Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-19

McKEEsPoRT, Pa, Sept. 13.-The race
between John Teemer. of this city. and
Jacob Gaudaur. of st. Louis. came off here
this evening but instead of being a fine
exhibition. as it wal expected, to be, it
turned out to be miserable farce Early
In the afternoon Teemer went alone and
Gaudaur accompanied by Al Hamm, his
Taler, proceeded to Barnarde' 5 grove, about
quarter of mile from the starting point
OF the race, and at FIVE clock six steam
boats and a variety of smaller crafts
sailed down the river, and all but the ref
cree s boat took positions alone the course
utterly regardless of the rights of the con-
teStantS. About As Al. Hamm was seen
to enter his boat about quarter of a mile
further up the course, and take a position
well out from the shore J. D. Prinole
sporting editor of the Pittsburg Dispafcb
who was chosen referee, gave the word
Col at 5:47 and away the two scnIls
sped, Teemer taking the lead almost at the
first stroke. By the time they reached the
point where Hamm set out. Teemer was
nearly two boat lengths ahead and soon
took the inside track. The referees
boat was slow In starting but
was near enough to the oarSmen before a
mile had been made to see Hamm get di-
rectly IN Teemer'S way and collide with
his boat Soon Teemer was seen to fall
behind both Gaudaur and Hamm who
rowed leisurely away from him followed
closely by all the river craft carrying the
spectators except the referees boat They
reached the end OF the course in sos
Teemer being at that time nearly half a
mile behind. Teemer's friends made
claim of a foul when Hamm got in his
way. Teemer continued ON over
cOurS, although the waves from numerous
steamers which were passing him were
running four feet high At 7 o'clock
referee, Gaudaur, Hamm, Teemer and Few
and their friends met at a room i'm
hotel. Teemer claimed the race on a foul.
| He said Hamm came ON the course and
ran into his boat. knocking hole in it
and causing it to fill with water. Hamm
denied the allegations and intimated that
! Teemer was telling a falsehood, whereupon
| the latter rushed at him and struck him a
! fearful blow on the face. The two men
| clinched and rolled ON the floor but were
reparated and Hamm was induced to leave
the room. By this time the crowd was
! at the door clamOrlng for admission and
| demanding decision by the referee, while
several hundred were In the street In front
OF the hotel all eager to know the result Of
| the race. In order to avoid violence being
done here tonight the referee says he
would not announce his decision until to-
morrow afternoon. The crowd in attend
ance along the river banks and on the boat
numbered at least $4,000, and
as Hamm rowed In length or
two ahead of Gaudam while
| Teemer was out of sight and the crowd
mistook Hamm for Teemer and the shouts
that went up for Teemer lasted for several
minutes before their mistake was dis
covered. 1t is generally believed Pringle
will decide Teemer was fouled by Hamm,
as all the press representatives claim they
saw Hamm get in Teemers way. The
time occupied by Gaudaur in passing over
the course of three miles was twenty
three minutes.