Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-04-22

champion Beaten.
There was alively time among the sports
of the city and vicinity yesterday, growing
out of match between two of the best
runners In the country, which has been on
the tapis for several weeks. The parties to
the race were Mr.. Kelly Davis, a famous
runner of this city, and young man named
McNealey, from the neighborhood of Ham
over in Licking county. Davis was back
ed by several of the sporting men of the
city, and McNealey was supported by his
father--who Is plentifully supplied with
greenbacks-and large number of rural
friends, who were prepared to stake the
last dollar upon the athletic skill of their
fayorite. The judges selected to arbitrate
between the parties were among the oldest
and most respectable of those who were
supposed to know all about the rules gov
erning such affairs. The distance was one
hundred and fifty yards, the first man to
pass the flag staff to take the thousand dol
lars, which were sealed and placed in the
hands Of responsible party.
The place for the race was In the fields
over the river, opposite Town street. an
excellent spot, the ground being soft and
level. At three o'clock in the afternoon an
immense concourse of citizens of all classes
had assembled to witness the feat. About
one hundred vehicles were present. and the
entire crowd would number two thousand.
The sporting fraternity took charge of the
preliminary arrangements, while at the
same time they did not fail to take all the
wagers offered by the friends of the rural
pedestrian. The vo1 popuH was decidedly
in favor of Davis, and large odds were Of
fered bv his friends. The progenitor of
McNealy was not disheartened by the ap-
parent Judgment of the crowd against his
son, and lie staked his greenbacks to the
amount of twelve hundred dollars upon
the ruralist. Outside betting was lively,
and 1t is estimated that three or four thou
sand dollars at least were risked upon the
result.
The excitement among the crowd was
great but the utmost good humor prevail
ed throughout. The day was fine, the at
mosphere bracing. The women of the
neighborhood could not resist the curiosity
that tempted them, and they appeared
among the crowd, some with babies in their
arms, and some sans crinoline sans stock
ings. A school house in the immediate Vi
cinity turned out its scores Of urchins, whose
primers, like their toilets, were neglected
and for the time forgotten.
The popular judgment in favor of Davis
was fortified by the appearance of the ra-
GERS in their tights. McNealy is small and
hearty looking young man, while Davis is
taller than the average and the possessor of
a pair of limbs that the athletes of the
Olympian games would have envied for the
denseness and development of their muscle.
In the minds of most spectators the race
was decided by the appearance of the men.
All things being in readiness and the
track cleared, the champions started at
given signal from the judges stand. In the
first leap Davis gained upon his adversary,
and gradually increased the distance be-
tween them to the goal. He ran easily,
gracefully and without any apparent exer-
tion, several times looking back at McNealy,
who appeared worried and 'blown." The
goal was reached in amarvelous shortspace
of time, Davis coming out about twenty
feet in advance of his competitor.
The result was announced amid the cheers
of the victors and the natural chagrin of the
vanquished. The "gamey" old gentleman
who had backed his son so literally, and
even wagered fifty dollars on him after the
race begun, leaped into carriage and dis
appeared with his boy, while the friends of
the winner took charge of their man and
adjourned to wash the dust out Of their
throats at the first bar. The carriages rolled
away to town in cloud of dust, the pedes-
trians followed in the same direction; the
women of the vicinity gathered up their
babies and retired; the school bell rang,
summoning the unwilling urchins to their
studies; and In moment the field was again
deserted.
1t is said that another race has been ar
ranged between the same parties, TO come
Off at some future day, and the friends of
the rural champion speak confidently of his
prospects of success; but we fancy there
win be few found to support the defeated
runner except by sword of mouth"