Norwich bulletin., 1912-01-13

men to run the Sevens off their feet
and permit the Neptunes to win the
race. This report had not the slight
est foundation in fact, as / was heart
and soul in the race for the success of
the Sevens.
The first 1 heard of the rumor was
the next day when l met my friend,
John Gleason, at the entrance of the
engine house and he advised me to
withdraw from the team at once.
Murtha Had Confidence.
There was gloomy crowd in the
engine house when / entered and Of
fered to resign at once, if they believed
the story true. Frank Murtha at this
point said: We don't believe it is
true, Jack, and we can't win without
you, anyway. So run with us and If
we are beaten we win not blame YOU
Knowing that L was going to do my
best to win and believing l had the
fastest team, I decided to run; and
so informed them Ny decision ap-
peared TO raise their spirits. and we
boarded the bus which was to take
us to the Fair grounds, followed by
advice and good wishes of those as
sembled TO see US off.
Jeered the Neptunes' Time.
At the track a strong wind was
blowing, raising big clouds Of dust,
and when the Neptunes crossed the
line in 2 min. 40 IL sec, the Seyens
raised shout OF derision and were
confidence personified. But 1 knew
the time was far better than they
thought, as the wind and dust affect
ed the running seriously.
Barney Keenan, in the Right Place.
Gleason. who was indisposed. had
resigned, and l moved Barney keenan,
into the lead with myself. This was
a wise decision and proved to have
quite an effect on our winning, as Bar
hey. was strong and game, and was the
right man in the right place at the
finish.
AS we were getting ready for the
start, Frank Murtha approached me
and said: I'VE will have man with
watch at the 220 yards and quarter
mile posts, to let you know the TINA
you are making. You should not run
faster than I'm. EOS. for the quarter"
Before could reply the starting beD
rang, and away We went, reaching the
220 yard post two seconds ahead OF
the schedule, and were told we were
going too fast. The team let up q lit
tie, and here proved to be the miscal-
Cu4el1OL w llASll RAONCN WI
doing. The strong wind in the back
stretch was taken advantage of by all
the other teams, while We were COM
PEELED to make our time in the home
stretch. with the wind to breast, and
our eyes filed with dust. However, the
Logs responded gamely to my request
to sprint and we came up the stretch
very fast, a few OF the boys dropping
off in the last hundred yards.
AS Keenan, and l reached the wire
the boys, thinking the race was over,
stopped short. Knowing the wheels
had to cross the finish line, yelled to
Barney, whe responded gamely, to pull
hard, and the wheels crossed the line
in 2.45, One-half second ahead Of tllc
Neptunes, who took second prize.
When the time was announced the ap-
plause was deafening, Greeneville be-
ing represented there by the greater
part of its population.
After dressing we boarded the bus
and started for the engin house. The
bus stopped at the first grocery store
We came to on the West Side, where
all the brooms in the store were pur-
chased and elevated as we passed
through the city, but QUO reception was
not over enthusiastic till we reached
North Main street. whene our prog
reSS met With a continual ovation,
women and children cheering and wav-
ing handkerchiefs, towels, aprons and
anything that came to hand from the
open windows. and shouting and cheer
ing till we reached the engine house,
outside of wrich a great crowd hat
gathered to welcome us home.
The company kept open house that
night. The Falls company were our
guests, and at the head of the supper
table sat the chief of the fire depart
ment and Otehr officials, and songs.
toasts and speeches made the evening
a never to be forgotten one by those
present. Forty kegs of beer were con-
sumed that night, not to speak of 9TH
err drinks Of various kinds. The Sew
ems did themselves proud, and 1 was
welcome that night at least to ANY,
thing reasonable in Greeneville. The
rejoicing continued until the small