The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-12-25
IT BEAT THE RECORD
The international Tug-of- War
Contest Commenced.
NORWEGIANS VS.. AMERICANS.
The NOrsemen Win After a Stubborn Contest
Lasting Nearly Three Hours and
Half-NOtes.
It was long pull and strong pull.

The great international tug-of-w war tour
nament opened at Walkers Pavilion last
night in the presence of large audience.
The hall, though large, is not suitable for
such contest, but the manager made the
best arrangements possible. On the plat
form, between the opposing teams, were
the following officers: Referee, E. G.
WINS; starter, Sheriff Andrew Burt;
timer, W. L. Dykes; judges, Harry Duke,
DR.. Turngren and ]. B. Toronto
The First Brigade band was in attend
ance, and at about $50 they struck up
~ ankee Doodle" which was the
signal for the American team to
appear. AS the stalwart Americans.
under Captain LANCE, filed onto the plat
form, the audience applauded them en-
Enthusiastically. A moment later the Nor
wegians, under Captain Bonnerud,
marched up and they, too, received a warm
welcome The teams took their positions,
and after the men had been looked over by
the Judges, the referee adjusted the rope in
lie DoX, ana the brake was thrown on.
Are you resdyl" asked Sheriff Burt.
"Ready," said Captain Bonnernud.
Let Ter CO." said Captain Lange.
Start" called the sheriff, and then the
rope was loose and the struggle began
For few minutes the big rope, with
twenty powerful men Juggling away at it,
quivered under the tremendous strain, but
ala not move either way. Then Captain
Bonnerud threw out his hand. and the
sturdy Norwegians hauled in about an
inch. In the ten minutes succeeding the
orsemen gained couple of inches more,
and Tor some time after the rope did not
move. Finally Captain LANCE looked
around the hall and calmly drew out his
handkerchief.
The gesture was signal, and his men
made game response. For few minutes
the Americans made terrific struggle to
get back the rope and the Norwegians
stuooornly resisted, but when the
had regsined an inch. A lull
followed and then Captain Bonnerud
waved his men back. They went. taking
three or four more inches with them. An
other effort and the rope was out of the
box, with the bit of ribbon marking the
centre on their side. Things commenced
TO look blue for the Americans, hut Cap
tain LANCE had been holding his men in.
he evidently thought that matters had
gone lar enough, and called on his team to
take rest That was another signal, and
the Americans commenced a desperate
struggle. 1t lasted nearly half an hour and
at the end OF the effort the men wearing
the stars and stripes on their heaving
breasts had not only regained the lost
ground but had the rope over on their
territory about two feet The
dig captain of the Norsemen let his men
take rest, and he improved the time by
supplying them with powdered rosin. Then
he walked over to the American side. and
gong to the end Of the platform gave the
signal, and his men commenced to heave
Each heave brought the rope back little
and In half an hours time the Norwegiaus
had about six inches to their credit again.
here the rope stuck fast for a long time.
The Norwegians would not yield an in CHI
and Captain Lange tried all sorts of tao
tics. First he seesawed his gritty
antagonists, then he gave them
three tugs in quck succession, re-
peateo half dozen times. The Americans
gained nothing by this, however, and at
last- they settled down to long, steady,
desperate pull. II was all to no purpose.
however, and after they had exhausted
themselves, Captain Bonnerud again
started his men to work. Captain LANCE
called to his men to resist but they could
not do II, and inch by incn the rope crept
toward the Norwegian side, and at last the
Knot OF ribbon was within six inches of
the board. Then the Americans made their
nnal effort, and for a few minutes held
their own. They were cheered to the echo
by the crowd. and the band struck up
y ankee Doodle" to encourage them
The excitement was intense aud many
thought that the Americans would wear
out the ScanGinavians at last Captain
Bonnerud's face wore pleasant smile.
however, whenever his eye caught the
knot of ribbon, and he quietly said, sMy
men are good for three hours YETI
de had evidently made up his mind to
wind the long contest up, however, and
alter cautloning his men, gave the signal
TO pun, and how his men did pull. The
first tug lessened the dis lance between the
ribbon and the board at least two inches.
Another mighty heave and only an inch of
rope remained to be gained.
Get ready" called Bonnerud.
The Norsemen took fresh grip on the
rope, Strengthened themselves and waited
for the signal. 1t came, ard tie ribbon
sped behind the board in short order.
The great tug-the longest on record
was over, and the Norwegians had won.
Then pandemonium broke loose The
of the victors rushed upon
them and fairly overwhelmed them with
their CONGRATULATIONS, while the air was
rent with cheers. Even the Americans
cheered the Norsemeu, their wonderful
grit aud endurance challenging the admira-
ton of all.
The official time of the contest was
hours and q minutes, and Captain Keller
says that the longest contest of the kind on
record before was hours and 10 minutes.
1t was intended TO have three contests
last night, but as the struggle between
the Americans and Norwegians lasted until
IL O'Clock, of course they had to 90 over.
Tonight the Germans will pull against
the Danes, and the Swedes will contest
with the English. Then should there be
time, the Scotch will pull with the
irish.
For the first two hours the Americans
were the favorites in the betting
Peter Stromness, the Norwegian tug
nan, is wonder. He did the work of two
men and was in good condition at the end
The American tug man also did some great
pulling.
The American team was weakened last
light by the absence of Harry Curran and
barry Ford, two of the best men in the
cam. These places were filled by the sub
'titutes.
The Americans had the advantage of 200
,r 300 pounds in weight.
Captain Corrao, of the Italian team. was
70 interested spectator last night. The
Italians will now have to meet the Norwe-
,ians, and they will make great contest.
Following are the members of the Irish
cam: Ed. Fitzgerald, captain; Frank
iile, L. j. Maloney, Tom Muldoon, Paddy
Walsh, +. Moore, L. Mullen, Paddy Con
lors, Jack Fitzgerald, Paddy Ryan.
FOR LETTER HEADs
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