The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-09-23

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nsdy, Of Beawood, and John Hsgner, Of
the Clarkson Boat Club.of= this city,
took place on Saturday, over the course
agreed upon by the men, the articles OF
agreement providing that "the race shall
BE- rowed from the lower point Of
Wheeling Island to q point two miles
below, to stakeboats, and returning to
the point Of starting" making the total
distance rowed four miles, part Of il
over very rapid water.
As early Is two o'clock crowds o.
persons began to assemble on the river
bank, lining the shore from the Bel
mont mill to the lower corporation line.
The course was crowded with all kinds
of craft, from the cumbersome "dug-out"
to the trim-built scull or four-oared
barge.
John Hsgner is twenty-five years old,
and turns the scale at l64 pounds. He
was as brown a. q nut, and is 6ne-
looking specimen Of muscular Chris
tisnity.
Mahlon Kennedy is, we should judge
about forty years of age, and stepped
into his boat on Saturday weighing in
the neighborhood of It's pounds. He
has a fine physique and is Of excellent
powers Of endurance.
The time set for the race was be-
tween the hours OF two and four o'clock
but as the wind. which was blowing
fresh all day, had made the river &c
rough that no scull boat could live in it
and was still blowing, it was decided
after consultation and obtaining the
consent Of both parties, to postpone the
starting until there should be lull in
the wind.
At about 5 o'clock the wind having
considerably decreased and the water
being smoother, C. P. Brown, Esq who
had been selected as referee and time
keeper, directed the judges, who had
been selected to occupy the stake
boats, to take their positions. These
boats were anchored at the end of the
first two miles, near the mouth OIL
Bogg's run, in the river, seventy>five
feet apart. More than half an hour
was occupied in getting them in posi-
ton.
The remaining two judges-one for
Kennedy and one for Hagner-with the
referee, drew for choice Of positions
Hagner winning the Ohio and Kennedy
the Virginia shore. By the articles o.
agreement the men were to turn the
stakeboats from right to left, 80 thai
Kennedy would have to keep between
his stakeboat and the Virginia shore
and turn up stream between the two
boats, while Hagner would pass down
between the stakeboats and turn uF
stream between his boat and the Ohio
side.
By q quarter after six o'clock the
men were in their sculls, ready for the
struggle. The excitement among thu
vast crowd that lined the shore and had
waited patiently all the afternoon tc
see the race, became intense, and as the
men rowed to the starting point shout
after shout went up rom many hundred
throata. A few moments were spent
by the referee in giving the men the
usual cautions against foulirg, and in
iustructing them how they must turn
the stakeboats. The word "go" was
given at exactly 6:20, and the boats
few from the starting point like an ar
row from a bow, and they both took
water in good form and on even terms
The first stroke of Hagners oars
brought his boat to the front, and in
ninety seconds be was leading by a clear
boats length, and pulling about forty
strokes to the minute. Just as hi
passed to take Kennedy's water, be
broke a foot strap, and was very neal
upsetting, and Kennedy, with strong
steady pull, rushed to the front, amid
the hurrahs Of thousands, who yelled
Hes got him" go it Kennedy 7
Shouts from the shore urged the ccm.
batants on, and many ladies waved
their haudkerchiefs as the men die
their hats, under the excitement Of thu
moment.
When the rowers reached the stake
boats, which they did in thirteen min.
utes, Kennedy was fifty yards in ad'
vance and was pulling strong, sweep
ing stroke. As he attempted to make
the turn his boat got from under hi
control, somehow, and turned badly
Haguer, taking advantage Of this, made
squirt forward and q splendid turn
leading his opponent around the boat.
1t was now growing quite dark and
but little could be seen Of the contest
ing boats. Kennedy stuck close to the
West Virginia shore, while Haguel
held the Ohio side. Although it was
almost impossible 10 see the crowd on
the shore held their places bravely
etpo; o;n0 thar aveo dnun thu river n