The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-03-13
HAIL ROCK ISLAND.
Wollenhaupt Proves to be an EXtraor.
dinarily Fast Skater and VAN
quishes Easterly.

4saa~'S'
Those who went to the rink last night |
with the expectation of seeing Frank
Easterly, of Davenport, beat Fred VOLS
lenhaupt, after giving him half lap
start. were most wonderfully, as we'll as
agreeably disappointed. About 200 peo-
pie had gathered at the rink, but proba>
bly, not one of these expected the denoue
ment which followed.
Until quarter to nine the lockers on
managed to interest and at times amuse
themselves in watching the exhibitions of
the different stages of skatorial ability,
made by those on the floor. 1t is great
place to study human nature, at the
skating rink, and sometimes new begin
ners take lesson in astronomy. The
expressions on the cOuntenances of these
new beginners after an astronomy lesson
are as varied as are the positions IN which
they fall, and are worth seeing If you
went to the rink for no other purpose.
AT fifteen minutes to nine, the signal
was gwen for march and in short
time about forty couples had arranged
themselves in line. The march lasted
aDout half an hour and was one Of the
finest exhibitions of the beauties of roller
skating that has ever been seen in the
Rock Island or any other rink, and as fine
sight as could be imagined with the
skaters seemingly moving in every direc
ton. separating, coming together, single
file, in two's, fours and even eight in Il
line, winding around in a serpentine path
and always coming out again without con-
| fusion
1t was not until nearly 8 80 O'Clock that
Messrs Easterly and Wollenhaupt APP
peared in their racing suits on the floor,
which had been cleared for the race. The
Judges, scorers ard time keepers, and
| few friends OF the skaters took their
places around table in the center and
the word go" was given. Wollenhaupt
made better start than EaSterly
and for the first mile skated easily,
holding himself for squirt. should
Easterly try to pass him. Easterly
did not seem to gain even then, so VOL
lenhaupt let himself out on the second
mile, and gave a wonderful exhibition Of
speed. Ii was his fastest mile and in it
he gained on Easterly until he was close
behind him, having gained almost half a
lap. During this squirt the excitement
was intense, and the cheering continued
nearly two minutes without cessation. In
the third mile Wollcnhaupt passed East
erly and then seemed to play with him,
passing him several times and allowing
him to repass. 1t made the excitement
greater, and the race more interesting.
In the fourth mile Wollenaaupt pushed
ahead again gaining slowly but surely on
his adversary, occasionally making spurts
but not exerting himself great deal.
The fifth mile began with Wollenhaupt in
the lead about three quarters of lap.
Then he showed his power of endu>
rance by trying to catch Easterly again.
1t was a splendid effort. Easterly did his
utmost to keep his distance, but without
avail. Wollenhaupt gained at least half
a lap by the end of the fifth mile which
he made in but one second more than the
first Had it been an even race Wollen>
haupt would have beaten Easterly lap
and u quarter, but as it was Easterly
gave Wollenhaupt half lap, so
that the defeat was really by one lap and
three quarters. The time for the five
miles was 2t:5 S-the best time ever made
on the rink The time by miles was: 4 90,
419, 4:30, AGA. 4:23.
| Wollcnhaupt skates in better form than
any person who has ever raced here. He
stands erect. with his chest thrown out,
his strokes are clean, unfaltcring and
powerful He is as quick as a cat, and
his bottom" seems unlimited. In direct
contrast is the skating of EaSterly, who
doubles himself up while skating to about
half his ordinary height. lie swings his
arms wildly. and is unusually awkward.
A race with the handicap on the other
side would prove interesting, and VOLS
lcnhaupt would still have a margin for
success.
Mitchell, the IA year old skater of DAv>
export, was heard to say last night, to
friend, that he would race Wolenhaupt on
Easterlys terms. If such match could
be arranged there would be some trayel>
ing, ard there is widespread desire to
see Mitchell skate in this city.