The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-15
r ECATTA.
rowing Contest Between stevens and
Ward Mt POughkeepsie-Steve VIC

Rowing Contest Between stevens and
Ward Mt POughkcepsie-Steve Vic-
tOriOus.
PoUGHKEEPsIE, November 14.-The Iong.talked-
OF aquatic contest between William Stevens of
Poughkeepsie, and Gilbert Ward, of Cornwall
Dotn rowing distance of two-and-a- half miles
up the river and return, Or five miles grand
total, iora purse of $500, came off opposite this
city this afternoon, and was witnessed by con-
siderable number of persons
THE MEN.
william Stevens is famous in aquatic circles
Dy haVlng been connected in former years with
the crew of the celebrated four-oared shell,
boat Stranger, which craft was owned in this
city, and which crew is known all over as hay
ing been connected with the great four-oared
race with Plttsburg and New York men,
Stevens to-day weighed l63 pounds and ap.
peared to be in perfect health. His uniform
was white shirt, black pantaloons, aud white
handkerchief In statue he Is nearly six feet
in height, broad-shouldered and very muscular
Gilbert Ward is the counterpart of his brother
JOSH. He is slenderly built, has very prom-
nent features, and carries his head in that pecu-
liar style so noticeable in Josh. To-day he
weighed l6O pounds. His uniform was a red
SHIRT, dark pantaloons, and white handkerchief.
He is nearly as tall as Stevens.
THE BOATS.
Stevens boat was built by Shaw, OF Newburg,
is 80 feet in length and 10 inches in diameter.
II Is named the Wink, and is owned by John
Roosevelt, Esq, of Poughkeepsle.
Wards boat is entirely new, it never having
been entered in race before. 1t was built by
Shaw, of Newburg, is 80 feet in length and Ii
inches in width. A lghter-looking vessel than
that of Stevens.
The pool-selling commenced at noon, Stevens
at trst being the tavor1te, then Ward. Out
siders seemed to be little chary of their stamps
some of them asserting their belief that the
affair was put-up" thing. We but do justice
to the hackers OF the men when we state that
they solemnly avow that such was not the case
large number Of pools were sold, although
the sums invested were comparatively small.
The persons in attendance numbered perhaps
three hundred, including few scattered along
the docks, some of them being from NeWburg
Cold Spring, and other points along the Hudson
while small delegation was also present fro a
New York. 1t was the smallest attendance at
any race this season; resulting, perhaps, on ac-
count of the extreme lateness of the season.
The surface of the river was as smooth AS a
pane OF glass, and all anticipated ire race
and were not disappointed.
The Judges were Homer Worden and Isaac H.
Wood for Stevens, and & Wiseman and A. j.
Valentine for Ward. TIE referee was Fioyd
Fields. Worden and Wiseman, with the referee
lthe latter acting as starter), were located in the
home-boat, while Valentine and Wood were
acting on the upper stake-boat.
Soon after o'clock in the afternoon the stake
boats were anchored to their places, the Judges
had assumed their places, and the referee called
for the contestants 10 put in an appearance,
Wards boat, with him in It, Immediately shot
out from the north side of Main street pier,
while further up the stream Stevens could he
seen coming down the river rapidly. Ward won
the inside position, next to the stake-boat. and
in a few moments both boats were in line ready
for the word. The scene on the dock at this
time, though not very exciting, was full of in
terest. There was no yelling, no appearance of
rowdyism, but all seemed to be watching with
breathess anxiety tor the word. On the Kaal
Rock quite number of ladies were visible
while on the river numerous small boats met
tie gaze.
At precisely twenty minutes past O'Clock the
referee gave the word
Both men bent down to their work with a
Will, the surging jumping motion of their tiny
crafts showing plainly the amount of muscle
Delng used In their propulsion Ward pulled a
very rapid stroke, and dashed right away from
stevens on the start the latter pulling long
stloke, and evidently nursing his powers tosnse
'them them 10 better advantage on the home stretch,
About one mile up the river Wards tremendous
QUICK stroke, noticeable at the start, Stacked
OH. Stevens had not ''let upn hair and as
consequence, he soon got up alongside of his
opponent. Then the contest became very ey-
clting. Both men pulled as they never pulled
oeiore, and for fifteen or twenty lengths IL was
hard TO perceive any difference. Soon, however,
stevens superior power of endurance showed
itself, and when he reached the upper stake
boat, he was all of length and a half ahead of
his competitor. Coming down the home stretcb
they both pulled as we'll as they could Stevens
not making the gap between him and Ward anv
longer. When within quarter of mile of the
home boat Stevens nerved himself TO his WORT
once more, and making brilliant dash which
was yociferously cheered, reached the Judges
boat two and half lengths ahead, thus winnino
the race and the purse of $500 having made the
five miles In SO minutes and 81 seconds. Ward
did not row up to the Judges boa' but pulled
In towards Main street dock, complaining OF a
severe pain IN the ade'-N !, TrjVaRf,