Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-08-21
BREAKS woRLD's RECORD.
How Rupert Parker Drove Don Dens-
more 10 Record Breaking
Finish.

When Don Densmore established q
new world record for PAGERS at the
recent meeting in Pittsburgh, Rupert
Parker, formerly of DEBORAH, was be-
hind the horse. Hence much interest
viii be found in the article append
ed, clipped from the Pittsburgh Post.
! Mr.. Parker is making the Grand cir
cult this year and with him is his
family. Before the route is covered,
Mrs. Parker will visit in New York
City, Long Island and other places.
Following is a graphic description
of the great race, as written for the
Post by Tom Gahagen:
Tom Murphy had his rabbits foot
working in the draw for positions in
the fast pace, his mount, Sir r., Sc
curing the pole, with Independence
Boy, Evelyn W., Vernon Mckinney,
and Don Densmore scoring in the or
der named. They were a good acting
/ lot and Starter Walker had little
| trouble with them. Evelyn w. was
! the first to show going around the
turn. independence Boy and Vernon
Mckinney being Tapped for second
place. Don Densmore made bobble
but quickly recovered. Up the stretch
James moved up with Vernon Mckin-
ney and passing the half his head
showed in front of the mare. indie
pendence Boy followed him around
and when he took the pole before
reaching the three-quarters they had
Evelyn w. tightly sewed up in the
pocketed. James Rugged the pole with
Vernon Mckinney and there was no
chance for Shank to get out without
taking back and going around on the
outside, which would have been sui
eide at that stage of the game. the
three-uuarters had been covered in
l1:31A and the crowd, realizing that
the race record for the season was
liable to be broken, was on its feet,
cheering the struggling trio on. AL
! long distance independence Boy drop
ped back slightly and Shank pulled
Evelyn W. out, but 1t was too late 10
catch the flying Canadian, who won
the first heat by length in 2:Ol ",
the fastest heat paced in 1917.
knowing the gameness of Evelyn
w. her friends still believed she
would win. She and Vernon McKin-
ney went away for the second heat at
terrific clip, with independence Boy
pressing them closely and Don Dens-
more within striking distance. Inc
watches of the timers clicked at 90
IL when they passed the half, but
around the turn they slowed bit,
the three-quarters being reached IN
LAP with Vernon Mckinney a half
length to the good of the mare. En-
tering the stretch, Shank set down
for a hard drive on the mare and
She gradually closed the gap. Then
roar went up as white nosed morse
was seen rushing to the front at the
outside. 1t was Don Densmore.
Crouching low behind the western
stallion. Parker called on him WIN
voice, reins and whip, and ne was
coming like a runaway horse. Inc
three stars came rushing to the wire
Of better than a two-minute, gait, put
Dansmore had the speed, passing
them. ten yards from the hnlsh ana
winning the heat by half a length IN
2.O2H new record for the white
nosed horse. Vernon Mckinney just
barely nosed Evelyn w. out for the
place. sa.,A -
Great as had been the finish In
the second heat there was greater
one in store for the third. When
they were sent away Parker took
non Densmore to the front, but Eve
lyn w. was right at his sloe' ana the
great pair Of sidewheels fought IL OUT
Ian the way. Densmore had a nail
length the best of IL at the seven.
eighths pole, but Evelyn w. Is one Oh
those PAGERS who never give UP, ana
her driver, Major Shank, or North
Randall. is Of the same caliber. Grad
lually she closed the gap until nfty
wards from the wire her nose was at
the throat of Densmore where she
hung. Both drivers gave their mounts
a last desperate reef as they reached
tha wire and opinion was divided as
TO who had won. the majority OF
those above the wire believing tnat
The decision should go TO Evelyn W.
When il was announced that Don
Densmore was the winner, the decls-
ion was hooted by some, put IL was
another case Of the deceptive angle
at which the finish was viewed. IRE
siding Judge Heating stated after the
race that during the many years ne
has been acting in the capacity OF
| Judge he has never been called upon
to decide such a close heat, to him
the stations nose showing just bare
ly enough in front to entitle him to
the verdict.
Don Densmore is owned by ID. A.
Dinnie, of Minot, S. D., and has been
driven in all of his races by Rupert
Parker of Waterloo, Iowa. Last sea-
son he was the star PAGER of the
Great Western Circuit, and took
record of 2:03A which he lowered
yesterday a full second, his victory
being the first for him on the Grand
Circuit.