was plunged first into hot and then into cold water. At that early day tb#importance of the gymnasia was considered* •bo great that Plato and Aristotle aaserte d that no republic could be deemed perfect in which they were not made part of the national establishments. So rigid were the stern Spartans in exacting for their youth gypinns-tic training that even their girls were required to bo good gymnasts: and it ia stated that none of their young women were allowed to marry until they had publicly exhibited their proficiency in gymnastics.The word athlete, as is known, ia of ancient derivation. In those timks honorable rewards and distributions were publicly bestowed upon the victors at the public games; these rewards were styled athla, and those who contended for them athletes:During the medievial ageB the knightly amusement of tho tournament absented nearly every other sport except perhaps the play of the quarter staff, archcry, foot-races and wrestling, whioh were practicable an extent in a few localities; and gymnastics were nearly obsolete until Barcdow in 1776 at bis establishment at Dessau again united, physical train, ing with mental instruction. This' example was imitated by fjlalxmann at hi* institute, and from such small commencment the practice again gradually spread. In the latter part of the 18th century, gymnastics wero ■fiitenaively introduced into the schools of Prussia by Guts-Muths, whp compiled several works upon ttrsWijfectr And about lklO ;A$j|)jfcem was more! widely spread b/JabB,T who is regarded as the founder of tho present ■ ^TurhverCin, and whoso portrait or oast adorns moat, if not the Turner' halls erected in our country. Prussia at that time chafed beneath the preponderance of Napoleon, and John ooucoived tfete idea‘of collecting the youthfyr. the practic^ of gymnastics,' and Atat the same time of indoctrinating the with patriotic senthadsts, Which might be made available in French-Germany. Thy^rujafain gtrr»nm®^loo upon the projeCTwith approbation, and early in 1810 a public gymnastic school or Turn-Platx was instituted eg Berlin, sod ritijir establishments sprang up all over the country.LIn the tn,ln»nlta gORlSU.. PctadttHag called his citizens to arms against the French, febcLall old eojough to enter the military service joined the national-cause, and performed signal service. John himself commanded a battallion of Lutzoir’fl volunteers, and after the peace, returned to his gymnastic schools. There being no longer, any reason to dread Napoleonic invasions, the Prussian govern-meat regarded these meetings of patriotic young,men as a most likely means of extending liberal ideas, and closed the gymnastic school a ; and JaltA^as' thrown into prison The system of Jlm, however, was eminently successful in other countries, especially in England, Switzerland,1 Portugal and Denmark, ia tb* .jformer of Jhich it was iatroluocd into female educationunder tho appellation of callisthenics. It was not until 1813. that the political condition of Europe enabled the turnvereins to to reorganized; and from thence the German emigration carried the institution to all'parts of the United States. The'first society was organized in New York, and tho establishment has now apread to every part of the country. * •The institution as at first established was confined to the practice of bodily exercise, conducive to physical development; but itwill undoubtedly bare leased these-period of five yo*r jand tho succeeding years they already number consp . r200 mez3«rs^-.add T When i!£ ^tated-Afiat there were... forty-two .applicants.for memberrinp in she evening 'fist; irnqkj. Jt. Will be seen thnVmuoh interest is felt ip, the enterprise, j The new rooms were, fojmwdy opened on Thursday evening last in an ap-propriate and entertaining mariner, and the ; career of the society 13 now fairly iitaugnrat-etl. The officers are as follows: W. H. Rice, president; Robert Hill, vice president; C. B. Thurston, secretary; James Leedom, secretary; hod J. G. Town, C. L. Blanchard'and James McAlister the board of directors.When all the apparatus is purchased and arranged, its cost will probably reaoh nearly§1,000; and the annual expense of the establishment will be about §2,000 ppr annum. The initiation fee $1,00, and thejdues are 50 cents per month; which rates bring the privileges of the place in the reach, of almost all.It i3 a source of some gratification that as Milwaukee continues rapidly to provide herself with all the institutions of older metropolitan cities, she erects for herself the best. Her public libraries, her musical societies, Ifer literary associations, her hotels, her elevators, her skating rink and her gymnasium and many other associations and public buildings wi]l compare with any in the country; but when court houses and theatres are mpntioned the Cream City preserves a digni-soon assumed a higher, scope without ignor- ! 8lleDCe; th°y aretoPics QPOQ ^ich she ing its original objeoV; libraries were - col- j ”0t * aPEroachelt;*.lected, schools established, newspapers * In C0Qcluso»‘t may be said that the in-founded, and various arrangements were mnde for the diffusion of uscfnl knowledgetroduction and general practice of a thorough system of gymnastics in our city cannot fail,and mental culture; and thus it is said the ! tfri8hlfr conducted, to work much good;tumvereins of the United States tread closely in the path of tho Academy ofAthens.*It may undoubtedly be stated as a fact too apparent for denial that the German element of our population as a class has exceed- j ed all others in tihe education of themselves ; physically and by a system. The origin of j their societies for muscular training is connected with cherished traditions of success and adversity that point to a time when their organixation had reference to the political aspects of their country. The first Turner organixation in this city was established, as it is stated, in 1835, It has now reached a condition that is looked upon as very flattering by kindred societies in the country. Its hall upon the west Aide of the city is a most substantial and eommodioos one; it is furnished with a library and reading room, and is an educational means of no little importance to its members. Since its commencement it has maintained a successful existence, and to-day it rests upon a good basis.In the German schools of this city gymnastics as a proper comcomitant of intellectual training has never been lost sight of; but as a necessary department of education has been constantly practiced under compe-t ;nt instruction. This may not be said of the pcblic schools, though even in them a sort of callisthenics is sometimes called into rcquisi tion. It is submitted in general terms that the neglect of the requirements of tho physical system of scholars, which prevails everywhere, in similar institutions, to an extent exists in the public schools of Milwaukee.Beyond the organization of the Turners, the history of gymnastics in this city may be compressed within a Bmall space For some year9 before the war the apparatus for a sort of gymnasium were collected in an apartment in Young’s block; it was conducted by a Mr. Griswold, and was an individual and not a corporate concern, and the principal object of its establishment was the realize, tion of profit; with the outbreak of the rebellion it passed out of existen^ The fixtures were purchased by Mr. W: 0.