Biglin Brothers. The Biglin Brothers: John, James and Bernard were brothers from New York active in professional rowing during the decade following the American Civil War, when rowing was one of America's most popular spectator sports.
John and Barney were the subject of a series of eleven paintings by Thomas Eakins. In July 1865 the American Championships took place in Poughkeepsie, New York.
A crowd of more than 20,000 lined the riverbanks, and more than 10,000 people wagered an estimated $100,000 on the race. The trouble started when the Biglin Brothers' four man team defeated a local crew consisting of William Stevens, Homer Wooden, William Burger, and Ezekiel Beneway.
The losing boat protested that it was cut off at the finish. The referee and judges were rushed to the Poughkeepsie Hotel to rule on the race.
The officials gave the race to the Biglin Brothers, and barely escaped with their lives. Because of the results the city descended into a riot as fights between broke out between supporters of the rival crews. Detectives from New York City brought in to keep the peace had little impact. The Biglin Brothers were quickly challenged to a race on a five-mile course at Sing Sing by Josh Ward, who had organized four man team from his brothers, Gil, Charles, and Hank.On September 25 the Ward Brothers beat the Biglin brothers for the professional four-oared championship of America. In 1872 Joh
John and Barney were the subject of a series of eleven paintings by Thomas Eakins. In July 1865 the American Championships took place in Poughkeepsie, New York.
A crowd of more than 20,000 lined the riverbanks, and more than 10,000 people wagered an estimated $100,000 on the race. The trouble started when the Biglin Brothers' four man team defeated a local crew consisting of William Stevens, Homer Wooden, William Burger, and Ezekiel Beneway.
The losing boat protested that it was cut off at the finish. The referee and judges were rushed to the Poughkeepsie Hotel to rule on the race.
The officials gave the race to the Biglin Brothers, and barely escaped with their lives. Because of the results the city descended into a riot as fights between broke out between supporters of the rival crews. Detectives from New York City brought in to keep the peace had little impact. The Biglin Brothers were quickly challenged to a race on a five-mile course at Sing Sing by Josh Ward, who had organized four man team from his brothers, Gil, Charles, and Hank.On September 25 the Ward Brothers beat the Biglin brothers for the professional four-oared championship of America. In 1872 Joh
Wikipedia ...