Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-03-02
A Long Walk.

In 1882, Thomas Penn contracted with
Teedyuscuing and some others for title to
all the land in Pennsylvania to be taken off
by parallel Of latitude from any point as
far as the best of three men could walk in
day. between sunrise and sunset, from
certain chestnut tree. at or near Bristol, in
northwest direction. Care was taken to
select the most capable for such a walk.
The choice fell on James Yates, native of
Bucks county, tall, slim man of much a
gility and speed of foot Solomon Jen-
nings, Yankee, remarkably stout and
strong Edward Marshall native of
Bucks county, noted hunter, chain car
rier, &c, large, heavy set, and strong
boned man.
The day lone of the longest in the year,
was appointed and the champions notified.
The people collected at what they thought
the FIRST twenty miles of the Durham road. to
see them pass. First came Yates, stepping
as light as feather, accompanied by T..
| Penn and attendants on horseback. After
him. but out of sight, came Jennings with
a strong steady step; and not far behind,
Edward Marshall, apparently careless, swing
ing hatchet in his hand, and eating a
| dry biscuit. Bets ran in favor OF Yates.
! Marshall took biscuit to support his stom-
| ach, and carried hatchet to swing In his
! hands alternately, that the action in his
arms should balance that in his legs, as he
was fully determined TO beat the others, or
die in the attempt. He said he first saw
Yates in descending Durham Greek, and
gained on him. There he saw Yates sitting
on a log, very tired presently he fell OH
and gave up the walk. Marshall kept on,
| and before he reached the Lehigh, overlook
and passed Jennings-waded the river al
Bethlehem-hurried on faster and faster by
where Nazareth stands, to the " ind Gar!
That was as far as the path had been mark
ed tor them to walk on. aud there was q
collection of people waiting to see If any OF
the three would reach it by sunset. lie
ooly halted for the surveyor to give him a
pocket compass, and started again. Three
! Indian runners were sent after him to see
if he walked it fair, and how far he went
He then passed to the right of the Poconc
Mountain, the Indians finding it difficult tc
keep him in sight, till he reached Stil
Water ard he would have gone few miles
further but for the water. There he mark
cd tree witnessed by the three Indians
The distance he walked between sun anc
sum- rot being on straight line, and abou
thirty miles of it through woods, was estl
mated to be from one hundred and ten t.
one hundred and twenty miles. He thu
won the great prize, which was FIVE hun
dred pounds in money, and five hundre'
acres of land anywhere in the purchase.
James Yates, who led the way for tin
first thirty miles or more, was quite blin'
when taken out Of Durham Greek. and liv
ed but three days afterwards. Solomon
Jennings survived but few years. Ed
ward Marshall lived and died on Marshall
Island in the Delaware River. He arrive
at abou; ninety years Of age. He was
great hunter, and it is said he discovered
rich mine of silver which rendered him an
his family connections affiuent T; but he neV
er disclosed where it was, and it continue
unknown to this day.