Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-12-06
Pedestrianism in England.
THE FASTEST TIME EVER MADE.
A MILE IN 4 MINUTES 223 SECONDS.
CopENHAaEN GnouNns. al d

COPENHAGEN GROUNDS Oct 27
Though the above grounds are of comparative.
ly recent formation, they have already been the
scene of some extraordinary achievements "a.
nine as well as bipedal. Some time ago it will
be remembered that Tom Hosspoll, of Blsford
was considered the fastest mile runner. even
when he occupied 4 min. % Sec in accopnnlish.
ing the distance; but when he subsequently, met
Job Smith, of Manchester, upon this course and
traversed mile in min. % sec. his perform.
ance then, and up till to day, was unparalleled
in pedestrian annals. But the event of this
afternoon proved that Lancashire may now
pride herself on possessing the hero in mile ra.
ces in the person of Siah Albison, of Bowlee. a
rural village situated near Middleton Before
describing the contest, a few particulars of its
origin may not be uninteresting to our pedes-
trian readers. On the 11th of August last. the
spirited proprietor of these grounds gave n
splendid champion belt to be run for, which
had been manufactured expressly for the occa-
sion by Mr.. Preston, of London, the value of
which was go guineas, and on that day the fol-
lowing men contested for the coveted prize
Slah AlblSon, of Bowlee, near Middleton. job
Smith, of Hulme; w. Lang of Middlesborough.
J. White, of Gateshesd, and c. Mower, of Dur.
ham. Pli0r to the race, Albison was so much
pleased with the trophy that he declared his
intention either to become its possessor or "a
cause the man who defeated him not to let the
grass grow under his feet whilst contendlnp for
t, and Albison fulfilled his prediction by car
rying off the prise. The conditions under which
he held it required him to hold himself in
readiness to run any one who might challenge
him throug b these columns at six weeks notice
for f25 a side and the belt, the distance of
course being one mile. W. Lang, 0ate of Mid
dlesborough, but now of Manchester not con-
tented, it would appear, with having to sue
cumb to Albison in their former engagement
threw down the gauntlet, and this afternoon
was fixed for champion henors. Soon after
articles had been signed, both men went into
active training, Lang betaking himself to in
hale the invigorating breezes of barley Dale,
in Derbyshire, and Albisons preparation was
entrusted to his veteran tutor, Mr.. Etchells.
of the Weavers' Arms, Ellsworth. As the day
of running approached, the interest as to the
result became more intense, especially as few
who were supposed to be acquainted with
stable secrets pronounced both pedestrians
to be in frst-rate fettle. The excitement, how
ever, reached its eliminating point this after
noon; considerable number of cabs heavily
laden buses, crowds by rail, and large bodies
Of persons on foot, all assisted to swell the at
tendance within the inclosure into monster
gathering, between 5000 and 1000 persons
being present, and gave proof that the heydey
Of loot racing has not yet passed. Added to
this the day was fine, the course in capital or
der, and the same excellent arrangements as
usually prevail here having again been made,
foreshadowed more than ordinari-
y interesting struggle for the "pride of the
place, and such it was. Mr.. Hayes, filled the
otflce OF referee, and the betting, which opened
1t to 4, closed at to on Albison. At about
\ quarter to four o'clock Lang made his ap-
pearance on the scene of action, ACCOMPANIED
~ his friend and backer, Mr.. e. Hardy
shortly afterwards AlbiSon also entered the
arena, both looking we'll and each appearing
'anguine of the result. Lang won the toss, Of
course then taking the inside place. and after
4 couple OF failures they left the crease at the
third attempt. After running nearly side by
side for few strides Lang began to show the
way at a pace the reverse OF slow, and gradu-
aily gaming upon his opponent, be was leading
~ nearly half score yards when the men first
passed the stand. This gap Lang still further
Yldened during the succeeding revolution of
he course, on the complexion of which he held
he premiership by upwards of a dozen PAGES.
'ut shortly afterwards Albison began to make
Up leeway. On going along the back of the
'round on the final lap, the Champion gradu-
lily reduced the distance between himself and
Us formidable opponent, and became more
lose than pleasant to Lang. Rounding the
'end they were nearly breast and breast, and
N entering the straight the struggle as to
which should claim the belt was commenced in
possession was now brought into action. as
ard by yard they rushed on, and though Al
'lsons backer SHE'D his castor into the air.
when the men had about leo yards to run, the
ace was not then over. Allison, however.
having got just in front, succeeded in slightly
Increasing his lead during the concluding forty
ards, and the trophy once more fell into his
possession, after a magnificent race, Mr. HAYES
at being that Albison had won by a yard The
winner covered the distance in four minutes and
lcehfy ttco and quarter seconds thus exceIIing
1osspofs fastest time by three-quarters of a
econd. Both pedestrians had had quite enough
t the finish, Lang especially being much dis
ressed ana Alblson was warmly congratulated
n his brilliant victory. Lang's performance,
hough an unsuccessful one, reflected great
redit upon him, aud though he did not win
he belt, he lost little of his well earned fame.
surprising as was Albisons achievement. we
annot help thinking but that he, at times.
omewhat hazards his chance by purposely fall.
ng SO far behind, such being the case not only
o-day, but also when he first contended for
ne prize. Should Allison continue SO to do.
Ie may On future occasion, when coping
gainst some pedestliau-even if not quite SO
eet-find the beautiful trophy, upon the DOS
esslon OF which he SO justly prides himself.
VreSted from his grasp. We may add, 10 con-
luslon, that Lang is just over twenty one years
i age, and Albison attained his twentieth birth
ay on the 18th of April last.
POPULATION OF KANSAS TERRITeRY.-The pop-
llatlon OF the Territory OF Kansas. as ascer-
aimed by the United States census, Just taken,