The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-02-15
The Champion 0arsmen Will Ply
Their Sculls.
First of the Rowing Matches On
The st. Johns.
The Prize Trap Shooting To-Day-Teams
from Three Cities-Boxing Matches
for Colored Championship.

opened yesterday auspiciously. The
threatening aspect of the weather the
latter part of last week made many fear
full that i'll luck would attend the Gem
City in the matter of weather. But we
always have plenty of weather in
Florida, of some sort or other. The
cooler weather following the spell of
rain continued yesterday, mitigated by
Old Sol, and the day could hardly have
been improved upon by the chairman of
the committee had he made the attempt.
1t was a splendid day indeed, and caused
many to think of the sort of weather en-
joyed up in Dakota, when in one breath
man calls for his fur overcoat and
Arctics, and in another land the beauties
of the would-be State as a nice, healthy
spot for the winter tourist. But little
hings' of that sort trouble not the
dwellers in the land of the sun and the
alligator, and Palatka entered yesterday
upon its Gala Week with its coat off de-
termined to enjoy itself, even if the heat
tcus oppressive.
THE FIRST DAY OPENS.
The programme for the day was
opened in the morning with the boat
races-the double-scull race and the shad
boat race. A big crowd assembled on
the Florida Southern wharf to witness
these trials of skill and muscular power,
and they thoroughly enjoyed the contest.
THE WORKING BOAT.
The first to come off was the double
cared race, in which the following con-
tested: Philo ]. Brown and John Cole;
James Devine and Wesly Farmer. The
word to go was given by the starter, Mr..
g. F. Eaton, at 11:O0:21, and the win
ners, Messrs. Devine and Farmer, came
in at II :20:09, making the two miles IN
10 m AZ seconds.
sHAD BOATS.
The shad boats had their race at the
close of the working boat race, two boats
starting, worked by Eugene Dixon and
Alonzo Reynolds in one boat and Charles
Olsen and Abr. Abrams in the other.
The start was made at II 90 and the win
ners, Dixon and Reynolds, won the prize
at II :52, making the distance in thirty
three minutes.
The judges of these races were Messrs
John R. Mullen, Jr., and c. j. Joseph
Timekeeper, j. P. Merrill.
AFTER THE RACES.
After the boat races were over, Palatk;
went to dinner; that is, pretty soon after
| as soon as it was ready. Of course, /;
part of the city were compelled To stoI
at one or two places on the way which
seem to be handy places at which Il
stop and discuss various matters con
nected with the days sport. But tn,
majority Of the town went to Dime
promptly. Palatka never keeps its din
ner waiting if it can help it. That
| what it has town clock for.
| THE FIRST BATTALION BAND.
After dinner, the people feeling con
siderably better, assembled again on tn
docks, and watched the water of the st
Johns towards Jacksonville, picked thei
teeth and waited for the appearance O
the John Sylvester. Presently gleam o
floating streamers, flags and the brazel
tones of wind instruments announce
that the Sylvester was coming. As sh
came nearer it was seen that from a
points she was decked out with all he
holiday togs on, flags and things foatin
from every point, and that the Firs
Battalion Band was playing away wit
zeal worthy of peace jubilee. Whe
the Sylvester had fastened herself to Ps
latka's dock, the ''grand processio
marched up the street." to witness til
grand drill which took place in front {
the Putnam House. The Gainesvil
Guards and the Gem City Guards, {
2:30 p. m, gave an exhibition drill
the admiration of the spectators. an
both companies showed great profcenc
| in the drill, winning deserved prai:
from all who witnessed.
PIG RACE.
After the drill, a pig was brought fo
ward. Messrs. Duane and Brother ga,
the pig. John Brown captured the pi