The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-11

WESTON The WALEIsT.-We took look
at the famous walkist, yesterday afternoon,
as he promenaded the race course of the
Scott County Agr cultural Society. The
days Of his glory are evidently over. He
don't draw at all. The seats in the ampi.
theater were almost entirely unoccupied,
while the only outside progn ostcations of
lite were few carriages scattered about the
enclosure, and one horse soda water stand
doing very sickly business. On the track
Weston was literally monarch of all he sur.
veyed-at least his fright there was none to
dispute He kept at his work manfulIy,
no doubt sometimes signing for the times
when tens Of thousands of people yelled
themselves hoarse at bis nonsenscal per
formances. In appearance he is rather
light built, medium sized, closely shaveu,s
intelligent, supple, and active. He seems
formed for more endurance than great
strength, it being well established mill
tary fact that the best men for marching
are not by any means the largest or the
heaviest. Any veteran of the army will re-
call as much.
Weston was quite lame, although this dis.
| advantage and the fact that he was behind
time, did not seem to extinguish his pluck
a particle. He travelled in his shir. sleeves,
wearing a tight pair of blue pantaloons, or
namented with guady stripe down each
leg, made of material which probably once
passed for silver textile We didn't see the
magnificent costume presented to him by
the enthusiastic citizens Of some little vii.
lage or other, "down in York state" In
his right hand he carried slender riding
whip, on the end of which was q whistle,
used in calling his servant when he needed
a little lemonade or ordinary water. The
whip, we were informed, was carried for the
purpose of making him look something like
a sporting man. His gait was quick and
energetic The whole exhibition had Sc.
rio.comc appearance, and it WAS generally
noticed that as soon as visitor arrived
and looked at the pedestrian about
three minutes, he inquired what
the deuce would be the next humbug."
His feat of walking half mile backwards,
was accomplished in nine minutes and forty
five seconds. He generally made the half
:. Ia. III
feat attempted was to walk fifty miles
in ten and half hours, including halt
mile backwards. 1t was failure. He be.
gan at eight o'clock in the morning, and did
not accomplish the distance until quarter
to eight in the evening.
We learned that he has entered into. an
arrangement with certain parties to walk IF
sy miles day, thirty times. He receives
$500 for each time he walks, and $40 extra
for every time he walks that distance inside
of ten hours and half.
1t is quite satisfaction to know that the
furore over such performances is about to
terminate. We have had all manner of
champions. The thing has been run into
the ground A champion wood-sawyer |
would be of some benefit to the community. |
For man to publicly demonstrate that he
can saw and split Eve cords of wood inside |
of ten hours and hall, including half q
cord sawed with his back to the buck, would |
entitle him to the appreciation of his fellow
citizens and secure him steady employment
But to travel around q race course seventy
two times day, proves nothing that the
world cares to know, and not only makes
fool of the man who does it, but makes tooi
Of everybody sho goes 70 see il done. |