Indiana Division USCA
1878 Archive Race Result

AQUATIC SPORTS
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A Big Time on the Festive St. Joseph River.
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Spy Run Avenue was crowded Monday afternoon with people on foot, or horseback, and in all conceivable kinds of vehicles, who had gathered for the purpose of witnessing a tub race, a swimming match and a single oar scull boat race for a gold medal and the championship of Indiana.  The banks of the river were lined on both sides for a long distance with men, woman and children.  The brewery and beer garden were will patronized and beer flowed freely.  A good deal of money changed hands, especially on the scull race.

The first on the programme was a swimming match.  There were three contestants - healthy, well-formed boys, who were neatly and handsomely attired in one rag about the size of a pocket handkerchief.  This race was for a silver cup and was won by Wm. Shoy, of Concordia College.

The tub race afforded much amusement.  There were five starters, two of whom upset and swam to shore.  One of these unlucky individuals were Fred Boltz, of the Occidental.  The race was won by Charles Huoy, who took the prize, a silver medal.

The single oar scull race was between Frank Falker, of this city, and William Kelly, of Kendallville.  The two contestants, in their unique regalias, rowed up and down the river for some time before entering upon the race, and attracted much attention.  Of course Falker was the favorite, but Kelly had plenty of backers who put up freely.  At 4:45 the word "go" was given, the contestants starting from a point between the brewery and the bridge and rowing to Huxford's Island, (three quarters of a mile distant) and return.  Falker took the lead early in the race, and maintained it without apparent effort, passing under the wire a long distance ahead.  Time nine minutes and fifty-six seconds.

The sport was highly enjoyed by all (excepting the losers).