Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-25
WHITE AND RED IN FRONT.
Cornell Wins the Four-cornered Freshmens
Race, Harvard Second, Pennsylvania Third.
Columbia Ten Lengths Behind.

Poughkeepsie, N. Y, June 24.-Cornells
freshmen won the four-cornered fresh
mems race this afternoon, defeating Har-
ward by a length and a quarter in ten
minutes and eighteen seconds. Harvard
was three-quarters of a length in front
of Pennsylvania, while Columbia, which
was never dangerous, was beaten off ten
lengths. Columbia and Harvard got
slightly the best of what was only fair
start, Cornell getting off third, with Penn
sylvania last 1t only took a few strokes
to determine the position of Columbia,
and the followers of the blue and white
on the observation train felt a sinking
feeling at their hearts as they saw their
hopes drop In the rear position. Penn
sylvania made up leeway quickly, and to
the half-mile mark it was a desperate
race for the lead between Harvard and
Cornell, with Pennsylvania rapidly clos
ing the gap. Nose and nose, the boats
which carried the hopes of the crimson
and red and white raced together, and
the wet and weary crowd on the cars for
got their discomfort in the excitement of
the struggle. At the half-mile post the
Harvard boats nose was just in front Of
the Cornell shell. Pennsylvania was
hanging on the stern of the red and
white, and Columbia was Iaboring in dis
tress lenght in the rear of the Quakersl
Off Pennsylvania quarter cheer
from the Ithacan delegation announced
that Cornell had shot her canvas in front
Of the crimson. Steadily the hopes of the
supporters of the red and white rose as
the Ithacans settled down to their work
and forged ahead half length. Faster
and faster the Cornell shell shot through
the water as Carter quickened the stroke.
Nearing the bridge Pennsylvania squirt
ed. Going under the bridge the order
was: Cornell, clear of Harvards canvas;
University of Pennsylvania, Tapped on
the crimson, and Columbia toiling hope
lessIy four lengths astern.
Then the desperate race between the
crimson andred and blue for second place
commenced. Pennsylvania gained lit
tie and Harvard put forth an extra eff
fort. Both boats fairly flew through the
water, and when at mile and half
Cornell swerved slightly towards the CEN
ter of the stream it looked for moment
as if the two who were fighting between
themselves might get up on the leader.
Inch by inch the Quakers gained on
Harvard until a half mile from home the
two were level and racing after Cornell
Opposite Cornelrs boat house the Ith-
acans were clear length in front Of
Pennsylvania. and Harvard, who were
rowing bow and bow in a desperate race.
The Harvard coxswain shouted to his
men for a final effort and the crimson's
bow was seen forging in front of the
Quakers canvas. The steamboats, and
y
cannon as the Cornell crew swept to-
wards the finish line a length and quar-
ter ahead of Harvard, who was three
quarters of a length in front of the Qua
kers. Columbia came in completely
played out ten lengths behind. Time,
Cornell, 1918; Harvard, 1922; Pennsyl-
vania, 10:261A; Columbia. 1851.
After passing the finish line Boardman,
the Harvard stroke; McDufffe, who
rowed No. Z. and Whit Beck, No. 5, drop
ped on their oars, but quickly recovered.
Chafe, who rowed No. in the Column
bia boat, was suffering from intermittent
fever this morning, but persisted In row.
ing. At Columbia's headquarters 1t was
stated that the race did not seem to have
affected him very much.
There was little excitement in the town
after the race. The Cornell men were, OF
course, jubilant, but their demonstra-
lions of delight were kept within reason
able bounds. The opinion among victors
and vanquished was that the best crew
won.