1957 Reunion
Athletic Club to Stage 36th Annual Reunion
Surviving members of Oakland's pioneer Acme Athletic Club will hold their 36th reunion on Sunday, May 5, at the home of George Simpson, 5472 Waldean Place.
Only a few of the club's membership which once totaled nearly 900 are expected to be on hand for the event, which will start at 12:30 p.m.
Formed in 1881, the club competed in boxing, wrestling, cycling, football and handball. Athletes of the time flocked to its headquarters at Broadway and 11th St.
Disbanding in the early 1900s, the club began holding reunions for members still in the Bay Area in 1921.
ANNIVERSARY PARTY - Attending the anniversary reunion union of the Old Acme Club, pioneer Oakland athletic organization, aire (from left, seated) George Clark, George Johnson, George Simpson, Edward Kinne: (standing) Dick Reed, Fred Wallace, Ben Sears, Mrs. G. W. Simpson, Mrs. Georgiana Ramsey, O. L. Coffman and Otto Rittler.
1955 Reunion
Found on Newspapers.com
Acme Reunion Slated Today
The Acme Athletic Club will hold its 34th annual reunion today at Luigi's Restaurant, 200 Broadway.
Scheduled to begin at noon, the affair, brings together oldtime Bay Area athletes of renown.
The Club, disbanded in the early 1900s, held its annual reunion in 1921. Formed originally in 1882, the club was dedicated principally to boxing, bicycle racing, foot racing and wrestling.
The membership once totaled nearly 900, but only 40 are expected to bè on hand this after
noon, reports chairman Benny Bradshaw.
Among old-time members of the Acme Club who attended the 34th annual reunion yesterday were (left to right) Jack Kepeles, Edward Wilcox, Otis L. Coffman, Jack Rittler, Jack Kitchen, and George Simpson. Kitchen and Wilcox are charter members.
1954 Reunion
Athletic glories of the old Acme Club will be relived for several hours Sunday, when the 33rd annual club reunion is held at the Bohemian Restaurant on lower Broadway.
Attendance at the reunions grows less each year, but the enthusiasm of its remaining alumni never diminishes. The reunions, it can be believed, will continue so long as two ex-members are
available.
Organized in 1883, the Acme Club once had a membership of close to 900. The present alumni living in this area number about 40. Most of them will be at the Sunday party, starting at noon.
Reunion preparations are being directed by Benny Bradshaw, George Simpson and Otto Rittler. Simpson is the brother of the late Tommy Simpson, famed boxing promoter.
Rittler, chairman of the Sunday committee and a resident of Alameda, is the youngest of the Acme alumni. He was accepted as a member when he was only 17, a tribute to his all-around athletic ability.
Among the old-timers gathering to toast the famed Acme Club will be Jack Kitchen, professional boxer who met among others Jim Corbett, heavyweight champion of the world. Kitchen was boxing instructor for the club, whose activities were directed to boxing, wrestling, gymnastics and bicycle racing principally.
Disbanded soon after the turn of the century for lack of desirable headquarters, the memory of the famed club was revived by a first reunion in 1921,
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| Discussing plans for today's 33rd annual reunion of the old Acme Athletic Club are (left to right): James Schanly, [sic] Jack Kitchen and Otto Rittler. Rittler is a chairman of today's banquet at the Bohemian Restaurant. In the background is a picture of Acme Relay team which won a 100-mile bicycle race in 1893. None of the team members is alive today. |
The Acme Athletic Club will hold its 33rd annual reunion this afternoon at the Bohemian Restaurant on lower Broadway.
Otto Rittler of Alameda, youngest of the living alumni, is chairman for the day.
Many old time athletes of renown will be present for the gathering. Included will be Jack Kitchen, former amateur boxing champion who once fought the late, great James J. Corbett.
The club was disbanded in the early 1900s. The first reunion dates back to 1921.
Although the membership once totaled nearly 900, only 40 are expected to be on hand this afternoon.
The club was formed in 1882 and was dedicated principally to boxing, bicycle racing, foot racing and wrestling.
Among those who will be on hand for today's celebration will be Jimmy Shanly, who joined the organization in 1885. Jimmy is a former handball champion.
Among those who attended the reunion of the Acme Athletic Club yesterday at the Bohemian Restaurant were (left to right, seated) Jack Kitchen, Jim Shanly, Charles Partridge, Eddie Wilcox, (left to right standing) George Simpson, Otto Rittler and Ben Bradshaw. The first four are the oldest members of the club. The club was formed in 1883.
1953 Reunion
Oakland Tribune, 23 May 1953, Sat, Page 12There is some sloppy reporting in this one. - MF
Acme Reunion Set Tomorrow
The 21st annual Acme Club reunion party, featuring an all events tournament of goodfellowship for boxers, wrestlers, bicyclists and gymnasts, will be held at Bertola's, 4601 Telegraph Avenue, tomorrow at 3 p.m.The reunion, under the supervision of Otto Rittler, chairman, is an annual affair, dating back to 1920.
The club, comparable to the Olympic Club of San Francisco and Athens Club of Oakland, was organized for the purpose of furthering athletics in 1883 with a membership of 3000 persons.
In 1920 the club was disbanded, but old members, under the supervision of Jimmy Schanley and Jack Kichen, continued to hold annual reunion meetings every year.
Rittler, chairman for the affair, was one of the first to bring basketball and track to St. Mary's College in 1908.
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| Members of the Acme Athletic Club gathered yesterday to hold their 32nd annual reunion party. Tournaments in boxing, gymnastics and cycling were recreated by members of gathering which included Charles A. Partridge, 91, oldest member of the club. The get together is an event dating back to 1921. Club organized in 1883. |
Oakland Tribune, 25 May 1953, Mon, Page 27
Sports Feats Retold at Reunion of Acme Club
An all-events athletic tournament was recreated by members of the old Acme Athletic Club at their 33rd annual reunion party yesterday afternoon.Twenty-seven members, including Charles A. Partridge, 91, of Oakland, retold fetes performed around the turn of the century in boxing, wrestling, cycling and gymnastics.
