The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-28
BOAT RACES Az COMO.
There Were Some Pretty Contests ON
the Water.

the water.
Over 1000 people were attracted to
Lake Como-to the quiet of Como park
after the noise and excitement of the
laying of the corner stone by the an
nouncement of boat races between the
members of the ever popular Minnesota
Boat club. And they were we'll repaid.
Perhaps more than ever before thu
club deserves credit for bringing off an
interesting event, for the obstacles
they had to meet were almost insur-
mountable. For two days the crews
have been ait work to get the shells
into a condition fit for use, and as it
was the 'fours' were roWed under q
great handicap. Blakely, the stroke
for the losing crew, smashed his seat
at turn, which made the boat pull un-
evenly. 1t went off on the port tack
to such an extent that the oarsmen
We're within fifteen yards of the boat
landing before they discovered their
error, and they were out. of the race.
The other crew were more fortunate
Langford, No. 2 lost his seat over
board but not until nearing the finish
The boat club has for a long time been
trying to raise the money with which
to purchase new shells, and the mis-
fortunes of yesterdays race should
great need Of the club.
The races were started very prompt
ly ait $50. The starts and finishes were
in front of the pavilion, where a goodly
crowd had assembled. The course was
supposed to be a mile and a turn, but
those that timed the men were impolite
enough to whisper that it must be con-
siderably short. The lake was calm
and the sun was covered with clouds,
ri no hn
No official time was taken for the
events, but they were all rowed smart
ly, although the men have had very
little training this year. The officials
We're Tom L. Wann, referee and start
err and w. s. Morton. with w. G. Read,
the committee in charge.
The first event ON the programme
was the senior single. 1t was a hard
fought battle between Houghton and
Simpson, the former winning by less
than a length.
The fourss followed the contesting
crews rowed as follows:
Winners. Second.
George Potter. :....;: Bow a..Chas Sommers
George Langford. Second. =. Percy Houghton
Charles Lindeke. Third J.. D. Denegre
c. M. Bend ....... Stroke, =. Henry Blakely
The winning crew had a cinch in
what promised to be a yery close race.
The flags were rounded at practically
threw his crew out Of the race.
Three men started in the junior sin
gles-Charles Sommers, DR.. Senkler
and George Potter-fnlshing in the
above order. Two starts were made.
The first time Sommers, having the
outside course, did not see his flag, and
he and Senkler were making for the
same one, when the referee called them
back. Sommers showed his winning
qualities early. He rounded his flag
some distance ahead Of the others. At
the finish he was three and a half
lengths ahead Of Senkler, who was
about the same distance from Potter.
The tub race, as usual, furnished the
amusement Of the day. Sommers,
Blakely, Potter. Senkler and Denegre
started, and then the fun began. The
front of the boat house to the pavilion.
The big beefy oarsmen had consider
able difficulty in keeping their unwieldy
craft afloat. Three managed to finish,
Sommers, first; Blakely, second, and
Potter, third.
After the men were in the water
the spectators were favored with a
swimming race-something very I'M
usual at Como, as swimming in that lake
lays the aquatic person open to the full
vengeance Of the law. Blakely had the
honor Of winning out In a close con-
test.
The water patrol at the races was
not very efficient. All of the events
were delayed by rowboats getting in
the course. The tours in particular
were hindered in this way. Just as
they were ready to start three young
ladies rowed leisurely across the course,
and all the persuasions of the crowd
could not make them hasten.