Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-07
AQUATIC AFFAIRS.
The Opening of the Season of Boat
Racing.
What Our Local 0arsmea Propose Doing
Interview With Some-A Talk With
Weisgerber-The Outlook for
-.knoke and Briceland'
SPRING sPURTs FROM THE sPRUcfs.

| suddenly as to have been almost unau'
nounced. The bright warm spring weather
| has forced it upon us a little prematurely,
| but it certainly is here. The smiling and
sunlit surface of the Ohio can be daily
| seen dotted or rather streaked with the
slender, gar-like shells, as our local oars
man take their spurts up and down. The
water is yet too cool for bathing purposes,
but a sudden plunge is contingency
which our oarsman, though prepared, does
| not expect.
Wheeling has q fair history in aquatics. AT
various times her watermen have borne
away the prizes in contests in which
strangers OF note have participated and for
a time Pittsburg was compelled TO &C
knowledge the superiority of Nail City
scullers. 1t is true that at the close OF the
last season, Wheeling wore shade OF the
sackcloth of defeat, but that was one OF the
downs which unavoidably accompany the
ups. This season she proposes to cause
her laurels to reblossom and to sport to the
full, the metaphorical gonfalons of victory.
Yesterday evening a REGISTER commits
sioner skirmished about looking for oars
men, to get few points on the probable
doings in the near future. "Swope' knoke
was first found, with the old stereotyped
smile on his face. Swope is ready for work
and will tackle anything of his size that
may come along. At present he is getting
up his muscle with dumb bells and clubs,
and will soon take TO the water Hanke IS
not very stout ut present and will do moth
ing in boating this season. Snyder wants
to tackle Knoke, and Swope says he is
ready. OHanlon is thinking Of tackling
Braceland, and the latter was in Pittsburgh
Yesterday to see about it. He returned last
night, and probably made no race.
George Wiesgerber, who has played rather
important part in our aquatic history dur
ing the whole of the last five years was en-
countered at the Mcclure House last night
and in the course OF few minutes gave
our reporter considerable information in
regard 10 races and rumors OF races for the
season. After talking about matters in
general for little while we asked:
"Well, George, what are you going to do
this season.
81 will take in everything that comes
along, single or double scull. | and John
Ritz will double scull together and l expect
to try few races with any eligible party
that may offer, and am ready for all com.
ers. Ritz and l will go to all the regattas
that offer any inducements. We will have
a new double Scull in short time and
will at once 20 to work in it. Both Of us
have been rowing twice day now for more
than a week, and have been at it for sew
eral weeks. Our boat house is moored near
the Belmont mill and we have plenty of
single SOULS in which to practice. | will
20 to Pittsburgh Saturday to sign articles
off III a short time. l don't know
whether it will be rowed here
or not We will give or
or take expenses in the matter.
Snyder has rowed McCaffery, OF Pitts
burgh, three times and beaten him every
time. O'Hanlon beat him last summer
once. They made another match, but be-
ing unable to agree upon the matter of
referee, the money was drawn, and no race
rowed. Briceland has gone to Pittsburgh
to order a new boat from John Maxwell.
Clator is rowing every day. He has boat
house near Hoffman tanery. Manton is
out OF the business, or at least he says he
is. John Barrett told me yesterday that
he would start to practicing again at once.
| don't know who he will tackle.
August Knoke told me this evening that
he would like to row Bob Brown, of the Co.
lumbia club, Pittsburgh. and am not so
sure but what he could do it successfully.
He has the sand, and for his inches is
good one. 1t is said that OHanion, of
Pittsburgh, wants to try conclusions with
Briceland, of this city. | guess that's only
a rumor, though. Briceland has given up
his job in the BenwoOd mill, and will get
right down to good rowing as soon as he
gets his new boat. Pittsburgh seems TO be
Singing herself this season, and l under
stand, will reach out for some races with
Wheeling talent. Eph Morris has himself
in training and, am told, will make me a
proposition. He says, so am told, that he
can beat Bolts time. | don't believe that
he can do any such thing I'll row him if
he wants to try it. O'Hanlon wants to try
Briceland. Pretty would like tuSslc with
Knoke. Layberger, whom Felsing downed,
wants to try Bobbitt of the Schultz Club
and there are some back counties to hear
from. There will be a big regatta up at
Lake Winnipeg this summer, which Ritz,
Briceland and may take Il hand in"
"But George. are you going to challenge
any Of these Pittsburghcrs or any Of our
local talent?"
NO it is for them to come for me. Cla-
tor can have my money if he wishes to, or
if any of the Pittsburgh men wish to try
a chance l will undertake to accommodate
them"
At this juncture two or three of the local
oarSmen and some others came along and
terminated a very interesting conversation.
Fatty" is in good trim, and says he is
taking to training first rate. He is very
industrious, honest oarsman, and enjoys Il
reputation second i none in the sporting
world on account OF his integrity as boat
man. He has borne his reyerses with great
equanimity. and has always come out of
them with a stern determination to go in
and win next time. 1t is not al all UNI
likely that Wheeling will hear very favor
ably from this, her tavorite oarsman, this