The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-16
Several Thousand Sons and Daughters
of the Emerald Isle Enjoy an
Interesting Programme.
LOTS OF FUN IN THE RACES
CONTEST FOR WOMEN FURNISHED
EVENT OF THE DAY.
Pacing and TrOtting Events HotIy
COntested-List of Events and
Prize Winners.

Lady day" was appropriately celebrated
yesterday at the fair grounds by Irishmen
of this city and from the small hamlets in
the country. The celebration was under the
auspices of the Ancient Order of Hibernians
of Marion county. 1t was in celebration of
the annual harvest day that is held in Ire
land at the close of each harvest. 1t is
known as Lady day." the day given over
TO general rejoicing by the men of Ireland.
who give most of their time entertaining
the women in token Of appreciation for
their help through the harvest time.
Yesterdays celebration was the first event
OF its kind undertaken by the local Irish
men. The programme began at 2 o'clock
and was varied. Several thousand Irishmen
and women took advantage of the occasion
and journeyed to the fair grounds. The
threatening weather in the early part of the
afternoon deferred many from participating
in the festivities.
When the first number was given the
large crowd swarmed into the grandstand
and about the racetrack. The first number
was a race by small boys in which there
were twenty-five entries. The race was for
one hundred yards for which a football was
given as prize. Raymond Cantwell proved
winner over the big field ana made the
distance i'm liz.
INTEREST IN THE EVENTS.
The greatest interest was shown in the
trotting and pacing events. Mike Reardon,
the well-known horseman, acted as mana
ger and starter for the race events. He was
assisted by Yves Stout and Theo Brown.
Some little delay was occasioned In getting
the horses from the barn. While the wait
was being INDUCED in a free-for-all among
the men for one hundred yards was given.
This event was to have been a race for fat
men. but was changed at the last minute.
Thomas Brady was the winner, making the
time in twelve seconds.
A race that proved full of fun was run
by the women attending the celebration.
John ]. Blackwell acted as starter for the
field of eight entries. Among them was a
woman weighing 25 pounds. The first race
was a dead heat and the contest had to be
run again. The corpulent woman ran about
The race was. a tie between Miss O'Toole
and Mary Patterson, of Terre Haute. When
the race was run for the second time Mrs.
Mary Dillon. Of this city. who also carried
she led the other two young women several
feet, but the hard turf of the track tripped
her and she fell very hard. tearing her
waist and skirt. The other two girls con-
tinued the race, which was won by Miss
Margaret O'Toole. of this city, with Miss
Patterson. of Terre Haute, second. The
prize was an opera fan.
The sight of the race horses jogging down
the track caused the big crowd to hurry to
the fence, where each person could get a
good view. In the three-minute trot there
were six entries, but only two horses went
to the post. Peter w. Delaney's Wild Dick
won the first two heats and the race. His
opponent was Miss alright, owned and
driven by Jacob Wiles.
SOME GOOD RACING.
Some good racing vas witnessed in the
three-minute pace, in which there were
eight entries and four starters. This race
proved so exciting at the close. when
Drivers Maurice Donnelly and Benjamin
sanders were tied for second place. that an
extra heat was raced by their two horses.
Donnelly, who carries more weight than
most drivers, was obliged to retire from
the sulky at the end of the second heat and
allow Yves Stout to drive his horse I'm the
match race. This event was one that ex-
cited a great amount Of interest. Sanders
took the pole, but his horse broke as it
turned into the back stretch. Donnelly's
Kitty Flynn began to make a large open
ing between her and Fred s., driven by
Sanders. The latter, however, regained his
feet near the half mile and cut down much
of the gap taken by Kitty Flynn. The lat
ter, on turning into the home stretch. lost
her feet, and when the horses beat for home
both were neck and neck and pacing in fast
time. 1t was a pretty race until the wire
was reached, and Fred s., by pushing his
nose in front of Kitty Flynn, took the race
The time for this heat was faster than the
others, il being made In 2:O.
The results of the other races follow:
Three-minute pace:
Charles McDowelrs Frank NJ, b. &.
(McDowelD Dis
william CT. Spillman's Myrtle c., e.. e.
1 (Sp1ilndn)
Theo. Browns Goldie, s. m. (Acher)......1
Maurice Donnelly's Kitty Flynn, b. &.
(Donnellyl
Benjamin Sanderss Fred s., s. &. (San-
ucISb -.--.-.-.---.
Time-2:391z. 2:39A.
Three-minute trot:
Peter W.. Delaney's Wild Dick. b. &.
Delaney ...........
Jacob Wiles's Miss alright, b. m.
tWneSb ......----.---
TIme-2:59. 800.