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NARROW ESCAPE FOR SALEM OFFICIALS. Launch in Which Messrs. Murphy, Cole and Dade Are Sailing Strikes a Rock. Salem, N. II., July 5. Rockingham Park came pretty near to losing three of its most important otlicials this morning through an accident on Canoble Lake, which is situated about a mile from the track. Judges Joseph A. Murphy and Ed Cole and starter A. B. Dade, who are stopping at the Canobie Lake Hotel during the racing season were, in company with Mrs. Murphy, the latters two children and several friends, enjoyng a ride on the lake in a gasoline launch. About 200 feet from the shore the launch struck a rock and, careening, landed bow up, throwing the stem down and partly submerging it. The water at that point was very deep and Mr. Murphy called to the others to remain perfectly still, as the slightest movement would have precipitated the party iuto the water. After calling lustily for help for twenty minutes, S. J. Kirkhind reached the party and with some ditliculty transferred them to his launch and to safety. The experience will be long remembered by the turf otlicials. The Vassar Stakes, the feature of the card today, pioved easy for Autumn Flower and incidentally showed what looks like a fairly good filly. It was Autumn Flowers debut. She was taken up and broken in March and has shown up well in her recent trials. In her race today she broke away from tiie post like a veteran and after racing Phantom Light into defeat, drew away and won in a canter. Autumn Flower has some engagements at Saratoga and will be shipped there at the conclusion of the Rockingham Park meeting. Several of the horsemen raciug here have arranged to ship away. W. J. Young and James Griffin leave for Fort Erie tomorrow. Frank Rectpr and T. E. Crist left for Sheepshead Bay tonight. The cut in the purses began today, the value of all overnight purses being reduced one-half.
