Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-01-23

Phiadelnhia Jan. 16. Col. j. Harry
Rogers OF New Castle, Del, came up to
Philad elphia Yesterday to dispute with
a be Oppenheimer the right TO the title
OF champion octogenarian skater of the
world. He claims it by default, for
his opponent did not appear. The col
orel gave an exhibition of his skill on
the Queen Lane reservoir.
OF all the CONS OF the Blue Hen State,
the gamest, p!uckieBt chicken is this
white haired hoy OF 81. And when he
started home last night he was Sumo.
thing more. lie was as mad as the
emblematic bird Of his native State
would he on "a ny day.
Don't talk TO me about Abs Oppon
heimer," he said, his white heard
bristing with Indignation. The idea
OF that Iuan blurting out challenge.
Why, don't believe he knows how TO
skate. In the first place, he isn't built
for il. He's too heavy, and he has a
foot about IL inches long
Him? I'll skate him bindfoldcd.
I'll skate him on rollers. I'll skate
rings around him. Ill do figures that
he never dreamed Of I'll show him
some fancy twists that Il make bis head
sw M "
The rivalry between these merry old
gentlemen started year ego, when Mr..
Uppenheime. announced that he was
the champion skater of his age Col.
Ro9e Immediately took up the chal-
engp, but bad weather and Sickness
prevented the match. This winter the
disaute vas renewed, but 1t was i'm
possible to aerse upon date and place
Tor tho contest Col. Rogers tslephoned
from his home on Tuesday that he
would come up yesterday TO meet his
aged but agile rival, but Mr.. Orpen
heimer declined tn meet the arrange
ment. The colonel. whose Delawarean
blood was up, came anyway.
He was accompanied By party of
enthusiastic friends, and they said that
| had the match been a certainty half the
| population OF New Castle would have
made the trip. Those who gave him
| the support Of their presence we're
| James L Challenger, William Deakyne,
john Mart q and Edward =. Chal enger
Of New Castle, and Dana kimball and
| l. Earl challenger OF Philadelphia
| Col Rogers wore loose sack Huit
and WOODEN skull cap, and carried
his skates in a blue cloth bag. When
| ths party arrived at the Queen Lane
| pond he ioted with disappointm ant
that the ground had so1tened during
the night, hut pushed on ahead to the
edge of the ice. 1t was badly scored
| by the skaters and covered with half
an inch OF slush.
| ii see what can do, - said the
colonel, and strapped on his razor edged
skates. If any Of you follows see Abe
Oppenhemer, Just let me snow.
lie struck out across the pond, and in
two minutes was the oantfe OF an ad.
mirine crowd Small boys called their
companions and watched with amaze
ment the evolutions of the old gentle.
man He was haiad Immediately as
Foxy Grandpa, and the name was
accepted amid universal enthusiasm.
In spite of the disadvantage OF soft
ice the doughty colonel won tbs
plaudiTs of tho small boys by his sur
prising evolutions. He did the "spreac
eagle, the grapevine, the Inner
roll, the '.'uuter roll," the "se.pen
tine" ard othe,s OF the simpler iigurei
with an ease that indicated what hi.
skill is on hard ice. As he gained con
iidence he besought members of TIT
party to search for Abe 0ppenheimel
and bring the challenger to the place
of contest
Still uttering challenges, Col. Roger!
continued his exercise The sun wal
low behind the woods before be con
sented 10 take oil his skates and started
home Thsn he lit u garette, knocked
his cap Just little farther ON one sid
and walked sturdily to the station.
1t is to- bad, said some one, tina
Mr. Onpenhsimer did not appear. .
Him. said Col. Rogers. Yes
I'D like to ses him skate. I'd Just ik
to see him. We were TO do figures alter
nately in this match of ours. Why,
know 20 of EN- he never heard of, AM
l,d do EN- SO fast it would frishtel
him. Ha hal" 1t was mirlhls.
, laugh Of scorn
Would you make bet with Alb
Oppenheimer, colonel"
Him. snorted the colonel. "pv
got farm worth $4,000, and I'll he
him that" and he ratified his skate
detiantly.
Mr. Opnenheimer. in declining tn
contest yesterday, compla ned that b
had been ready several times last year
, but had been disappointed.
, was willing Tor the contest then,
) lie said, and now | am not ] al
, the champion | have the blue ribbon
, and m going to keep 1t. What ha
Col. Rogers ever done, anyway, TO brn
him into my class: When he has got
, reputat on, or demonstrated his ability
let him come 10 mo personally an
: cha lengs me. My friends will bac
8 me for any amount. $1,000 Or up"
ana there you arc