Evening journal., 1902-01-16
COL. ROGERS AGILE
+ ALTHOUGH s. YEARS OLD
Young People Delighted by His
Fancy Skating
Gave Remarkable Exhibition Of His Skill
on Queen Lane Pond, Phila-
delphia Yesterday
The PhlIadeIphia North Ameriean to-

The Philadelphia North American TO
day prints the following:
Colonel ]. Harry Rogers came up TO
Philadelphia yesterday TO dispute with
Abe Oppenhelmer the right to the title
Of champion octogenarian skater of the
world. He claims it by default, for his
opponent did not appear. The colonel
gave an exhibition Of his skill on the
Queen Lane reservoir.
OF all the sons of the Blue Hen State,
the gamest, pluckiest chicken is this
white-haired boy of IS. And when he
started home last night he was something
more. He was as mad as the emblematic
bird Of his native State would be on a
rainy day.
Don't talk to me about Abe Open
heimer." he said his white beard brst-
ling with Indignation. The idea of that
man hurting out challenged Why. l
don't believe he knows how to skate In
the first place. he isn't built for it. He's
too heavy. and he has a foot about thir-
teen inches long.
Him? I'll skate him blindfolded. III
skate him on rollers. I'll skate rings
around him. I'll do figures that he never
dreamed of. I'll show him some fancy
twists that'll make his head swim"
RIVALRY A YEAR OLD
AS readers of The North American are
aware. the rivalry between these merry
old gentlemen started year ago. when
Mr. Oppenheimer announced that he was
the champion skater of his age. Colonel
Rogers Immediately took up the challenge
but bad weather and sickness prevented
the match This winter the dispute was
renewed, but il was impossible to agree
upon a date and place for the contest.
Colonel Rogers telephoned from his home
on Tuesday that he would come up yes
terday to meet his aged but agile rival,
but Mr.. Oppenheimer declined TO meet
the arrangement. The colonel, whose
Delawarean blood was up, came. anyway.
He was accompanied by a party of en-
thusiastic friends, and they said that had
the match been a certainty half the pOpu-
lation of New Castle would have made
the trip Those who gave him the sup
port of their presence were James r.
Challenger William Deakyne, John Mar
tin and Edward Z. Challenger. Of New
Castle and Dana Kimball and II. Earl
Challenger, Of Philadelphia
Colonel Rogers wore a loose sack suit
and woolen skull cap, and carried his
skates in a blue cloth bag When the
party arrived at the Queen Lane pond he
noted with disappointment that the
ground had softened during the night, but
pushed on ahead to the edge of the ice.
1t was badly scored by the skaters and
covered with half an inch of slush.
"I'l see what l can do" said the col
onel, and strapped on his razor-edged
skates. IF any of you fellows see Abe
Oppenheimer, just let me know
AMAZED THE BOYS
He struck out across the pond, and in
two minutes was the centre of an admir-
ing crowd. Small boys called their COM
panions and watched with amazement
the evolutions of the old gentleman. He
was hailed Immediately as Foxy Grand
pa" and the name was accepted amid
universal enthusiasm.
In spite of the disadvantage Of soft ice,
the doughty colonel won the plaudits of
the small boys by his surprising evolu-
tions. He did the spread eagle" the
grapevine" the timer roll" the "outer
roll,' the ''serpentine" and others Of the
simpler figures with an ease that indi-
Gated what his skill is on hard ice As
he gained confidence he besought mem
bers of the party to search for Abe Op-
penheimer aud bring the challenger to the
place of contest.
Still uttering challenges, Colonel Rog.
ers refreshed himself from a pocket flask
and continued his exercise. The sun was
low behind the woods before he consented
to take off his skates and start home
Then he lit a cigarette. knocked his car
just a little farther on one side and
walked sturdily to the station.
1T is too bad" said some one. "that
Mr.. Oppenheimer did not appear"
HE'D FRIoHTEN oPPENHElMER
"Him?" said Colonel Rogers. YES, Ii
like to see him skate I'd just like TO Sc,
him. We were TO do figures alternately
in this match of ours. Why, / know
twenty of EN- he never heard Of, and IL
do 'em so fast it would frighten him Ha
har' 1t was the mirthless laugh of scorn
Would you make a bet with Abe Op
penheimer, ColonelY'
"HmY snorted the colonel. I've 90
farm worth $4,000, and I'll bet hin
that" and he ratified his skates dehantly
Mr.. Oppenheimer, in declining the con
test yesterday complained that he hat
been ready several times last year, bu
had been disappointed.
Il was willing for the contest then
he said, "and now 1 am not. / am tn
champion. / have the blue ribbon, ant
I'm going to keep it. What has Colonc
Rogers ever done. anyway, to bring hin
into my class? When he has got a repu
tation, or demonstrated his ability, le
him come to me personally and challeng
me. My friends will back me for an
amount, $1,000 or up"