Among the reminiscent tale spun were those of Otto Rittler and George Simpson, two of the committee members who organized this year's affair.
Among the reminiscent tale spun were those of Otto Rittler and George Simpson, two of the committee members who organized this year's affair.
Rittler, one of the top sports figure of that time, brought basketball and track to St. Mary' College in 1908. His other achievements to further athletics in the Bay Region included coaching at Alameda High from 1914 until his recent retirement.
Simpson, west-Oakland product, was one of the top lightweight in this area in the early 1900's. There were many tales of his repeated ring victories over the Olympic Club of San Francisco.
Another topic of interest centered around Ben Sears of San Francisco, who won the world's ten-mile bicycle championship in 1906.
Conversation also turned to Jack Kirchin [sic, they mean Jack Kitchen - MF], one of the first committeemen to initiate the reunion affair in 1921.
Kirchin [sic] this year missed the annual event for the first time. Another familiar figure missing from the reunion was Everett Dowell, who phoned in his regards from the Masonic Home in North Dakota.
Oakland Tribune, 06 Jul 1952, Sun, Page 35
Long before that group of citizens established the present organization in 1919, there were two big rivals in Oakland-the Acme and Reliance Clubs.
First one to get under way was the Acme, which started activities in 1881. The athletes of the time flocked to the Broadway and 11th Street headquarters and before too long a period had passed members of the club were competing in boxing, wrestling, cycling, football and handball.
But the great days for the Acme Club didn't start until a natural rival, the Reliance Club started in the mid 80's. The newer organization, which catered more to the social side of sports in contrast to the more robust nature of the Acme, built a club house which now houses the Esquire Theater on Clay and San Pablo Street.
The great boxers of the era, Jim Corbett, Jim Jeffries, Tom Sharkey and the like, all showed before packed houses in the two gyms. Reliance members fielded a football team and played in a league with the University of California, the Wasps, Orions and the San Francisco Olympic Club.
Cyclists of both clubs competed in the 100-mile and longer road races, which were the Indianapolis boo's of the day.
But the time of competition was short for the Acme, which folded for lack of interest in 1893. That left the Reliance without a great local competitor. And interest slacked off in its activities also until in 1910 it went the way of Acme.
Various other athletic groups started, flourished for a short time and died before the next big club was organized in 1919. That was the Athens Club, still in business at its Clay Street address.
Under the leadership of Lynn Stanley and Norman De Vaux, first president, the athletic club
incorporated under state law April 7, 1921.
A period of planning and fundraising filled the next few years but on July 2, 1924, the first spadeful of earth was turned. Construction began later that year and the building was ready for occupancy on September 28, 1925. The total investment had reached S1800,000.
Since that date many famous members of the sports world have passed through the Athens Club portals and many were the champions that were turned out in the huge upper floor swimming pool.
But the Athens has done more than just develop athletes, it has given Oakland a place where friends can meet and strive toward that one ideal: a sound mind in a strong body.
The thirtieth annual reunion of the Acme Athletic Club, an organization of the best wrestlers, swimmers, runners and bike riding on the Pacific Coast which was formed almost 60 years ago, will be held Sunday afternoon at the Al J. Lacoste Building, 311 Broadway. This was the first annual reunion, a custom started in 1920 when the members weren't husky young men anymore. It was made by The Tribune's veteran photographer, E. A. (Doc) Rogers. Starting at the top, reading from left to right and making allowances for a few unidentified-faces, they are: William (Fat) Larue, Otto Rittler, Andy Bedbury; second row, John Henry Nash, Jack Rooney, Mr. Wolf. Theo Schleuter, Jim Slattery, Jim Kenna, Pit Potter, Everett Dowdle, Ben Bradshaw, Stanley Van Wick, Roy Smith, Dr. Jack Hogarty; third row, Bert Brown. T. W. Parson. Mr. Finnegan, Bert Lund, George H. Roemer, Ed Wilcox, Mr. Mehling, Charles Partridge, Henry May, Harry Beldon, Don Rhodes; second row from front, Will Orchard, Harry Snow, Hamry Basilio, Mr. Sharpe, George Neece, Myron Whidden, Judge John J. Allen. Rufus Hepburn, Frank Cook; front row, Henry Audifrad [ sic, should be Henry Auddifred?], Ed Dowle's son, Billy Hughes, Mr. Toohiq, Henry Stulz, Charley Conlon. Jimmy Shanley [sic] and Jack Kitchen. Some of the men pictured have passed away since the photograph was obtained. Sunday afternoon's gathering is scheduled for 12:30 o'clock.
These members of the old Acme Athletic Club, an amateur sports' unit formed here during the 80's, assembled at a local restaurant for their annual reunion. The club long ago disbanded but the members still carry on its traditions. The Acme Club gained national recognition for boxing, wrestling, bicycling and swimming among other sports, and its members were particularly delighted when defeating teams of the Olympic Club, its principal rival - Tribune photo.
Of some old-time days and of the Acme Athletic Club which recently held its 25th reunion, Jimmie Shanley [sic] has memory and records. He tells us that the club "was an organization that flourished in Oakland when the Oakland Trotting and Shellmound Parks were located upon the site of industrial Emeryville; Badger Park was a part of East Oakland; a one-horse car ran over "the marsh' to Alameda, and nice folks were shocked at a 'terrible leg' show, 'The Black Crook'; Dennis Kearney's Red Shirts declared the 'Chinese must go,'; 14th Street was blocked on the east side, 'Lover's Lane' being the passageway to Broadway. The ball park was at 14th and Center, with the Greenhood & Moran's, Atlas of Sacramento, Pioneers and Haverleys of San Francisco making up the big league, and Patsy Cahill one of the fastest things on a diamond. It was there in 1883 Jack Connors of The Tribune and Henri Auddifred ran the 100-yard dash for Aerne. The club's name, athletically and on the street, was upon the lips of devotees and followers of amateur sports. It was recognized and admired not only because of its achievements and clean sportsmanship, but because those entering contests held the club colors above self-glory, and fidelity was so sincere members from all walks of life, even to 'old William,' a colored attendant, backed, worked and pulled for a win of each contesting clubmate. It was in 1882 a group of athletically inclined young men decided to form a club. They met at the Lefevre place, Second at Harrison. Among those attending were: DeWitt Van Court, Tim Scanlon, Ed Merwin, Harry Perry, Charlie Lescher, J. Mack Polk, John Connors, Andy Merwin, and later Horace Brown, Frank Leavitt, the last four employed on The Tribune. Rufe Hepburn, who still enjoys an active business life at 82, presided and gave to the club its-name.
