Daily globe., 1883-08-02
They Give Exhibitions Of Their Skill at
MinnetOnka Yesterday.
HANLAN THE CHIEF ATTRACTION,
But His Associates Come in for Coco
Share Of Admiration.
THEIR SPINS ALONG THE COURSE.
The Programme for To- Day-Other
Sporting Matters.

first day of the grand regatta at Lake
Minnetonka have become matters of rec
ord, and it is to be regretted they cannot
be written of as having met with a full
measure of success. By this, reference is
not had to rowing alone, for taken as an
exhibition of what trained muscle can &C
complish in the manipulation of oars, the
regatta was an enjoyable success. But
aside from this there was something want
ing, the absence of which tended to mar
the pleasure and detract from the interest
of the events.
In the first place the attendance was not
nearly SO large or enthusiastic as it should
have been. This was chargeable to great
extent upon the unfavorable character of
the weather during the early part of the
day. The day was ushered in with rain
and storm. Clouds hung over the lake in
a threatening manner throughout the fore
noon. AS the hour approached for the
races to begin the sky cleared up, and the
lake, which had been rough and choppy
all day, commenced to assume a normal
condition, saving stiff breeze,
which prevailed during the after
noon, and made the lake
lumpy. A more favorable condition of
the weather could not have been desired.
Overhead the day was perfect, while the
breeze was delightfully."- cool and refresh
ing. The early trains from st. Paul,
Minneapolis and Saltwater did not carry
out as many visitors as was expected, but
as 2 o'clock approached the coaches arriv-
ing were more crowded, and the manage.
ment took on a more cheerful countenance.
The oarsmen were on hand early in the
day, and they were naturally the objects of
great curiosity and interest. The entries
included Edward Hanlan, of Toronto, the
champion oarsman of the world, Geo. W.
Lee, of New Jersey, the ex-champion
amateur, Geo. Il. Hosmer, of Boston, Fred
Plaisted, of New York, JamesW. Reilly, of
Saratoga Springs, and John Teemer, of
| McKeesport, Pa. With such a constella-
tion of distinguished oarsmen some rare
excitement was expected, and as before
stated the rowing was excellent.
1t was not known until yesterday how
| the purse was to be divided, and it is con-
sidered that if more Judgment had been
applied in this respect the result might
have been different. That is to say if in
stead of giving Hanlan $1,000 just to
| start and the other entries $500 each,
the purse had been divided up for first,
second and third place, the contestants
might have exerted themselves more and
| the heats have been more interesting. It
was also considered an oversight
| by some that the programme
of each days events had not been publish
| ed, but as this was a matter which con-
cerned the management they no doubt
| pursued the course thought best, and per-
haps it might not have made difference.
At any rate they did all
in their power for the comfort
and convenience of the public yesterday,
and for this the crowd in attendance have
reason to feel grateful.
The races we're announced to begin at
2:30 O'Clock, but it was long after this hour
when the first heat was called.
Meantime the lake never presented a
lovelier or more animated appearance,
crowded as it was with craft of every
imaginable design and description, from
the stately steamer to the humble dug-out
The steamers looked especially
majestic and beautiful, and
the Belle of Minnetonka, the Lotus and
Hattie May, all did driving business.
Commodore Zimmerman was on hand con-
stantly and contributed very great deal
to the comfort of the passengers. The above
named steamers carried several loads to
Enchantment island, the scene of the race.
while every boat on the lake was pressed
into the service.
The tug, Saucy Kate, left the Hotel Lafay-
cite landing about 8 O'Clock, having on
board the judges, time-keeper and repre-
sentatives of the press. She was gayly
decorated and presented very natty ap-
pearance, Arriving at the cou>so
which was laid out fron,
south shore of Enchantment island and
thence to Smithtown BAY and return. p
distance of one mile and half each wav
the scene looked more encouraging.
A love!ier r,oint for the heats could not
have beer selected, and the crowds of
spectators lining the green
and gently sloping banks, together
with the gay pennants foating from the
shoal of white winged yachts and other
smaller fry, made the picture very charm
ing. The grand ,stand was almost de-
serted, spectators preferring to occupy the
bank.
At $3.50 o clock the Saucy Kate steamed
up to the starting buoys and whistled the
signal for the contestants to take
their positions. The judges were
1J. A. st. John, st. Louis.
James D. O'Brien, Saltwater. and D. A.
Mcdonald, La Crosse, the time keeper
being Mr.. Wallace. The heats were under
the supervision of Mr.. W. G. Dole, Jr.
Mr.. Ed. Comings, of this city, being in
charge of the general arrangements.
The programme consisted of two heats
: the choice of the first heat falling
J to Lee, Teemer and Plaisted, who started
in the positions named. The colors were
Lee, red; Teemer, blue; Plaisted, white.
At 4: 81 o'clock the word was given to
go, when the oarsmen pulled away from
the standing buoys with clean ever
stroke. better start could not have
been desired, and after few lengths had
been made Plaisted urged his she'll ahead
pulling forty strokes to the minute. Bu
| it became evident before long that tht
: efforts of the New York boy was spasmod-
} ic, for his stroke soon dropped to thirty
, four, while Lee and Teemer were boti
pulling long steady strokes with no signs
. Of fatigue or weakness. Before the turl
} had been half reached Plaistet
showed signs of weakening; once b,
4 almost came to dead halt, and, seeming
: to change his mind, he started up again
: At this time Teemer and Lee were doinI