St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-08-31
MINNEAPOLIS SPORTS.
Thompson Pulled Off the Eadier--
Cardiff Challenges McCafffey.

Thompson Pulled Off the Eadders-
Cardiff Challenges McCafffey.
Mervine Thompson lost a little of his
prestige in the pulling match yesterday,
but it was not because he had lost any of
his herculean strength which has made
him famous throughout the world, but be-
cause of the extraordinary strength of the
horses that pulled against him. And again
It was not wholly because of their strength.
In pulling matches fully as much depends
upon unison in actiOn-in trainng-as in
physical strength. Mr.. Thompson for
Dnce was outmatched, and the circumstance
testifies to ''Tobe'' Broderick's Judgment in
selecting the equin es.
The crowd that went to the falls
principally to witness the great pulling
match. was tremendous, and the crush on
The motor trains and on the grounds after
reaching the falls. was decidedly unpleaS-
ant. to say the least. The contest was to
have come Off at o'clock sharp. but owing
to the unruly spectators interference
the first pull did not begin
until 1880. Everybody wanted a front
position Slender ropes had been strung
up, but the eager horde soon pressed the
cord asunder and the vast throng was
crowding up to the very ladder and onto the
horses. 1t required fully a half hour TO in
duce the people to press back TO a distance
that would give all an opportunity 10 see,
and that would give the horses and ThOmp-
son plenty of room TO work. The test
came of directly in the rear of the Mime
haha hotel, beneath the overhanging oaks
and next to the large barn. Each tree was
burdened with its load OF humanity. The
crowd climbed upon every available OBJ
ject Even the roofs Of the barns and the
Out-houSes were literally covered with peo-
pie.
''This scene reminds me of the Sullivan
Ryan fight in New Orleans" remarked
lobe Broderick as he stood gazing around
at the people in the trees. What Il pic
ture this would make for an AZ
fist" but the artist did not
materalize and the picture was lost to the
world. The artist, it transpires, went to
church. The monstroUS draught horses
were
BACKED UP TO THE LADDER
and the chains began to clank. Thompson
put on the harness, and a muimur went
through the crowd. An excited granger
could not stand it any longer He jumped
1iercely into the arena. and yelled at the
top OF his lungs, no living man can pull
against that team. if it's square work. Do you
mean business, Cape" and he looked Wilkes
McDermott squarely in the face. Mack
assured him that it would be an honest pull
for 5000 a side.
''Fll betstyer 81. 600 the HOSES pull him
off, shouted the granger.
''I'Il take the bet,' responded an urchin
on the roof.
''COme down here, then"
81 don't have to-
Finally a gentleman offered to wager 100
sf1,a
subsidized, reueatng in order 10 his first
position. and, assuming a sang
froid sort of an air, waited
patiently for developments. The huge
oallen ladder had been securely chained to
the foot of an oak, and the neither end Of
the ladder was placed on a pine box about
two feet high. Thompson laid down and
grasped his hand straps, and the chain was
hitched to the strong iron ring on the har-
ness. Everything being in readiness, Brod-
erick's bay horse, the animal that pulled on
the preceding Sunday was hitched on in
front of tee heavy horses. The word go
was given. and all was hushed. Everybody
held his breath. Ten or fifteen seconds the
three animals pulled, when the box beneath
the foot of the ladder collapsed. Every
body yelled whoa but in an instant
Thompson was
PULLED FROM THE LADDER
and hurled to the ground over backwards,
alighting on his head. The iron staple at
the foot of the ladder was snapped as though
made OF glass, and the lining of the harness
was torn in shreds. His friends rushed up
and picked Thompson from the ground.
He was hur5. The blood flowed slightly
from his mouth, but he is nothing if he is
not plucky. ''Are you hurt?" a spectator
asked.
Hurt? Do you think am made of cast
iron? OF course l am hurt, but tell YOU
don't think those horses can phase me if no
accident happens. I'll pull again"
Willing hands were lent to fixing up the
demolished rigging. A pile of oak wood
laid near, and in few minutes the ladder
had been fixed up. At o'clock Thompson
got into position again. The lead horse had
acted badly and was taken OFF. The big
horses We're alone hitched on this time
''I'll bet $40 I'll pull him this time. 'cried
the hopeful driver, but no one took the offer
The horses seemed to appreciate the neces-
stiles of the case. They dug their hoofs
Into the subsoil and braced themselves for
the ordeal. They pulled as horses have
seldom pulled before. The chains clanked,
The ladder creaked and Thompson groaned.