Battles of 55 years ago will be fought all over again today when the members of the old Acme Athletic Club hold their 20th annual reunion at the Fior. D'Italia Restaurant.
The reunion this week will be the fifteenth annual for those who were club members and fans 40 years ago, when they took part in or cheered the winners of boxing and wrestling tournaments, bicycle races, road races and gymnasium contests.
The first reunion was held in 1921, and since then the affair has become an annual event to which the
old-timers look forward.
Wheelmen of the Acme Club began racing against San Francisco riders back in 1893, when the 100-mile jaunt around the bay was a big sports event. The 1896 team, they tell me, included Joe Rose, Theodore Schleuter, Walter Decker, Eddie Smith, Jim Kenna, Jack Sampson, George Nissen, Al Swain (who was team captain), M. A. Squires, Jack Howard And Pete Le Fevre.
Among the wrestlers of those days for Aeme were Al Leffler, Bradley Myrack, Jack Cook, Jim Clark, Wally Mally, James Bird, Charley Stegman, Fred Kohler, James Conlan, Charles Andrews, Al Lean, Paul Carrol, Jack Williams, Al Wřight, Gus Larue, John Twoey and scores of others.
And what a time they'll have Saturday night!
1952 Reunion
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| Tribune photo by E. A. (Doc) Rogers |
Among those who attended the first reunion of the Acme Athletic Club in 1920 were (left to right) Willis Sharpe, Jimmie Shanley and Jack Kitchen. Kitchen, who is a member of the old club's 32nd reunion committee today, was the club's famous boxing instructor and once the heavyweight boxing champion of the Pacific Coast. Picture was taken by Tribune cameraman E. A. (Doc) Rogers in Redwood Canyon.
CRADLE OF CHAMPS
Survivors of Acme Athletic Club to Reunite
Surviving members of the long-defunct Acme Athletic Club will hold their 32nd annual reunion Sunday at Pete's Rendezvous, 334 Broadway, Scene of their athletic activities before the club closed its doors in 1900.
Otto Rittler, retired Alameda recreation superintendent, will be chairman of the affair, although a comparative youngster of only 70. He was one of the early gymnast members.
Founded in 1883 as an athletic and bicycle riding club in the Charles LeFevre barn at Sixth and Alice Streets, the Acme at one time numbered 800 members and was famous for its number of championship cups.
A rival of the famous Reliance Club, the Acme's emblem today is kept alive as the insignia of the Athens Athletic Club,
Acme boxers once won four out of five bouts for the amateur boxing championships of the Pacific Coast.
Jack Kitchen, one of the reunion committee members, was one of the winners. He was Pacific Coast heavyweight champion and the club's boxing instructor. His fellow boxers called him the amateur boxing champ of the world.
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| Otto Rittler, retired Alameda recreation superintendent, is chairman of Acme's 32nd annual reunion. |
Athletic Clubs of '80s Kept City on Sports Map
The desire to keep fit and enjoy the companionship of fellow athletes did not start in Oakland with the Athens Club.Long before that group of citizens established the present organization in 1919, there were two big rivals in Oakland-the Acme and Reliance Clubs.
First one to get under way was the Acme, which started activities in 1881. The athletes of the time flocked to the Broadway and 11th Street headquarters and before too long a period had passed members of the club were competing in boxing, wrestling, cycling, football and handball.
But the great days for the Acme Club didn't start until a natural rival, the Reliance Club started in the mid 80's. The newer organization, which catered more to the social side of sports in contrast to the more robust nature of the Acme, built a club house which now houses the Esquire Theater on Clay and San Pablo Street.
The great boxers of the era, Jim Corbett, Jim Jeffries, Tom Sharkey and the like, all showed before packed houses in the two gyms. Reliance members fielded a football team and played in a league with the University of California, the Wasps, Orions and the San Francisco Olympic Club.
Cyclists of both clubs competed in the 100-mile and longer road races, which were the Indianapolis boo's of the day.
But the time of competition was short for the Acme, which folded for lack of interest in 1893. That left the Reliance without a great local competitor. And interest slacked off in its activities also until in 1910 it went the way of Acme.
Various other athletic groups started, flourished for a short time and died before the next big club was organized in 1919. That was the Athens Club, still in business at its Clay Street address.
Under the leadership of Lynn Stanley and Norman De Vaux, first president, the athletic club
incorporated under state law April 7, 1921.
A period of planning and fundraising filled the next few years but on July 2, 1924, the first spadeful of earth was turned. Construction began later that year and the building was ready for occupancy on September 28, 1925. The total investment had reached S1800,000.
Since that date many famous members of the sports world have passed through the Athens Club portals and many were the champions that were turned out in the huge upper floor swimming pool.
But the Athens has done more than just develop athletes, it has given Oakland a place where friends can meet and strive toward that one ideal: a sound mind in a strong body.
1950 Reunion
Oakland Tribune, 26 May 1950, Fri, Page 34
The Acme Athletic Club, whose name was associated with the early history of Oakland, will hold its 30th annual reunion Sunday. Its members will come from far points to eat, drink and talk. Principally to talk.
The club, created in 1882 and dedicated principally to bicycle racing, foot racing, wrestling and amateur boxing, long since has ceased to exist as an operating body, but once each year its members get together. For a few jovial hours the robust, competitive spirit of old Acme Athletic Club is recaptured by the remnants of a once large membership.
The Sunday session will be held at the Al J. LaCoste Building, 311 Broadway. It will start at 12:30 noon and continue until the late afternoon shadows have fallen.
