The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-26
II BIG RACE f
Owners of The Abbot and BoraIma
Cannot Agree on Number OF Heats.

New York. March 2o-The proposed
match between the trotters. The Abbot
and Boralma, is of. Up to a few min
utes before noon today, everything
looked promising for a meeting between
these wonders. but the question of the
number OF heats proved to be a stumb-
ling block and the match was declared
OFF.
William L. Marks. representing Fire
Commissioner John J.. Scannell, owner
of The Abbot, and J. J.. Roach, repre-
senting Mr.. Lawson, of Boston,
who owns Boralma, met at a newspa
per office in Park % today for the
purpose Of clinching a match between
the trotters. Each of the representa-
7iyes produced certified checks for &c.,
900 to bind a match.
Mr.. ScanneIfs representative agreed
10 everything that the Boston man sug-
gested except as to the number of heats
which should decide the match. He
said Mr.. Scannell was perfectly salts
fed to have the match take place on
any recognized trotting track suggest
ed by Mr.. Lawson He also agreed
that each side should post S25, 900, $780,
900 down and the remainder to be post
ed the night prior to the day of the
race.
Then came the question of how many
heats should be trotted. Ldwson's
man insisted on four out of seven heats.
Marks on behalf of Scanne1l, would not
agree to this and said that three out
Of five should suffice and that the own
er of The Abbot would not listen to
any other conditions.
Both men put their checks back in
their pockets and said there was no use
in wasting any more time over the mat
ter. as neither side would give in.
After the meeting Mr.. Marks said:
81 came here on behalf of Mr.. Scan
nell fully prepared to make a match
between The Abbo and Boralma. 1
agreed to everything h a h owner Of
Boralma wanted with the exception of
the number of heats to be trotted. Mr..
Scanneu will o trot n Abbot moro
than five heats while Mr.. Lawson in
sists on four out of seven.
Nov. on behalf of Mr.. Scannell, l
challenge The Abbot against any horse,
Boralma preferred. three out of five
heats for 5000 a side. the gate receipts
to go to charity and the race to take
place on any recognized association
track. Here is my check n I am
ready to sign an agreement on this ba-
sis at any moment. Tha is all I have
to say"
Mr.. Roach. in speaking of the failure
to come to- terms. said: Il think that
Mr.. Lawson's proposition is sportsman
Hks and fair. No doubt The Abbot is
a wonderful animal and, from his rec
ord. / Judge that by his match falling
through Mr.. Lawson has saved S25, 900.
The Abbot has got great speed, but
L believe that Boralma has the greater
stamina. Four heats out of seven, in
my opinion. would clearly demonstrate
this and that is why 1. on behalf of Mr..
lawson, insisted on the greater num-
Der Of heats"
When asked as to whether Mr.. Law
son would probably accept the chal-
lenge for $50. 1000 Mr.. Roach said: II
cannot answer that at present. Mr..
Lawson is the sole judge on that mat
ter"
Boston. Mass. March 2O.-Mr. Law
son tonight sent to two Boston chart
ties, the West End nursery and the
Crippled Children's home, one half each
of the deposit OF $40. 600 which he put
up through his New York representa-
tive to bind a ace with The Abbot.