The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-19
THE ATHLETIC SOROSIS.
Rowing and Foot-Hacsng Ladies-The Pitts
burg Oarswomen-A Mile and Half In Is
Minutes 81 seconds-Two Highly Respecta-
bic Ladies' Of Cleveland Run Race.


Minutes "a seconds-Two Highly Respecta-
bic Ladies' Of Cleveland Run a Race.
THE PITTsBuRG SENSATION.
From the Pittsbtrrg Commercial july 19.
The female aquatic contest at Glenwood Satur-
day waa in every respect an immense success, and
those who doubted and prophesed that the affair
would be farce were entirely mistaken, as almost
every one Of the upwards of five Thousand specta-
tors were entirely satisfied with the race which is
far more than can be said Of every aquatic contest
that has taken place In our city within the past few
years.
Several weeks ago the subject Of female aquatic
contest was agtated in boating circles, and there
was great deal Of talk about the remarkable skill,
orphan girl named Lottie McAlce, who resided with
her sister and brotherinlaw in the Sixth ward near
the river, and had been seen on pleasant moonlight
evenings making extraordinary time up and down
the river Many Of the Pittsburg oarsmen expressed
the belief that she was capase, with practice In a
scull boat, OF entering the aquatic lists with no
small prospects Of success.
Soon after the Nonparei Club, of this city, which
has among its members number OF shrewd young
men. deterHined to get up picnic, and offer
oarswoman. Three girls, Immediately after sign-
fed their intention Of competing for the prize.
They were Miss Lotte McAlice, Miss Maggie Lew,
Whalen, of Birmingham. The girls Immediately
commenced exercising daily in scull boats, and de-
veloping their muscle with the facilities offered at
wel-regulated lighthouses. Miss Whaen not being
able to procure the right kind of boat, withdrew
from the list on Saturday morning.
HOW THE GIRLS LOOKED.
The girls they came down the river bank and
entered their fra crafts looked indescribably
pretty, and their quiet and modest but determined
all the spectators Miss McAlce, plump girl of
sixteen, looked really beautiful in her jaunty little
red jacket and white Dress Her costume consisted
of tight-fittng scarlet jacket without sleeves,
high boots. Miss Lew was dressed somewhat simi-
arly, with the exception that her dress was red
and she wore white bodice with edging.
THE START.
At half-past the word ego" was given and had
scarcely sounded over the river when Miss McAlce
pulled away, shooting her boat out like arrow, by
her shrewdness and careful watching obtaining an
advantage over her opponent, who was little slow
about starting. But the cool, steady manner in
which Miss Lew handled her oars soon made 1t evil
dent that she was capable of rowing good race,
and everybody was wild with excitement, and
the banks, a remarkable degree Of enthusiasm
being displayed; The boat-racing vocabulary
contestants in their efforts to cheer on to victory
"Go In, Lotie" "Maggie, beat the girl with the red
ch in sna as
Of strong lungs The girls pulled 1 away however,
McAiice pulled stroke that for grace and power
astonished all spectators, and before she had pro-
ceeded a hundred yards she was unquestionabfy
rap%y handling Ser oars not unlike %@g
namill, but afterwards reminding one q
gracefully % and rapidly, IN her manner Of rowing and
personal appearances reminding one Of Walter
crease the distance between herself and contestant,
although in following the guide boat she was taken
boat lengths. Miss Lew experienced the same diff
Guilty on her side of the river. Many expressed the
ing and would be beaten before the race was over,
but in this they were mistaken.
UP THE RIVER
There were two buoy boats and each contestant
turned from left to right. Lottie rounded her buoy
boat in SIX minutes and ten seconds from the time
OF starting being seventy-fye yards in advance of
pluckily, apparently determined not to
give up the race SO long as there was the remotest
yards sa% came ssss pponens
Il IS ous due S Miss lew to say that Ss
oarsman who accompanied her unntentionaly put
her to disadvantage by rowing too near her. and
all who saw the skill she displayed formed no low
opinion OF her abilities.
on the arrival Of the fair contestants scene of
the widest excitement ensued; the steamboats, in
the river set up lively whistBg, and cheer upon
cheer was given by the vast multitude, while hats
and handkerchiefs were waved by the enthusiastic
crowd.
Miss McAlce pulled quietly up to shore and
stepped gracefully from the scull boat apparently
proud as an empress She threw a water proof
over her head and shoulders and made her way with
friends up the bank where carriage was waiting
to convey her home. Miss Lew came ashore soon
carriages amid the loudest and most enthusiastic
cheers
THE CLEVELAND SENSATION.
One Of the great sensations OF the season. says the
Cleveland Leader OF yesterday, is to take place at
Rocky river Monday, the 26th inst and is to
sst OF foot race by two females OF this city, after
which there will be another race OF one hundred and
fifty yards, which will be open TO all persons who
choose to enter The two females are to start from
Dubber's Lake View House, around to the Cliff
House and back. The prize offered is purse, the
amount OF which has not as yet been decided
One OF the ladies, it is said is very fleet runner
and has, on more than one occasion, demonstrated
the fact to her friends but has never ran public
race All the particulars of the race have not as
yet transpired-one OF the ladies wishing to run
barefoot and the other insisting that they both shall
wear shoes. They both belong In Cleveland, aud
OF respectable standing between thirty aud fery
years OF age One is married and the other is a
widow.
There is considerable excitement among the
friends OF the women, and both sides are confident
OF winning. Betting is going on to a considerable
extent, one OF the women Offering TO bet $500 that
she will win.