Club History
History of the Waltham Curling Club
Mr. John Currie of Ayrshire Scotland, visiting relations in this vicinity in 1884 saw that winter time in this area afforded a splendid opportunity for the old Scotch game of curling. Thereupon he suggested to organize a club. As curling stones were not easily procured, advised that wooden blocks would make a good substitute. A few wooden blocks were made and on being tried proved to be very satisfactory.
Therefore a club was organized and during that winter, 1884-85, a great many grand and exciting contests were witnessed.
Before leaving for his home in Scotland, Mr. Currie said, "I would like to see this game permanent, and by way of helping you to do so I will send from Scotland a curling medal - to be played for annually rink against rink." The medal arrived in due time and to this day is still played for annually.
-1892-
Gilmore Wins the Medal
The eight skips of the Waltham and Dimmick Curling Club entered for the medal presented by John Currie, Ayrshire, Scotland, under the rules of the National Curling Club twenty-one heads, the regulation number for a match. During four days the rink has been crowded to its utmost capacity by the lovers of the old Scotch game. The rinks were flooded and brought into requisition. The ice was in fair condition, although one of the rinks was uneven, making correct play somewhat difficult.
The fun began at 10 o'clock a.m., and soon the valley of the Tomahawk creek resounded with shouts of the players and directions of each skip as he with broom in hand pointed out to his men where he wished them to place their stone. Long and loud were the shouts of the victors as the final shot displaced some opponent's stone. At 1 p.m., the games of twenty-one heads was concluded, resulting in favor of E. Johnson, who defeated W. Wilson, the latter recieving the medal last year, and L. Willsey defeating John Wylie. The points on both rinks were close. The game was then postponed until Monday 9th, but owing to the severity of the weather, play was not resumed till Tuesday when H.D. Johnson was drawn against John Gilmore and Wm. Cuthbertson against John Gemmill Wylie. Unfortunately, Wm. Cuthbertson had to serve as grand juror and James Wallace was called to be skip in his stead.
The day's play was not as interesting as Friday's. Gilmore easily disposed of Wallace by thirteen points, Wallace doing likewise with Wylie. E. Johnson, John Gilmore, L. Willsey and James Wallace being the successful skips for the two days' play, balloted for the next day's games, which upon being drawn, placed E. Johnson against L. Willsey and James Wallace against John Gilmore.
The final game was looked foreward to with much interest by all lovers of the roarin' game, and a large number of spectators were present, most of them enthusiasts of the game. Among them were Mr. J. Currie, Sr., J. Currie, Jr., and Mr. Smith, all of Milwaukee, Wis., and several ladies whom your correspondent failed to recognize. After a few heads had been played, gilmore and his men settled down to business, forged ahead and were never passed. After the cheering had subsided and a general handshaking and swinging of brooms, a photographer carrying a camera hove into sight and begged to be permitted to take a picture of the group of the two last contesting rinks, and the request was readily granted.
The club consists of forty members and others are knocking on the door.
The curlers will hold their annual banquet on Jan. 31st at the residence of Mr. David Gemmill and as usual it will be a most enjoyable affair.
-1893-
The Curlers of Waltham and Dimmick Have Big Banquet
The annual banquet of the Waltham-Dimmick Curling Club was held Tuesday evening, January 31st, at the residence of Mr. David Gemmill in Waltham. Although a number of the best known and oldest members were absent, the affair was the most successful in the history of the organization. The talent displayed by those who participated in the programme was a feast itself, and will leave an impression of good will to all men on the minds of both old and young which time alone can eradicate.
The address of welcome was delivered by Mr. William Wilson in an able and humorous manner, and in language peculiar to curlers told the story of his defeat in the contest for the medal, as follows: "Curling is a slippery game, for it is played on the ice, and Burns says 'the best laid schemes of men and mice gang aff aglee.' And it is hard to draw a shot just at the tee. You know right well the skip sometimes will ask his men to do that which he cannot do himself, and thereby lose the game."
John Wilson in a short and becomming speech presented the medal to John Gilmore, but owing to the modesty and bashfulness of the recipient, A. Gilmore responded on his behalf - and spoke for some time on the origin and history of the club, recognizing the fact that Mr. John Currie, Ayrshire, Scotland, the donor of the handsome medal, had been solely instrumental in introducing the old Scotch game to his many relatives and friends while being on an extended visit to this country a number of years ago.
Dr. Fraser, although not a Scotsman born, gave a Scotch reading which bore proof that he is a master of the Scottish language. As an encore he recited "Tugald McTaggard," which was so highly appreciated that in order to gain his freedom he was compelled to give "There's Nae Folks like Our Folks," the rendering of which gave so much pleasure, that again the Dr. was called upon, but the president protested owing to the lateness of the hour and length of the programme. Miss Nellis sang "Within a Mile of Edinboro Toon" in fine style, and also rendered "Bonnie Doon" in a very pleasing manner.
D. B. Gates read a paper on "Women" which gave great satisfaction to all, especially the fair sex.
Mrs. Frank Johnson and Miss Eddie Nellis sang "Annie Laurie" with such pathos that a bachelor was seen to use his handkerchief freely and frequently. David Gemmil pleased everybody with his rendering of "John Anderson My Joe." H. D. Johnson delivered a stirring oration on Curling and Politics at half past nine o'clock.
One hundred and three surrounded the festive board to partake of the good cheer provided by the host and hostess and after all had thoroughly satisfied the wants of the inward man, tables were cleared and the younger folks indulged in dancing until an early hour in the morning.
31st January, 1893
| BANQUET ACCOUNT | |
|---|---|
| Paid for Oysters... | $16.90 |
| Paid for oranges... | 3.25 |
| Crackers... | 1.40 |
| Butter... | 1.67 |
| 10 Cans Peaches... | 2.25 |
| Buns... | 1.00 |
| Sundries... | 5.78 |
| Pickles... | .50 |
| _____ | |
| $32.70 | |
| Sold after banquet, oysters, crackers and oranges amounting to... | 5.78 |
| _____ | |
| Total expenses... | $27.02 |
31st January, 1893
At a meeting held on 31st in smoking room at the residence of Mr. David Gemmill during recess of banquet, H.D. Johnson occupying the chair.
The Constitution and By-Laws as entered on page 9 to 13 of this book were adopted.
The following named members are those who volunteered to go to the Chicago Curling Club and have a friendly tussle with some of the rinks of that club: Wm. B. Cuthbertson, James Wallace, David Gemmill, John G. Wylie, H. D. Johnson, Thomas Gilmore, William Wilson, John Wylie.
(Editor's note - The minute book does not disclose the outcome of the match nor the location of the Chicago Curling Club. Rumor has it that the local brithers got took 45 - 4! an' it was 44 years later, 1937, before a local rink again ventured forth, this time to Madison, to avenge the honor of Waltham. "Hackwells" Willie Wilson, Howard Brown, Graham Currie, and Glen ford never did say how they made out! Uncommunicative, these Scots.)
