Evening star., 1898-11-19
PLAY IN THE RAIN
Unfavorable Weather for the Big
Varsity Foot Ball Game.
ENTHUSIASTS DEFY TIE ELEMENTS
Big Attendance at the Grounds
and Much Enthusiasm.
HI A r V A RD, II; YALE, o

NEW HAVEN. Conn, November 19.-The
weather at the opening of the day on which
Yale and Harvard were scheduled to con-
test for the 1898 supremacy in foot ball at
Yale field was characterized by nastiness
almost incapable of description. The rain
storm which began Thursday took unto it
self new vigor last evening. and continued
without abatement throughout the night,
and was exasperatingly at it again this
morning. To make matters worse, there
was a high wind which drove the rain
with violence.
The storm had the effect of producing an
apparent lack of enthusiasm, and it was
. O'Clock before the Yale campus, the
hotels, restaurants and cafes began to
show signs of an event out of the ordi-
nary. The city itself presented a bedrag-
gled appearance. The elaborate decora-
tions which had been planned by the mer-
chants. clubs and houses were CO. fned to
the interior draping of red or blue bunt-
ing and the flying of a big Yale banner
The Yale field, the scene of the contest,
at o'clock was bleak and desolate spot
Almost before it was light the Yale man
agement had sent to the field a gang of
men to eoddle the gridiron. The thick COW
ering Of straw which had protected the sod
during the night was found to have done
its work better than could be expected, and
the area within the chalk lines was in
fairly good condition.
The workmen carefully went over the
gridiron and then devoted their attention
TO the second field, where the freshmen
elevens of the two universities were to
play in the forenoon.
Final Rehearsal of Signals.
The members of the Yale Varsity team
were up and about the campus shortly
after 1:30 o'clock, and later in the morning
went TO the gymnasium for a last rehearsal
of the signals.
Subsequently the graduate ccachers held
a final meeting and discussed the line up
of the Yale team. The Harvards train
reached New Haven last evening. and the
members OF the party were quartered
aboard of it through the night. The $50
O'Clock express from Springfield brought
from Hartford the Harvard freshmen
eleven, who had just time to dress and go
10 the heid fer their game with the young
sters of Yale. By 1870 the railroad was
bringing large crowds to the city, and by
noon the tide of excursionists was at its
height
The effect of the storm on the game was
a topic of general discussion. Experts
were of the opinion that HarvardS heavier
eleven would have the advantage. On the
other hand many bets which were made
and posted last night were declared off and
withdrawn by mutual consent, and odds of
10 to and to Harvard dwindled
down to even money today. Before noon
the betting was at a standstill.
Harvard Team Arrives
The Harvard team, with their substitutes,
coaches ana trainers, arrived at II o'clock
in special train from Meriden. In spite
of the pouring rain a large crowd was on
hand TO welcome the players. They were
driven at once to the Tontine. where Sum-
ner Paine led a round of rousing cheers for
the men.
The weather was a keen disappointment
to the men, ard Quarterback DAILY express
ed the opinion that it would prevent putting
speed into the attack and would decrease
ability in a kicking game There
is not a scratch on single man." said one
of the trainers at noon. and We all expect
to win
After lunch the players went to the Yale
gymnasium TO dress for the game.
Ponds on the Field.
1t was brave crowd that began surging
through the gates shortly after 1 O'Clock
The gridiron was IL. the worst possible con-
dition. Directly in front of the south goal,
where kick would be made after touch
down, was about fifty square yards of wa
ter fully three inches deep. and there were
similar ponds scattered over the field.
By 30 pm. there were fully 4,00J people
on the stands. the blue on The east of the
field and crimson on the vest stands and
by the time for the game arrived the crowd
increased rapidly, determined to see the
game through in spite of what might come.
All sorts of devices for protection from
the rain, which continued falling at 2
o'clock, Were adopted by the spectators,
favorfte resort being to oil skins, which
were utilized as ponchos. Both teams ar
rived at their quarters outside the grounds