This if for those of you who like a little history along the Tar River. It also mentions some local names involved in the races. TAR RIVER BOAT RACES compiled by Bill Kittrell Source: Eastern Reflector EASTERN REFLECTOR July 3, 1889 4th of July Fun on the Tar River A Boat Race Participated in by a Large Number of Boats Three Prizes Offered We have heard it whispered around for some time that a genuine old fashion boat race would come off on the river 4th of July and at last the arrangements have been perfected. The boys for some time have been brushing up, scraping, greasing and getting in trim for the proposed race. Now everything is ready and some fine rowing may be expected. Every crew is sure of carrying off the prize, but there's many a slip between the cup and the lip, gentlemen. There will be a large number of boats to enter as we learn and there is fun ahead. The following boats and crews have entered with more to follow. Dixie---Ed Harris and Will Hearne Ivy---Bob Humber and Tom Smith Bird---Carlos Harris and Henry Hooker R & W---J. S. C. Benjamin and Billie Burch Fan---Ambrose Johnson and Jess Brown Each boat will have a man to pilot, who will have full control of his crew. The race will be from Goff Landing, to the bridge and will take place about 5:30 P.M. Competent judges have been selected. Three prizes have been offered by the following: To the Winning boat, A Silver Cup by Mr. Moses Heilbroner To the Second best boat, Five pounds of French Candy, by Mr. V. L. Stephens To the Last boat, A Tin Cup, by the Reflector's Bad Boy After the boat race a tub race will take place. Every one participating in this race will be expert swimmers and no danger will be entertained as to their safety. Each one will have a big wash tub, sitting inside and paddling with their hands. Fun? Don't mention it prizes are offered for the winning tub. Start will be made from Skinner's Mill. Presentation of prizes will be made on the bridge. All are invited, especially the lady's, to assemble on the bridge where they will have full view of the racers. EASTERN REFLECTOR July 10, 1889 The Races There was so much rain on the 4th that the boat race for the prize could not be had as advertised. It stopped raining about six o'clock and a large crowd assembled on the bridge to see races and to keep them from being disappointed the boats made a run but not in race. Friday evening at 5:30 the contest came off. Four boats entered the race. Dixie G. E. Harris and W. A. B. Hearne, oarsmen. Louis Lawrence, pilot Bird Carlos Harris and Lawrence Hooker, oarsmen, Zopher Leggett, pilot R & W J. S. C. Benjamin and S. T. Hooker, oarsmen, D. J. Whichard, pilot Fan J. W. Brown and F. L. Dancy, oarsmen, W. M. Peebles pilot The latter boat was barred from the prize contest because of violation of rules. The other boats came out in the order named, Dixie, Bird, and R & W. The first making the run from Goff landing to the bridge in four minutes, the others a few seconds later. The first boat was award a handsome silver cup by Mr. Moses Heilbroner, the second boat five pounds of fine candy by Mr. V. L. Stephens and the third boat a tin cup by the Reflector Bad Boy, a boquet by Mrs. V. L. Stephens and cigars by Mr. Faison. Mr. J. J. Cherry went up in the Bandanna to give the racers the starting singnal and the Guard which was drawn up in line on the bridge, fired a salute as the first boat passed under the arch. The race afforded much enjoyment to the spectators. Owing to the high water the tub race coud not be had. EASTERN REFLECTOR June 25, 1890 Row Boats Messra Benjamin and Humber have named their handsome new boat the "Robert E. Lee". Mr. G. E. Harris has just given the "Dixie" a new dress of paint which adds to its beauty. Two prettier boats would be hard to find. Both of these are entered for the 2nd of July race. Messrs. Will Bernard and Bert Moye are also getting the "Fay" ready for the race. EASTERN REFLECTOR July 2, 1890 The Race Everything is all excitement anticipation of the boat race this evening, which will take place at 6:30 o'clock sharp. The boats will start at Goff Landing one mile up the river and race to the county bridge. The "R. E. Lee", the "Dixie", the "Fay" and the "Bird" have already been entered with probably one boat from Washington to come in. The Championship Cup of the Tar River Boat Club will be the first prize and prizes will also be given to the second and third boats. The championship cup has just been purchased through Mr. A. J. Griffin and is indeed a beauty. It is goblet shape, about eight inches high, handsomely embossed and gold lined. Upon one side of the cup is engraved "Tar River Boat Club Championship Cup, Annual Regatta July 2, 1890" The race can be witnessed from the county bridge and from the banks. Our citizens generally are invited to attend. The hour for the race being so close to train time, the Reflector would warn people against going on the railroad bridge. EASTERN REFLECTOR July 9, 1890 Dixie Still Champion She Leads the Lee an