CORNELL BLADES WON

Poughkeepsie-Highland railroad bridge and river racing image copied from June 27, 1896 New York Journal.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, June 27, 1896.

CORNELL BLADES WON.

Harvard Crew Second, the Quakers Third.

COLUMBIA WAS NEVER IN IT.

The Fight Between Cornell and Harvard a Lively One From Start to Finish. Great Crowds Present.

   POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y., June 27—The Harvard, Cornell, Columbia and Pennsylvania 4-mile straightaway boat race on the Hudson was won by Cornell's eight in the phenomenal time of 19m. 29s.; Harvard second, Pennsylvania third and Columbia fourth. Cornell won the freshman race two days ago, in which the order of finishing was strangely the same.

   The race was a hard one for two miles, but after that Cornell had it their own way. Harvard tried their old scheme of tiring out Cornell at the start, but it failed. Cornell rowed a clean race and with never a break of any kind. Pennsylvania splashed and rowed badly, and Columbia for some unknown reason was not in the race after the first quarter mile. Harvard rowed pluckily, but was outclassed.

   As seen from the observation train the race was a struggle long to be remembered. The four crews lined up for positions about 4:30 o'clock. There was a good deal of trouble, however.

   Just as the referee had asked the usual question about getting ready, Captain Bullard of Harvard raised his hand and complained that Columbia's stakeboat was below the line. Cornell and Pennsylvania agreed to this and the referee ordered it back.

   This took some moments and then the crews were lined up again. To be sure that there should be no error or claim of unfairness he asked each crew "Are you ready, Cornell?" "Are you ready, Harvard?" etc., to which came in every instance the reply, "Yes."

   The conditions were favorable. The water was smooth, the wind undisturbing and the ebb tide in favor of very good time. The referee took a last critical look at the crews and then sent them off with the pistol. All struck the water together, but Columbia only got a half stroke. Cornell and Harvard were both fully prepared and got the advantage of a long sweep. Harvard began its old tactics of a quick stroke to tire its opponents, and for a while it seemed to work well. All had started with a 40 stroke, which Harvard tempered down to 39 at the first quarter, while Cornell had come down to 38. Columbia seemed to have a leaden weight on its boat, and it hung in the water as if it was not intending to keep with the others.

   Pennsylvania was rowing 39 to the minute, but it was a ragged stroke that rocked the boat and a recovery that stopped it. Both Harvard and Cornell had settled down to work in a methodical way, and pulling a 38 stroke were working with a will.

   Harvard's boat poked its nose ahead of Cornell at the half mile and the rooters yelled with approbation. Then slowly, inch by inch, the Harvard boat crept by the Cornell boat until her stern just lapped the latter's nose. But somehow or other the enthusiasm did not demonstrate that this lead meant anything.

   It was noticeable that the Cornell men never changed their stroke, but worked steadily at 38 and 37 strokes, with good back work and beautiful clean blade action, and as they neared the two mile mark this work was noticeable in its effect.

   Harvard's men had put all their hard work in their arms and legs and it was beginning to tell, for they could not get the stern of their boat away from Cornell's and gradually Cornell, with their backs working from the sliding seat to the back of their necks and with a rhythmical motion that was beautiful to see, began to gain their lost ground.

   Harvard tried desperately to hold the lead, but as the two boats flashed by the 2-mile mark Cornell had shoved herself forward on even terms and was still going. The No. 3 man in Harvard's boat was splashing and the stroke wavered a little, but with bulldog grit they stuck to their work. But that steady 37-stroke-to-the-minute swing, with the stronger stroke and the neat, clean blade work was telling, and inch by inch the bow of the Cornell boat went forward from the bow of the Harvard boat. Pennsylvania was splashing on at a 37-stroke gait, three lengths behind Harvard, and Columbia was hopelessly beaten. So they went down to the third mile, Harvard pulling desperately and somewhat prettily, but Cornell putting an inch of distance at every stroke between the boats.

