The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-13
RACERS on ROLLERS.
4 Poor Race on Account oil hishhpS---
knittle Wins the Championship
Medai--.The Largest Crowd
Of the Season Present.

! =
of the Season Present.
The Rock Island roller skating rink was
fairly packed last evening. \ large num-
Der of Davenport young people and quite
a number from Moline were present. The
gallery and side seats were all fully oc-
cupied, as were also the side seats within
the rink proper, while a couple of hun
dred people stood up.
THE SCENE.
The floor was covered with skaters and
would be skaters at an early hour. The
latter class covered it more than the for
mer, but not so gracefully, One foot
would start out from the other in sort
of independent manner, and before they
would come together again the skater
would feel as though he had been walking
down railroad track with one foot on
each rail. The kids and the new skaters
appeared to be in the asCendcucy last ey~
| ening. There were great many present
from Davenport also, rs as shown in
the lively manner in which the large sized
skates were rented. There was sweet
looking young lady from one Of the Rock
Island millinery stores. who was evi IDENTIFY
having her first experience on rollers
She would push her feet out in sort of a
peck-a>boo fashion, and then grasp her
escort with a sort of catch>me look. She
gradually improved, and in few more
evenings will become an expert. Her fur
ture is brilliant.
The queen from Davenport glistened
like dew drop in the sun, and appeared |
to be entirely wrapped up in herself. If
some gallant youth would prolfer his arm
she would grab sideways At him, and pull
him up as if he WAS stand with a lamp
on it.
The dizzy youth from Moline was quite
conspicuous with his banged hair, pow>
derei with cracker dust, He would only
appear when the band played some lively |
tune.
The fat and independent girl was not
there last night, but there were many
rivals for her place
The twins from up the road received |
considerable attention, and their saucy |
and pert style was really captivating.
The station agent was more deliberate |
in his movements than heretofore. In
stead of rolling along at a rapid rate, he |
pulled and bowed like freight train
going up a steep grade.
There were many pretty costumes no.
| ticed last night, also fine ribbons which |
huttercd in the air like sea gulls in a
| a storm.
THE RACE.
The main attraction was the five mile |
race for medal valued at SO, and the !
five mile championship of Rock Island |
There were three entries for the race: |
Fred Wollenhaupt and Gus Knittle, Of
Rock Island, aud James Cahal, of Milan.
The time for the start in the race was |
| fixed for 8 o'clock, but il was 9:30 when |
Manager Collins called the contestants to
the scratch. The judges chosen were
| Patrick Cochran and Samuel Flanagan,
| of Rock Island and John Taylor, Of Day- !
export referee, Mr. Wylie, of Daven
port. time keeper, John Streckfus, of Rock |
Island. The judges. referee and time
keeper occupied position in the center
| of the hall The start was made on the
| north side of the rink at point about
half way from either end Al the word |
ego, all were of like fash. but knittle !
had the best of the start. with honors
about even for the others. As they came |
down the first stretch after turning the
fist two curves there were prospects for
good race, with Kuiitle slightly in the
lead, Wollenhaupt next and Cahal close
behind At the northeast curve Wolen>
haupt's feet flew from under him and
he fell heavily IN the corner.
! By the time he got upon
his feet and under Roadway again
Knitlle had gained quarter of a lap and
Cahal had considerable of a lead. Moth
ing daunted, Wollenhaupt struck out and
soon passed Canal amid cheers from the
audience, but his mi3hap had hurt and
discouraged him, for the lead Knittle had
was good one when it is considered how
evenly matched the two are Knittle
was skating slow and easy and Wollen>
haupt spurted and was gaining little
when he again fell headlong in the north
west curve. This virtually took the
wind" o1t of him, as horseman would
say, and KnIttle soon passed with lap
and half to his credit at which he
''smole" sweetly. Wollenhau pit went on
again slowly, but squirting when Knittle
came up. At the west end Knttle saw
chance to pass and made for it. Wollen-
haupt braced up and they collided and
both went against the wall and Wollen>
haupt again went down, while Knittle
spun around like top but kept his feet,
and again few around the track. VOL
lenhaupt claimed a foul aud stopped. He