The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-10-17
THE BOSS BOATMAN
THE BEST TIME ON RECORD.
Hanlan Rows Alone-Courtney's Boats
Tempered WITHHOLD Work
Rather Mixed State Of
Affairs.

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filled with rumors that Courtney's Is boats
were stove; another that they had been
cut last night. A visit to Courtney's
quarters disclosed the facts, as reported
by Courtney's nephew and Burr Brown,
who had been with him as attendants
and taking care of the boats. that last
evening about six O'Clock they left the
boat house, locking it on the shore side
with paddock, and on the river side
simply hooking it and driving nail
over the hook; on returning about 6
O'Clock from the village they found that
the river door had been forced, the nail
broken, and the boats both cut with a
| saw. The one made for the race was
cut two-thirds through, twelve feet ten
inches from the bow, and the working
boat was cut entirely through, six feet
four inches from the stern. The two
men kept the matter secret from Court
ney until this morning. What will be
done as to postponing the race or dis
posing Of the prize is unknown as yet.
The referee, officers and hackers of the
two men are now in consultation. 1t
will take at least ten days to get anoth-
er boat built. Many believe that Court
ney or his men are not in ignorance of
the person who ruined the boats.
Frenchy johnson, it is said, was at
Courtney's quarters at about O'Clock
this morning; he had polished up both
boats that were cut and knew nothing
of the affair. There was found in the
boat house an old rusty cross-cut saw
with seven teeth, two inches large, and
coarse enough to cut a saw-log, while
the cut in the boats is a clean one and
evidently made with a finer instrument
than the one found in the boat house.
A large number of people came in
this morning from different sections,
and everything is excitement. Court
ney was at about noon sleeping, and ad-
mittance was refused to everyone ex-
cept Blaikie, the referee; Soule, who
put up the stake, and J. H. Brister, his
financial manager. None of these men
will be interviewed until have consult
ed with Hanlan's friends. Brister
seems honestly dazed by what has taken
place, and Soule expresses the deepest
regret at the turn affairs have taken.
Hanlan is reported in fine condition,
although not so good as at Lachine.
Courtney claims that Johnson's boat is
too light, and refused one of Hanlan's
as being unsuited to him and placing
him at marked disadvantage. Court
ney's hackers loudly declare that he
himself caused the boats to be cut. 1t
is understood that Courtney asks from
ten to twelve days postponement.
Every train brings large accessions to
the already large throng. The referee
and officers in charge of affairs are still
in session. No reporters are admitted.
New York, Oct. ia special tele-
gram from Maysville says: The great
contest of the oars, between Hanlan
and Courtney, that great aquatic event
which for months past has been the one
theme of conversation in sporting cir
cles, is now thing Of the past. Han
Ian rowed over the course at five O'Clock
at the rate of thirty strokes to the
minute. The time was not fast.
Trouble is anticipated over the prize.
Courtney is strongly condemned, and
should he make his appearance he
would be roughly handled. About
1000 people will have to remain here
over night. Courtney, owing to both
his boats having been destroyed by ma
licious or interested parties during the
night, was out Of the race. there being
no boat available that would suit him,
SO Hanlan rowed over the course, and
claims the $1,000 purse.
Maysville, N. Y, Oct. 16.-The refe-
rec will call the boats at the appointed
hour. Hanlan will row over the course
and attempt to make the best 5-mile
time on record. The question of his
right to claim the money is in dispute.
Soule will contest its payment unless
the race is rowed with Courtney, as
stated in the original articles of agree
ment.
A meeting Of the representatives of
the press was called for O'Clock, for
the purpose of ascertaining what fraud
exists 1.-THE bottom of the fizzle. Soule
was present and said the $4,000 would
not be paid to Hanlan unless Courtney
rowed. The agreement shows that
there must be race before the prize
could be paid. Soule says this prize
was offered expressly for people to see
one honest race between the two men.
The affair has been branded by all news
paper men as gigantic fraud. Soule,
the giver of the prize, has offered a
reward of $1,000 for the conviction of
the parties who cut Courtney's boat.
A committee has been appointed, con-
sisting Of representatives of the press,
to call on Courtney and ascertain il
possible, the object for which his shell
was cut.
AT nearly four O'Clock Blake, the
referee, accompanied by John David, Of
Windsor, Ontario, judge for Hanlan,
members Of the press, time-keepers,
etc, called at Courtney's quarters, and
Blake sent word to Courtney that he
] wished him to come out and row in
Johnson's or one of Hanlan's boats,
even at loss of the race. He abso-
lutely refused to come, as did his back
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