   The last half mile was uneventful. Cornell crossed the line at the pace she had set at the start, and not a man in her boat showed distress when she crossed the line a winner by five lengths over Harvard in the record breaking time of 19m. 29s. Pennsylvania crawled in at a good pace about four boat lengths behind Harvard, and Columbia paddled in at least 20 lengths in the rear.

   Three or four men in the Harvard boat showed signs of distress, but in the other boats there was no trouble. It was conceded on all sides that Cornell had rowed a remarkable race and a race that from a scientific standpoint was notable in the annals of boating.

   Conservative estimates place the total number of spectators who saw the race at 80,000, divided proportionately as follows: On boats, 5,000; on the observation train, 3,000; along the west shore, 15,000; on the wharves, hills and housetops of the city, 7,000.

   The Cornell varsity eight held a meeting at River Villa and elected E. O. Spillman, who pulled No. 6, as captain of '97 varsity.

   Edward Orton Spillman, '97, was stroke of his freshmen crew and last year rowed at No. 2 in the Henley crew. His home is at North Tonawanda, N. Y.

   Pennsylvania's eight held a meeting also and re-elected A. Boyle. Captain Boyle, '95, is a native of Virginia, He was stroke and captain of the Colombia Athletic club's eight at Washington last year.

Ithaca to Celebrate.

   ITHACA, N. Y., June 27.—The Cornell crews will arrive in Ithaca to-night at 8 o'clock. A large number of business men are now in session arranging for a celebration and reception of the crews. Indications are that it will be the greatest celebration Ithaca has ever known as the populace is aroused to fever heat enthusiasm over the double victory of the crews.

EXPEDITION CAPTURED.

Cuban Filibusters Fall Into the Hands of Revenue Officers.

   KEY WEST, Fla., June 27.—The steamer City of Key West, which left here Wednesday morning with a filibustering expedition and arms and ammunition supposed to be for Cuba, has arrived here in charge of Lieutenant Hay of the revenue cutter Winona, she having been captured off the Florida reef.

   The Winona also captured the steamer Three Friends, which is now on her way here. The cargoes and men on board the City of Key West were to have been transferred to the Three Friends. Her arrival has created great excitement. An immense crowd was on the wharf.

   Great indignation is expressed by Cuban and American residents.

THE COLOR QUESTION.

Hotel Proprietor Sues a Club for Breach of Contract.

   CLEVELAND, O., June 27.—Landlord Miller of the St. James hotel, St. Louis, came to town yesterday and asked the Tippecanoe club to pay him a little over $4,000. "The committee having charge of the pilgrimage to the convention," said one of its members, "agreed to send him 550 people. We sent five to him, and they paid their own bills. We did not send more because the contract was cancelled. It was our intention to quarter a number of the colored delegates in the hotel. Mr. Miller sent us a written statement to the effect that he would not receive them. Then we notified him that we would not be bound by the contract."

   Mr. Miller says he will bring suit if he does not get the money. The Lindell hotel has a claim for $3,000 against the club. The members say they have a good defense, but are not ready to make it public.

The Wheeler Reunion.

   June 25 was the occasion of a very pleasant gathering of the descendants of Captain Elisha Wheeler, and it was their tenth annual reunion. There are at present ninety-five direct descendants, thirty-five of whom met at the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Short of Peterboro. Joyful and happy were the greetings from all to all. Earnest inquiries were made for the absent ones and sweet remembrances for those who had passed "Over the river into greater joy.'' Tables were placed upon the lawn and busy hands prepared a sumptuous banquet. Beautiful roses and pansies in great abundance decorated the tables.

   Among the guests were a newly made bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome F. Wheeler of Cortland, who were seated at the head of the table and who occupied that position gracefully and well. After ample justice had been done to the viands all adjourned to the parlor, to listen to a brief but interesting history of the Wheeler family, read by Mrs. H. F. Campbell, who has spent much time gathering "facts," some of which go back to 1682.

   After the reading, various were the means of entertainment. Night came all too soon, the parting likewise. All extended hearty thanks to "Cousin Fred" and his worthy wife for their kind hospitality and all plan to meet next year at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Choate, Morrisville.

