The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-09-04

cessuI-Davis Wins Easy-Good Dav
and Good Trach-A Fine Race-Grent
Excitement, etc, etc.
Portland boating men were happy last night
When Davis beat Plasted in Boston it was
said bv the friends of the latter that it was all
chance, and they were anxious 10 bring their
California champion to the Natural Seaport
and have the race over again. Last night they
were satisfied. They had brought their favor
lite here aud Davis had beaten him nearly min
ute on three mile race. They were satisfied,
but terribly disappointed, and did not believe
it possible. On the contrary, Davs's friends
believed it possible and very probable, and the
result showed they were right
The race yesterday was for single SOULS be.
tween Fred J. Plaisted of Boston and M. F.
Davis of this city The distance was a mile
and half and return, AMI the race was for
$3.50 side. The boats were advertised to start
at 2 O clock, but it was past three before they
came into line. The water was slightly "chop-
py" and it was at first thought too rough to
pull, but upon consultation it was decided to
send them off. Mr.. James F. Orman acted as
referee and starter.
The boat used by Plaisted was 80 feet 6
inches in length, and weighed when new 36
pounds. The boat used by Davis was 20 feet
long and was rugged with his patent rowlocks
which are said to be valuable invention.
THE RACE.
The start was one of the best ever seen
When the boats had drawn up in line off the
end of Railroad wharf, with Plaisted OF the
inside, the men were asked if they were all
ready, and at the same time the referee eau
TONED Piaisted not to start until he got the
word Upon receiving no answer the word
''go' was given. Both men bent their backs
and took water at the same second and the
shells shot through the water like fish. About
the time the boats reached Browns wharf it
was very evident that Davis was leaving
Plaisted in the rear, and on reaching Custom
House wharf he had opened gap of several
boat lengths. Both men were working hard
but Plaisted caught number of crabs which
troubled him a great deal. Each man had a
stake boat, and Davis reached his and turned
for the return just as Pl listed came up to his.
Plaisted turned very quick and was soon on the
return, pressing Davis, who was not working
very hard. As Davis reached the Grand
Trunk wharf be worked in towards the shore
to get smooth water Plaisted claimed foul
on this movement and said that Davis came so
near him as to knock his oar out of his hand.
Those who were on the wharf say that the men
were several yards apart when this alleged foul
took place. Davis now had smooth water near
the wharves and he pulled fast for some dist
ance On the contrary Plaisted appeared In
different and worked slow, having great dist
ance between himself and Davis. As Davis
passed the wharves which were crowded with
his friends he was greeted with cheer after
cheer. Inspired by this he made excellent
time on the finish and appeared as fresh as
when he started. His time was % minutes
and 6 seconds, and Plaisted's % minutes and
48 seconds.
The race was viewed by the referee and re-
porters from the steam yacht ''Tourist, which
followed the boats over the course. Plaisted
claimed his foul as above stated and the referee
adjourned to the Falmouth to hear the parties
interested. After hearing the case he decided
that there was no foul aud that the race be.
longed to Davis, but owing to coaching on Da-
vis's part he declared all bets off,
The coaching was very unfortunate affair
and was entirely unsolicited by Mr. Davis. He
went into the race to win it with his oars and
did not ask any boat to assist him. 1t was the
general opinion that the coaching was done by
the friends of Plaisted, who saw that their
money was in danger, and so sent this crew to
bother Davis and thus saved their money The
decision of the referee pleased the Boston men,
but was severe on the Portland parties, who
would have made ten strike if the pools had
been paid. The friends of Davis claimed that
referee had no right to make two decisions,
one for the race and another for the pool mon.
ey, as it is generally the case that the pools 20
with the race. There was great deal of ex
element about the Preble House last night as
the pools were being settled, and at one time
it looked as though the pool sellers situation
was not one to be desired
An attempt is being made to match Davis
against "Long Steve" Plaisted's hacker
A FINE MoNUMENT.-At the yard of Mr.
John Bell, near Morrilfs Corner, is to be seen
granite monument which reflects great credit
upon the builder, A short time ago Mr.. Bell
took contract to build granite monument to
be erected in memory of the late John Grant
Mcdonald, of the firm Of Andrews, Mcdonald
& Co., New York. The work is now complet-
ed, and the monument is put together in the
yard, where it will remain for few days before
it is shipped to New York to be set. 1t is of
Hallowell granite, and stands % feet high,
with base four feet square. 1t is of Gothic
style, and the architect Mr. T. Fassett, has
0Sn1aVad ayoallant "a, in ho
whole structure is composed of nine separate
stones, as follows: The plinth is of plain gran.
lite, and is 16 inches high; upon this rests the
base, which is oae foot thick. On the front of
the dado, which is two feet aud four inches in
height, is the name "McDonald' in raised let
ters, glazed. Above the dado is the die, which
is smaller than the stone beneath, and is two
feet eight inches high On the stone are the
following Inscriptions: On the front side, 'Johr
Grant Mcdonald, 1S22-1875' On oae side,
"Hattie NJ. Mcdonald" and the date of her
birth and death, "a daughter of Mr.. McDouaid.)
Above the die is very nicely cut cornice and
cap, rs inche high. From the cap there ex-
tends graceful shaft of granite, seven feet and
eight inches high, surmounted by final in
the shape of a cross and circle combined. The
proportions of the structure are excellent, and
when set it will compare favorabiy with any
thing of the kind in the county. There is not
a blemish in either the stone or the workman
ship. The joints are all perfect fits, and as
product of Maine it is something worthy to be
proud of. To appreciate the work it wants to
be seen, as no short description can give an ad :
equate idea of its beauty. Mr. Bell has had
the work under his personal supervision from
the first; and to show the work that has been
put into it we might state that one of the
stones required 20 days work after 1T reached
the yard Mr.. Mcdonald was long connected
with the Fifth avenue stage line 10 New Yerk,
and at the time of his death, last January, had
amassed a large fortune.
THAT CLAMBAKE.-Manya rs the commenda-
tons of the conduct of the great crowd in at
tendance on the Republican clambake at Old
Orchard, Thursday. 1t is seldom that an as
semblage so large does not show some instances
of disorder. But the Republicans of Maine
improved the opportunity of meeting and COM
pairing notes, of making new acGuaintan ces and
meeting old ones, and SO had neither time nor
inclination for dissipation. Tho police were
ready To their dutv hut their services vera