The Pittsburgh Press
23 November 1928
Page 57
LUTHER, VETERAN OARSMAN SUCCUMBS
Pat Luther, oldest oarsman in the United States, died yesterday in the
Passavant Hospital after a lingering illness.  Luther came to Pittsburgh in
his youth and took part in local sculling events, his greatest achievement
being the winning of the four-oared event in the Hulton regatta in 1894,
together with Henry Coulter, Joe Kay and James G. Taylor, father of
John T. Taylor, present chairman of the A. A. U.

Luther's final appearance on local rivers was in a match against Eph Morris,
which the latter won and 12 years later at the age of 81 he appeared in an
event with Pete Snyder on the Allegheny River where he made his home for the
last 21 years.  The funeral will take place from McDermott's funeral parlor,
McKees Rocks, tomorrow morning.

The Pittsburgh Press
24 November 1928
Front Page and Page 2
Pat Luther's Death
In the death of Pat Luther, who was buried this morning, Pittsburgh, once
the leading sculling center of the United States, lost her last of the former
champions.

Luther was 93 years old when he passed away, and was the last of the old
school of oarsmen reared and tutored in the Pittsburgh district.  As far back
as the Centennial exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, Pat received publicity
which brought him national prominence as a sculler.

On that occasion, he defeated many of the leading scullers of America and
other nations.  His ability was recognized in those days along with Edward
Hanlon of Toronto, Fred Plaisted, Charley Courtney, Wallace Rose and other
of the same school.

	
Returning from the centennial, Luther engaged in races on the Allegheny and
Monongahela rivers with many well know oarsmen.  Even the lamented Jimmy
Hammel, then the pride of the city, could hardly cope with the sturdy Luther.

Pat never really retired from the rowing game.  As late as the nineties, he
competed in sculling races at The Press Regatta, against men of his age,
including Henry Coulter, James G. Taylor, Christ Hauck and Joe Kay.

Until recently Luther could be seen rowing about the rivers in a skiff.  He
loved the water, and nothing could keep him away from it.

At the great Hulton regatta in 1882, Luther was a member of the four-oared
crew with Coulter, Kay and Taylor.  They competed in the veterans' race, but
were beaten by the Faulkner crew of Boston.

Luther lived practically the life of a recluse, since disposing of his boat
house, which he conducted at the foot of Ninth st. for many years, and where
many Pittsburghers of today took their first lessons in swimming.  He lived
alone in a small boat house below the Seventh st. bridge.  Summer and winter
alike he rowed daily, unless the river was too high.

Members of the Columbia Boat Club often called on him to see that he was
getting along all right.  He became hard of hearing and conversed by means
of a slate.

Pall bearers were selected from those who knew him best, and included John B.
Henderson, Ralph J. Adams, John T, Taylor, Oscar Lindsay, Charles Taylor
and W. J. Snyder.