The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-21
Win be One Of the Greatest Events In
the History Of Motor Boating
on the Great
River.
$50 HORSE POWER BOATS
Instead Of the Sixty Horse Power
Racers Of Last Year, viii be
Seen in the Big River
Event.

On Monday and Tuesday, July 9Th
and 9th the people of this section will
be treated at Burlington to the great
est racing event ever pulled off on
western waters Boats from the whole
length Of the river are being tuned up
| with feverish energy for the coming
struggle which in yachting circles is
what the people at Crown Point. Ind,
saw last week in auto racing.
Since last year when the sport was
in its infancy the growth off interest
in motor boats has grown like the
/ proverbial green bay tree. Boats like
the Minnie G., II, which last year were
considered at the top of tne speed
category are already out Of date and
supplanted by boats which are expect
led to do their So mile per hour. A
new and glorified Minnie G.. will be
on hand from FIT. Madison to contend
for tle championship of things that
float on the water. A new Independ-
| ence has been built at st. Louis and
will meet her in a more desperate
struggle than that witnessed last year
at Ft. Madison where it seemed as II
the last word in speed on or through
A the water had been spoken No less
than 800 motor boats are expected at
the meet and the hotels are already
engaged far beyond their capacity for
the two days. Fortunately for Keo-
kuk the morning train reaches Bur-
lington in time for the first event and
leaves at Z on the return SO that 1t
will be easy for anyone to get up there
and back without having to stay over.
night.
The crowd promised is such that i
!, will be the part Of wisdom to take
: lunch along in ones pocket and sup a
home or one may be forced to go hun
), CRY. 1T is probable that the railroads
will bring on special trains thous
ands to be fed and housed. The levee
at Burlington will be cleared of trains
that would obstruct the view and vii
form most excellent vantage poin'
from which the whole spectacle can be
easily watched. The light house de
partment has been appealed to t.
buoy out the course and lend its ale
to make the route of the race safe fol
the men who risk their lives in these
hair raising tests of speed.
The course will be from IL mile be
low the bridge to a point miles above
Burlington all in plain view of the
levee and as in the 10 mile races the
boats will make the course twice
around many interesting struggles viii
be in plain sight. The straight-away
mile dash will be thing to remember
Starting with a flying rush from on'
mile up stream the boats will finisl
opposite the foot of Jefferson street
This is about the middle of the leve,
and the race will no doubt shatter thu
records so far made. 1t is said TIN
famous Dixie has been bought In ST
Louis and will be there to SHOW he
heels to all other boats If she can
but this year there are many boat
which will make her do her best If sh
is not beaten. Last years boats wit
60 to 70 horse power are now repre-
scented by boats with $50 horse powe
and SO it goes. The speed LAMA i1a
invaded tae motor boat sport as 1t In
evitably does all such sports and !
leading to the perfection Of the case
line engine in way nothing else ca
dc.
1t will be an event to see those sir
racers fairly flying over the waite
which few who are fortunate enoug
Ito witness it will forget. DR.. Dixie
of Burlington who is planning and a.
ranging these affairs has his hands flu
but is going to make of it one OF tn
4 greatest water carnivals ever seen. II
4 and his assistants are working nigh
and day to see that nothing is omi
ted to make of it the success of tn
a decade.