Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-27

about 200 pounds. He has been without the |
services of professional trainer while prepar-
ing for this race but has taken the business !
into his own hands, and, by hard work and
careful diet, brought himself into magnificent
condition, and reduced his weight about forty
pounds.
The boats used in the race were of nearly the
same pattern, both being built by Robert Jew
EFT, the famous builder, at DunstOn-on-Tyne,
England. The only material difference in con-
struction is that 0'Lcary's boat has sliding
seat while that in Wards boat is stationary.
The match, which was for $500 side over the
three mile course, has attracted a great deal of
attention in sporting circles, both in New York
and in this city, and as the Worcester part of
the crowd at the lake had great confidence in the
ability of their iayorite to beat anybody in the
country and few dollars TO back up their opin-
Ons the betting was quite lively. An enterpris
ing pool seller took up his stand in front of the
Quinsigamond house early in the afternoon and
drove lively business for two hours or more.
Ward was layOrite in the pools at the rate
OF about SO on his chances of winning TO 81
or IS for O'Leary. A large amount Of money,
probably two or three thousand dollars, were in-
vested at this rate.
The judges were Daniel Downev and Stedman
CLARK of this city for O'Leary, and Chas. Morris
andiJas. Ten Eyck of New York for Ward. Mr..
L. b. Hamilton of this city was chosen referee.
At about halfpast three, the rain having
ceased and the water become calm and quiet,
the men made their appearance in rowing trim;
Ward first, followed closely by 0'Leary. Both
men were loudly cheered by their friends as
they pulled to position. The former was dressed
in blue knee-breeches white shirt ard red colorS,
while the latter rowed with bare arms and back,
blue knee-breeches and white handkerchief
| around his head.
All things being in readiness, the boats were
drawn up to the line, and the word ego" given
| by the referee. Both men took water at the
same time, and for the first dozen strokes neither
| seemed to gain any advantage. Soon Ward be-
| gan to creep steadily and surely to the front,
and on passing Regatta point he had increased
| his lead to nearly two lengths. O'Leary was
| making desperate efforts to recover lost
ground but those familiar with his
| style of rowing could see that there
| was something wrong, as his stroke was
| slower and less graceful than usual, and he
exhibited evident signs of distress. On reach
| ing the upper stake boat, Ward was four or five
| lengths in advance, and continuing to gain, he
/ crossed the line a winner in the unprecedented
| time of 81 minutes SS seconds, with O'Leary
more than au eighth of mile behind. As he
| came down the home stretch he stopped rowing
| twice or three times, and on ppssiag Regatta
/ point he treated the crowd assembled there to
some of the most graceful and stylish pulling
seen on Lake QuinsigamOnd since the days of
Walter Brown. O'Leary did not pull up to the
referees boat, but rowed YEARLY TO his boat
house, where he was received in silence.
The result was Keen disappointment to many
persons who had looked for an exciting races
and to none more than the defeated man him
self. He seems utterly dspirited by the result,
and declares that he will never row another race.
Some weeks ago, while in training. he caught
| a severe cold, which settled in his right side and
resulted in sort Of pleurisy. He consulted a
doctor in regard TO it, and has been using RENE
dies to take the soreness out for some time past.
He thought that he had entirely recovered his
health, and says that when he stepped into his
boat yesterday afternoon he felt as well as
he ever did in his life. The excitement and ex-
ertiOn of the race brought on the old trouble,
and the pain became so intense that on the COM
pletion of the course he was hardly able to step
from the boat.
| The time made over this course has always
been regarded with suspicion by authorities in
boating matters, and has rarely ever been al
lowed TO go upon record, for the reason that The
|
fact being known, some gentlemen interested
in the matter caused full three mile course to
| be measured upon the ice last winter, and
marks were set at each end to serve as guides
for the placing OF stake boats. But these marks
were disregarded yesterday, as it is said to be an
impossibility, on account of the narrowncSs OF
the channel, 10 place two stake boats at the ex-
IRENE end of the course The course TOwed
over was probably from forty to one hundred
feet short, so the time made will not be likely to
90 upon record. The race has demonstrated
that Ellis Waid is the finest oarsmen ever seen
| upon Lake Quinsigamond, and that he can
easily beat the best time ever recorded in this
country for three mile race.
1t is understood that Immediately after the
race Ward challenged John Biglin, who has
been at the lake with O'Leary for the past few
days, to row race over the same course within
three weeks for purse of $1,000 side. Biglin
replied that he would accept if he could buy
0'Leary's boat, but as the latter would not sell
at the price offered, no definite answer has been
given. James Ten Eyck, who is here with
Ward, is to row in the single scull race at Bos-
ton on the fourth Of July, and Ellis will probably
row with him in the double scull race, if suit
able boat can be Obtained.'