Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-14

All that the record books tell about
the events of that period are that
Yonny Yonson won the race, by vim
miney. and the Donoghue lost the
championship. But the more dramatic
occurrence that ensued is unchronicled
excepting in the faded files OF Mr..
Dana's New York Sun.
The half-mile track was marked out
on the open ice off Red Bank, N. j.
Mr., Sparrow Robertson, who was acting
as starter and judge, mapped it out
himself, Swimming round on his skates,
for the Sparrow was a fast skater in
those days and could cut a figure eight
on the ice with one skate curled around
his neck. In fact the entire meet was
managed by the promoting genius Of
the Sparrow.
Inside the track there were dressing
huts. a bandStand and q refreShment
hut for the convenience OF the Gus
toners. The Sparrow always made the
convenience Of the customers his first
consideration. All great and success
full promoters work that way.
The ice seemed safe enough, being
more than 80 inches thick, and most
Of the spectators were In the frozen
infield near the refreshment hut or
listening to the old Seventh Regi-
ment Band. But the field was SO
large that the skaters in circum-
navigating the haIf-miIe track began.
to cut deep burrows in the ice,
threatening 20 dislOdge It from the
mainland.
The events were of such trifiing ma
ture and the comforts provided through
the thoughtfulness Of Mr.. Robertson
were so soothing that the spectators
paid little attention to that part OF 1t.
It was not until after Yonny johnson
won the main event from Mr.. Dom
oghue that it became apparent that the
half-mile island was being detached
from New Jersey and was floating out
toward the open sea.
There was rush to the shore. Mr..
Robertson, who had property in the re-
freShment hut Of q fragile and perish
able nature, did not join the rush. In
stead he went about in q calm and
methodical manner in the work Of SAL
wage. Mr.. Robertson never lost his
head or his drink in any crisis, no
matter how excited the other might be.
The open water between the ice
island and New Jersey widened until
they removed some Of the strangers by
making a bridge Of planks. The slide
trombone of the Seventh Regiment
Band was one of the last to leave. They
rescued him when he extended his In
strument so that it reached the shore.
Then they contracted the trombone and
the imperiled bandsman was pulled to
New Jersey in safety, though his feet
dragged in the water and he caught a
severe cold which was cured only by
immediate and copious applications Of
rock and rye.
Like Robinson Crusoe.
WHEN the Sparrow emerged from
wv the refreshment hut, o mist had
fallen over the scene and he be-
came aware that the ice island had be-
come entirely separated from the Jersey
shore. He could tell by the motion that
he was drifting out to sean and. being
somewhat familiar with navigation in
tell from the fog horns that he must
be passing Sandy Hook out into the
great Atlantic.
In this emergency he thought only
of the duty to his paper, the New York
Sun. A less reSourceful journalist
would only have thought. but with the
Sparrow to think always meant to
act. He returned to the refreshment
hut, and, selecting bottle of suitable
size, drained its contents to the last
drop. He realized that he must con-
serve his provisions.
Then he sat down at the bar and
methOdicaIly wrote an account Of
the skating meet. When it was con-
cluded he addressed It to Mr.. Dana,
care of the New York Sun, and
placed it in the bottle. COrking the
bottle tightly and sealing 1t with a
bit of chewing gum Of a brand pOpu-
lar In that period, he walked TO the
edge Of the ice and carefully set the
bottle adrift, hoping that it would
reach the beach at COney Island and
be transferred TO its destination.
The story might be late for the edi-
ton, but then he had done his best
to protect his paper.
His reveries were interrupted by an
anguishing bleating which at first ter
rified the lone Sparrow. But he cooked
his starters pistol and started TO in.