The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-22
THE CHAMPION 0ARSMEN.
AN EXCITING SINGLE SCULL RACE
ON THE MONONGAHELA.
Bvan Merris and william soharT Pulling
for tho Championship Of Amorica-e5O.-
900 on tho RcsuIt-Minning in $685..

PIrrsBURaH, Oct. 21.-This afternoon
Evan Morris, champion OF the United States,
and William Scharn contested the most In
terestinr race ever pulled over the Mononga-
hela course. The race was for 5000 and the
championship of America. Tho whole Of west
ern Pennsylvania was interested In the struggle,
and the banks OF the river on both sides were
linod with an army Of spectators numbering not
less than 1900. The day was beautiful, and the
slack water Of the course was hardly disturbed
by ripple The course was two miles and q
half In a straight line and return. Scharn was
strong fayorite In the pools, though his record
did not begin to compare with that OF Morris.
the champion. The betting vas 800 to $40 In
bis favor, and a low estimate fixes the am cunt
at stake at over $4,000. Scharf pulled at ISL
pounds and the champion kicked the beam
at 160.
At 4:l5 p. NJ. the nose OF Morrlss boat shot out
from the Clipper Club House. which was on the
north bank OF the river. and with few power
full sweeps he swurs into the channel. A roar
OF applause went from the spectators on the
banks, and ere Its echoes died away Scharr was
seen coming out on the course from the Mckee
Barge Club House on the south eide OF the
river. Both men were apparently In excellent
form, though 1t was thought that Morris was too
hcshy, and IA a consequence no dropped In the
pools from 10 to co. and from this time the bet
At 4:23 the word was given. Tho start was as
handsome was ever made any course.
Like a flash both mems oars simultane "
dropped into the water, Morris having barely a
percep eptibo advantage. After the first stroke
scharf appeared to labor considerably, while
Morris pulled away from him with apparent
ease, and In hundred yards was a length In the
lead.
Up to this time Scharn had Jared badly He
caught n monstrous crab and splashed about
with only bali submerged onrs In way tb at
gave courage to the other side, and for a few
minutes the odds In betting were just reversed.
AT the bend In the river. however, he got down
TO his work, and by a magnificent spurt Tapped
Morris. and then II was square away race for a
a mile. IL was hard to say that either had the
lead. Then Morris spurted and showed to the
front. but before the buoy was reached Scharr
had reeained his advantage and the men turned
together. Scharh having the inside and half a
length to start with. Morris lost fully three
lengths on the turn and did not show to the
front again, but he gradually closed the gap,
only length behind.
Here the contestants reappeared to the vast
crowd at the stake boat, and the desperate
struggle which followed sent the spectators
fairly wild. Morris dropped half a length fur
ther behind, but three hundreds yards from the
nnish put on another strong spurt and Tapped
his opponent The effort too much for
him, however, while Scharn's steady stroke
settled the contest a minute later, he crossing
the line with good fifteen feet OF clear water
showing between them. Time, IS minutes IS
seconds.
This Is unprecedented speed on full five
mile course. which this one certainly was, being
the old Walter Brown-Coulter course, with
three-eighths OF a mile added. Scharn who lives
on tue south side, received n perfect ovation
from his friends, a number OF whom had mott
gagged their homes and staked the proceeds on
their favorte.