Sports in Madison County
Basketball (coming soon)
Bowling (coming soon)
Horseracing (coming soon)
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MISCELLANEOUS NEWS CLIPS:
ALTON ATHLETIC CLUB ESTABLISHED
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 19, 1890
The rooms of the Pastime Social Club were filled last evening by a
large gathering of Alton young men who are interested in a local
association for the purpose of athletic training. A temporary
chairman and secretary were chosen, and the meeting then proceeded
to permanently organize a club by electing the following officers:
President, Al Warner; Secretary, Henry Cotter; Treasurer, James
Coppinger.
It was decided that the name of the organization should be the Alton
Athletic Club, and that the initiation fee thereto should be $5
[$169.46 in 2024 money]. The names of those who had signed an
agreement to join were then read, and they numbered over one
hundred, including several prominent business men. Considerable
discussion was had as to the hall to be hired by the club, and the
furnishings that it should contain. Mr. Warner submitted a
proposition from Mayor Henry G. McPike, offering to make needed
repairs on the third floor of the Illinois Mutual Insurance Co.
building, formerly the old cracker factory, and to let it to the
club for $200 a year, or to rent it just as it is for $100 a year.
The suitability of other halls was canvassed, but the matter was
left to the committee afterward named. This committee also has
charge of all matters of finance, such as collecting initiation
fees, etc., and all preliminary arrangements.
The following are the members as appointed: James Mullen, James and
John Joyce, Al Warner, George Sauvage, Frank Ferguson, and James
French.
The committee was instructed to secure a copy of the constitution
and by-laws of the Missouri Gymnasium of St. Louis, and draft from
that a constitution and by-laws for the Alton Athletic Club; also,
to communicate with the officers of the Missouri Gymnasium in regard
to securing apparatus for the furnishing of the gymnasium here. The
committee is to report at the next meeting, to be held one week from
last evening in the same place, over Goulding’s Jewelry Store on
Third Street. The meeting complimented the Telegraph for the
interest it has shown in the scheme for an athletic organization, by
electing a representative of the paper an honorary member of the
club. After voting its thanks to the Pastime Club for the use of its
rooms, the gathering adjourned to the time mention. Great interest
in the matter of local athletic development was shown by all
present, and the club seems to be a sure go.
NOTES:
In November 1892, it was announced the Alton Athletic Club,
consisting of 40 members, secured Professor Mike Mooney of St. Louis
to serve as their instructor. Mooney was one of the best amateur
boxers of St. Louis. In 1893, the athletic instructor was Professor
Anzo, who was a boxer and wrestler. Anzo took a course in anatomy
and physical culture at Vanderbilt University, and then as a pupil
of Jake-Kilrain, became proficient as a boxer and wrestler. In 1895,
and Alton Athletic Club met on the third floor of the Gill Building
at the northwest corner of Broadway and Oak Street, and continued
doing so for many years [The building still stands, and is occupied
by Teamsters Local 525. The third floor of the building was
removed.] The athletic club sponsored a football team, beginning in
1893.
The Young Men’s Athletic Club was organized in September 1892. Other
clubs included the Alton Athletic Club, Crescent, and Concordia
Clubs. In 1922, the former Ouatoga Hall in Upper Alton was converted
into a gymnasium to be used by the “Pietown Hustlers.” Other towns
that had an athletic club were North Alton, Upper Alton, East Alton,
and Edwardsville.
ALTON ATHLETIC CLUB
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 23, 1893
The Alton Athletic Club held Olympian games in their clubrooms
Saturday night, and displayed the talent of the club in boxing and
wrestling to a limited number of invited guests. A twenty-foot ring
was staked off around which the spectators collected to watch the
contest. At nine o’clock, two of the best boxers in the club opened
the entertainment with two, three-minute rounds. They were well
matched, and gave a neat exhibition of scientific sparring. The
spectators were then introduced to two well-known club members, who
wore gloves specially greased and blackened for the occasion with
the understanding that the winner would be the one with the most
white on his face at the end of the contest. It proved a comedy in
three two-minute rounds. In the first round after shaking hands, B.
led with his right and landed upon M’s eye, leaving a black mark the
size of a breakfast plate. The fight was no farce, and continued
fast until both the sparrers were blackened. The referee had to make
his decision by the amount of white in the winner’s eye, and the
reporter was unable to tell which one got the decision.
Next came two gentlemen of the art, each the winner of numberless
contests, and with fame that is world-wide - Peter Jakson and George
Dickson. They sparred three two-minute rounds, full of upper cuts,
right-hand counters, and swinging rights. It afforded an immense
amount of amusement, and the spectators showed their appreciation by
applauding Messrs. Jakson and Dickson at every turn.
The event of the evening followed, a sparring match between Profs.
Mooney and Nolan of St. Louis. The men are both splendid sparrers,
and gave great satisfaction to the audience. They sparred four
three-minute rounds, which were exhibitions of science.
Next came two local boxers, Messrs. Benois and Walker, and gave a
good lightweight exhibition which was followed by a Graeco-Roman
wrestling match between George Baptiste and Prof. Mike Mooney of St.
Louis. They wrestled for some time, neither securing a fall. In
conclusion, Nolan and Mooney gave exhibitions of punching the bag.
The entertainment proved a success, and the audience was well
pleased with the fun.
NOTES:
The Alton Athletic Club was organized in November 1890, for the
purpose of athletic training. The following were the charter
officers: President – Al Warner; Secretary – Henry Cotter; and
Treasurer – James Coppinger. The fee for joining the club was $5
($169.46 in 2024 money). Mayor Henry Guest McPike offered the third
floor of the Illinois Mutual Insurance building, formerly the old
cracker factory, for $100 a year, however it is unknown if they took
him up on the offer. The club drafted their constitution and by-laws
from the Missouri Gymnasium of St. Louis.
