Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-26
THE OLYMPIAN GAMES.
Annual Sports of Washington
and jefferson COllege-HOw
the "Sophs" and Juniors Con
tended for the HOnOrs Chat
by the Wayside-GOssip on the
Day. &c.

correspondence VI lilt hSeAe'S''
WASHINGTON, Pa, May "a.
About month ago the Juniors issued
4 challenge to the sophomOres for the
annual athletic contest 10 take place.
Ever since that time the boys of the
respective classes have been practicing
daily; each hoping that they would
leave the field as the victors. This is
the fourth of these contests. The
Olympic Games" as the boys call
them. were inaugura.ed in 1876 and II
was then provided that they should be
held every year between the sophomore
and Junior classes. In 20 the class OF
rs won over that Of ~, and the next
wear they were again victorious over
the bows of 10. The class OF 70 was
again vanuuished by their younger
brethren of 80 last year, who, to-day,
as juniors, defend their laurals against
the athletes of 81.
Some of the Wheeling boys came up
on the train, this morning, To witness
the sports, and they seemed to ENJOY
their trip very much. The grain fields
on either side of the train were rank ana
luxurious, and the stalks OF wheat or
rye were bowling their beautiful heads
i'm the morning breeze, and the shadowy
waves of light and dark coloring which
danced merrily along with the wind
seemed TO tell of bountiful harvest that
would shortly be at hand. The flowers
in the fields and the tender young
| leaves on the trees were rs fresh ana
bright as though such things rs May
! frosts were never known.
The heavy clouds, whicl. ut first
seemed to foretell dismal day, gradu-
allv broke away, and the cheerful sun
! light brooded over the whole country
side. All nature looked radiant in the
| quiet morning air, and her summer
robe was of the merrlest and gayest
| tints.
Although il was about half past eight
when the Hempfeld train stopped at
the Washington depot, that quaint and
pleasant old town did not seem To be
! fully awake. The streets were as quiet
as the Representatives chamber in the
National Capitol on a Sunday morning,
and ONLY here and there stray pedes-
TRAN was to be seen hurrying along as
ii he had been up all night and was anx-
! ious to get a little sleep before dinner
time. When the bus from the depot
went rafting along up Main street, all
this was changed. Merchants and citi-
zens in goodly numbers came out Of the
stores To see who had arrived; young
ladies were ut the windows with the ey-
ident purpose OF taking in the situation,
and little knots OF students
appeared on the corners and
i'm their iavorite lounging places, having
seemingly come into eXistenceby magic.
All was life and hustle for little time,
and then Washington relapsed into its
customary state of staid decorum. We
proceed to chat with some Of the stu
dents upon the olympic games and other
college matters of interest. The excite
ment over the games has been mostly
conferred upon the 800 yards race. Ii
was expected to be run by Bell, of the
Junior and IertZler, of the Sophomore
class, and us the records OF each gentle
man are about the same, the race, II was
thought, would be very close and eNcit-
ing. Herlztcr generally seems 10 be the
favorte, and odds are offered on him.
Bell was taken sick two or three days
ago and will not likely run.
Last night the representatives OF the
senior class delivered their farewell adj
dress to the literary societies. The boys
speak highly OF the speeches made. Mr..
LYLE, of the senior class, addressed the
Philo and Union Society in an cle-
gantly prepared speech, and Mr.. lick
man, of this place, made the reply on be-
half Of the society. The seniors hold their
class supper Thursday night, and then
leave us for a month, when they will re-
turn to take part in the commencement
exercises.
At | o'clock the crowd began flocking
TO the fair grounds, which are on the
south side Of the town, just below the
railroad, where the various games were
to come Off BY half past lour or five
hundred people were gathered around
the rope which enclosed the contest
ground, and they were as merry and
good natured spectators as ever were
seen. A large number OF them were
young ladies, all taking lively interest
in the approaching battle for
the laurels OF manly strength
and endurance. They made no
secret of their preferences by any
means, but sported the colors OF their
iavOrites as conspicuously "a possible.
Here was a group OF charming prattlers
| brdccked with blue and white, the col
ors OF the "Sophs," who were talking in
a knowing" way about so and so
making the three hundred yards in 81
seconds" or Washingtons runner, liar-
ry Chambers, getting away" with
! Wheeling's son, Ed. Hazlett, in the 100
! yards dust. Just beyond them stands a
! bevy OF damsels, whose maroon and
white ribbons bespoke them as support
! ers OF the Juniors. They too, are chat
ting away, fifteen TO the dozen, as % the
! powers OF their favorites and the skillfu
| manner in which they were TO carry off
the spois Thus the Colors were blend
! ed all through the crowd, with slight
! predominancy OF blue and white, it
! is true, but maroon and white
were well displayed. and though in the
minority it was holly pressed forward
by its friends.
The programme for the afternoon
was az follows:
Rope PuIl--Twenty-four from each
/ class.
Three Hundred Yard Race-Sopho-
more, William IIertzler; Junior, Samuel
| Mccormick.
One Hundred Yard Race-SOphOmore,
Harry Chambers; Junior, Edward Iaz-
| lett
Indian NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Mr.
| Hickman: Junior, Mr.. Iloey.
Throwing Cannon Ball-Sophomore,
Mr.. Alexander; Junior, Mr. Taylor.
Sack Race-SOphomores, Power and
Walker; Juniors, Hazlett and Richie.
Scratch-Sophomores, Strain and Al
cxander; Juniors, Hunter and Quail.
Three Legged Race-SOphomores
Chambers and Bassell; Juniors, Richie
and Beacon.
Run-and-Grapple Wrestle - Sophie
more, Mr., Boice; Junior, Mr.. Quail.
Square Draft-Sophomore, Mr. Shields;
Junior Mr. Bell