Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/509

500 headline leaves much to be desired in snappiness and action. Now for the story:

"There was a pretty fair attendance at the new Skating Rink last evening to witness the first exhibition games between Messrs. A. P. Rudolphe and Joseph Dion, the champion billiardists of America and probably of the world. The evening was unfavorable for a large turn out, as it was very cold and there was very unusual attraction in another quarter. Quite a number of ladies were present. The players entered the area [sic] at a few minutes past eight o'clock."

Here follows 200 words of a speech made by someone introducing the players. Then came the details of the game, and the story closes with a bit of information as to how reserved seats may be obtained for succeeding performances.

Another billiard story, published May 2, 1871, received 250 words, with very little of the news in the first 100. It started thus:

"There was a better house last night to witness the third game of billiards between Messrs. Rudolphe and Dion, showing the good judgment of the proprietors in securing the Theatre for the exhibition."

All the points of principal interest came later on.

Well, let's have a look at some of the horse-race reporting of 1871. Take this example:

"Races.—The trotting race of Thursday at the Riverside track was rather an interesting affair. The horses made good time and went pretty near together. The race was for mile heats, best two in three, between Acker's "Shoo Fly" and Quimby's "American Boy." The former won in two straight heats—time, 3:03 and 2:52—being pushed hard by American Boy on the home-stretch. It seems to have been the best and fairest race trotted in this neighborhood for a long time."

Note the substitution of opinion for factual description of the event.

Baseball, the great national game, was getting little attention in the Oregon papers in 187 1. Here are two accounts of games played in May, taken from the Oregonian issues of May 15 and May 22 respectively:

Base Ball.—A match game of base ball was played on Saturday between the Athletics and the Live Oak clubs of this city. At the close, the score stood, Athletics 38; Live Oaks 27 runs.

Base Ball.—The Athletics and Live Oak clubs played, on