Ed (Doc) Rogers will be at the reunion. Doe is the Indestructible Tribune photographer whose pictures of Eastbay events taken more than half a century ago appear at intervals in this newspaper's magazine section.
Doc's application to club membership was sponsored by Jack Kitchen, outstanding amateur boxer of the Jim Corbett era. Kitchen is one of the committee arranging for the Sunday conclave. Working with the former boxer are Willis Sharpe, George Simpson and Jimmie Shanly. And of course, Doc.
There's plenty of life and humor in the old boys yet, as witness the announcement of the annual party. It reads:
STOP - giving thought to yesterday's troubles, to early aging or to far-off worries. But remember happy events, joys of contests and friendships formed in young manhood that still endure.
LOOK - upon those youthful years as years in which we built both physique and friendship, acquired in the gymnasium of the Acme Athletic Club,
LISTEN - our 30th annual reunion will be celebrated Sunday, May 28. So won't you get out your old gray bonnet with the blue ribbons on it and we'll "hitch old Dobbin to the shay" in memory.
What wonderful guys.
The Acme Athletic Club, whose name was associated with the early history of Oakland, will hold its 30th annual reunion Sunday. Its members will come from far points to eat, drink and talk. Principally to talk.
The club, created in 1882 and dedicated principally to bicycle racing, foot racing, wrestling and amateur boxing, long since has ceased to exist as an operating body, but once each year its members get together. For a few jovial hours the robust, competitive spirit of old Acme Athletic Club is recaptured by the remnants of a once large membership.
The Sunday session will be held at the Al J. LaCoste Building, 311 Broadway. It will start at 12:30 noon and continue until the late afternoon shadows have fallen.
Ed (Doc) Rogers will be at the reunion. Doe is the Indestructible Tribune photographer whose pictures of Eastbay events taken more than half a century ago appear at intervals in this newspaper's magazine section.
Doc's application to club membership was sponsored by Jack Kitchen, outstanding amateur boxer of the Jim Corbett era. Kitchen is one of the committee arranging for the Sunday conclave. Working with the former boxer are Willis Sharpe, George Simpson and Jimmie Shanly. And of course, Doc.
There's plenty of life and humor in the old boys yet, as witness the announcement of the annual party. It reads:
STOP - giving thought to yesterday's troubles, to early aging or to far-off worries. But remember happy events, joys of contests and friendships formed in young manhood that still endure.
LOOK - upon those youthful years as years in which we built both physique and friendship, acquired in the gymnasium of the Acme Athletic Club,
LISTEN - our 30th annual reunion will be celebrated Sunday, May 28. So won't you get out your old gray bonnet with the blue ribbons on it and we'll "hitch old Dobbin to the shay" in memory.
What wonderful guys.
The thirtieth annual reunion of the Acme Athletic Club, an organization of the best wrestlers, swimmers, runners and bike riding on the Pacific Coast which was formed almost 60 years ago, will be held Sunday afternoon at the Al J. Lacoste Building, 311 Broadway. This was the first annual reunion, a custom started in 1920 when the members weren't husky young men anymore. It was made by The Tribune's veteran photographer, E. A. (Doc) Rogers. Starting at the top, reading from left to right and making allowances for a few unidentified-faces, they are: William (Fat) Larue, Otto Rittler, Andy Bedbury; second row, John Henry Nash, Jack Rooney, Mr. Wolf. Theo Schleuter, Jim Slattery, Jim Kenna, Pit Potter, Everett Dowdle, Ben Bradshaw, Stanley Van Wick, Roy Smith, Dr. Jack Hogarty; third row, Bert Brown. T. W. Parson. Mr. Finnegan, Bert Lund, George H. Roemer, Ed Wilcox, Mr. Mehling, Charles Partridge, Henry May, Harry Beldon, Don Rhodes; second row from front, Will Orchard, Harry Snow, Hamry Basilio, Mr. Sharpe, George Neece, Myron Whidden, Judge John J. Allen. Rufus Hepburn, Frank Cook; front row, Henry Audifrad [ sic, should be Henry Auddifred?], Ed Dowle's son, Billy Hughes, Mr. Toohiq, Henry Stulz, Charley Conlon. Jimmy Shanley [sic] and Jack Kitchen. Some of the men pictured have passed away since the photograph was obtained. Sunday afternoon's gathering is scheduled for 12:30 o'clock.
1949 reunion
Oakland Tribune, 22 May 1949, Sun, Page 23
The Acme Club was organized in 1882 at Second and Harrison Streets, this city, and gained fame for its fine brand of amateur boxing. For a long time all simon pure boxing championships were held there.
Jack Kitchen, outstanding amateur heavyweight of the past; Willis Sharge [sic, should be 'Willis Sharpe' -MF] organized today's reunion.
Among those present will be Ed (Doc) Rogers, Tribune photographer. Years ago Doc took pictures of boxers and other amateur athletes who made the Acme Club one of the best known organizations of its kind in the country.
Acme Club Reunion Today
The 29th reunion of the Acme Athletic Club members will be held today noon at Pete's Rendezvous on lower Broadway, and many a tall tale will be told when the "boys' get together.The Acme Club was organized in 1882 at Second and Harrison Streets, this city, and gained fame for its fine brand of amateur boxing. For a long time all simon pure boxing championships were held there.
Jack Kitchen, outstanding amateur heavyweight of the past; Willis Sharge [sic, should be 'Willis Sharpe' -MF] organized today's reunion.
Among those present will be Ed (Doc) Rogers, Tribune photographer. Years ago Doc took pictures of boxers and other amateur athletes who made the Acme Club one of the best known organizations of its kind in the country.
These members of the old Acme Athletic Club, an amateur sports' unit formed here during the 80's, assembled at a local restaurant for their annual reunion. The club long ago disbanded but the members still carry on its traditions. The Acme Club gained national recognition for boxing, wrestling, bicycling and swimming among other sports, and its members were particularly delighted when defeating teams of the Olympic Club, its principal rival - Tribune photo.
