Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-27
WHICH SHALL 1T Be?
THE GREAT BOAT RACE TODAY.
Preparing for the StruggIe-Dr Edwards
Chosen Referee-The State Of the
0dds-The Condition Of the
Men-The Weather.

Men-The Weather.
Crowded as Market street was last
night it was difficult to meet any single
group or knot without overhearing the
words "boatrace," "Weisgerber," or
"Felsing," or catching a stray remark
here or there that had no direct refer
ence to the great race to-day. 1t was
the popular theme Of discussion, and
drowned the "Blaine boom" out OF ex-
istence. There was excitement enough
over the last race, but this one COM
pletely eclipses that. 1t is like the row.
ING off of a race when the contestants
have tied and are known to be OF equal
powers. Contrary to expectation there
was no pool selling about the city, and
it was probably a disappointment to
some, as it is regarded as good method
of feeling the popular pulse.
THE REFEREE.
On Thursday night meeting OF rep
resentatives was held for the purpose of
selecting a referee, and after some dis
cusssion Mr.. William Hastings was
chosen. Some doubt was expressed, at
at the time, of his accepting the position,
doubt which was yesterday confirmed,
as he positively refused to serve. Like
the umpire at game of ball, the posi-
ton of referee is by no means an envia-
BILE one. If everything passes off
smoothly, all we'll and good. But il a
claim is made, the referee is sure to
offend some one, decide how he may.
Nor is the position complete sinecure.
Verv much is involved, sometimes, in a
claim of foul, and questions may arise
which only an oarsman can decide.
Should foul be claimed, in this race,
$1,000 lie at the disposal OF the referee
and from his decision there is no appeal.
At eight o'clock last evening, the
question Of referee was the occupying
theme, and the representatives OF the
contestants were not a little exercised
over the matter. At least half dozen
persons were named as eligible, but for
various rea ons, none OF them would
answer. Prominent among these was
DIR. Tom o. Edwards. His name was
brought forward by the Nail City, and
objected to by the Browns on the grounl
that he was pecuniarily interested in
the result, But finally all objection was
withdrawn, and he was named as the
person to start the men this afternoon.
STATE OF THE ODDS.
Betting has started up wonderfully
and in the past two days many hun
dleds of dollars have been staked on the
result. "How is the betting going" is
a question more often asked than easily
answered. The state OF the odds cannot
BE- dett rmined by the betting Ofany GEL
tain persons or IN any certain locality.
The friends OF either man will naturally
consider his stock in the ascendant and
offer premium on it, but this is no
fair indication OF choice or favoritism.
For instance, We heard a wager last night
of $40 TO Sl7, odds on Weisgerber, and
within a half hour, SD to $40,
odds on Felsing, making the average
about even. To be precise however, We
must sta,e that Weisgerber stock rather
commands premium, taking the city
through. The most OF this is due to the
fact that he won the last race. Before it
came off, Felsing brought odds as was
plalnlN tNlltul 1T lllC NpuAoO DIlOiN wv
men were started.
No betting man wishes his champion
rated at his fuilvalue. The reason is OBJ
viouS. If it becomes generally known
that odds are offered on either man,
that mans hacker will be compelled to
give or at least will be asked odds, when
me comes to bet. The Brown boys were
very angry at a statement in yesterdays
IltsIligeHccr to the effect that bets had
been made at the ratio OF > to
y, odds on Weisgerber, be
cause a demand was accordingly made
on them for such odds. That statement
NAV have been correct, but any infer
enCe that such was the state of the odds
generally would be far from the truth
1t is fact, and generally conceded as
such, that most wagers of any size are
even up.
THE MEN.
1t is doubtful whether either man,
Felsing or Weisgerber, has ever pulled
a race in better form, physically, than
that in which he will take the water to-
dav. This second training, follow
ing so closely on the heels of the first,
should certainly nave udu llS tuVCN'
and if training will bring man into
condition, the contestants for to-day's
palm will show up well. To outward
view they are paragons OF health and
are reduced to simple Drawn and sinew.
Weisgerber will pull at $40 pounds and
will appear in blue trunks and white
shirts. Felsing's weight will approx
mate 1876 pounds; his costume will be
blue throughout.
THE WEATHER.
Nothing could be more desirable than
that the weather should continue as
during the past two days, and at this
writing there is every prospect that the
day will dawn without a cloud visible.
No wind has been perceptible and per-
haps .Eolus has been notified OF the
wishes of mOrtals here and will keep
old Boreas tightly bottled.
Everything seems to indicate that the
race will be witnessed by the largest as
semblage ever known here. Excursions
,...1,. Il ftl1nl IN,