The record-union., 1896-06-27
The StalVar Eight Defeat Harvard,
Pennsylvania and Columbia.
No Prettier Race Ever RoWed in
American Waters.
A Contest Witnessed by Eighteen
Thousand People, in Which
Strength and Skill Won the Day,
the Weather and Water Being
Perfect i'm Condition.


POUGHKEEPSIE On. ", June %
"'Rah for Cornelll" Eighteen thousand
people grouped upon the picturesque
banks of the Hudson, with the last rays
of the setting sun casting golden
sheen upon the water saw the stalWart
eight from Ithaca win first honors over
Harvard, Pennsylvania and Columbia
1t was a great race Probably no pref
tier has been rowed before a great
crowd in American waters. All condi-
tions of air and water were perfect. Not
flaw marred the contest from the
crack of the starters pistol to the
crossing of the finishing line. Cornell
Won by four lengths in 1879 official
time. Harvard was second, Ptnnsyl-
vania third and Columbia poor fourth
AS a spectacular scene the race was
one long to be remembered. The course,
a fOur-mile stretch, straight as the
crow flies lay near the west bank Of
the Hudson, and was spanned by the
great cantilever bridge, the finish being
one mile below that structure and the
start three miles above.
The cloudiness of the morning had
given way to sunshine, and the multitude
which assembled on both banks of the
river and filled the decks of the i'm
posing fleet of yachts, excursion steam
ers and pleasure craft of all descrip
tions added brightness and color to the
scene. On every hand the flags, rib
bons and banners of the respective col
1eges were seen. The crimson of Har-
ward and the blue and white of Column
bia, the red and blue of Pennsylvania
and the red and white of Cornell were
waved from tugs, steamers and from
groups on the banks. The steep slopes
of the Highlands on the west bank with
the railroad track at the foot furnished
excellent points for viewing the race,
and crowds of on-lookers utilized the
natural amphitheater.
An observation train of forty-two
cars, with seats for $500 persons, and
every seat occupied, pulled out of the
Highland Station and made it's way to
the starting point just before the crews
Were sent off. 1t started with the
crews. and kept abreast of them all the
way to the finish. 1t was filled for the
most part with college students or col
1ege graduates and ladies. There were
some notables on the train, but while
the race was on all hands seemed to
have lost all dignity, and united in
mad chorus of yells for the different
crews. The shouts of the Cornellites
drowned the others. and there was
flash of red and white flags as the vic
torious crew crossed the line.
Out in the stream, anchored in a line
from the three and one-half-mile point
down to the finish, were over a hundred
VachtS excursion or p1arc and ri
craft of every description. Their decks
Were filled with spectators, and in the
thick cluster near the line there was
danger of serious accident. The only
mishap reported, however, was a col
hsion between the referees boat Hell
vetia and the Albany steamer Whitney,
resulting in a hole in the latter's bow.
This occurred before the race, and did
not interfere with either boat fulfilling
her duties. The revenue cutters Man
haitian ard Hudson and the police boats
Walla Walla and Susie, aided by aux
iliary launches, assigned boats TO an
chorage positions, and kept the course
clear under the recently passed United
States law
No boats except the referees boat and
tho crews launches were permitted to
follow the crews over the course. This
regulation gave the four crews a per-
fectly clear course and the water was
Indisturbed.
All the afternoon special trains from
New York and from Hudson River
towns rolled into the depots on both
SIDES of the river. All We're packed with
college enthusiasts and other people
anxious TO see the great race. The two
understood ferryboats that ply between
highland and Poughkeepsie pushed
their way through the waters with pas
sengers hanging on like flies. Crowds
tlockaded the ferry houses just before
ard Immediately after the race. 1t was
a hot, perspiring crowd but good-hu-
rIored withal.
When the crowd had finally distri-
tuted itself along grassy knobs of the
rivers bank and filled the large obser-
walton train. the spectators themselves
furnished a marvellous addition of life
ard color to the scene. The long train
of fiat cars. packed with gaily costumed
women and men with flags of the differ
ent colleges presented a nondescript
mass of color that was pleasing to the
eye The yachts in the river were
decked with bunting from stem to stern
and each group of on-lookers along the
SnOre stood out IN reflel IN the dark
green setting of the wooded hiilsides.
The greatest gathering was near the
finish, for all wanted to see the victors
cross the line. Venturesome lads
climbed trees, and some ascended from
rowboats to the stone piers of the
bridge. In all the crowd there was
probably none who did not have a good
view OF some part of the course
When the anxious crowds near the
finish caught their first glimpse of the
crews they Were as four specks upon
the water. Gradually they drew near,
ard took on the appearance of racing
shells. Each boat was propelled by
eight strong men. moving with the pre-
cision Of clockwork, throwing Drawn
ord muscle into their work, yet moving
with the science taught by long train
ing. 1t was a contest of giants, and
the giants won. Strength and skill won
the day. and no crew that failed to win
had excuses to make. 1t was a clean
victory. No crews ever raced under
more equal conditions, and the van
cEished were beaten because they were
TO match for the winners.
The start was a pretty one. The CO.