The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-20
NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN CONGRESS-.
Walking, Running md Wrestling st tho
sss,L

Walking, Running and wrestling at the
Rink.
The attendance ut the Rink yesterday was very
poor, owing to- the heavy downpour OF the ram
However, a select number OF the sports put In an
appearance and I'm way made up for the
absence OF the general public. The afternoon pro-
granme Included four.mile handicap walking
match, seventy-dve yards handicap race In heats
and a wrestling match.
There we're four entries for the walking match,
which stood first on the programme:--
W. Young. OF New York
Thomas Brown, Of Manliattanviile.
l.. Plumber, OF England.
A. p. Messenger, OF New York.
After close contest Thomas Brown. OF Manhat-
tanvle, was declared the winner OF the champion
cup.
The second event the handicap race. IN
heats, distance seventy-nve yards, the first prize
To he. silver trophy, second $40. For
TINS race there were entered T.. ID. Davis
champion scratch, who allowed John Thomas
one yard; p. Fitzgerald. three yards ". Goode. TWO
yards; e.. Dufton three yards; Young Deer, three
yards; III. Bates, three Yards. Il. ID. Davis and r.
Fitzgerald won the frat heat, and together IN
the second for the drst prize. t. ID. Davis won
easily by two yards
Tue most interesting event Of the day was The
wrestling match. for which there were four entries
prize silver cup. the second $40. Homer Lane
THE CHAMPION OF AMERICA
and Young aspirant named Matt Grace, appeared
TO contest the prize. Homer Lane, the champion,
looked older and lighter than his youthil rival, but
harder and more developed. Both men appeared IN
short gray wrestling jackets and lights, with night
SHOES AL nrst u appeared as II the champion would
come TO grief; his opponent was strong and active,
anu had wonderful power oil getting his egs free
INGENIOUS TRIPS ASp CROOKS.
AUer good deal of mannuvrng he brought the
champion 10 his knees; but than fellow saved
nlmseII ana renewed the struggle However, me
latcS were against him. and In the course OF sharp
effort To get an mdslde crook trace he got
caught himself ana thrown back fall. First fall
declared for Matt Grace.
the excitement now began TO increase. Would the
champion be defeatedY was the general question
Grace had already fall of three IN his iavor
He appeared decidedly more supple than his anragO
mist but neither careful nor SO scientific During
the progress OF The contest he showed more .trpsD
ana exhibited agood deal more than the champion,
LOOKING OUT FOR SQUALLS
all the time. After several bouts the champion
ceeted IN throwing Grace by manGuvre he had
foot on that OF his opponent he swung him suddenly
forward, and with so much force THAT trace lost his
balance ana fell. Second fall declared for Homer
Lane
A breathing pause OF about ten minutes was now
allowed to the men, and a time was called It was
easy to see by the expression OF both mems races,
that they meant business. Walking rapidly forward
they took hold by the collar and elbow. assuring
themselves well OF their grlns. Grace again led of,
and Lane followed him cautiously,
WATCHING FOR CHANCE.
At length Grace tripped on the outside but Lane
got In aud made a desperate effort to throw Grace
with an inside crook. For an instant the men
seemed locked aud 1t appeared all over with Grace,
but by wonderful effort OF agility he got free and
came down on his pins as
FIRM AS A ROCK.
So much did the play please The spectators that as
they saw Grace Tree himself from what looked like
an inevitable fall they gave hearty and spontane-
GUS cheer to both men. Somewhat exhausted by
this terrible bout the men figured little, and when
somewhat rested Grace attempted to throw Lane
over his hips but the latter twisted himself
clear and went very near turning the
tables on his antagonist. Another exhibition
OF loot sparring followed, and the went in Tor
the final bout, Grace as usual leading OFF and some
what exposing himself This time
FORTUNE FAVORED LANE
and he succeeded in throwing Grace over his hip
neat, clean fail. Victory was declared to have
again lighted Oh the standard OF the champion.
The wrestling on both sides was extremely credita-
bic to the men, who exhibited rare skill and good
temper.