You would have to be at least 75 years old - 80 to 85 would be even better - to get the full significance of the 28th Reunion of members of the Acme Club, to be held at Pete's Rendezvous, 4th and Broadway, next Sunday afternoon.
It was in 1883 that the club was founded, and its existence spanned little more than 10 years, but it left Oakland with a heritage in amateur athletics that will never be forgotten.
Boxing, wrestling, and cycling were the main interests of the youths who founded the club in a barn at 6th and Alice Streets, opened a gymnasium in a Synagogue at 14th and Harrison, and reached their heyday in quarters on 12th Street, between Broadway and Franklin.
At one time the club numbered 800 active members. If 20 are able to attend the reunion Sunday they will constitute testimonials to longevity and a hardiness they exhibited in their youth in the ring, on the mat, and over the dusty roads a half-century and more ago.
Arrangements for the reunion are being completed by a committee composed by James T. Drew, former Oakland police chief, John Kitchen, Willis Sharpe, and Jimmie Shanly, all leaders in club activities of 60 years past.
Kitchen, a heavyweight at 165 pounds, succeeded Gentleman Jim Corbett as national amateur champion when the San Franciscan turned professional.
Sharpe captained the club cycle team that a sensational upset in winning a 100-mile relay race from the highly-touted Bay Cities Club.
Shanly entered the club in the Pacific Coast four-oared barge competition, although the boys didn't have a boat. They finally borrowed one, and manned by a crew including three men who had never been in a racing boat, it came in second.
Those and a thousand other exciting moments will be relieved Sunday. Track and field victories, swimming records, tumbling and gymnastic meets of the early days will be reviewed.
Many of the men who brought fame and glory to the club have gone to a distant valhalla. But its spirit remains strong with those who are still here.
"Never could it be said," announcement of the forthcoming reunion proudly asserts, "that there was a weak link in the manpower construction of the Acme Club . . . athletically, or as to loyalty to
colors and to each other."
It was in 1883 that the club was founded, and its existence spanned little more than 10 years, but it left Oakland with a heritage in amateur athletics that will never be forgotten.
Boxing, wrestling, and cycling were the main interests of the youths who founded the club in a barn at 6th and Alice Streets, opened a gymnasium in a Synagogue at 14th and Harrison, and reached their heyday in quarters on 12th Street, between Broadway and Franklin.
At one time the club numbered 800 active members. If 20 are able to attend the reunion Sunday they will constitute testimonials to longevity and a hardiness they exhibited in their youth in the ring, on the mat, and over the dusty roads a half-century and more ago.
Arrangements for the reunion are being completed by a committee composed by James T. Drew, former Oakland police chief, John Kitchen, Willis Sharpe, and Jimmie Shanly, all leaders in club activities of 60 years past.
Kitchen, a heavyweight at 165 pounds, succeeded Gentleman Jim Corbett as national amateur champion when the San Franciscan turned professional.
Sharpe captained the club cycle team that a sensational upset in winning a 100-mile relay race from the highly-touted Bay Cities Club.
Shanly entered the club in the Pacific Coast four-oared barge competition, although the boys didn't have a boat. They finally borrowed one, and manned by a crew including three men who had never been in a racing boat, it came in second.
Those and a thousand other exciting moments will be relieved Sunday. Track and field victories, swimming records, tumbling and gymnastic meets of the early days will be reviewed.
Many of the men who brought fame and glory to the club have gone to a distant valhalla. But its spirit remains strong with those who are still here.
"Never could it be said," announcement of the forthcoming reunion proudly asserts, "that there was a weak link in the manpower construction of the Acme Club . . . athletically, or as to loyalty to
colors and to each other."
- THE KNAVE
Acme Athletic Club
There are few of today who remember when and where the once-splendid and nationally known Acme Athletic Club was founded, nor of the accomplishments of many of its members. It was founded in 1882 in the Lafeve barn at Second and Harrison streets. The enthusiasm of its organizers was contagious and increasing membership forced it to remove to Eighth and Harrison, then to Dexter Hall, where Jack Kitchen, Eddie Wilcox, Frank Leavett, Frank Cooley and others made their presence felt at the annual amateur boxing tournament. But it was at the Hook Building (rehabilitated burned synagogue), 14th at Harrison, where real activities in all branches of athletics began. At one Pacific Coast championship eight entries were made and seven medals were brought back - firsts and seconds. Bob Leando developed gymnasts who later toured the world with their acts. Ted Cotton, Robert Starkey with Jack Stack on the triple bars - Starkey was the first man ever to turn a triple somersault. Jack Kitchen fought his way up to succeed Jim Corbett as national amateur champion when Corbett decided he was going to lick John L. Sullivan, some day - and did. Willis Sharpe captained the first 100-mile relay team, six of whom are expected at the dinner to be held this noon at Broadway and Fourth. Cliff McCleand, lowered the pole vault record at the Midwinter Fair, with Harry Germain second. With new successes added to its glory the club removed to 12th Street, near Broadway, where more champions were developed. Jim Drew, ex-chief of police; Joe Fields, George Simpson, Billie Hughes, Bert Brown, Jed Hanifin, Eddie Smith, Dr. Walter Smythe, Jimmy Fox and others led in boxing, while Charlie Andrews won and held the wrestling championship in his weight, as did Gus Lareu, Jack Williamson, Jim Clark and others. With the opening of the Piedmont baths, swimming champions were developed which created a desire for a clubhouse with a tank and a turn toward aquatic sports. The first venture being entry into the Pacific Coast four-oared barge championship and without a boat. The South Ends provided one and Jimmie Shanly was in charge of training the four men who "stood up" in the tryouts, three of whom had never been in a racing boat, and one could not swim. Second place was the win. Eventually a clubhouse with a tank was made possible by the Abrahamson brothers, 13th at Clay, but there misfortune overtook the club, notwithstanding the whole-hearted co-operation of the "Old Guard" who had retired from active participation, Jim Corbett, Peter Jackson, Johnnie Herguet and other famous champions, the club folded up. But the spirit of fellowship and love for the club's colors never died. After a lapse of some 30 years three of the Old Guard undertook the task of rounding up the survivors for a reunion. That was 27 years ago. The response was so genuine and the desire so great to meet each other again these reunions have been held every year since. This year's is being held today.1946 reunion
