Local fans are still reveling in last year’s success. Cornwall athletes won state championships in football, cross country and wrestling.
These are remarkable feats, but a few individuals from another era accomplished even more. The Ward Brothers claimed the world championship after finishing first in a Regatta in 1873.
A relative, Irene Norsen, described the event, “The pistol shot at 10:19 a.m.,” she wrote, “marked the start of the race of four shells. The Wards were soon passed by the other boats when Gilbert developed a pain in his side, but they quickly rallied, and in a spurt pulled ahead. Reaching the turning point, they started back ahead of the other contestants by four boat lengths. The huge crowd went wild with excitement, the Ward fans shouting wildly and offering extravagant bets, the ladies all waving their white handkerchiefs. The Wards won by three lengths -– four miles in 24:40 minutes.”
The champion rowers were part of a family with nine children. They were born in Middle Hope in the Town of Newburgh, but settled in Cornwall Landing. One of them, Josh, opened a public house near the current site of Donahue Memorial Park. His brothers were frequent customers there.
Cornwall Landing produced another famous individual. Willie Hoppe learned to play billiards on the table in his father’s barber shop. At 12 years old, Willie defeated Al Taylor, a renowned professional. Before the match, Taylor promised to buy ice cream for his opponent if he won. It seemed like a safe offer. But Willie surprised him with a 300-207 victory. Taylor was enraged, but he lived up to his word. The two pool players went out for ice cream.
Hoppe won his first world championship in 1906 and added 50 more before he retired. He was famous enough to give exhibitions at the White House. Unlike the Ward Brothers, he moved away from this area. But he returned to Cornwall to play some fund-raising matches.
