The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-19
CRYSTAL COMO CROWDED
PLEASANT WEATHER DREW THOU
SANDS TO THE LAKE YESTER-
DAY AFTERNOON
Some Fast Skating Races, Too,
Served SIS a Special Attraction to
Many7Horses Were Out in Force,

Some Fast Skating Races, TOO,
Served as Special Attraction to
Many-Horses Were Out in Force,
Too.
Perhaps the largest crowd Of the sea-
son visited Lake Como yesterday after
noon and witnessed amateur skating
races by several local athletes. The ideal
weather conditions attracted very large
number to the lake both by way of the
street car lines and private conveyances,
which were very numerous around the
shores of the picturesque ice sheet.
ed spots. The speedway of the Capital
ed the lake during the afternoon, and 1t
was the exception that proved the rule
part in the sport. There were graceful
skaters as we'll as novices, but the latter
were but little in evidence. The popular
ity of winter sport, where 1t Is possible
In this CLINE, was apparent -.
If Como Is beautiful in summer, it is
almost equally so In winter. The wealth
er was not sufficiently cold to cause hard
Ship and yet contained all the bracing
elements of a Minnesota winter day. The
crowd kept in motion, while the small
boys played Skinny in the less frequent
by the crowd which persisted In crowd
City Driving club was well patronized,
and the whole scene was one of healthy
activity.
| The races were seriously embarrassed
by the crowd, which persisted in crowd
| ing upon the course after the race had
started, and the result of the first RAGS
| might have been different had the crowd
not got in the way of the contestants.
The same officials had charge Of the
| races yesterday as week ago Saturday
| when the championship events were run.
The first race, the 5000 meter, open,
paced, was well contested, and rather
good time was made, all things consid-
cred. The field, consisting Of George
| Sudheimer, Ha rry Perkins, Louis johns
son, Tom McGeever and Albert Void, all
! started on scratch, with the understand
| ing that each man was to share the pace
making. The agreement was carried out,
! and with little exception the men covered
the entire distanc of three miles and one
hundred and lightweight yards right in a
| bunch. AS the men sprinted into the last
/ lap the crowd spread over the home
| stretch, allowing but little room for the
| skaters. The man who had the advantages
was
scarcely possible for one contestant to
| pass another In the narrow space between
/ the crowd and the pole line. Louis Johns
son moved up when several hundred
/ yards from the tape, and crossed a wins
ner, with Perkins and Sudheimer strug~
/ Cling for position. Perkins succeeded In
! securing second and Sudheimer was =
very strong third. The time was announce
! ed as 1890 for ten laps, although the men
covered eleven laps. The finish for elev~
! en- laps was accepted and the time for ten
/ laps, which constitutes 5000 meters. Nc
Geever and Void fell and retired.
| The next race, 5000 meter handicap
event, was more satisfactory all around.
| Harry Perkins and Louis Johnson were
| started at scratch, Sudheimer was pre-
| scented with 100 yards and McGeever drew
| $50. Void was given the limit, 200 yards,
and set the pace throughout the race, but
was beaten at the finish. The scratch
men did not succeed In catching the
| leaders until the fifth lap. Sudheimer
quickly caught McGeever and Void, and
for while it was the scratch men
against the handicap men. Perkins and
Johnson made fine squirt in the fifth and
| caught up. After that, until the final lap,
there was no disposition to hurry mat
| ters All lay back and waited for the
| final trial. Sudhelmer was strong lead
err part way around. Perkins, however,
| soon closed the gap, and at the tape was
In first place. McGeever crossed second
and Sudheimer third, with Louis johnson
trying hard for the place. The time was
10:12ha. The time is considered good as
| the best amateur American skating rec
ord for that distance is held by J. K.
| McCulloch, of Montreal, at e:25 rs. The
/ ice, while better than a week ago, was in
no condition for record-breaking competI-
| TONS