High-Wheeled Days
The Knave's recent article "Recalls Cycling Days," caused James M. Shanly of Auburn to dig into old possessions to uncover a picture of the times when the cycles had high wheels in front and the cyclists made imposing pictures in group formation and on cross-country runs. "On a typical run," says Shanly, one could see Lou Lamory on his big '56', bucking the Alvarado afternoon wind with Everett Dowdle, an athlete of marked ability, on his '42' riding on the lee side, both riding under the Acme Athletic Club's colors . . . a red-winged acorn on a black background . . . now used by the Athens Club, the dies for which were presented when that club came into being. On a recent Sunday those remaining of the Acme celebrated its 64th anniversary at which time the champions of their day reveled in stories of racing on ordinaries (high wheels), 'safeties', boxing, wrestling, fencing, rowing, swimming, gym work, track racing, field activities, handball and the 'parlor athletes' will have their inning. An 'ordinary' race, track or road, was always both fascinating to witness and a hard grind to the participants. The clubs participating usually being: The Bay Cities, Garden Cities, San Jose Road Club, Alameda Cyclers, Olympic Club Wheelmen, Sacramento Cycles, Reliance Club and the hard-riding Acmes. O. L. Pickard, Acme, was the first to ride the 100 miles from San Francisco to Oakland via San Jose. His record held for years. At about the height of 'ordinary' racing Bert Lund, unattached, entered the races held at the Oakland Trotting Park for benefit of building fund for the Fabiola Hospital. He had a cushioned-tired wheel and, in memory, some of those alive can hear the 'heluva protest' that went up. But it was a wheel to the judges and that was that.Early Boxing Bouts
"A club run on 'ordinaries' was a grind. Along dirt roads, not so bad, up grade it was a case of dismount and 'shove,' down a steep grade a small tree was dragged to retard progress - if one could get the tree. Various types of hard-tired 'safeties' soon displaced the high wheels and these were followed by cushioned-tired, spring fork bicycles and then came the 'pneumatic tired' racing machine - a Phoenix, 36 pounds. Of the 10 men who rode the first 100-mile relay race around the Bay six are expected to be at the reunion: George Neece, Andy Bedburry, Theodore Schleuter, Jack Sampson, Manuel Rose and George Faulkner. Willis Sharpe was captain. Boxing conversation among the old-timers begins in 1882, when Rufus Hepburn named the club, and run through a list of such men as Eddie Wixcox, [sic, should be 'Eddie Wilcox' -MF] Jack Kitchen, Frank Leavitt, J. Mack Polk, Bert Brown, Eddie Smith, Joe Fields, Billie Gallagher, George Simpson, Billie Hughes, Jim Drew, Jed Hanifin, Dr. Walter Smythe, Jimmie Fox and Charlie Slamberg. One fight, never to be forgotten tops for excitement, was that between Walter Tye and George Kelley. The boys were disturbed by Chief of Police Thomas and the entire detective force (Shorey and Holland) in their first go on Eighth Street bridge. So decided to hold the next event under the auspices of the Acme Club, without the chief's sanction. A fellow named J. M. J. Kane, allegedly tipped it off and a raid was staged. As Kane went through the door Fred Schleuter landed a haymaker on him, at the next landing Mack Polk took a flying kick and as he went through the door one of the boys gave him 'the foot.' Which brings to mind another bout the chief interrupted and, it was told, the same fellow tipped it off. The affair took place in the early morning hours at the Coliseum Theater, 12th near Webster, between 'Buffalo' Castello and Tom Cleary. The place was surrounded by the police. All strangers were apprehended as were citizens not too well known, but men of 'standing' were permitted to pass with nod. Each thinking how lucky he was to have a 'pull.' One such person was Hugo Fuegal who, on the strength of his standin went bail for many but that afternoon four officers were busy serving warrants on those with the 'pull.' The names of Tim Scanlon, Harvey Sloper, Tom Mulvaney (Nolan's Big Boot at 11th and Broadway), George DeGolia, Clay Hawbaker, Judge Johnnie Allen, the Van Court boys, Billie Hynes, Myron Whidden, Dr. O. D. Hamlin all conjure memories of those who not only made amateur athletics what they were but the club what it was.Baseball Memories
"J.T. (Jimmie) Moran organizer of the Greenhood & Morans was another enthusiastic supporter of athletics. Few will forget the 'great ball' played in the league made up of the Pioneers and Haverleys of San Francisco, the Atlas of Sacramento and the Greenhoods & Morans of Oakland and the time they chartered a broom-bedecked river steamer to go to Sacramento and 'wipe up' the Atlas . . . and brought a dustpan home. Nor will the ball game at Johnnie Croll's West Alameda Park, when John L. Sullivan umpired, be forgotten, for so dense was the crowd the fielders were among the audience. Across the tracks from the ball park was Scheutzen Park afterward the Alameda Bicycle Park where many of the famed riders of that age rode and broke records among them being Frank (Dutch) Waller, Acme, who lovered [sic] the six-day record. It was Waller who rode from Oakland to San Jose and then up to Mt. Hamilton on a bet of an icecream soda - the first ever to accomplish that feat. Next to the cycling track was Long Branch, Terrace, Sunny Cove and Schmidt's swimming tanks. The Terrace and Long Branch became a part of Croll's Gardens where Jack Dempsey (the Nonpariel) trained and excited great crowds lighting a cigar with a $5 bill. Peter Jackson trained for the Jeffries affair there, but the Corbet-Jackson 61-round draw he trained at Joe Dieve's San Leandro road resort. Croll was a general favorite and both managers and trainers liked to be quartered with him, and they all numbered among the topnotchers. So fine was the record and standing of the Acme Club not only locally but in the A.A.U. throughout the States1945 reunion
Acme Club reunion 1945 Sun, May 20, 1945 – Page 21 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Over Sixty Years Ago
