Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-05-14
THE GREAT BOAT RACE.
Courtney Arrives and at onoe Gets Down
to Work Interview with the American
Oarsman-A Race this Time Sure.

to Work-Interview with the American
Oarsman-A Race this Time Sure.
WASHINGTON, May l3.-The advance
guard OF the mighty crowd that will wit
ness the great race between Hanlan and
Courtney next Wednesday has already
begun to pour into this city. They are
coming from nearly every quarter OF the
eastern and western States. Canada
will be largely represented, Hanlan's
friends having chartered special train,
which is expected to arrive here to.mor-
row or Sunday. The oarsmen can no
longer take their practice spins private
ly. Yesterday, and to-day hundreds OF
spectators lined the shores during the
practice hours. Hsnlan yet remains q
favorite in the betting though not 30
strongly as before Courtney's arrival on
Wednesday morning. Hanlan is very
much dissatisfied with his new paper
shell, which came from Waters x Co.,
of Troy. The boat has only 81 inches
slide when it should have "a, and il
much shorter than was desired by Han
Ian. lie has therefore decided to use
his old cedar shell, the George War
ren," which weighs pound and half
more than the new shell. Courtney
expects to use his paper shell.
Courtney is accompanied by his
brother-in-law, Etsel Wood, u lawyer OF
Union Springs, who will look after
Courtney's interests here; his nephew.
Robert Larmon, and Messrs. j..
:. Lowry and Henry Carr, per-
sonal friends and hackers. Their head
quarters are at the Riggs House. In
an interview soon after his arrival,
Courtney said that he liked the course
very much. He answered in response
to questions respecting his condition:
al weigh now about l73 pounds. My
rowing weight is 1863 or l70 pounds, 80
that I will have. TO bring myself down
about three pounfs. II WIN be very
easy TO do this in this climate. have
been practising in gymnasium and out
of doors since the 18th OF last February,
and am now in excellent condition. In
deed, have never felt better in my
life"
"Will you have another boat"
"Ees. a new paper boat arrives Tor me
tomorrow, from Waters & Son, OF Troy.
Ii il thirty.one feet long, eleven and a
half inches wide, and weighs twenty
nine pounds. Ii will be the same style
as Hanlan's. My reason for liking paper
boats is that they are not liable 10 crack.
do not see that there is any difference
in the speed OF wood and paper shells." "
"How about your rig?"
al think" said Mr.. Courtney, smiling
"that the papers have said enough
abou. that already"
"Did you bring il with you"
"No; and shall not use IL in the race.
Mr. Blake did not say | should not use
il, but he withholds his decision until
the day oithe race, which amounts TO
the same thing. The rig itself, nobody
but myself has ever seen. The descrip-
tions which have been going the rounds
of the papers about it, are far from the
truth. The reports are based on pat
ented rig OF man named Davis, which
nv nephew put on one Of his boats for
q blind"
"Do you think good time will be made
on this course herey
IL cannot tell vet. The hest time
ever made on five mile course in single
scuIls was 33:b6l | do not think that
this will be equalled on the Potomac.
"Are You willing that Riley should
row in the racei"
$50 far as | am concerned, ] do not
care. But he cannot come in according
TO the contract which we have signed.
| only want q race that will please the
laster or any slower to have Riley in the
race or out OF it. ! am willing 10 have
him in"
"In either case you are going TO Diaks
Mr.. Hanlan do some work."
81 shall certainly do my very level
best. guess the man who wins will
know that he has been 10 n boat race
| do not underrate Hanlan. / would
rather row any other man on the globe.
"Hov about Trickett, the Australian
champion"
81 only wish" said Courtney, that ]
had To row against Trickett for 500
instead of Hanlan. ! will tell you bow
| feel about this rsce. have no ill-ieel
ing at all towards Hanlsn. He ha'
always treated me like q gentleman. j
he can out.rox me, he is entitled 20 thu
money, and will feel no harder toxanii
him than do this minute"
"wha, will be your colors on the da,
OF the race2"
"My uniform will be white shirt
blue pants and blue trimmings II
wear any head covering it will be blue
handkerchief"
and you mean 10 row IN this race
sure?"
That is what came here Tor, snc
that is What shall do, said Mr.. Court
ney. emphstcally.
Il is not thought that il will be posi-
bic 20 have Riley regularly entered 10
the race. Preparations are making u
raise consolation purse OF 500 lor th'
winner, and $50 for the seoond best
for the purpose OF keeping the rowers
Courtney, Hanlan and Riley over her
three DAYS alter the race of The lsth, y
get mp a second contest in which a
three will participate. i the amount