The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-09-28

NcKeever and Riley. Cheers ana ne
ouent Kisses went through the crowd,
and some apprehensions were felt that
the race would fizzle, the shades of even-
ing coming down so fast that it was diffi-
cult to distinguish between the drivers
at any distance. At last the horses were
off. When within two hundred yards of
the winning pest Butler made q sudden
movement towards the inside track, CON-
ing in front of Cooley, so that the wheel
touched the horses nose This gave
Butler the advantage, and he came In
about one-half a length ahead. Time,
1884. A deafening tumult ensued, and
for time there was a prospect OF great
fight; bat the track was cleared for the
fifth and last heat.
Il was now completely dark. Angry
words we're heard between the drivers
The crowd divided into two parts, some
being in favor of postponing the race,
while Others loudly demanded that it
should 90 on. Alter much delay and
much noisy qusrrelling which threat
eued to culminate in general dis.
turbance, q start was made, Butler
taking the lead by length. Both
horses then seemed to vanish in the
darkness IL was impossible to follow
them around the track, so the crowd
waited at the winniDg-post with breath
less interest for the result. 1t was a
moment of intense anxiety. At length
a shout was raised, and Cooley came in
under the wire. Closely behind him
came Butler, withsut driver, aud went
coursing round the track. The crowd
gathered around the stand, in wonder
and astonishment, to learn the cause.
Apain Butler came around and dashed
away without pause. A third time he
came swinging round the circle, when q
blanket was thrown over bin, and he
passed into the stable. Quiet being
restored, the fact was; announced from
the jadges' stand, that. MeKeeyer was
left dead upon the backstretch, and
scene of Wild excitement ensued
Strange to say, it did not appear to be
caused by the intelligence of the drivers
death, but by disappointment caused
at the unsatisfactory result Of the con-
test A decision was vociferously de.
mauded of the judges. They repeated
that McKeever was killed, and an
nounced that the decision would be post
poned, which only elicited loud calls Oh
the part of the crowd for an immediate
decision. Finally all the BETS were de-
clared off, and the crowd began to sep
arate.
It appears that McKeever was not
killed; but there is little hope Of his re.
covery, as his skull is broken.
"a subsequent dispatch announced the
death of MeKeever on Sunday evening
EDS.
Riley, the driver Of Cooley, stated that
he had ruu into the fence on the back
track, and that he had been struck by the
wheel of the sulky. He WAS running a
little before Cooley, when one Of the
wheels was observed to jump mp, the
drivers head being at the time inclined
toward that side OF the vehicle, and little
more was seen Of him.
Riley was Immediately arrested, aud
last night the police arrested two men,
after a most desperate hght, in the upper
part of the city, who are charged with
fastening projecting board to the fence
which they know would upset McKeever
as he had the inside track and was very
near the fence. The sporting fraternity
are intensely excited over the affair, aud
it is not improbable that moro calami-
ties may result from this unfortunate
race.
Another dispatch states that Cooley 3
driver said both horses were running at
the time at the top Of their speed, and
that he by accident touched Butler with
his whip, causing Butler to spring and
throw McKeever out.