Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-01
WHEELING WINS.
Complete Particulars OF the RitE-sny.
der Raee-Attemptto" Fix Rttz's boaa
-Spoaling the Betting.

Spelling the Betting.
Wheeling, on Saturday, partly regained
the laurels which she lost in the scullng
match which recently took place between
George Weisgerber, of this city and Peter
Roll. of Pittsburgh. The race was three
miles. one and half and return, between
Jobn Ritz, of Wheeling, and Peter SNYDER,
of the Blackmore Club at Pittsburgh. Pools
were sold on Friday evening at the White
House pool room and at the course, foot Oh
Seventh street, on the afternoon OF the
race, Snyder, up to Saturday noon, selling
$40 to S., but when the Wheeling men ar
rived, some of them with more money than
brains, the money portion being largely IN
the majority, they commenced betting
$40 to IS. with Ritz the favorite. why the
change in affairs was occasioned was more
than the wisest could guess, for Ritz had
only participated in two races, the first be-
ing with VIM Felsing, for key OF beer,
and the latter with his opponent on Sat,
urday in both of which contests he displayed
himself in a very unsatisfactory manner 10
his hackers, his time being 24:l4, while
that of his antagonist was "a 80 -,
OF the contestants Snyder is so vel!
known hereabOuts that pen picture OF
him would be superfiuOus. John Ritz, the
winner. is only nineteen years of age, but
a
ming very large. He is a member OF the
Big -Four Club Of Wheeling, and although
this is only his second race, the Wheeling
snortipg men say there are but few men in
their town who can beat him. He was
trained BY George Weisgerber. lie rowed
in a thirty-foot cedar shell. that weighed
thirty-two pounds.
AttwentY minutes of six, eX-CounCilman
William Anthony, the referee, took up his
position at the Suspension bridge, and I'm,
mediately gave the contestants the signal
TO come out Ritz was the first to put IN
an appearance, but he was followed soon
after BY Snyder Ritz, for the space OF
fifteen or twenty minutes, employed him
self in getting warmed up, rowing
up and down the river in promis.
cuous manner, until he noticed
something wrong with the seat Of his boat.
He Immediately notified Weisgerber, and
the two put for the Allegheny shore to in
yestigate matters. Upon landing KIT
made an examination and found that some
person had placed rosin on the slides OF his
seat. making it almost impossible Tor HIM
TO exercise himself. This was quickly rem.
edied, and he soon after pushed himself
back to the starting point. John Hetwo
acted as starting judge for Ritz, while
John B. Fenesy acted in the same capacity
non looked after Ritz's interests and Dan
Cochran acted for Snyder.
At ten minutes past six the men got the
word go, Snyder catching the water trSt'
and from the Suspension bridge to the
Hand street bridge it was nip and tuck be-
tween the two. Between these two points
Snyder was pulling much the better oar OF
the two. Ritz pulling in slightly nervous
manner. After passing the Hand street
bridge. Ritz hit her up" and as the two
men passed the Columbia boat house he
had pushed himself slightly i'll front
of Snyder. From that point to
the buoy boat Ritz pulled steady stroke,
he turning the buoy about two lengths in
advance OF Snyder. After strengthening
out for home he took matters more easy
and allowed Snyder to creep up on him
When nearly opposite the Columbia boat
house. on the way home WeiSgerber, who
was coaching Ritz. gave the Whcellnglte
the word to hit her up. Ritz responded
by bending down TO his work and he soon
proved that he was equal to the task, for
before the Hand street bridge was reached
he had taken the lead, and from that time
TO the finish continued to increase it, cross
ing the winning line four lengths in ad-
vance of Snyder. The official time, as given
bv the time.keeper. was twenty-four minutes
After the finish the referee asked Snyder
if he was satisfied. Pete replied: "ies, I'm
pcrfectIy satisfied" Afterwards a friend
asked him why he had not pushed Ritz
harder He answered: Push HI I'm
tired"
The Wheeling delegation at Pittsburgh
Saturday afternoon were in very sorry
mood, simply because one of their number,
a certain Wheeling official had changed
the betting, and some of those who had
built their hopes on new suits OF clothes,
etc. found themselves utterly dashed to the
ground. Many were the maledictiOnS heaped
upon his head, and our reporter heard several
threats OF complete annihilatiOn should the
thing happen again. In one way, however,
the Nail City men were cxcusable for being
30 hilarious that is in a spiritual sense in
asmuCh as this is the first race they have
scored since their memorable defeats by
Cucumber Boil.
Ex-Mayor Iiddel and other PittsburgherS
are said to be the real hackers of Ritz, but
this is denied officially, and from what ap
pears here Ritz backed himself. Wcisgcrber
and the Others having nothing 10 do with
the match.
The lower Allegheny course is the worst
in the country.
The PittSburgherS know how to hold on TO
their SheEels.
A race between Briceland and O'Hanlon
is probable.
The rumor that Ritz is looking for o Han
Ion is without foundation. He will look
for stars of lesser brllancy first.
Punch" Barrett and "Swope" Knoke, of
this city, will more than likely come to-
gether in trial of skill at an early day.
Wisegerber, it is said is feeling in such
good trim that match between himself
and Eddie Clator and himself will create no
great surprise. 1t is also said that Clator
is willing to accommodate him with q two
mile spin.
Briceland was hot and heavy after O Han
Ion on Saturday. but the latter showed
signs of fear, and "Moonny" left him to his
solitude.
A meeting was held at Walter Beau.
mont ;, Pittsburgh, Saturday nj gbt between
Nick Layberger, of Pittsburgh, and VIM
a race on the Allegheny course for May
10th, for purse of $500. The articles pro
vided for two stake boats and allow OHan
Ion S25 for expenses.
BriCeland and OHanlon met on Saturday
last, but the latter did not seem anxious
for a match. He would not put up forfeit
to guarantee a contest, but said that after
he got through with Layberger he would
probably give Briceland tilt
Weisgerberger and Ritz will arrive home
this evening.
When at the buoy boats, on Saturday,
Ritz remarked to Snyder: You are not
all Bolis,' and Snyder said he thought so
himself
Boil says he is not certain whether he
has retired positively or not Why he
wishes to do so is not fully understood. for
there is fortune within his grasp, and the
work is easier than plotting a tow-boat
The supreme Court.