In November 1892, it was announced the Alton Athletic Club,
consisting of 40 members, secured Professor Mike Mooney of St. Louis
to serve as their instructor. Mooney was one of the best amateur
boxers of St. Louis. In 1893, the athletic instructor was Professor
Anzo, who was a boxer and wrestler. Anzo took a course in anatomy
and physical culture at Vanderbilt University, and then as a pupil
of Jake-Kilrain, became proficient as a boxer and wrestler. In 1895,
and Alton Athletic Club held their meetings on the third floor of
the Gill Building, at the northwest corner of Broadway and Oak
Street, and continued doing so for many years [The building still
stands, and is occupied by Teamsters Local 525. The third floor of
the building was removed.] The athletic club sponsored a football
team, beginning in 1893.
ANZO WILL WRESTLE LUTTBEG
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, December 6, 1893
Professor Anzo, who will wrestle Professor Luttbeg of the Pastime
Club in St. Louis, has arranged for an exhibition in the Athletic
Club room Saturday night. Four boxing bouts between local sparrers
will be on the list, including a boxing match with blackened gloves
between two ice-wagon amateurs. Professor Anzo will given an
exhibition of wrestling, club swinging and tumbling, at which he has
been engaged at the Chicago grotto during the World’s Fair.
ALTON ROD AND RIFLE CLUB
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 28, 1893
The Alton Rod and Rifle Club had a shoot on Christmas Day at the
residence of Mr. George R. Hewitt on Liberty Street. The club shot a
match for six turkeys on that day. The winners were the following
gentlemen in the order named: Rev. H. M. Chittenden, Messrs. E. H.
Lahee, H. R. Wills, E. C. Hayward, George R. Hewitt, and J. S.
Roper.
Mr. H. R. Wills says he desires to relinquish the championship of
the Piasa Rod and Rifle Club. He is tired of being beaten repeatedly
by Mr. Lahee, and to cap the climax, he succumbed to Bro. Chittenden
on Christmas Day, who shoots elegantly on a very windy day. By the
way, Mr. Chittenden is probably the best shot in Madison County, or
fot that matter, in Southern Illinois. One of his brethren, “a
mighty Nimrod,” tells a good joke on the Reverend, or rather on the
six successful shooters of the club, on Thanksgiving Day. The
clergyman held services in the morning at his church, and in the
afternoon at the Mission Chapel on State Street. When the services
were over at the latter place, Mr. Chittenden hastily took his
departure for the shoot, which was being held at Mr. Hewitt’s, a
good two miles from the chapel. Arriving there about 5 p.m., all had
finished shooting. But it was thought best to give Mr. Chittenden a
chance at the turkey, so he was asked to try his skill. Nothing
loth, he took up the nearest rifle, put it to his shoulder, and
fired, making a center shot. This he did several times, making the
best score, and taking the fowl from the grasp of the lucky winner.
Next time he comes late, and the turkey is won, he will not be asked
to shoot. They know him too well lnow.
CATHOLIC CLUB GYM
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 19, 1894
A large and enthusiastic assemblage was held Sunday for the purpose
of taking preliminary steps towards organizing a stock company, with
the object of securing sufficient funds to erect a $25,000 building,
to be occupied by the Catholic Club as a gymnasium, reading rooms,
bath rooms, etc. It was decided to organize a stock company, stock
to be sold at $100 per share. The following committee was appointed
to solicit subscriptions and report at the meeting to be held next
Sunday afternoon: J. J. McInerney, J. F. McGinnis, David Ryan,
Thomas Gallagher, E. J. Morrissey, Edgar Davis, Lewis Ginter, Rev.
E. F. Spaulding, and Edward Thornton.
CRESCENT ATHLETIC CLUB OPENS
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 6, 1894
The Crescent Athletic Club opening on Wednesday night was the highly
successful event it was planned to be. The clubrooms were arranged
for the occasion with seating capacity for a large number. At 8
o’clock the crowd began to arrive, and the hall was crowded when the
program commenced. Dr. G. Taphorn, President of the club, made the
opening address. In well-chosen words, he explained the Crescent
organization, and extended a hearty welcome to the throng assembled.
Messrs. Harvey Rumsey and Charles Haagen sang vocal selections,
which were encored. Mr. W. Leo rendered a piano solo, and the Violet
Mandolin Quartette played enlivening airs. A program of club
swinging and boxing, with local amateurs handling the mits,
furnished amusement until a late hour. The tasty clubrooms were
well-spoken of by all, and the club membership will no doubt grow
considerably in the future.
COLUMBIA OPERA HOUSE EXHIBITION
Founding of the Highland Athletic Club
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, February 18, 1914
A sparring match will be held at the Columbia Opera House [later
called the Lory Theater], Wednesday
evening, February 18, in addition to a large moving picture show. It
will be between W. O. McLaughlin of Highland and M. M. Corbett of
Edwardsville, says the Highland Leader. A four-round bout for points
only, no hitting in the clinches. Marquis of Queensbury rules to
govern. This exhibition will be given for the purpose only of
organizing what will be known as the Highland Athletic Club, which
will be a fine thing for Highland citizens and vicinity. The
training will include all the latest scientific methods used in
regular professional training quarters, including boxing,
catch-as-catch-can, wrestling, etc. The admission to the show will
be same as regular prices - 5 and 10 cents, as no extra charge will
be made for boxing exhibition.