Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-09-02

COURTNEY WINS A RACE.


WINS A RACE
MAKING THE BEST TIME ON EEuoKD.
Tho Union springs Oarsman Defeats Loo. OF
Newark, In . Beautifui Three Mile
Contest at Kich1isld.
The thrcc mile sculling race between
Charles Z. Courtney, Of Union Springs,
came Oft Friday afternoon on Canandaigua
lake, at Richfield Springs. N. Y. before
about five thousand spectators. The high
southwest wind of the morning died away
in the afternoon and the water was smooth
as glass and absolutely dead. The course
is unquestiOnably one of the finest in the
country. 1t is protected from q west or
on east wind by beautiful chain of hills.
Only tho south winds affect the water to
such an extent as to render rowing i'm
possible. A few moments after ) p. m.
Referee D. Drandigee, of Utica, captain
of the Harvard crew in 1878, Time keeper
Il. II. Proctor, of the Spring House, and
tho Judges, Commander Clarke. U. s. N,
and F. A. Watson, Of New York, with
the press reporters, started for tho scene
of the contest. At 1928 tho signal was
given for tho men to appear, and immed-
lately tho blue cap and trunks Of Court:
nov were visible. He was quickly followed
by Lee, who had chosen red for his colors.
Mr.. Brandigee gave tho word at 3:3O. and
both oarsman caught tho water at the
same time.
Leo started out with 80 strokes to the
minute, while Courtney was content with
30. 1t was an even battle all tho way up
to the turn. Each eyed the other and
would allow no advantage in tho lead. At
the half.mile stake Leo was pulling -
strokes, Courtney being steady at thirty 7.
| The pace was hot one and yet devoid Of
any particular spurts. Tho Oarsmen were
| working hard and were nip aud tuck. 1t
was evident that the Staying qualities Of
tho men would determine tho winner.
Courtney reached his buoy first and made
a beautiful turn, but soGp afterwards
slackehed his pace, and Leo, who WA only
about two seconds behind at the turn,
caught up and passed his antagonist. Tho
turn was reached by tho leader in 9:43. 1t
appears that Courtney has had bad arm
for some time, although he had made M
complaint, and In turning le twisted 1t
| and was forced to 90 slower. This effected
him only for q moment, however, and he
was soon after Lee, with that steady,
powerful, thirty stroke per minute.
Tho race down was beautiful. courtney
was soOn on even terms with Leo AM:
along they came like mad. The spectators
grew enthusiastic and cries OF" Courtney -
s.Lee," were alternately heard. The last
half mile was great exhibition, as the
squirt of Courtney was decisive. Slowly
he gained until within threo hundred
yards of the finish, when Ae quickly as
sumed strong stroke OF 80 to the minute
and forged in tho lead by two lengths in
the unprecedented time of 10 minutes 81
seconds. Lee rOwed hard race, and al
though beaten has beaten tho previous best
record by many seconds. He appeared
used up after the race and Immediately
started for his boat house. Court
ney played around for sOmo time,
receiving the congratulations Of his friends.
The official time, sigued by Messrs. Clark
and Potter, was received with much cheer
ing. It was: Courtney, 1881; Lee,
19.3jt. Great surprise was manifested ut
this extraordinary showing and there were
many doubts that the course was measured
correctly. The surveyor says that he
went over it twice very carefully and has
made an affidavit that it is one and one
half mile to tho turn from the starting
point.
The courso will probably be again
measured. 1t must be remembered, how
ever. that tho water was fast. Courtney
and Lee both affirm that the course is the
fastest that they were ever ON. The hest
threo mile record previous to this ono was
made by Courtney ON OwascO lake and
was 20.14t. Here is q difference Of Al
seconds. There is not tho least doubt that
both men rowed to win. Tho affair
was certainly not a hippodrome, As the
time Of tho race and tho condition of the
men clearly prove. There il not the slight
est suspicion of crooked work ON the part
of either 1t was ono Of the most magniti-
cent races in aquatic annals. Everything
passed off smoothly and, Notwithstanding
the disappointment of the preceding day,
all are perfectly satisfied. There was
but little betting On tho race and but few
pools were sold. Lee, however. had more
backers. although they would give no
odds. lie loses what he made at Sara
toga.