   Those present were: Mrs.Osman Potter, Norwich; Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Baker, Florence J. Baker and Wheeler Earl Baker, Cortland; Ezra B. Campbell, Miss Henrietta F. Campbell, Mrs. Cornelia A. Crippin, Madison; Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Short, Bela F. Short, Leon L. Short, Charlie F. Short, Eliza O. Short, Mr. and Mrs. Ira B. Neville, Peterboro; Mrs. Orrinda C. West, Morrisville; Mrs. Lucy F. Jenne, Chauncey W. Jenne, Merton M. Jenne, Perryville; Mr. and Mrs. George L. Choate, Masters Eddie and Ray Choate and Miss Lura Choate, Morrisville; Mr. Frank Short, Gloversville; Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Morse, Chester D. Morse, Eaton; Mrs. Jennette Nevins, Hamilton. We would add that Mrs. Orrinda West, Mrs. Choate, Eddie Choate and Miss Lura Choate represent four generations in one line. By "One of Us."

BREVITIES.

   —Secretary Osterhout speaks in the Baptist chapel Sunday evening.

   —There will be a dance at the park tonight and McDermotts orchestra will furnish music.

   —The new directory of Syracuse just completed gives that city a population of 120,124, an increase of 3,560 over last year.

   —An amateur baseball team, known as the Sons of Rest went to Dryden this forenoon to cross bats with a team from the Dryden academy.

   —New advertisements to-day are—A. Mahan, our warerooms, page 5; G. J. Mager & Co., dress goods, page 6; F. Daehler, the day we celebrate, page 4.

   —The Shamrocks, who are playing the Cortland baseball team at the fair grounds this afternoon, arrived from Syracuse on the 10 o'clock train this morning.

   —There will be a special meeting of the C. A. A. to-night at 8 o'clock. All members are requested to be present as important business will be brought before the meeting.

   —The annual reunion of the Saunders family is held to-day at Keeney Settlement. Hon. F. P. Saunders and family and Mr. C. W. Saunders and family of Cortland are both in attendance.

   —A coal car which was being run upon the coal trestle at Loring Station this morning jumped the switch and caused a delay of about fifteen minutes before it could be gotten back on the track.

   —Mr. G. W. Morrison, a missionary of the United Presbyterian church from Rawal Pindi, India, who is visiting in this country, will occupy the pulpit at the Presbyterian church to-morrow morning.

   —The large portrait of McKinley which formed so prominent a part in the decorations of the Opera House last night was painted by Prof. L. J. Higgins. Surrounded as it was by flags it made a very fine appearance.

   —The following is the makeup of the new Cortland baseball team which is playing the Shamrocks of Syracuse at the fair grounds this afternoon: Messitt, 2b., Houlihan, 3b., Place, lb., Donovan, p., Welch, ss., Lovelock, c., Ketchum cf., Corcoran, rf., Buckley, lf.

   —"Are you the judge of reprobates?'' asked an old lady as she walked into the probate judge's office. "I am the judge of probate," was the reply. "Well, that's it, I expect," quoth the old lady. "You see my husband died detested and left me several little infidels and I want to be appointed their executioner."—Exchange.

   —Manager A. H. Place of the Cortland baseball team has arranged with the Scranton Eastern league team for a game at the fair grounds on Wednesday afternoon of next week. The game with the Watsons which was to have been played on that day is declared off on account of the inability of the Watsons to be present then.

   —Canton Cortland, No. 27, have accepted the invitation of Canton Oswego, No. 28, to be their guests at the centennial celebration of the evacuation of Fort Ontario which is to be held in Oswego on Wednesday, July 15. The members of Canton Oswego are noted as royal entertainers and the Cortland boys are anticipating a most enjoyable trip.

Band Concert at the Park.

   The Cortland City band will give a concert at the park to-morrow afternoon at 8:30 o'clock. The new pavilion is now nearing completion. The roof is all on and the sides finished so that there will be abundant protection from the weather if it should rain. [Trolley] cars will leave the Messenger House every twenty minutes.