-Green, who removed them to Layton’s building. No. 1 Spring street, and erected a gymnasium there. The present sMiqtjp.yraa organixed?in April last, and until rebengj have ocoujdpd these apartments. But When Mr. Follensfeea commenced the erection of his new brick block on Wisconsin street,.. Jhe society contracted with him for a portion of the third and fourth stories, whioh were to be built without any flooring between them; and they hare now estabiishetirthere what is soi4 by persons competent to judge, to be among the very finest gymnasia in tho United States, and to rank with, those of New York, Boston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Baltimore, etc. It is 80 feet long by 60 feet wide, and is 25 feet in hight It is a finely finished apartment, well lighted and pleasantly situated. It is accomtaodated with a spacious gallery for spectators; beneath which Is a set of rooms for office and dressing rooms. In the main room are already fitted up, as it is stated, as full, and complete apparatus for heivy gymnastics as in any of the plCvB abojre named. Ah opportunity is given to test and educate every muscle '■ by appropriate means. It is impossible to describe alF * these, and a visit to the place' is a matter of curiosity merely is worth the time consumed.The society has secured* the supervision of Mr. G. Brosius, who .allboqgb h young man, has be^en in,this city fw; twenty-six year*.. He has lonj*beW eonsefoted wfth th^FurimrW of this city, and with the teachings of gymnastics ih the German schools^ and it is in himself a rare example of what training can accomplish with thp frainqf ojfWcnJ . Asbfaiy be.inferred tho System adopted,will be in qon-many of par young and middle aged men aro engaged in sedentary pursuits; their business precludes sufficient exercise, and the training of the gymnasium will do mnch to produce and prolong health and strength.COUNCIL-The Haney Claim Once More—The Form of City Orders—Huron Street Bridge—Committee on Necessary Legislation.The regular Monday evening session occurred last night, his honor the mayor in the chair, present councilors Brown, Chapin, Dahlman, Delaney, Haaa, Huebschman, Johnson, Olin, O’Brien. Schlensted, Schunck, Schuengel,Y°gt-A communication from W. H. Prentiss asking for instruction for the Milwaukee delegation regarding the legislation which the council deemed neeeasary was read and referred.A petition was read from James McGraw, accompanied by affidavits, asking the council to appropriate five hundred dollars and more to him for claims against the late William Haney in the matter of the harbor contract ; the affidavits purported to show that the said James McGraw was a partner of the late Haney.Reliable tidings of various other claims against the same estate were brought to light.Dr. Huebschman reiterated the history of the claim and agreed with -the propriety of the amendment made by tho board of aldermen.Mr. Olin favored the settlement of this claim to-night; it was his opinion that enough time had already been consumed with it.The amendment of the board of aldermen was concurred in.The following resolution passed by the board of aldermen was called up for concurrence:Resolved, The board of councilors concurring that all city orders issued after the passage of this resolution shall read as follows: _ The city treasurer will pay to the owner of rr-s dollars out of any funds be-formky with that in ...use b^^the Turners;iay be Acoallisthenibs, hoWevAr, may he Added subsequently. The Milwaukee Gymrtasium, as they style themselvesj t^gfpjking efforts to be incorporated and a bUl^/or. that purposeto the city not before specially appropriated, the same having this day been allowed for and chargeable to-fund., Dr. Hueschman said it was shameful that the city orders of any city*should bo allowed to run for a year without payment; they should be cash; and he bfelieved by proper action, by the proper authorities thia could be effected. No orders should be issued unless there was money to pay them. He thought the resolution was imperfect.Mr. Chapin understood that the resolution was simply to do away i^th the option of the city treasurer in regard to the time of the payment of orders.The resolution was referred to the joint committee on finance.The resolution anthorixktg the preparing of specifications for the re-building of the centre foundation and abutments of Huron streetkbridge to the level of the new iron bridge, was concurred in.In answer to a question of Dr. Johnson aato the heighth of the new bridge, Mr. Olin stated the west end of tho bridge would be about two feet higher than formerly and the east end one/ the approaches to remain unchanged; the question of raising the bridge-so as to let tugs pass under had been discussed, butit could not be done without changing the established grade of East Water street, and making the city liable for on immense amqudfc' of damages. . r- •1 ,The following resolution was concurredin:Resolved, By the board of aldermen, the board of councilors concurring^ that a qqm-miftee bf nine, consisting of on® from eaeh'ward together with the city attorney and cite j' it shftfl' lcontroller be appointed, whose duty he to prepare a bill embracing suoh legislation as the city or, any of the Ward AT may re-
Newspaper Details
Daily Milwaukee News
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Tue, Jan 28, 1868
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Alec H.
USA 10 Dec 2018
Other Publications Near Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Weekly Wisconsin
American Freeman
Wisconsin Free Democrat
Daily Sentinel and Gazette
Milwaukee Daily Sentinel and Gazette
