The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-27
GREAT GOOSE RACE.
Dash OF 500 Yards to Washtnbs, for = Sweep
stakes Of S2Na---A Ludicrous Contest.

Dash OF 500 Yards to Washtubs, Tor = SWEEP.
stakes Of S2Na-~.a Ludicrous Contest.
From the Chicago Tribune, Sept "a
THE GOOSE RACE.
basin bank yesterday afternoon may be taken as Q
criterion, then the goose race which took place then
and there must be conceded to be the great sDortng
event OF the season. II was funny. and better STILL
II was free. Consequently crowd numbering at
least 600 people hand to witness the novel
aLair For two or three blocks along the east side
OF Michigan avenue-frOm Putney to Mortlake, as 1t
were-men, women. boys and girls were densely
packed, with a plentiful sprinkng OF carriages
the purpose OF Hammersmth bridge and afforded an
eligible outlook for at least 1000 more. IL was
particularly respectable gathering, TOO. No ncon-
siderable element OF the crowd was made up OF mer-
chants and business men, Will nearly 100 stylish
equipages were halted in order that the fair occu-
pants might see the fun.
PRsLrMlSARY ARRANGEMENTS.
The race was originally made between those IA
Bob Hart-the latter having been engaged in a
great many similar affairs. Then George Morris
the well known oilliardis took hand IN, and,
after a purse OF $500 thereaDouts had been
made up, the race was definitely liked Tor yester
DAY. on the day previous eighteen inlgrown geese
were 'rented" OF an old lady at the Stock Yards,
who required deposit OF two dollars each as COL
lateral, and similar amount for tue service OF the
whole number. They had no training whatever fur
ther than that conferred by natufe-to SUCK together
and go straight ahead True TO their proverbial
unreiabillty some Of them went back on this eyen
The terms OF the match required each of The drlv
ers TO sit In an ordinary WASH uo and be drawn
BY three sSs pairs OF oaes self Lei no on Sss n5
In the water and ones equilibrium are
easily rendered compatible. Ii 10 not the case.
mans weight will not sink the tub, TO be sure, but
let him vary much as the thousandth part OF an
inch from an absolutely perfect overwhelmingly
and he gets spilled to @ certainty. TO obviate this
dinicuty the goose drivers resorted to ingenious
contrivaDce, which consisted Of platform OF incn
pine boards, about three and hali feet vide ana
i've feet long, IN which was made a circular hole
large enough to slip through tub. TO This hoat
was attached pole with cross bar at the extreme
end from which were tghtly stretched lateraily TWO
stout cords on either SIDE, between which the geese
were tied by the wings and as firmly secured as n
horse between the shafts Of wagon. When really
TO start the driver got In the tub which was then
tightly wedged IN the float and there was no tip
ping over, the iOat sinking few inches below the
surface and out OF sight. Considerable delay ensued
In prop erly Harvesting the geese ana arranging the
tubs. Bob Hart the first 70 get his six-inhand
hitched up, and while the other twO-Geofge
Morris and Jim Mas, Of the Winter Garden, VINO
had taken Emerson's place-were getting ready
first rate, barring good deal OF fiutter and Hop
ping al lirst, and would nave shovel on 10 excel
@ Nv he @ hundred boas when nad been
hired by spectators and which literally covered the
surface OF the basin. In lodging about them Bob's
tub worked loose from Its nOat. and he was obliged
TO swim back to the snore and make last again,
which he did in short order, and soon after three
O'Clock everything was , IN readiness eSa iof
Billy Emerson had been selected az Morris UNI.
pire MIR. Boyd for Hart, Mr.. Mciiale for Mas and
Mr. Draft, manager Of the Winter Garden, acted as
referee. rOOmy yawl was provided lor these
officials, who kindly rendered inc reporters place
tune hat, Shirt pants and stOckngs-ready 10
swim, If necessary. Their lorethousnt was amply
10 urge on or alter the course OF the geese, and
paddle to steer the craft comprised their accoutre.
ments. Morris drew the pole, Mas the middle and
Hart the outside. An entirely even send-on was
Effected at once, and away they started, accom-.
panied by the boat Of the umpres referee and
reporters who were sufficiently close to enforce
fair play. Morris and Mas at once pushed for the
front and their urging resulted III series OF bad
breaAs. Maas OH wheel goose lost his feet wholly,
turning sOmersauit and coming up lacing the dri
YER. sue couldn't be brought to work again, but
swan backwards for q long distance. TO the serious
impediment OF the rest Of The sexlet Bob, like
experienced jockey, took the matter cooly, simply
administering an occasional punch TO refractory
goose and soon mad gained q sGrong lead over both
| the others But Morris was not ldle. His team had
weakness for the shore, and his assiduous efforts
| with the paddle, necessary to keep them In tire
water helped hin to that extent that ne was enabled
| to overhaul Bob and go TO the front. Bob saw ms
disadvantage and declared the excessive pad ling
| 10 DC .iOul,u but by no means "low." "George Is
| no goOse,r SAID Boo, land bar his paddle But
there was no choice; George must either paddle or
be IgnOminiOusy towed ashore against ms WILL ana
| so BOb's protest was unavaiting. Mas whose per-
verified wheel goose had placed him badly IN the
| rear, having somehow cOnlrived TO change ends
| with the recalctrant bird, now showed an extraor-
binary burst OF speed and was fast closing
the gap. Had the remaining distance been greater
he would have seriously ENDANGERED the success OF
the others. AS 1t was the contest rested between
Morris and Hart, tine former having slight lead
Bob called upon his white thoroughbreds for an
extra effort and it was Intensely ludicrous to see
the earnesness with which they seemed TO respond.
They actually ''toOk turns" FIRST, The middle PAIR
| would vigorously ply their web feet for a minute
perhaps; then the leaders would dig IN for dear lie.
| to be In turn "spelled' by the wheeers But all
would not do Morris gray team were good stay
ers ana he steered to excellent advantage, II must
be confessed. lie reached the end OF the 800 yards
about four feet ahead of Bob, Mas being about Two
lengths the rear. Time, seven minutes and thirty
! seconds. A hearty cheer went up from the crowd
| and the goose race was az an end.
| GETTING OUT AND FALLING IN.
| As Morris ana Hart attempted TO land FROM their
| tubs both cap1zed ana fell into the water.
| Being good swimmers they were not IN the least
| alaraIed, and the incdent would have had no
more serious result but for the fact tnat Boz In
| irving 10 get into q boat near by upset il and It's
occupants. two OF whom swan TO tle pier. while the
third attempted TO Climb into the official boat Billy
Emerson fearful Of another overturn, made "ump.
ing jack" leap into the nearest boat almost capsz-
ing 1t in turn. No more casualties OF the KIND
| occurred, however, ana beyond the wettlng nobody
| suffered any damage.
| THE AWARDS.
The uInpires and referee then repaired TO Morris
billiard hall, where, after canvassng the various
features OF the race they in due time rendered hcl
| decision as follows
| LAKE FRONT BASIN. CHICAGO, Sept. %, 1900
| Race for sweepstakes OF $500 between seXtupie
| goose teams, dash of 800 yards, to wash TUBS
| George Morris enters gray goose Anna Dickinson
| ana mates, sired by their respective progeni-
| tors and damned by all the neighbors In the
! vicinity Of their birthplace. ...................
| Bob Hart enters white goose forInosa and mates,
| pedigree unknown, but beleyed TO De DIS
| reputable. Observation-Disclosures.
| Jim Mas enters blue goose Queen Isabella and
| mates, pedigree forgotten. ...................
| Time 1850.
| THc llppfR MEcScipp