The morning call., 1892-09-10
THE SKIRL O THE PIPES.
Scotchmen Make Merry at
Shell Mound.
Exciting Tug-otWar Between Clan Fraser
and Clan Macdonald-A Test Of Great En-
durance-W Contested Events.

The skirl of the bagpipes-the music so
dear to the Scottish heart-reyerberated
through Shell Mound Park yesterday after
noon. where Admission day was celebrated
in fine style.
1t was the second picnic and games of
Clan Fraser No. rs of San Francisco and
Clan Macdonald No. 10 of Oakland.
1t was one of the most successful Scot
ish-American gatherings ever held on the
Pacific Coast.
There were, roughly estimated. about TO-
GOO people present, and all had good reason
to feel more than pleased at the entertain
ment provided for them.
Among the interested spectators were
Mayor Sanderson and Rev. DR.. Easton, both
clansmen.
There were forty-two events on the pro-
gramme and all were well contested.
The winners Of some of the more impor-
stant events were:
Best-dressed man In full Highland CO.'S
tume-First, NJ. Mckenzie; second, w. A.
Anderson; third, |. S. r. Tivendale.
Best-dressed boy in full Highland CO.'S
tume-First, M. Cline; second, ID. Smith;
third. Don Worth.
Sack race-First. d. A. Finney; second. j.
Dohs; third. G. w. Purdle.
Great mile race for professionals-Firs ST,
r. futile; second, James Purves; third, |.
j. Riley. Time, 5:S4h.
Bagpipe competition first class)-First,
l. S, r. Tivendale, Clan Fraser; second, Ed
Ross; third, w. A. Anderson.
Bagpipe competition Second class)-First,
A. Ross; second, Z. Tailor.
Mile race Qor amatelrs)-First, A. Ma
honey, second, L. G. O'Kane.
Highland fling for men in cosfume)-First,
Ed Ross; second, ID. Mel. Mckenzie; third,
James Baxter.
But all the other events sank into iDsig-
n6cance compared to the tug of-war be-
tween Clan Fraser and Clan Macdonald.
Twice had the Macdonaids defeated the
Frasers and the tug was for blood.
AS the teams marched to the center OF
the ring, each headed by piper, wild cheer
ing broke forth from the assent led thou
sands.
AS they stood in line while receiving their
instructions from the referee Alex Sharp,
it would have been diffiult to find two teams
OF stuidier or more powerful men. And
what was more, they appeared to be we'll
matched
The teams were as follows:
Clan decentralization Benson IAN
chor). Ed Kirkwood. II. Narrower, Gilbert
John Chalmers. William Hunter, Alex
Hill, William Hill, John Hill, Alex Whyte;
captain, Alex Thomson.
Clan Fraser-Donald Campbell (anchor),
M. X. Mclean, A. Coutts, r. w. j. Tailor.
d. Munro, f. WEIGH, 2. ID. Clunes. Alex
son. j. A. McLennon and Thomas Fraser;
captain, r. S. Duncan.
The judges were: Clan Fraser, G. Morri-
son; Clan Macd onald. j. Cooney.
1t was to be the best out of three pulls,
the rope having to be pulled six feet from
the center mark.
AT the first pull Clan Fraser dropped like
shot, and In a few seconds had dragged
their opponents double the six feet
There was wild cheering from the friends
OF the Clan Frasers. but the Macdonalds
gritted their teeth and shook themselves
together for the next pull.
This pull showed one OF the supremest
tests OF endurance ever seen at a tug of-war
At the start the Macdonads got the cen
ter OF the rope about six inches to their
side, and though their opponents tugged
and strained it remained in that position
for about twenty minutes.
The perspiration was dropping in beads
from the faces OF the contestants, while
their friends cheered them on to victory
and the pipers blew WI birr" to inspire
them on.
Gradually the center moved nearer and
nearer to the Macdonads till the six feet
was passed after % minutes 80 seconds,
amid the widest excitement.
Campbell, the anchor, aud Morrison of
the Frasers refused to pull again, and the
referee awarded the magnificent trophy
presented by Royal Deputy Hugh Fraser
to the Clan Macdonald.
Great regret was expressed that the stub
bornness OF two men prevented the final
pull
Thomas Carroll gave an exhibition of
throwing the sixIeen-pound hammer. single
hand, and beat the record of 104 feet.
He threw 1t 115 feet inches.
During the progress of the games dancing
to the music of splendid band was in
dulged in by the young people In the paw
lion.
The great success of the gathering is due
TO the joint committee. composed of: Max
well l.. Grove, chairman; Alex Thomson,
vice chairman; w. Cormack. secretary
James brewer and Robert Connell, treas
urers; I. I. Macdonald, II. S. Duncan,
james Dlckie, Hugh Fraser, James Chal-
mers. A. Campbell. d. NJ. McLennan, Alex
McGeoch, I. Wilson, p. q. Mcintyre.
And to the reception committee, CON-
posed Of: w. Donald. T. L. Macdonald. ID.
Carbrae, John M. Duncan. James Meal.
lister. Charles Adams. j. A. Thomson, w.
Chalmers, John Elder, j. Mcmillan, Joseph
Walker, w. Eadie.