James A. Strosnider Jr. (1923-2013) had saved several documents that were given to me (Glen Shelton) by his son John Steven Strosnider. I have retyped the document that provides a brief history of a few early Virginia Weightlifting Clubs. I believe the original document was typed by Virginia’s first Weightlifting Chairman, Dr. Howard Lee James. James A Strosnider Jr. was coached by Dr. James and competed for Dr. James club. I strongly believe James A. Strosnider Jr. was given the original document by Dr. Howard Lee James. Here is the untitled document typed as close to the original as possible including typo’s.
Dr. James Health Club is the outgrowth of many years of constant interest and effort in health building. The progress made by the young men of Winchester, belonging to the Health Club, has prompted this recapitulation of events leading to the organization of this outstanding healthbuilding institution. Some of the most noteworthy records of the athletes of the past are given to show that the athletes of today are much more efficient than those of past years.
The first barbell club in Virginia and one of the earliest in this county was organized in Alexandria, Va., in 1919, by Mr. John Kelley and Dr. James. Until this time the use of barbells for exercise and strength exhibitions was used almost entirely by strong men of the vaudeville and circus. The athletic scope covered by the Alexandria Athletic Club included barbell exercise, hand balancing, pyramid building, acrobatics, and strength exhibitions. Later Gymnastic work was included, also boxing and wrestling. Due to the strain of the heavy lifting on the building the landlord soon gave notice that the club would have to find some other building for its use. This proved to be a problem as the property owners refused to have their buildings destroyed.
The club was reorganized in 1920 as the Four A Club or the American Amateur Athletic Assn. The name was changed to the Triple-A.C. the following year because of a religious organization having the same name. The club grew from a membership of six members to 75 in two years time. The Sunday School annex of the M.E. Church had been the meeting place up to this time when it became necessary to look for more room. Through the interest and influence of Rev. Wm. S. Hammond the church built a gymnasium in the basement of the new Sunday School building. The club turned out many athletes that won as Eddie Scot t, wrestling champion of the Atlantic Fleet U.S.N.; Doug Peyton, C.M.T.C. boxing champion; Vernon Vickers excelled at cable stretching for several years; John and Tom Kelley, Howard Lanham an Dr. James made a fine reputation as hand-balancers and tumblers. After continued study in acrobatics, Dr. James joined with the Martin Brothers Tumblers Supreme, which took him away from the club and after a year or so the club disorganized due to lack of proper instruction. In 1926, Dr. James was forced to give up Tumbling and all athletic work due to a fall while performing on the flying rings during one of his acts. He continued the following year as instructor of the National College Gymnasium. In the following order, he continued as instructor in the Austral Barbell Co., Iowa Acrobatic School and in 1931 organized the Winchester Barbell Club which developed into the Men’s Health Club. After the Men’s Athletic Club disbanded, Dr. James Health Club was organized and has now become one of the best Barbell Clubs in the country. Edwin Lillis, one of its members, established the first official Virginia Record, September 1939. It is listed by Vim Magazine and the Health Foundation as one of the best places to train for health and also indorsed by Bob Hoffman, editor of the Strength and Health Magazine and President of the York Barbell Co. The Amateur Athletic Union of the United States has given its praise to the work the club has done and has selected Dr. James as a member of the Board of Governors of the U.S. A.A.U. and Va. Weightlifting Chairman . The records of the Winchester boys are as follows:
Open records include competition with neighboring states.
Charles Lillis – 148 pound Champion – press 175, snatch 180, C.&j. 240
TOTAL 595
Edwin Lillis - 123 lb, - Record – Snatch, 125
Virginia State Records
Edwin Lillis – 123 lb. - Press, 115 – Snatch, 125 – C. & J. 150 –
Total 390
Dr. H. L. James - 132 lb. - Press, 150
Charles Lillis - 148 lb. - Press, 175 - Snatch, 180 - C. & J. 240 –
Total 595
John Kelley - 181 lb. - Press, 170 - Snatch, 180
Health Club records and improvement records. The Club Champions from its first organization are:
1919 to 1922
John Kelley 181)
160 140 220 520
Tom Kelley 181)
Dr. James 165)
130 115 200 445
Vernon Vickers 148)
Howard Lanham 148)
125 120 200 445
Douglas Peyton 165)
1923 to 1929
Kermit Smith HW 140 125 200 465
Walt Martin 181 175 145 260 580
John Kelley 181 185 170 230 585
Dr. James 165 160 140 210 510
Bob Martin 165 165 155 250 570
Jess Bodner 132 120 95 170 385
1931 to 1937
Edwin Lillis 112 95 75 130 300
Taylor Simpson 148 115 115 150 380
John Taylor HW)
Carl Campbell HW) 130 125 180 435
Doug Cather HW)
Miller McDonald 148 130 135 200 465 Aug. -470
Judge Tavenner HW 125 120 210 455 April, 1938
Charles Lillis 148 130 135 180 445
1937 to 1940
Edwin Lillis 126 115 125 150 390
Dr. James 132 150 135 175 460
Charles Lillis 148 175 180 240 595
Miller McDonald 165 145 145 210 500
Garland Whitlock 165 170 160 190 525
Pinkey Allen 181
Bedgit 165 140 135 175 450(July-150-120-150)
Total-390
Phil O’Rear 132 140 125 160 425(July-130-110-140)
Total-380)
Charles Johnson HW 180 180 240 600
Fred mason HW 180 185 240 605
Improvement of the Present Club Champions
Charles J. Lillis - Open and Va. State 140lb. Champion
April, 1937 95 75 125 295
April, 1938 130 135 180 445
August, 1938 140 140 190 470
March, 1939 145 145 190 480
Author: By Glen Shelton Completed: yes Created: Sun Oct 25 23:38:44 UTC 2020 | Last Updated: Thu Dec 21 16:42:54 UTC 2023