Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-11-26

deep. The verandahs OF the various boat
clubs were also crowded. In all not less
than 5000 people witnessed the start and
finish. The start was delayed by the dis
covery that the anchor lines of a dredge
were in the middle of the course, and an
hour was wasted in removing them.
AT 3:a5 the referees boat, which contained
also tie representatives of the press, who
were compelled to pay O'Connor's hacker lib
orally for their accommodation, steamed up
to Teemer's headquarters, and the referee or
dered him TO prepare. OConnor had already
taken the water, and, clad in heavy fannels,
was padding about slowly TO keep himself
warm. At 4:20 the men were in line Teemer
won the toss, anS selected the Virginia side
of the river. R-teree J. R. Elders gave
few brief direc 1;is, nd second later, at
4;2S, shouted $50" O'Connor's blades flew
through tie water first, and five strokes
showed him half boat length ahea,. of
Teemer. OConnor made "a strokes in the
first minute aud Teemer So Away they
skinned, the Canadian gaining little every
moment. At the end of the fl st half mile
OConnor was leading by three lengths, and
Teemer occasionally looked over his shoulder,
an act which convinced Teemers hackers
that he was beaten man
Both men were out of the course at the
mile post, at which point they veered to-
ward the Virginia shore and steered di-
rectly for the turning buoys. O'Connor had
mate the greater loss by bad steering, for
as the men neared the turning flags, it was
seen that Teemer had greatly reduced the
lead OConnor turned at 4:33, and Teemer
turned seconds later. Teemer began to
squirt, but in spite of this the Canadian con-
| tinued to gain. 0arsmen Lee and Hamm,
who acted as judges of the turn for O'Con-
! nor and Teemer, respectively, now Joined
/ the racers, and the four shells few home
ward. OConnor, who had rowed 81 stroke
| from the start now reduced the rate to Is.
| Teemer had fallen TO "a strokes minute
| At the end Of the second mile the Canadian
| led by four boat lengths, and Teemer was
/ splashing, and evidently exhausted IAN
| over, hut the shouting said OConnor's
backer-and so it proved. The waves and
current were making the return a slow one.
The winner was now in sight of his gaol
and the crowds on the river banks began tc
cheer ami the boat whistles to scream and
blow. O'Connor crossed the line amid per.
feet pandemonium at 4:44:29 Teemer wa:
struggling SIX leHgtns Dehlnn, anu di1 MOI
finish for ten seconds after the winner O'Con
nor rowed mp to the referees boat. lis it al
right, Mr.. Elder." he said IAN right" sale
the referee you have won the race, O'Con
nor"
The victor padded to his penthouse, ant
was dragged from his shell by his friends
who almost pulled his arms off in their en-
thusasm. 1t was a great race, but hope
less one for Teemer from the beginning A
least s., 00J exchanged hands in this city OF
the result
The race had hardly been rowed beforr
there were loud cries of fraud coming, how
ever, entirely from those who bet mot wise
"" but too literally. The charge is tina
Teemsr sold out and James W. Sullivan
Teemer's principal hacker, who loses abou
$4,000 for certain, has formally notife,
stockholders not to pay the bets Refere
Elder, however, says he thinks himself com
potent to decide on the honesty Of race
and that OConnor fairly won it, He
willing to hear what proof there is of
fraud. Sullivan has employed counsel ant
insists on his charges.