New Britain herald., 1922-02-24

talk of those fin the know" was that an unknown was being brought 10 this city to defeat Kane. Kanes friends did not take the unknown" talk yer seriously. On the day Of tho advertised. and his name was nn- nonnced as Wagner of New York" There was nothing particular abou, him that gave any Of the followers Of Kane q fright. Rut when he searted down the track in his heat. the ease with which he won it. caused the fans to sit up and take notice, Kane was in fine fettlt on that day, and he like wise won his heat The results of the semi-hnals brought Kane and "Wag- ner" to the final. Wagner" through the generosity of the handicapper was given two-yard start on Kane, There are some who set the claim that the visitor could have won the race off the scratch mark with Kane, but that is an opinion. Of the race itself there was nothing to it but Wagner" He collected his lucrc and went his way.
 lFdNcIcu NItn NbnuusTof'
 On the following day. an athletic event was being staged at Charter Oak Park, and Kane was among those who entered the affair. During the afternoon Kane met Wagner" and the two began discussion of the race of the previous day. To Kane, the New Yorker attributed the vic- tory to the starter, who gave him (Wagner) all the best of it on the start.
 Racing occupied the attention of the men during the afternoon, and during the conversation, Wagner confided to the local man that his real name was C. V Trent. of Tor onto Canada. He also told of being brought here for the express pur- pose of winning that particular race. A bond of friendship sprung up be- tween the men, with the result that Kane and Trent departed for Phila- delphia.
 In Philly. a short time after the arrival of the men, a big handicap was being run, and Kane was pre- vailed upon to become an entrant. He was reluctant at first, but finally con sented. Although not in the best condition, Kane ran a fine race, and managed to get second place.
 Kane Beats Rigncy.
 After this race, the talk of the bet ter man between he and H. M. Rig ney of Waterbury, who in later years was one of the democratic powers Tn the Brass City, and who few years ago died, was revived in Philly Rig ney had been doing some great run ming down that way and a match be- tween he and Kane was run over the 125-yard distance. Kane won the race, but the friends of Rigney set up the claim that the distance was too long for their man, and suggested q race over the 100-yard distance. After some dickering this race was arranged, and it was decided 10 ho'd it at Charter Oak Park. On the day of the event, a hard rain was railing, hut this did not dampen the enthns- ;asm of hundreds of friends of each man who were on hand. The mud ol' the track was ankle deep, and It seemed as though the race would have to be postponed. Both runners were willing it should be run, ana ,un it was, with the result that kane was for the second time returned Il victor. kane's time for that race was officially announced at 1Oa a sec onds which was remarkable consld- erng the bad condition of the track. Jon, rhnnrnt n h2n0S on the result of this match, the Wa terbury fans backing Rignoy 10 lhe l.st dollar. while New Britain ana Philadelphia men put their pile on Frankie Kane.
 Has Trophy Yet
 For winning the match race "''h Rirney. Kane was awarded si'Ner cun donated by Jack Melrose Of Hartford. The donor specifed tha' any contestant desiring to compete for it, would be required to post forfeit of $500, this sum to be gwen to the winner of the race. Ut Was generally accepted that the cup was the emblem of the Connecticut cham nionship, and today MT. Kane IS st''' in possession of it, as no one mas ever tried to win it away from nm.
 Rigney was a good sport ana so was the following that backed h'm ,,d another race was desired to which Kane readily assented. me event was staged at Meridcn on De cember 22, 1884. Kane had been en- pa eed as a bartender for several .a,4L. apd had not had a racing shoe on, but he listened to the de- mands for the race He entered not | in any too good form, and lost as a result.
 Joins Hose Company
 In the summer of 1885, Kane drift ed to North Adams. Mass, where he was matched to meet a runner named Douglas, who was the pride or that section of the country. Douglas hall- ed from South Adams, and was the representative of that town, in op- posing any runner that North Adams might select. Kane vas gwen the honor, and he upheld it, beating Douglas easily. The distance was 1oo yards and the purse was s2oo.
 To Amsterdam, N. Y., next went Kane. where he was matched with a colored fier named Johnson of Glens Falls It resulted in another kane VIC tory. At this time, hose company ra cing was one of the biggest sport ing events in this country. The J. D. Service company of Amsterdam, N Y. was making great strides, and af- l.x