Of some old-time days and of the Acme Athletic Club which recently held its 25th reunion, Jimmie Shanley [sic] has memory and records. He tells us that the club "was an organization that flourished in Oakland when the Oakland Trotting and Shellmound Parks were located upon the site of industrial Emeryville; Badger Park was a part of East Oakland; a one-horse car ran over "the marsh' to Alameda, and nice folks were shocked at a 'terrible leg' show, 'The Black Crook'; Dennis Kearney's Red Shirts declared the 'Chinese must go,'; 14th Street was blocked on the east side, 'Lover's Lane' being the passageway to Broadway. The ball park was at 14th and Center, with the Greenhood & Moran's, Atlas of Sacramento, Pioneers and Haverleys of San Francisco making up the big league, and Patsy Cahill one of the fastest things on a diamond. It was there in 1883 Jack Connors of The Tribune and Henri Auddifred ran the 100-yard dash for Aerne. The club's name, athletically and on the street, was upon the lips of devotees and followers of amateur sports. It was recognized and admired not only because of its achievements and clean sportsmanship, but because those entering contests held the club colors above self-glory, and fidelity was so sincere members from all walks of life, even to 'old William,' a colored attendant, backed, worked and pulled for a win of each contesting clubmate. It was in 1882 a group of athletically inclined young men decided to form a club. They met at the Lefevre place, Second at Harrison. Among those attending were: DeWitt Van Court, Tim Scanlon, Ed Merwin, Harry Perry, Charlie Lescher, J. Mack Polk, John Connors, Andy Merwin, and later Horace Brown, Frank Leavitt, the last four employed on The Tribune. Rufe Hepburn, who still enjoys an active business life at 82, presided and gave to the club its-name.Some Champions
"Rapidly, it grew out of its limited quarters, removing to Eighth and Webster, then to Dexter Hall, 13th at Harrison. With each move came additional membership and popularity and a firmer determination to live-up to the definition of its name-the highest point. The Hook Furniture Company made the next move an important one. The Jewish Synagogue, on 14th Street, had been partly destroyed by fire. Hook bought the structure, moved it near to Harrison, and remodeled, leasing two floors to the club. The enthusiastic members worked like beavers preparing it for occupancy and building much of the apparatus. Hopes and determination were at a new high. More championships had been Annexed and others eagerly sought. Eight entries in the Coast championship and special events tournament resulted in seven winners - firsts and seconds. Those boys trained harder and more faithfully and boxed harder for three rounds and a $35 medal than most boxers do for longer bouts and a good-sized purse. When Hook built his building on 12th Street, two floors were designed for an enlarged and modern athletic club, fully equipped. Again forward strides were made. While boxers and wrestlers showed marked gain, Bob Leando's gym boys went steadily to the front. Bob Starkey astonished the amateur field by perfecting a double somersault from the triple bars. Hewith other special 'stunt' performers toured both continents with their acts. At the Mid-winter Fair games Cliff Maclellan copped the pole-vault championship and held it for years. Harry Germain, now 80 plus, was another champion. The around-the bay rowing clubs were anxious to hold a regatta under A.A.U. auspices. Acme's representative entered. When asked what he would suggest using as a substitute for a boat, he replied: 'Didn't think of that, but we'll get there.' Judge Al Fritz, Billie Humphreys and others of the South Ends, hearing of the story, rowed over their 'Garfield,' putting it in the University of California boathouse on Session's Basin, where, later, it was destroyed by fire. Alameda tendered their club facilities and the 'Kate' the Aerials their 'black boat.' On the day of the race they offered their new four-oared barge, which, while not rigged for the Acme boys, was accepted, and second place won in the Coast junior championship. Of that. crew of marvels, the will-to-win spirit was clearly demonstrated for three had never been in a barge before going into training, and one could not swim. For the lightweight wrestling championship, Charlie Andrews and George Eckhart of the Olympic Club labored and pulled and tugged for four continuous hours to a draw at the Alcatraz Theater, San Francisco.Reunion
"A newspaper offered a trophy for a 100-mile, 10-man relay race, around the bay, via San Jose. The powerful track team of the Bay cities entered, and all save the Acme laid off." Wise ones had Judge Frank Kerrigan's boys pegged to win by an hour and 10 minutes. They trailed Acme by just that margin. Ed Hartley's quarter-mile swim record was never lowered, and at 75 years of age broke his own 10-mile cross-country run record. This was done under A.A.U. rules, with Judge John J. Allen, Jack Kitchen, Willis Sharpe, Otto Rittler and the usual corps of timers, clerks of course, and judges officiating. When Jim Corbett turned professional to condition himself to make good his threat to defeat Sullivan. Jack Kitchen became amateur champion, holding it until retirement. Billie Gallagher was the club's undefeated welter champion until turning professional. Other winners in various weights were: Jimmie Drew, Jimmie Fox, Dr. Walter Smythe, George Simpson, Bill Hughes, Charlie Slamburn, John Fields, Bert Brown, Billie Hogarty, Eddie Smith, Bill Hope and Gus Larue was the bantam wrestler. After years of successful happiness the club accepted an offer to take over the new Abrahamson building (across from the Athens) with a swimming tank and more elaborate appointments. Failure was the reward for this adventure, and notwithstanding Jim Corbett, Peter Jackson, Johnnie Hurget (Young Mitchell) and a whole array of old-timers and others proffered gratuitous help, the club ceased to exist - but that spirit of fellowship and loyalty did not die, but smoldered for 30 years. Then Jack Kitchen met Charlie Slamburg from Seattle and invited Bob Leando and myself to dine with them. The atmosphere was just right, and resulted in a decision to make a try for a reunion - the records were gone, but memories of pals of the past lingered. Willis Sharpe was annexed and a four-month writing campaign started . . . it stretched from Jim Corbett and Jim Otey in New York, Max Shlueter in Chicago, to San Diego and Seattle. One hundred and sixty-six men were contacted, of which 136 attended a reunion banquet in Oakland 26 years ago. It would not be possible to describe that meeting. Fidelity to each other and to the Acme colors still lived, and will continue to do so until '30' is written for the last man. Each year since that first reunion these old pals journey to Oakland just - well, just to grasp each other's hand and to renew that pledge of fellowship which with some has run for 63 years."1941 reunion
Acme A.C. Celebrates Anniversary
The 21st anniversary grand reunion of the Acme Athletic Club will be held at the Fior d'Italia Restaurant, Fourth and Broadway, Sunday, July 30.
