The New York herald., 1876-10-22
THE SCHARFF- NORRIS BOAT RACE.

GRAND scULLING RACE ON THE UPPER
AoNoNGAHELA RIVER couRsB-scHARTY
THR WINNER IN THIgTY-FIyR MINUTES
AMONG THE MINING POPULATION OF THE
EEIGHBoEuooD.
PirrsBURG, Pa, Oct q, 1870
great struggle for the championship OF America
and purse OF $4,000, between William scharn and
Evan Morris took place this afternoon the Upper
Monongahela River course ana proved TO bo what It
predicted TO be- the finest and most exciting scull
ing witnessed upon American waters. No
match between any oarsmen OF prominence has
created such fever Of excitement or brought out
such q food OF money since the determined struggle
between George Brown and Morris at ST. Johns,
when the former won by scant seven feet and 1t is
believed hastened his death by his tremendous efforts
That race it Is also said, told Morris, for many Of
his warmcst friends have never considered him the
rover since that he was previous to 1t. moro per.
feet specimen OF physical manhood never stepped into
shell boat than this Morris this afternoon,
and though odds his chances OF winning ranged
from 100 10 so and 10 yet he smiled confidently and
had lrm faith his powers to achieve victory. On
the othcr hand. Scharn and hts partsans had the
longest purses, and had he failed 10 win the race this
afternoon, II Is said that the inhabitants south OF
Ptsburg, OF which place he is resident, would have
been reduced TO state oil bcggary. Workinemen IN
every penny they had in the shape OF wages standing
to their credit and put 1t 10 the best advantage by
rlsking IL the TALL sallow-compe exioned STRIPPING
who is their aquatic IDEAL For two years they looked
forward 10 tins day and made provision Tor II. The
men were sure to meet and Morris, IN the enthusiasm
OF rowing career, manifested readiness TO
get but tho COOL calculating people of the South
Side would not accede to any proposition for meeting
until their man was III every way III 10 do his best.
This time about month sincc
THE CHALLENGE
Scharf challenged any man IN the country, and
nj lac shO
row tor purse OF 81, 600
At n subsequcnt meeting tho stakes were Increased
10 1000 aud The men went into active training for
the race
The boat houses OF tho Clipper and Mckee clubs pro-
vided with all the comforts ol home, moored
either side OF the river ~ the starting point Of
the course and hero preparations for the struggle
made
The part of the river selected was that over which
Walter Brown and Coulter rowed except that tho
starting point 300 rods further up the stream
and the turning point more than quarter OF mile
further up Tho course was measured by the men
themselves and their trainers and representatives OF
and found iull FIVE miles. beautiful
could not have been selected The
was without ripple and the santing rays Of the Oco
Der sun were reflected mirror on the surface OF
the stream The crowds that lined the banks OF the
rvcr the hllsdes ana tho various craft the
were unprecedented. indeed II seemed that the entire
South Side had 'knocked OFF, work Tor the DAY and |
turned our to sec HIM 1t the quickest pulled
race that has taken place in this country.
THE CONTESTANTS.
About quarter alter four O'Clock there was loud |
cheering ut the Mckee club, ScharH was seen TO
paddle out leisureiy toward the starting stake. He
weighed 153 lbs and pulled N paper shell 1t wasa
pretty craft, weighing 80 lbs, over 80 feet in length
was greeted Justify by his friends. Hc rowcd dainty
Spanish cedar boat bui in this city, and about the
same dimensions his opponents. His colors were a
red shirt and trunk, and hs weighed 100 lbs
START.
very little time was lost in getting into line rs
both anxious to get away. Several false starts
wero made, and a. last the stem Of each boat
dead The word was gwen and they were or
thn h.lf sf.l
ana before thcy had got hily yards nearly three
quarters Of boats length IN advance. Morris
rowing quick powerful stroke about thirty eight 10
the minute while ScharT held his at thiriy-six.
THE RACK.
Before the City Poor Farm reached Norris drew
up antagonist, and directly IN front ot this
building TO be leading by halt length At
the IN the at this point both men seemed
be throwing the whole strength of their composition
into gripping blades One held the advantage gained |
over the other and recovered that which lost
/ hus they won't up the river crowds running along
the banks yelling like many war Indians while . |
OF tugboats were shrieking with their steam |
whistles. fonowng IN the close wake Of the oarsman.
Coal RIPPLE Two miles up, Schar struggled hard for
the lead, and secured II in the shape or a
half boats length, though Morris did not yield
without desperate struggle. Here they at tho
turning stake which The reached together, and
from the start neither had ever been twenty-five feet
ahead OF the other schari whirlcd his shell
around as If u were PIVOT while Morris made
awkward turn aud seemed bothered Here 1t was that
the race was lost aud won, or the lead OF boats
length which Scharn got was never regaincd Hc
Strengthened up ana shoot ting away Tor home the
speed of "A swift racehorsc he seemed determined
az ain 10 go To the rear. He rowing a
beautiful, long, swinging stroke, and pulled clean
through the water Ut the rate OF 81 10 the minute,
while Morris rowed powerfully at "a Down they came
ara she starting point, closely together that it
anybodys race yet, and huddlcd together until
only those on the shore opposite could discern which
had the advantage ut the CITY Farm Morris made
more grand effort his lost boats length.
Setting himself to work. he ran the stroke up to 49,
and the shell fairly flew through the water
They but short half milo from
the winners line, aud the excitement on the banks Of
the river and the boats indescribablc. Ii was
thought that he would yet get the lead, but ScharT
seemed equal to the emergency Tor he bent to his oars
and and then there The best
sculiing OF the century. The very rapid and
though il had been from the first IL did abate
grain OF It's vigor un ScharM shot the mag
mary winning line boats length advance, the
ncr of the championship and the $1,000 IN the very
fast time OF 35In. 35s