The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-11-04
Eight Miles Walked In Less than One
Hour.
New York Herald. ]

New York Heraldl
The latest mail advices from England
bring the intelligence that w. Perkins
performed the feat of fairly walking
eight miles within one hour. 1t was ac-
complished over the Lilliebridge ground,
London, in the presence of five thousand
spectators, and was to decide wager of
E100 to ESQ that it could not be done.
For many years it has been the ambition
of rapid walkers to make this record, and
numbers have attempted the task, but
failed. Twice before, Perkins made un-
successful attempts, but he had long
been considered the most likely man for
such a performance, and being deter
mined to try it again, was given the
chance by his friends. So far back as
1867 the late G. Westhall completed
seven miles and half in 5Sm. 25s, on
the turnpike road at Slough, and to the
present time this remains unequaled,
except, of course, in an inclOsed ground.
1t was not until George Topley came
out that Westhall's time was beaten, and
that on Old Brompton grounds, where
both Topley and then w. Spooner de-
feated it; but their styles were not at all
to be compared with that of the present
day, and those performances can not be
recognized. In December, 1869, George
Dawson created q sensation by walking
during the first hour he covered seven
miles ], $3.50 yards, this being the nearest
approach to the "eight miles in one !"
previous to September 20.
Perkins stands five feet six inches,
weighs 1872 pounds, and is now in his
twenty-third year. For the present
match, says the London Sportsman, Sep
tember 81, he has trained at several
places, in company with j. Smith and
II. Boot, but wound up his preparation
at Lilliebridge, and he certainly came
out in the pink of condition. Every
thing being in readiness, he toed the
mark at 5h. 35m., with odds of 5 to 4
betted on him, although half an hour
previously to had been laid on time.
He bounded away at such terrific pace
that his attendant, j. Riley, was soon
left in the rear, and the first lap was GOV.
cred in Pm. 5s., which will account fol
the frat mile being so much faster
than the others. He entered on the
second mile quite fresh, and amidst the
| CneeTS OF his lTleuuS Hc COiHpiclcu ~ IL
14m. 13s., the official time OF each mile
being clearly chalked up by Bob Rogers
At the end of the eighth lap slight per
spiration was observable, but this soor
disappeared, and the third mile wa
finished with the watches pointing a,
2lm. 37s. AS several bets were depend
ing on his doing half the distance in
side" twenty-nine minutes, he bustlet
along until the four miles were timed a
2Sm. 59s., the feat being received will
deafening cheers. Odds of two to ont
were now freely offered on Perkins, ant
this price was increased at the end o
five miles, but from this point to thu
sixth he fell off perceptibly. The walker
however, soon set agoing again, and sever
miles were recorded at Sim. Sis. AL
though Perkins had trifle in hand, h
stuck to his work, and, amidst uproariou
cheers and throwing of hats, he passed
the post winner by fifty-five seconds
and without taking any kind of refresh
ment throughout his arduous task. MI
j. Vandy was referee.