The New York herald., 1875-10-31
THE FIFTY MILES WALKING MATCH.
From BeIl,s Life. Oct. 16.1


The year 1875 will often be quoted for remarkable
feats whether in swimming or pedestranism, and we
have to chronicle the best Gfty miles performance
in the match which took place Monday last at the
Star Grounds Fulham, between A. Clark of Hackney,
and W. Hornage Of Cambridge Heath two pedestrians
comparatively unknown, for Clark has only figured in
three walking matches prior to this the last two with
J. Hebbard OF Bethnal Green, Of which he won
fone miel, but defeated in the second, when he
gave hebhard fifteen seconds start in two miles at
Hackney Wick August 23 Homage, we believe,
made his debut pedestrian this occasion, and,
though defeated should by be discouraged
he walked forty-eght miles with scrupulous fair
ness and pcrscvered while chance remained. Prior
this match the best fifty miles performance was that
of the late ]. Townsend, Of Lewes on September O.
1896, in match against W. Smith, OF Greenwich whom
he beat easily, the affair being brought of from the 9th
to the sixth mile stone the Backheath and Shooters
Hill road The last fifty miles walking match re-
corded In our columns was accomplished by James
Redfern at the Prince Of Wales Ground, Bow on June
20, 1871, he having undertaken for bet of ESQ., to do
the distance in ten hours, and finishing his task in
Oh 3im. 3s. This very remarkable feat when it
is taken into consideration that Redfern was forty
three years old at the time and terribly exhausted
at the finish. For the present match the stakes were
only f20 side, Insignificant when the arduous
taken every pains and in good fettle. The men
required more than one attendant and Clark was in
debted to the services Of II. Brown ths trainer and
with whom he walked his first match the veteran
Corkey Of Bethnal Green, Foster and J. Woogar;
while the j. Redeem alluded TO above H. Wells sam
Ayers and Deleu relieved each other In attendance
Hornage. There only few spectators present
when the men made their appearance at ten minutes
to eight A. NJ. the weather being very chilly and
threatening Mr.. 7. Grtb, Of Bsis Lis ahc referee)
quickly despatched them on their journey, Clark TAX
ing the lead at once walking apparently as II he was
[o,ng TO do mile instead OF fifty. To
complete tho distance the ground had %
that they commenced seventy three yards beb aid the
winning post on passing which for the FIRST tme clark
was five or six yards in advance and continuing TO
gain steadily, Tapped Homage shortly after they lad
completed eleven circuits OF the ground The sturdy
little Hornage, however did not to regard this
but kept al an even pace and in the twenty seventh
Clark more overlook him. making two laps to his
credit Continuing to put on the steam occasionally
Clark went by Homage third tme when rather more
than fourteen miles bad been walked and repeated 1t in
the seventeenth mile While the nineteenth mile was
being walked the sky became overcast and tremen-
duous hail storm, and cutting wind was encountered by
the men, whose attendants made Intellectual attempts
TO shelter them with umbrellas Luckily Il did not last
long, and the afterward made matters look more
cheerful for the pedestrians Clark completed his
twenty miles in 3h 30m. as and continued 70 plough
away while Homage stopped lap before his twentieth
mile and was benefited by good rub down and some
refreshmen. When he came out again Clark was eight
and half laps TO the good t31 yards ap and ~ the
twenty third mile he put on a rare spurt, caught
Homage for the ninth time, and dropped behind him,
i falling into the pace. In the twenty
fourth mile, as Hornage stopped for drink, Clark
ahead but did not inclined to push his adj
vantage further, ami the twenty-five miles were scored
Il BY him at Al. 2Im. 57s Just after completing tho
twenty-sxh mile Clark stopped for the first time for
reircsher which allowed Horrage to reduce the gap by
two laps and eight yards but the former popped on
and soon up and took his old position IN the
rear Hornageis twenty FIVE miles we're completed IN
4h. am 25s and Clark was then stationed yard and
half in his rear but laps TO the good, Holding
these positions the leader walked his thirty miles in 5h
28m 32s., his opponent being credited with Oh. 45m.
26s No alteration Of moment took place In the next
i've miles, which made Clarks time Oh 24m. 2Ss and
HornuRe's Oh Aim. 8s The former then pulled up for
sos, which allowed Homage TO decrease the lead by
best part Of revolution, and forty miles timed at
7h. 23m. 42s for Clark and H. 9sm COS for Hornage
The atter's party evidently relied his staying power
as he looked moro robust though his pace not 80
fast; but Clark, though pale, more 1T than
imagined, and seemed az fresh at tho commence.
ment Both persevored however, encouraged by
their supporters, though the friends OF Homage
were not quito as noisy In their demonstrations,
| as Il was palpabo that he feeling the effects
| Of the journey, vile Clark seemed confident and
smiled when told 20 ego ahead and do the fastest my p
Forty five miles covered by him in 8h 26m 33s ,
aud Homage evidently in trouble his rate OF pro-
gression being about Pm. AS lap; but he struggled
on till he had trine two miles anda half TO nego
tiate when seeing Clark hopeessy ahead be gave
up The winners time for forty-nlne miles was Oh.