The New York herald., 1874-08-20
TO j. b. JOHNSON, CHAMPION,
for first swimming SEQ yards.
AuuuSs lS73


On the second finger OF his lett hand Johnson
wears solid gold ring, which is an object o' great
curiosity To every one down here. twas presented
TO him by Mr. DeyereauX, ami Is IN elegant piece
OF workmanship.
The nandsomest of Johnson's medals and prizes
are not down here; they in the care Of MIR.
smith, the Old English crcketer, in Amlry street,
New York. and among them Is beautiful epergne.
presented by the swimmers OF Glasgow.
1t will be remembered that a short while since
Johnson attempted to swim across the English
channel when leat he did not accomplish, owing
on his coming into the boat as the heat was leav-
ing his body. This happened after he had swan
twelve miles, or abOut one hall the distance. He
himself says he could have stayed IN the water
much longer. but for the medical Interference,
AS there have been some iaoulOus stories about
the length of time Johnson could remain under
water questioned him last night.
'slr Johnson" SAID !, now long can You re-
main submerged without respirng ?' ''Weu,
SIR said he, II stayed under water three and
half minutes In my aquarium on one occasion. At
the Royal Agricultural Hall, ls!ington, London,
remained down four minutes and also at AleXan-
dria Han, In Manchester. performed the same
1ear."
"Mr. Johnson, have heard something about the
Alexandria Hall AFFAIR. Your brother was mixed
up IN it, believe Was he not"
"Mixed upl How strange that sounds: every
body says mixed up' here when they mean con-
nected, but excuse Sa me: My brother was was only
seen me stay down for more than three
minutes, and, becoming alarmed he wanted
# Sad not had his his excitement mt" TO divert ar me M Il
was looking at HIM through the plate glass; do
not think should have stayed down SO long. No,
did not ice at all exhausted when came up
only laughed at my brother, Who was very much
disturbed"
A very few, perhaps none of the readers Of the
HERALD have had Mr.. Johnson's opportunities OF
forming an extensive plscatorial acquaintance, l
may as wen give little conversation i mad tn
the champion regarding the hnny things whose
mimic he Is.
johnson, did the fish ever trouble you when
what queer notions you Americans do get
sometimes. An hnghshman would never have
NF ASlrtn hntt
you, they do or rather have come near me In the
wafer. nave telt the urchins begin to nibbie but
..ls there any particular part OF your anatomy
for which they have ex hlbited special liking "
Il can't say unless IL be for my toes. the naiIS o.
winch they have pared now and then"
He was never attacked by sharks. but has had
them follow him. He says he never Knew OF an
ocean beach ireer from tormentlng fish than Long
Branch He speaks OF Andy IN the highest terms,
and says he is sorry he Is such nice fellow. for 1t
wounds his feelings to have to beat so gooc a
chap. Andy heard this anu SAID, ''Walt III Satur-
THE PRACTICE OF THE MEN.
At twelve noon every day Johnson and Trautz
can be seen on the beach. They always go out
together and lrolic In the water. Now and
trainers join them, and game Oh tag" IS
the consequence. Johnson beng gymnast, IL
ID harder 10 get MIN l'' than 1t Is TO "tag" Andy.
They remain In about two hours, and during the
afternoon they take long walk. The trainers
and men complain very much OF how they are
bothered bv gamblers ana Others wanting TO
Know chow 1t Is going to go' and requesting
wrinkles as 70 the result. All these anxious In
quifers have been told tile same thing. t., the
race IS to be q fair, square one, and the better
man viii win.
THE COURSE
At last the course has been decided upon. The
old shore route has been abandoned and now the
race is to he from point three mics out. IN
line with the Ocean Hotel. The men are TO be
taken from the shore to Il steamer anchored three
miles out; they dive OF the deck and make for
shore, the first man on the beach claiming tile
stakes-S 2,000-and the championship OF the
WORD. On the day OF contest excursion trans VIII
be run over the New jersey Southern Railroad
from New York and Philadelphia. MI. William
McIntIre, proprietor OF the Mansion House, and
Mr.. G. q. PresbIry, proprietor OF the West End
Hotel, have been selected TO act as judges, ana
Mr.. Theodore Moss treasurer OF allacks Theatre,
as