Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-26
THE GREAT RACE.
Hanlaa Outrowed at Every Point BY
Teemer-An lmnense Crowd Witness
the Race-A Reception Tendered the
victOr-Hanian Meets With Mishap.
ALBANY. Oct. ~.

The day opened beautifully. 1t was just
the day for boat race. The temperature
and condition were most favorable. Hanlan
arose early. and soon after breakfast started
for the boathouse. He walked abou, miles
and then got on a car and rode to the course.
He had fixed up his trouble with Waters, the
boat builder and there was nothing troubling
him but the race. He went out on the course
at IL O'Clock. and rowed over it for the final
spin. Teemer was out before him, and was
just finishing his last practice pull when the
Toronto man arrived. Haulan walked dow n
TO the grove TO get good look at him. Teemer
had rowed over the course at good pace,
and Hanlan had fine chance to measure
him.
At 2 O'Clock the crowd began to assemble
at the grove. In the betting Hanlan was the
favorte at odds of 500 to SIS. This rate
to 800. Then, just before the race, the
Teemer men began to bet, and they made
their man the favorite at 800 to $50.
Referee Ormand WAS busy man. He had
delicate job to perform. The course was
an uneven one, the current strong, and he
had to take time to arrange the stakes in the
river. After placing the starting buoys he
went up in the judges boat. the Morris Green,
and set the turning buoys Red and white
barrels were used but after several unsuc-
cessfu. attempts to anchor them, it was found
that they would not remain stationary, as the
current carried them up the river. Two boats
were then substituted and at 80 z. NJ.
everything was in readiness for the race.
Ross had looked out for Teemer's interest in
setting the buoys, and "Growl.r' Lee did the
same for Hanlan. All were satisfied and the
referees boat soon after began to steam for
the finish line. By this time a great crowd
had collected at Pleasure Island grove Around
Teemer's quarters great many people had
collected, but it was not to be compared to
the jam about Hsnlan's house. Here Plaisted
had just finished rubbing dow dow Hanlan's $
boat. and one of his friends was warming his
rowing clothes by the fire. Hanlsn WAS a
little nervous, but he had friends all around
him, and they were doing all they could to
encourage him. Fred Plaisted got him to
laughing by dancing jig.
Referee Ormond, at o'clock, SEM word to
the scullers to get ready, and at 4.40 Ross
came out with Teemer's boat, and very care
fully placed her in the water. Volk, Teemer's
bscker, followed him with the oars, and then
Teemer came next. Ross helped him into
his boat, and, as he took the oars, the band
in the grove played the "Red, White and
Blue" Teemer waved his hand in the direc-
ton of the music. and this was the signal for
a great cheer from the crowd. He wore a
blue and white striped shirt, dark green cap,
blue trunks and red stockings. He took a
spin down the river. and every stroke he took
showed great power.
Hanlan followed Teemer Ave minutes later
The faithful Fred carried his beautiful boat
down to the waters edge and launched it.
1t was a new shell just built by Ruddock and
had never been used in a race before. Hanlan
was better located than Teemer, and had
slight advantage in this respect. As Hanlan
walked down to his boat the band struck up
''God Save the Queen" He received a grand
reception and took off his hat to the crowd.
He wore a red and blue silk cap of jockey
pattern, yellow and black striped shirt, blue
trunks and stockings. He pulled out into the
middle of the river, and in few minutes
both men were headed for the starting line.
Hanlan showed signs of nervousness, though
he rowed in beautiful form. Teemer was the
same man in boat that he was on the
shore. "He looks like a winner" said a well
known patron of aquatcs, and he certainly
did. The men were slow on getting on the
line, and Referee Ormond ordered the cap
tain of the steamer to blow a long whistle.
After this warning both men hurried towards
the line, Hanan leading the way. Handker-
after cheer greeted him as he rowed along by
the river bank. Teemer followed, and he
received good reception, though not so de-
monstrative as that given Hanlan. Before
he backed down on the line, Hsnlan took off
his yellow and black striped shirt, underneath
which he wore a blue shirt without sleeves
Teemer won the toss, and he took the inside
position nearest the river bank.
Both men were now on the starting line.
Then Referee Ormond called out, Gentle
men. get ready" Teemer sat up in his frail
craft and looked toward the judge. boat.
Mr.. Ormond then said to the men: "Mr.
Teemer, are you all resdy?" John nodded his
head and said, "Yes." "Mr Hanlan, is
everything all righ?" said Mr.. Ormond
"Yes, sir" replied the Canadian. The ref
cree then waited minute and called out to
both men, 'Now look out" Teemer had his
eve on the referee and started off before the
word was given and was called back. Again
Mr.. Ormond told the men to get ready, and
at $50 the word ''go" was given. Hanlan
struck the water first, though the clip was
not a strong one. His oar did not get good
grip on the water. Teemer is not as rapid in
his movements as Hanlan, and consequently
did not strike the water as quickly as his OPP
ponent. When he did catch, however, it
told, and what Hanlsn gained by his sharp
clip, Teemer made up with good powerful
stroke. The men were now off and each was
exerting his utmost energy to win. Hanlan
was setting a wonderful pace 1t was his in
tention to carry Teemer "off his feet" and
do him up in the first mile. Hanlan was
slipping away at SO to the minute, and he was
rowing for all he vas worth. Do what he
could, however, he could not get away from
Teemer. He spurted again and again and
tried to draw away from the McKeesport boy,
but the latter was there every time, and gave
rally for rally. Hanlan, after going an eighth
of mile, made battle again, and with renew
ed energy. He struck the water savagely,
lifting himself off his seat and pulling with
tremendous power. By this gamey squirt he
gained little on Teemer, and at quarter
of mile from the start he had pushed his
boat about 10 feet ahead of Teemer's bow
Hanlan was making great battle for the
front. Once he began to gain on Teemer.
everybody thought it Was good day." for the
Pennsylvania. But the latter at this stage
of the race turned his head and looked over
toward Hanlsn after he began to
spurt, and, with dozen powerful
strokes, placed his boats bow even
with Hsnlan. This was at the half mile, and
still neither man could get away from the
other. Hanlan kept up his powerful stroke,
but he had met q man worthy of him, for
Teemer could 60 just as fast as he could, and
he Was holding the Canadian. The latter's
friends now began to get frightened Teemer
I A