The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-19

The FE1s1so.wrIsoEnBEa Boar RACE.
-ThHboat race between Louis Feling
and g. W. Weisgerber, which took place
on the Beech Bottom course, lAst Satar-
day, had been looked forward 70 with
more than ordinary interest, and was
witnessed by an immense crowd OF peo-
pie, estimated at from 5000 TO 5000.
Both men have good records, and there
was general expectation that the race
would Be close and exciting one. There
wAs considerable betting 90 the result
FeIsing generally being the iayoritet al
though In a few instances Weiigerheris
friends offered odds on their man. The
ODDS otferedinfGyor Of Felsing were in
the ratio Of SIS to $50, SIS TO SO and
slOO TO 800. We heard Of several even
bets Of 800, 500, $3.50 and $500, and
others ~ high In which slight odds were
given by the FeIsing men.
The race was over the new Beech
Bottom eourse, twelve miles above the
city, one mile and half and return for
a purse Of $500. Felsipg was backed by
the Nail City Boat Club, Of which he Is
a member, and Weisgerber by his club,
the c. P. Brown. Large crowds Of ex.
cursionists were taken TO the course by
the steamers Mike Davis, Della,
Phsetcn, Hornbrook and Iron Valley,
and the BenWood ferry boat and several
special trains left the city over the P. W.
& Ky. Railroad. There was also a
special train OF ten cars from Pittsburgh.
No such crowd ever before assembled
in this vicinity TO witness boat race.
All sorts Of gambling devices were ex-
hibited in the crowd, and good many
Of the bhoys who went up from
the city lost more money on the
"Wheel Of fortune" "chuck a.luck, "
and other swindles, than they did on the
boat race. There were also large
sprinklipg OF pickpockets, and several
gentlemen were relieved Of their pocket
books and watches, among the number
our friend Mr.. John Morgan, Manager Of
the Western Union Telegraph office, who
mourneth the loss OF gold watch and
chain valued at $3.50. Jim Travis, Of
South Wheeling, discovered = thiet OPP
Grating Oh his watch chain, and let the
rascal have blow between the eyes
which nearly knocked him from his pins,
and caused the eisret 10 aoW profusely.
It was bad crowd, and an honest man
had all be could do to keep out OF the
clutches Of the pimps, thieves, gamblers
and hoodiums who were on the lookout
for prey.
who was selected a. referee, and the
Judges met 10 the Nail City Boat House
and tossed for positions. Felsing was
represented by Messrs. johnson and
Cornbauer, and Weisgerber by Messrs.
Barr and Brown. Felsipg won the toss,
and chose the Ohio side Of the river. 1t
was over two hours later, however, be
fore the men made ready for the start At
$50 they left their respective boat houses
and roWed into position amid the cheers
Of the crowd on shore, who had waited
patiently in a broiling hot sun the greater
part OF the afternoon 10 witness the race.
The word TO start was given at 6:SS22,
and the men pulled of, Teisgerber taking
the lead. A fine view Of the race was
afforded from the ampitheater seats on
the P. W. & Ky. train, which moved
along the course, keeping alongside the
oarsmen the entire distance Weisgerber
seemed to be gaining at every stroke, and
his friends became jubilant and Justify
cheered him. The distance increased be-
tween them 10 four boat lengths. Weis.
gerber kept the lead until within few
lengths OF the buoy, when Felsing pulled
up and they turned together, without
spurt, in ten minutes and fifteen seconds.
Felsing was then rowing thirty-three
strokes TO the minute. On the re-
urn Weisgerber again took the
lead, and alter passing the Short
Creek rifle was about two boat lengths
ahead. Weisgerber kept close 10 the
shore, aud with the advantages Of shoal
water, succeeded in increasing the dis.
lance between him and Felsing TO at
least Eve boat lengths, and was apparent
ly rowing with ease. When WeIsgerber
.as within about one hundred yards Of
the stake boat, Felsing suddenly shot for.
ward with such velocity that it became
quite evident TO the crowd on the
shore that Weisgerber had not yet won
the race. Fel.ing gained rapidly on
Weisgerber, and soon passed him, rowing
past the stake boat nearly two lengths
ahead.
The time ia variou.Iy placed at 2l:4O,
2lO9, and 22:00, but the first named is gen.
orally considered correct. Felsing was &C.
cordingly declared the winner, and Mr..
Hebrank, the FINAL stakeholder, turned
the money over TO him. It was good
race, and was fairly roWed. Both Weis.
gerber and Fslsing acquitted themselves
veil, and the friends Of the former, al
though they lost considerable money on
the race, compliment him very highly for
the manner in. which he performed hi'
work.