Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-08-30
Man Rugged Up Boat With Small
Engine That Could Go.
Won First Place in Race-Everythlng
Lovely TIL Inquistve Swimmer
Owed Beneath Craft and
Made Discovery.

Newbern, N. George Arthur,
fisherman, in the neighborhood of
Adams creek. near Neuse river, 35
miles from this city, caught in one of
his nets large shark He penned
1t in pool which he made for the
purpose, and after exhibiting it there
Tor month or more it suddenly van
ished. Arthur told the inquirers that
ne had taken pity on the "varmint"
and returned it to it's native waters.
About this time Arthur purchased
long, low, rakish" skiff, explaining to
ais friends that he intended placing
an engine in it and making racing
boat out Of 1t, For several weeks
ne devoted many hours a day to re-
modelling it and placing a two-horse
power engine in It. At last he an
popnced that the boat was in readi-
ness for any and all Corners, and Of
Tered to bet that he would win. Sew
eral men who thought they had fast
boats inspected Arthur's boat and
laughed at his diminutive motor. But
he said it was of new and powerful
type and that anyway he'd back 1t
to win. So they arranged race.
There were six contestants, and
among the number were some ex-
ceed1ngly fast boats Arthur was ask
ed to give trial exhibition of his
engines ability, but he refused. He
said they could see it work the day of
the race. On the appointed day sew
eral hundred people lined the river
bank. The course was about five
miles. The boats we're lined up for
the start and at the crack of pistol
off they went. SO faint was the ex-
haust of Arthur's new engine that it
could scarcely be heard, and within
the first 100 yards he was left far be-
hind the other racers. However,
things had only begun to happen.
Arthur was seen to settle back in
the steerman's seat and push a small
lever. Immediately the little boat
sprang forward Faster and faster 1t
cut through the water Passing the
other boats and their startled crews
it sped on toward the goal and arrived
several minutes ahead of its nearest
competitor
That the little engine was the real
thing was no longer doubted, and the
owner received many offers to pur
chase. but declined them all.
After that Arthur was frequently
seen on the river with his craft cut
ting through the water at a terrific
rate.
Recently party of picnickers Wis
tied the place, and during the day
hired Arthur to take them for triI
on the river. They, too, we're amazed
at the boats speed. One of the more
inquisitive decided that there was
something not entirely on the leve
about the engine. Arriving at de
sirable point, suggestion that the
party go in swimming was made, ant
soon several of the young men wer'
In the water Suddenly one of then
dived beneath the boat and when b,
arose to the surface lost no time IL
UeCh lnIO lDC VI dIt. III
said he had seen shark just beneath
the boat.
Arthur became greatly agitated a
this point and suggested that the.
leave at once, but the other member
Of the party resolved to see whethe
their companion was fooling then
Selling an oar, one Of the young me-
jabbed 1t into the water beneath tn
craft, and, sure enough, found tn
shark They were going to kill o
catch 1t, when Arthur told them tina
the fish was In wire cage beneat
the vessel and that he used 1t 70
motor power. Further investigated
proved 1t to be true.
After catching the big fish Arthu