The record-union., 1891-12-01
THE LONG PULL.
Inauguration of the Tug-of- War Con-
test Tonight.
Growth Of Interest III the Affair-FulI
List Of the Competing Teams
Fine Contest Expected.

At the Old Pavilion, Sixth and NJ
streeth, there viii be inaugurated this
evening the much-dseussed tug-of-wa1
competition, under the auspices Of the
Council of Federated Trades. 1t will
continue for four nights. and will be par
ticipated in by six teams of ten men
each.
This tug-of-war fad is new one here,
and is the outgrowth Of recent affair
held in San Francisco, where thousands
Of people congregated nightly to witness
it. \ few months ago two enterprising
gentlemen of that city conceived the idea
of contest Of some kind between ra-
tions, as the same subject had been
brought up many times before in public
assemblies, and no proposed plan being
satisfactory, nothing came OF 1t until the
gentlemen referred to decided to hold :;
Lug-of-war contest. They Immediately
sent circulars to all the different foreign
societies in San Francisco to select ten
Of their best men to be pitted against the
same number of the different societies.
The circulars created quite stir among
the men, and they Immediately set about
finding out who were the best men for
such q contest.
In short time letters came pouring in,
asking for all the particulars and how
many teams would be allowed to com
pete. The idea seemed to fill the popular
mind, and the gentlemen had to put
strict rules in force, such as requiring
that each member Of team must be born
in the country he represented, and must
adopt the costume Of that country.
In a short time ten teams, representing
as many different countries, were prac-
ticlng for the coming event. The hardest
part was the wedding out of the weaker
men and substituting good ones. In
some cases men who weighed over 2G0
pounds would be dropped to make places
for much lighter ones. The Captain OF
the Scotch team seemed to have the best
idea in selecting his men, When he or
ganized the team they averaged 20S
pounds each, and when he got through
the practice and was ready to enter his
team they averaged only lS5 pounds to
the man. And he was the successful Cap
tain, never losing a pull during the con-
test.
Mr.. Francis, who took prominent
part in all the San Francisco contests, has
been induced to remain in Sacramento
during the contest here, and he has been
kept very busy instructing the different
Captains. He says the Sacramento tug
of-war starts out more favorably than
reason, the men have the advantage of
having for a referee one who has seen
contests before, and also of having the
advantage OF the experience gained in
San Francisco.
During the pull down there the rope
would hardly be visible in moving, and
sometimes the referee would step in such
a position as to be in front of some of the
spectators, and then there would be q
yell from the crowd for him to move one
way or the other.
The management here have had con-
structed an indicator that stands six feet
high and is fourteen feet long, with dial
and pointers, to show which way the
rope is going. 1t will be seen from all
points of the hall.
DRAWING FOR PLACES.
Much excitement prevailed at the
drawing for places last evening.
When the drawing was commenced, the
Captains of the competing teams COM
menced to wager silk hats and UNI
brellas, and they all felt sure of winning
their pull tonight.
The opening contests tonight will be
between the following teams:
First pull-Scandinavian against the
Americans.
Second pull-Brass Finishers against
the Foundrymen.
Third pull-Brewers against the Car
builders.
THE CONTESTANTS.
Following is a corrected list of the
names of those who will constitute the
several contesting teams:
Brass Finishers - Thomas Reekema,
2l5; A: Elliott. 200; George Aull, l57;
Moltby, 1913; Henry Moitby. 2l7: Dave
Knox, 200; w. III. Herman. 22S; Ira
Woodworth. $50; Chris Syndall, 2l0.
Scandinavian team - Captain, August
Gustafson, 15S; j. e. Berg, 203; NJ.
Nicholson. 19l; Sven Hansen, 18S: O..
Larsen, 1S3; SEVERN Hansen, ISO; g..
Holton. 172; f. Eckstrom, 1S5; J. Larsen.
167; A. Norman, 1854 j. Ericsson, l55.
EXtras-W. Telander, 155; n. Lubbock,
Isl.
toundrymen's team-John Hart, 1S5;
William Johnson, 100; Jack Woods, 100:
Mr.. Ropp, 195; Adam Newman, I75:
George Newman, 190; William Spencer.
170; Henry Cook, 170; w. Collins, I75:
Charles Kellar, 165; Fred Cutting, l40; G.
Laufman, $50; James A. Douglas, Cap
tain.
Carbuilders's team-Antone Smitgen,
100; William Hayes, $50; D. Reed, 1S0:
C. F. Kipp. 205; J. B. karney, lS5: J !.
Pendegast, 1876; r. Ash, $50: G. Aiken.
$50; &. Wood, 165; F. Mole, 165; Charles
Myer, $50; George Douglass, I70; Will
lam Oldfeld, Captain.
American team-C. Gallagher. 242: ].
Scroggs, 296; A. Sunday, 30; William
Quarlles, 2l0; Fagg. 2l0; Miller, 1856; Bird.
$50; Consolation, I95; Kendall 1S5: Nc
Laughlin, lS5; Elmus, 175; +. Wilder, zoo,
Captain.
Brewers team-John Choenberg. DIS
pounds; George Walser, 2l5; Joe Oberle.
Z05; Robert Tanert, l95; George Mossler.
1S5; Herman Samland, $50; Joe Pfyffer.
178; Charles Burger, $50; Nick Flowers,
$50; Joe Gartner, 10; Archer Dunow. I65:
Mich. Schubert. 175.
TUG-oF-wAR NOTES.
Captain Frank Ruhstaller will present
each member of the winning team with a
five-dollar hat.
The Carbuilders say they regard the
first prize as being as good as won by
them They have some stalwarts among
them.
The Hussar Band will open the contest.
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