The Acme Athletic Club dates back to mustache cup days, and was originally founded as an athletic and bicycle riding club.
Early members included Otto Rittler, F. Willis Sharpe, George Simpson and Bill Lehraux, who fought Gunboat Smith and Fireman Jim Flynn, Lehraux was the amateur heavyweight champion of the Pacific Coast.
Approximately 60 of the club's original membership will attend the reunion. The club now boasts a membership of about 200.
1940 reunion
MEMBERS OF OLD ACME CLUB MEET TODAY, CHEW FAT OVER BATTLES OF 55 YEARS AGO
Jack Kitchen (left), was once amateur king of the heavies, on the Pacific Coast. Here he's shown exhibiting his K.O. punch on an old pal of the Acme Athletic Club, Ed. A. (Doc) Rogers, Tribune camerman, took this picture a long time ago, so many years ago he's forgotten the date. But Acme Club members well remember the day.
Battles of 55 years ago will be fought all over again today when the members of the old Acme Athletic Club hold their 20th annual reunion at the Fior. D'Italia Restaurant.
Former Chief of Police James Drew, Otto Rittler and George Simpson are in charge of the reunion and they expect more than 70 members to attend the affair, which starts at 1 o'clock.
Judge John J. Allen and George Neece, past presidents of the organization which was founded in 1885 will be present.
Other members who will attend include Doc Kitchen, Jr. former Pacific Coast heavyweight amateur champ; Willie Hughes, former welterweight champion; Captain J. Frank Lynch, Louis F. Agnew, Joseph Fields, former bantamweight champion; Everett Dowdle, Bob Starkey, J. William Sharpe, Dr. O. D. Hamlin, Harry Jermain, Charlie Andrews, former welterweight wrestling champion, and Dr. Otto Ziegler, former world bike riding champion.
1937 reunion
Old Athletic Club Founders Hold Annual Reunion Here
Fifty-four years ago a group of energetic young fellows gathered in the barn of Charles LeFevre at Sixth and Alice Streets and banded together under the name of the Acme Athletic Club, later to become one of the most famous clubs on the coast. Last Sunday the same fellows, not so young, perhaps, but with the same gay spirit of youth, gathered at a banquet in Martinez and celebrated their 17th annual reunion.
Fifty-eight of the old-timers attended to keep alive the spirit that 800 members had built up when the club was in its prime. Some of them attended the first meeting of the club and could trace the history down to the present, but all of them knew the achievements of the organization and its members like the pages of a book.
Years have changed these athletes of old. Some have climbed society's ladder while others have stayed on the same rung, but once a year the present is forgotten and these champions of yesterday live in the atmosphere of the past.
SHANLEY PRESIDES
Jim Shanley presided at the banquet, which was attended by veteran members from the bay area and nearby cities. He was always a leader in the old club. It was Jim who brought the club members together in 1920 - 27 years after hard times caused the members to disband. At the banquet were Jack Kitchen, one of the instructors of the old organization; Judge John Allen of the Alameda County Superior Court, and Eugene Van Court, for years an Alameda County Court reporter.
Judge Allen gave a short talk, relating his experiences as one of the early members.
A man of 60 years is a youngster in the Acme Club now. Most of the members are from 65 to 75.
After the founding of the club in 1883 the members moved to their first gymnasium and clubhouse in a synagogue on the corner of 14th and Harrison Streets. Shortly after, the club moved to rooms on 12th Street between Broadway and Franklin, and later to their own building at 13th and Clay.
TWO CLUBS MERGE
Shortly after 1893 hard times struck many of the members and the club was forced to disband. It was merged with the Reliance Athletic Club, which is also out of existence today.
The duties of life gradually took the old athletes on different and widely separated paths until 1920 when 10 or 12 of the originals met and formed plans for the annual reunions.
The feats of skill and championships won by old Acme members are still vivid in the memories of these athletes.
"I remember," said Jack Kitchen, "when Acme men won four out of five bouts for the amateur boxing championships of the coast at the old Olympic Club." And Jack was one of them. He was the club's Sharp, another old-timer put it. Jack weighed 165 pounds during his boxing days but tackled and defeated 200-pounders with considerable regularity. "The bigger they come, the slower they are," was his motto.
1935 reunion
The Acme boys are planning another one. What? Why a reunion, of course, of members of the Oakland Sports Club organised in 1883 and abandoned before the end of that century, in 1899. [See "Wrecked Acme Club's Property" - MF] This year's reunion is set for Saturday night at the Oakland Elks Club, at Broadway and Twentieth, according to a letter from Jimmy Shanly, who, with John Kitchen Jr. and F. Willis Sharpe, is on the committee in charge. The dinner will start at 6 o'clock.The reunion this week will be the fifteenth annual for those who were club members and fans 40 years ago, when they took part in or cheered the winners of boxing and wrestling tournaments, bicycle races, road races and gymnasium contests.
The first reunion was held in 1921, and since then the affair has become an annual event to which the
old-timers look forward.
Wheelmen of the Acme Club began racing against San Francisco riders back in 1893, when the 100-mile jaunt around the bay was a big sports event. The 1896 team, they tell me, included Joe Rose, Theodore Schleuter, Walter Decker, Eddie Smith, Jim Kenna, Jack Sampson, George Nissen, Al Swain (who was team captain), M. A. Squires, Jack Howard And Pete Le Fevre.
Among the wrestlers of those days for Aeme were Al Leffler, Bradley Myrack, Jack Cook, Jim Clark, Wally Mally, James Bird, Charley Stegman, Fred Kohler, James Conlan, Charles Andrews, Al Lean, Paul Carrol, Jack Williams, Al Wřight, Gus Larue, John Twoey and scores of others.
And what a time they'll have Saturday night!
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