Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-11-26
LOST and WON
A NEW CHAMPION 0ARSNAN
Wress the Laursls from John TsemsrS
Brow.

WASHINGTON, November 24.-Wm. ].
OConnor, the Canadian oarsman, defeated
John Teemer, of McKeesrOrt, Pa, holder
of the title of champion oarSman of Amer
lea. this afternoon, in a three, mile rlca on
the Potomac river, opposite Washington,
for the championship of America and q
stake Of s.. 500 q side. O'Connor rowed in
splendid form and led from start 10 finish.
Teemer at no time being able TO overtake
him.
The present race graw out Of a quarrel
in Madison Square Garden, New York, be
tween Teemer and Geo. Lee. thu trainer
of OConnor. Intellectual efforts had been
made before the time to bring the two
oarsmen together in a race, but sitter the
Quarrel, both men wtre anxious TO meet
each other and they were quickly matched
for q contest at Washington to-day. Bota
men came TO Washington to train for the
event and they have been here for more
than two weeks getting themselves in
good condition.
RACE FOR BLOOD.
The interest in the race increased greatly
as the time for the event drew near and II
was found that there was bad feeling be-
tween the men and that there was every
prospect of an exciting contest. For the
last two days the conversation On the street
has nearly all related to the boat race, and
in the saloons and sporting places consid-
cradle money has been wagered. the bet
ting being even until to-day. A large par
ty of Toronto people came on to witness
the race and they backed their townsman
freely at even money, the friends CT Teem-
or refusing to give odds and being in the
minority.
The morning opened cold and chilly, a
north wind blowing over the course, while
the sky was clear and threatening. When
the time for the race, half past three, ar
rived the whatves aud boat HOUSES were
lined with people, fully 10, 900 people be.
ing spectators from on shore, while many
more occupied seats on small river craft
The water was smooth but muddy, and
the other conditions were unfavorable to
good time being made.
> NONflbhNl
The betting became quite lively Just be
fore the race, aud considerable money Yves
put up, the O'Connor men first betting
even and then giving Odds of 5 10 4, and,
when no takers could be found, Offering 8
10 3 on their mar.
1t was o'clock when O'Connor, clad in
blue trunk, blue cap and white shirt, row
ed to the starting point. Ttemer was loud
ly cheered when be TO we'd lsisurely down
the river q few minutes later. lie wore q
maroon rowing shirt, red cap and white
trunks, and also q white undershirt and
back stockings Gs protection against the
COld.
1t was twenty minutes after 4 when Mr..
J. K. Elder, CT the Columbia Athletic
Club, who had been selected as referee,
yos the men in line. When a minute later
6e gave the signal, Co." O'Conner wss
of like a flash, and was a half length in
the lead before Teemer could dip his oars
in the water.
AHEAD FROM THE START.
O'Connor, with q stroke Of 81 to the
minute, gradually gained on the Mckees-
pMt sculler, who pulled about two strCkes
faster. At the half mile the Canadian had
a length Of clear water between him and
his competitor and slowed down his strokes
to 81 to the minute. At the mile nc held
| bis lead, but was out of his course and lost
some distance, 90 that at the turn he was
only q length ahead. Rounding the
buoy, O'Conuor put on q spurt and with a
long, powerful pull Of 81 strokes to
| the minute, he gained rapidly
on Teemer, aud dropping his stroke
to % was q good three lengths in lead.
When two miles Of the course had been
gone over the Canadian scul!er was fresh
and every stroke seemed foil of power.
| While Teemer, though pulling 81 to
O'Connor's %, moved ahead slowly and
seemed in labor. From this point on
| O'Connor increased his lead, and slowing
up toward the flush line he crossed 1t q
winner about 10 lengths ahead of Teemer
The winner time was 20 minutes and s.
seconds. Teemer's time was not taken but
wss estimsted to be twenty-five seconcS
slower. O'Connor pulled over to the Ie:
aree's boat and inquired If everything
was all right. Mr.. Elder tod him it wal
and that he hsd won. He padded quietly
off to his boat house without q WORD. Hi
hackers, however, were jubilant and they
loudly gave vent ID their feelings. MIR
Jos. Rogers, Of Toronto, the hacker O
O'Conuor, said as soon rs the race was owe
thst be now proposed to go to Australis
and wrest the worlds championship from
Saarle.
RECORDS OF THE CONTESTANTS.
William J. O'Co1nor, who By today
race becomes champisn Oarsman OF Amen
ca, was born in Toronto, Canada, abou'
25 wears ago. 10 1888 he won the senioI
single championship Of Canada, at Hsmil
ton, Ont, having q short time before, wit
his partner, Earighs, won the champion
ship for the doubles from the Lang brothers
lie became a professional Oarsmsn IN lSS'
by challenging Ritz, of Pittsburg, to rae
foc ST., 900 a side, hut the latter decline
10 row. 1887, he defeated Albert Hamm
but in his next race at Buffalo his bos
was swamped and he only took third plac'
HanIan winning. In March of this Yea
he defeated Peterson, the Pacific Slop
champion ut San Francisco, and sub!'
, ~uuently he met and defeated Geo. LIE
Gsudaur and other good men. lie is fI
) feet ten inches in height, and weighs lt
{ pounds to-day. His trainer for to-day
/ race was Geo. Lee.
: John Teemer, the defeated osrsnisn wi
8 born at McKeespOrt, Pa, in 1864, an
first started rowing as q professional
: 1882. Sincs then he has beaten Hsnlal
I Hosmer, Hsmm, Ross, GAudsur and
3 number of otherF, while he has also 10
several races. In the last two years he h
!. rowed 10 - races and Won every on
;. Tsemer stands 5 feet 81 irehes in he'g'
and weighed 1G2 pounds. lie was traln'
for the race by Albert Hamm.