The New York herald., 1874-08-20
Sketches Of the Contestants for
the Championship.
The Previous Achievements of
Johnson and Trautz.
PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE MEN.
Three Miles Straight Away on
Saturday.


Trautz, respectively champion swimmers of Eng
land and America, are that day TO swim a
race for the championship Of the world and $4,000.
During the past week the progress OF the prepara-
tions for the race, &c. have been noticed in the
columns of the HERALD, but full description OF
the men and their records has yet been pub
lished. AT first 1t was thought that the race al
though called international" would be an affair
OF local ana passing interest; but Americans, ever
ready to lend attention to EFFORTS in the muscular
line and anxious for novelty, have interested
themselves to an extent that had not been hoped
for. The letters which have appeared from time
to time in the HERALD have also tended to awaken
and foster interest in the race, which has
found expression IN bets ana wagers as to the
result.
Even now the Branch Is filing up with men
from distant parts who have come TO see the men
and Judge from their exercise what may be the
result Many OF them have come to see the race
as O matter OF pleasure, while Others are deter
mined 70 bet. Those OF the first class have every
opportunity TO enjoy themselves, and those OF the
latter class find many obhging gentlemen-as
many for Trautz as tor Johnson. The sentiment
and Judgment for and of the men is about equally
divided, and each has his stanch supporters.
Some viii tell you Johnson has no chance OF win
ming the race, and others rfce reTs0 Both men
are GCHn0eub Ol SUCCESS auu Sccu ueterutucu w
do their best. They both look and speak like
honest fellows, and in conversation and manner
they are both equal to any and superior to some
of the claw hammer fraternity to be seen at rhe
Branch, strutting MP and down the piazzas Of the
hotels Andrew Trautz (he Hudson River bOy) Is
in figure and countenance the handsomest man
down here. The striking contrast between his
brawny figure and smiling, benevolent counte-
nance can escape no ones notice. With the
ladies candy" as he is Familiarity known, is %
great favorite. as Will be seen by the following con-
versation which occurred on the veranda Lof the
Ocean Hote! one day last week. Anxious young
gent to party OF ladies-"Glrls, are you going to
the beach this morningY' One OF the girls
"Who's thereY'' Gent-'Mr. ana Mr.. -,
Miss -, &C., &c.' Another OF the girls-'Is
TrautZ swimmingn' NO" All the girls''Let US
wait a little, then"
SKETCH OF TRAUT2.
Yesterday afternoon while walking on the beach
l met TrautZ saunLering along with his trainer,
Ben Whitman. In the conversation which iol-
lowed during the walk up the beach learned the
following particulars about Traatz which are
very interesting, as nothing OF biographical
character concerning him has yet appeared in
print Those familiar with the Hudson River for
the last fifteen years will remember an old mill
that used to stand on the river bank, just below
West Point, where now nothing but a little water.
fall is TO be seen. The mill was FIVE stories high,
and at that time-ffteen years ago-every Orange
county schoOlbol's ambition was to dive out OF
the fourth Story window into the river. Those
who were unable or afraid to do this stunt had
no status in juvenile society OF the county. Among
the jumpers from the fourth story window was a
round-faced, chubby youngstor. who was hailed
as candy" Now it happened one day as a
crowd OF truants discussing their
relative prowess in the "stunt" line IN an orchard
near by the mill, that some one said he dared any
OF The party to Jump out OF the fifth story
window Of the MILL Andy was one OF the party,
and being regarded as q champion IN all matters
OF daring and endurance, the 'anypody" IN the
challenge meant him. Stimulated by the assur
ances OF success from his companions, AEdy
mounted the fifth story and went on into the river.
Down, down he went, and the truants IN the win
dow watched the water with bated breath ex
pecting to see no more OF Andy. At last he came
up about fifty feet from where he went down, and,
throwing himself on his back, gave yel, such
only boys can give, and struck out for the other
shore. He touched the east bank OF the river,
rested and returned, and rom that day Andy
Trautz dates his swimming successe
Notwithstanding that he played ''hookey" now
and then Trautz has managed to gather store OF
information which makes his conversation in-
struotve and interesting. In 1865 Trautz came TO
Long Branch to spend the summer and his daring
excursions out beyond the breakers soon became
subject OF alarm and comment. 1t got abroad
that there was great swimmer at the Branch,
and some New Yorker, whose name does not occur
to me now, came down to make match with the
then unknown swimmer. friendly match was
arranged and Trautz came out the VICTOR July 25,
1865. Alter this he had several matches around
New iolh, hi Wch % wtae Will III ana.euIs anu M lever lever
another match at Long Branch with some man OF
local repute in one OF the east side wards in which
he came out victorious. In fact he has been known
to the lrequenters OF the Branch for long time as
o daring and expert swimmer. Andy says he
has no ambition to become notorious as
a swimmer; but as 1t is necessary that such shall
he the case when he takes Johnson as an OppO-
nent he accepts the notoriety with an indifference
common only TO modest men. Johnson came here
TO cast about for an opponent worthy OF his met
tie, very naturally expecting to hnd such an in
were well nigh withcred when Trautzs modest
scruples were overcome, and match arranged.
Ben Whitman, and on that day tipped the scales
at 192 pounds. To-day he balances the beam at
$780, having reduced twelve pounds in two weeks.
He is five feet eleven inches high and has Just
completed his twenty-eighth year. His face Is
tanned to bronze color, and he is in better con-
'Jack is royal fellow, but Pm going to do my
best to beat him." This Is exactly what Jack says
OF hhn,, so the race on Saturday viii be mo
slouch."
sKRrCH OF JOHNSON.
Unlike Trautz, Johnson has long and brilliant
record, the pages OF which are not shiiied with
single defeat From the first time he went into
the water his career has been one OF unbounded
success. Inc DcSJ men III tue oulteu kiHEu0m
and on the Continent have measured strokes with
him only 10 be defeated. Johnson was born III
Manchestc,, England, March 23, lS4o, and is, con-
sequently twenty-five years or age. lie is five ieet
niue inches high, or two inches shorter than
Trautz with whom he tips the scale even--ls0
pounds. AS model OF physical culture 1t will be
safe to say that Johnson has no equal even in the
ring when stripped, with his Diceps and pee
torai muscles contracted, ne can be compared to
nothing that have seen. when he expands his
chest and hardens his muscles he reminds one OF
LAGOON IN the embrace Of serpents, as described
by Virgil.
When Johnson was fourteen years OF age he
went into water for the first time, under the gula-
ance OF his brother, who was quite astOnsned to
fnd that the youngster required no instruction as
to how he should use his hands or feet After he
mad practlsed ior some time lie was entered for u
race 81 Leeds, III which ne was successful, and
where bis style OF swimming caused mucn CON-