Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-27
OLD TIMES ON THE
RIVER RECALLED
"reminiscences of the Local
Boating Associations and
Famous Crews.


are devotins some space to talks about
oid-time aauatics. 1t shows that they
appreciate this best of all health-pivip,.
Sports said an old stroke oar, as he pulled
up MS chair into the circle of the has-beens
the other night
more good local stories can be written
on rowing matters here on the Potomac
river than one might think for the events
OF twenty-five years ago were especially
pubbling over with excitement and interest
Ihey would cause many OF the old dead
ones like you and me ana all of lis I'm
chuckle at the real good old days and to
ihstlli In our posterity the spirit of those
times.
Inc Analostan, as you know, is the
oioest club In the city. being an offshoot of
'he Ola Falcon Club, which had existed
many years previously. The Analostans
formally came into being in 1867, and for
a couple Of years were without a rival on
the water. The principal amusements of
the members We're social events and gig
races among themselves
In 1860 a number of Georgetown men
met and organized the present Potomac
Cluo, which at once went into active work
and took up rowing as a snort They en-
tered into competition with the Analostans
ana tne baltimore clubs. This spirit has
dominated the club ever since its organiza-
tiOu, anu is just as rampant TODAY.
In 1870 the Arlington Club was formed
and 1t had meteoric existence Its four
Dared crew, composed of Charlie Brown
Billie Ottman and the Coughlin brothers,
ran away from the best crews that the
Analostans and Potomacs could nut ON the
water, but went out Of existence as sud
denly, owing to bad management and the
sad fate of Billie Gilman
Ten years after the Arlngton's arrival
the Columbia Boat Club, with Capt How
gaze OF sad memory, stepped before the
tootIghts, and at once became an important
factor In Washington sports, as we'll as
becoming we'll known In the nearby cities
1t was an offshoot Of the Potomacs and
after a period of fifteen years of alternating
iS, ana pad work they went out of ex-
University.
I'm 1889 a club called the washingtons
life: Its history is brief, owing to the
fact that 1t tried to run an amateur or
ganization with professional appendages.
Old John Kennedy. now coach at Yale, was
one OF the promoters OF the club. Since
then there has never been one intimation
of professionalism in boating on the Poto
mac river and those two clean-cut rivals
now with us have been the only ones to
battle for the supremacy of the river.
''One Of the best races that ever took
place on the river, the result of which did
more to build up the Columbia Boat Club
than anything else. was the four-oared
contest In 1888 between Columbia and The
champion Potomac crew. The contest
took place late In the fall and was rowed
over the upper course. The Potomac quad
Fraser, who had just returned from their
splendid victory over the fastest four in
America, the Fairmonts Of PHILADELPHIA
The Columbia crew was made up of Dick
Wailach. Nesbit, Mute and Brace all be
ginners. who had rounded into almost per
rect Rect, form under the careful tutelage Of
1.-THE sporting element of the city was
on to the race and the amount OF real
money put up on the outcome was q eau
ton. The Potomacs were favorites in the
pools that were sold on account of their
recent victory in Philadelphia. A certain
young blood OF the town, who now owns a
stable Of fine horses and is always on the
JOB at Benning, took every bet he could
He made killing, as from the start the
race was never in doubt. The CoIumbias
jumped ahead at the start, headed their
older rivals all the way, and crossed the
line with yards and yards to spare
The stroke oar of the Potomacs was a
young Engliehman who came to Washing
ton to work. and easily made a position
on the crew. He trained faithfully for ali
his races previous to this one. but on the
day before this he disappeared and did NOT
show up until the afternoon of the con-
test all the worse for wear Everything
was done to get him in condition to row
but he was sorry figure when he got
into the shell.
Washington that very day nor was he ever
heard Of by any of those whom he had
thrown overheard by his conduct. That's
Just one Of many incidents trimming with
real interest to any one who recall the
vigor and zest with which the older sports
Of Washington entered into that great
bully sport. Good night, boys, home for
mine!"