Exciting Race and Crossed the Line a Winner By Full Two Lengths and a Half Queen of the Water Craft Away they go. Like a flash they are off. Scarcely had the signal been given when four fleet shells bound away like so many hounded animals. It is a pretty sight. Eight pairs of brawny arms with sinews of steel and whalebone rise and fall like the throbbing of some monster machinery, as regularly as clock work they dip their long slender oars in the water and pull with all the skill and muscle that careful training gives. The sun is scorching hot. A slight breeze makes the overhanging trees rustle faintly. Their shadows fall on the muddy water of the old Tar, making a scene weirdly beautiful, but they heed it not. Far away at the goal they hear the shouts of their friends nerving them on to more desperate efforts and cheering them on to victory. Swiftly, more swiftly they go. The trees and shrubbery on the river banks seem to fly toward them. At last the goal is sighted. Mid the fluttering of hankerchiefs, the waving of fans and the cheers of the multitude the gallant little Dixie gracefully glides over the line, the champion of 1890, There were about five hundred and one eyes watching this exciting contest. The one odd eye belonged to the one eyed darkey whom Ed Harris had bribed with a nickel's worth of peanuts to root for the Dixie first, last and all the time. Howe he came no one knows; as the boats passed Skinner's Mill he was observed on the extreme right of the crowd munching peanuts and using his vocal organs to their utmost; However, when the Dixie had passed under the bridge the winner, he was nowhere to be seen, having disappeared as silently as he had come. As a Mascot he was a success, and Ed ought to engage him permanently. The vast crowd assembled on the county bridge shos that our people are fond of athletic sports and are willing to encourage such. When starter Heilbroner fired the starting signal at 6:40 the four boats were exactly on a line with Uncle John Cherry' six oared gig, but only for a moment. In an instant all was excitement on the four racers. Benjamin, of the Lee, missed his first stroke, and the Dixie shot ahead by a quarter of a length, closely followed by the Fay, with the Lee close third and the Nell bring up the rear. The Lee quickly regained her lost ground and before the first quarter is reached has passed the Fay, but the Dixie still gains and at the quarter is leading the Lee by a length and half. The race is between the Lee and the Fay at this point. The Lee is scarcely a quarter of a length ahead and both are working like Tartars. The Nell is not in it. At the half , the Dixie has increased her lead to two lengths, and the Lee is a full length ahead of the Fay. It can be seen that all are reserving themselves for a spurt at the end. Before Skinner's Mill is reached the Lee is doing some fine work and at the three quarters has reduced the Dixie's to a length and one half. But Harris and Hearne know their business and not any nearer is she allowed to come. The Fay is two lengths behind the Lee and the Nell is puffing forward for the tin cup. But the railroad bridge is reached and the real race commences. The Lee by a tremendous spurt is rapidly closing the gap between the Dixie and herself. ED Harris gets scared and his hair stands on ends. When Ed's hair stands up it means business, and with one frightened glance behind him he pulls the harder. Will Hearne catches his eye and gives one of those peculiar winks. The race is over. With one defiant stroke they pass under the bridge, leading the Lee by two lengths and a half, with the Fay a good two lengths behind. The crowd gives one tremendous cheer, and all is over. The Dixie is again the champion, and her friends have just cause to be proud of her achievements. Below we give the names of the boats with their crews also the time made: Dixie, W. A. B. Hearne, G. E. Harris, Louis Lawrence time 6.01 Lee, R. L. Humber, J. S. C. Benjamin, W. F. Burch, time 6.16 Fay, W. F. Harding, H. C. Hooker, John Williams, time 6.31 Nell, Pat Foley, Chas Barret, Geo Nelson Time 6.50 The official record of the two leaders is as follows: ¼ Mile Dixie 1.31 Lee 1.40 ½ Mile Dixie 2.54 Lee 3.08 ¾ Mile Dixie 4.25 Lee 4.38 1 Mile Dixie 6.01 Lee 6.16 Starters: J> J. Cherry and Alex Heilbroner Judges: J. D. Williamson and D. J. Whichard It was a pretty race and all were satisfied. A would be wag remarked that the Dixie should be named the Yankee and upon being asked why replied Because the R. E. Lee chased her so. The first prize won by the Dixie is a handsome silver cup 7 inches high, bearing the following inscription. Tar River Boating Club Annual Regatta Championship Cup July 2, 1890. The second and third prizes are handsome boxes of French confections which friend Van Stephens knows so well how to prpare. The fourth or booby prizes are a tin cup and a turnip won by the Nell. We understand the Lee is soon to challenge the Dixie and if so our friends can look out for some good racing.