New Orleans
Item
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Title
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New Orleans
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Date
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December 1938
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volume
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3
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issue
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9
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page start
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10
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page end
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10
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content
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en
NEW ORLEANS
We have just received word of the death of Prof. Otto B. Schoenfeld, senior fencing master of New Orleans, on August 25, 1938, at 65 years of age. Born in Leipzig, Germany, he came to this country as a boy and developed into an all-around athlete, gymnast, swimmer, and fencer. He was the first Orleanian to compete in the Olympic Games, where in 1900 he fenced with great success. Later, an exponent of physical culture, he established several schools of physical training and became active in A. A. U. affairs, particularly in connection with swimming, boxing, and gymnastics. With his passing, New Orleans has lost a grand old swordsman and a great figure in that city’s athletic circles.
The City of New Orleans and the City Park Commission have spent some $10,000 on improvement of the area around and under the Duelling Oaks. Among other things, it has built the first permanent outdoor fencing strip, elevated and suitably landscaped. The area was dedicated on November 27th and set aside for American fencing.
As a direct result of the increase in popularity of fencing in New Orleans, a new fencing club, The New Orleans Fencing Club, was formed in September under the direction of Mr. Orest Meykar.
The Southern Fencers House, a fencing equipment concern operated by Mr. Orest Meykar, has issued a unique equipment catalog. It is unique in that it not only is a catalog covering its own offerings but is also a news magazine of fencing. It has published articles on the A. F. L. A., Judging and Directing, Modern Fencing, and last but not least advertises The Riposte and its competitors, the other fencing equipment concerns in the United States.
The Mardi Gras International Fencing Tournament will be held on February 18th and 19th.
