The morning call., 1893-02-03
CHAMPION ROVER,
Henry Peterson Claims the
American Title.
Hanlan, Gaudaur and Teemer Fail to
Accept the Californian's Challenge
to Row for the Honor.

Who Is the champion oarsman of America?
This Is a question which is now being
freely argued in local aquatic circles.
William OCOnnor, who recently died,
held that title by having won it from
Edward Hanlan some years ago, and now
that the American and Canadian champion
is numbered among the great majority
Hanlan claims the premiership in single
scull-racing.
No one will dispute the fact that Hanlan,
when in his prime. was not only the great
est bu. the most polished sculler that ever
sat in a shell.
His defeat In Australia knocked consId-
cradle pride and ambition out of the orce
great Canadian oarsman and that added to
growing age has also relegated Hanlan TO a
position in the aquatic world which it Is
doubtful IL he can improve by a contest
with any of the present asprants for the
American champion ship.
A few days ago the sec0nd-rate scullerS,
George Bubear OF England and George Hos
mer of Boston, contested for the cham piOn-
ship of England on the Thames course end
the EnRisGman won handly. Bubear has
now challenged Hanlan 10 row him for &c
worlds championship. 1t is evident that
the English champion forgets that the title
OF the worlds championship Is held by
Stanbury the Australian oarsman. cOnse-
Quently IL Hanlan and Bubear should agree
upon terms and a match was consummaied,
there could be only one title at stake and
that is the English championship.
There are at least three men in Australia
and one or two in this country who could
defeat the present English champion. and
not struggle very hard either TO accomplish
the task.
1t is thought that Hanlan should accept
the challenge issued by Henry Peterson of
this city which came Immediately after
O'ConnoT's death before paying any atlen-
tion TO foreign challenges.
Peterson is honest in his intentions, and
will be backed 10 the extent OF $1,000 10 row
Hanlan or any other American or Canadian
oarsmsn for the championship OF America.
John Muirhead, who is Peterson's hacker
and manager said yesterday TO a CALL
representative that il Hanlan. Teemer,
Gaudaar or in fact any OF the present oars
men who are claiming the American cham
piOns hip, refuse TO accept PeteTSOn'S chal-
lenge, which was the first Issued since
O'Connor's death, he will journey TO Eng
land with Peterson If Bubear viii consent
10 row the Californian a tbree-mile race for
from $1,000 to 5000 side.
The challenge from Muirhead in behalf
OF Peterson 10 Hanlan was published in
THE CALL few days after O'Connor's
death The paper was sent 10 Toronto,
Canada, and the challenge was read by
Hanlan, who, up to the present time, has
not replied by either letter or telegram.
ut amuseS me very much indeed" said
Murhead, Ito read in the Eastern dis
patches Hanlan's challenges to Gaudaur
and other Eastern oarsmep, who have not
as much as $40 piece TO back themselves
against second-rate amateurs.
I'll Hanlan is really DESTROYS Of rowing
for the American aud Canadian champions
ship why does lie not answer Peterson's
challenge?
II can assure you that it is immaterial to
me whether it is Hanlyn, Teemer or Gau-
daur who first puts in reply.
Peterson is ready to cross blades with
any of them, and il an answer 10 the pub
lished challenge is not soon Forthcoming
will claim the title of champion hip of
America for the young Californian
When asked II race could he contested
on Eastern waters now Muirhead replied in
the negative. adding that it would be at
least three months before any course east
of the Rocky Mountains would be fit to row
upon.
Anticipating an answer from some OF the
Eastern scullers. the local champion keeps
himself IN pretty good condition, and takes
a spin in his shell over the Long Bridge
course once or twice week.
Peterson Is very anxious to win the cham
pionship OF this country, and his many
friends in the different boating clubs are in
hopes that Hanlan will agree 10 row Peter
titlp (alifornia