Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-19
COBB0SSEE RACES
BOUND TO EQUAL
THE FALL OF WARSAW

/ Is that an echo from an artillery en-
gagement in the European War? No, II
is the start Of the Cupboard Motor
race at Cobbossee.
Surprising all other races IN inter-
est is that of the Cupboard Motors
j Whether the converted first prize in
the Free-for-All will be captured by
Penniman's new speedster, which is
fairly burning the water of Cobbos-
see these days, or by John Conroy's
smooth running outfit, which is the
pride Of the fleet, is a matter Of small
moment compared with the outcome
or the Cupboard Motor race.
On the afternoon of Aug. 81, a gun
fired at about P. NJ. will send over
the line the most unique collection Of
racing craft, driven by the most wild
iy enthusiastic shippers. that ever fac
ed a starting line or turned q flag
| boat.
Who will win the Cupboard Motor
race! is the burning question of the
hour, the all absorbing topic Of con-
Versatlon these days, which is relegat-
ing to secondary position the issue
OF the battle about Warsaw, or the ul-
innate standing Of the Braves in the
pennant race. A modern prophet with
the ability Of an Ann Eva Fay to look
into the future and pick a winner in
TINS race, might gain fabulous riches
setting around keyes Landing on the
probable winner is on a scale unknown
IN the annals Of Cobbossee racing. The
SKY is the limit-and there is some
talk of increasing that.
| All sorts Of models are being exper-
imented with, even submarines, and
the various shippers are reporting
their boats as doing stunts that would
put a Curtis flying boat to shame. Ev-
eryone is eagerly watching every move
Of his neighbor's boat to get a line on
its speed so that some of the wary
shippers are running the course only
after the shades Of night hide their
movements from prying eyes. Rumors
| of dark horses with swan-like lines
and unheard Of speed, coming into the
field, are rife. and causing consterna-
ton among the veterans. Certain skip
! pers are known TO be experimenting
with ether in their gasolene. and
smearing the bottom of their boats
with various Shiny, slippery sub
| stances Of wondrouS non-resistine
! properties, the formulas for which are
carefully guarded by their owners.
| May the best boat win-provided that
boat is mine" is the motto Of all the
| contestants. and it is rumored that.
over at the Grove, Counselor Cony has
already put in circulation several new
versions Of the Golden Rule to fit the
occasion, and in justification of some
| OF the methods employed
| NO effort is being spared by any of
the contestants to get the last bit of
speed out Of their crafts, and push
/ their boats over the line winners.
Boats are being Invested Of everything
that even slightly resembles weight,
50 that they are mere skeletons, and
engines are being tortured into a few
more revolutions by every device
known TO the motor boat game-and
then some.
One of The boats that is sure to
make il interesting for all contenders,
and to uphold the honor of East Win
throp, is that Of Gov Cleaves of the
sub-station Ii is understood that to
/ lose no point Of vantage in pushing
+ his boat 10 the front, the Governor has
( been on a skim milk diet for two
weeks. ana Is about TO Tile protest
with the committee against some Of the
! lightweight shippers running without
! saddle weights. This craft has shown
| some of the greatest burst of speed
when returning from the pickerel
grounds at the lower end Of the lake
with Governor at the helm and Roy
/ Bodwell as deck hand; but so intense
is the rivalry that It is generally un-
| derstood that Governor has not as yet
invited his friend Roy TO ride over the
course with him in the races.
| With the races only two days away,
all is uncertainty. No one knows how
II will end 1t is rumored that all con-
testants have engaged counsel, and it
is limited that the odor Of gasolene
may even reach the Supreme Court.