The New York herald., 1878-11-17
4 Error in Measuring
the Track.
584 BRIDGEPORT Miles COVERED.
Actual Distance Accomplished,
52l IA Statute Miles.
REMARKABLE EFFORT OF ENDURANCE.
my TELEGRAPH 10 THE HERALD

BR1DGEFORT, Conn.,, NOV. 10, 1915.
Among the numerous attempts made by ambitious
pedestrians to beat O'Leary. young Sports per-
formance. although not sufficiently authenticated to
ente him to a record. is certainly of the most
remarkable feats OF pedestrianism which have aston
ished the world as evidence OF human power Of
endurance
Peter Napoleon Campana. who glories in the sobri-
quet of Young Sport was born in Petersburg,
Va September 13. 1886. and has been character all
his life well known in the vicinity of Fulton
Market. New York city. For many years his
chosen occupation that of fruit pedler.
the only bsiness he faithful to, and then
only when Sport did not afford the necessities of
lifefor of the luxures he dreamed not if 80 be.
yond treat Of mutton pies and coffee and cakes as
midnight lunch Young Sport for many years
volunteer fireman. running with No. 2 Hose in New
York and Shiifer Hose in Phila1elohia. He also
assistant foreman of No. Hose here in Bridge
port. He served with the Hawkins Zouaves
during the war. and seems to have been on his
legs since he was born. He stands Eve
feet eight inches and weighs about one hundred and
fifty pounds, and ordinary observer would be de-
ceived by his appearance. the long thin wrinkled
face is anything but indication of the strong bona
and muscle covered by his tatercd apparel Sport
has the faculty which, above all others. are re-
quisite in long distance pedestrian. He do
without sleep for an indefinite length of time. and
his mind, made up to accomplish any thing he
forgets fatigue and pain. His face is laid in deep
wrinkles from the eyes the cheeks and these
wrinkles only lose themselves under his ears.
prominent nose and merry twnkling black eyes give
him most comical expression; and his continued
good humor and incessant jbing prove the first inn
preston correct.
chosen place of woud-he champions to make their de-
but. and up to last evening everybody seems to have
been willing to accept tn landlords statement that the
building 1T5 feet long about twenty wide and
without the trouble of actual measurement the
pense OF survey they called IT, fourteen laps to
ship with the landard rs speculation, of which he
was, perhaps. more doubtful than any one else, and
willing to -5elieve that he secretly intended
to make the attempt to equal or beat the great
records; but matters progressed and sport stuck
to his work gamely. considerable interest
cited and number OF respectable citizens in turn
took their place at the scoring table, and last evening
yeyor Mr. H. G. schoi Id measured the track. giving
certificate to the effect that the track which is four
feet wide, measured in the centre is 36 3-lO feet in
length According to this measurement and the
laps scored fourteen per mile sport would
have to go sixty-three miles more than the
originally stipulated 521 bridgeport miles to equal
Corkcy's 521 miles or, the record kept, each
mile was 81 and $40 feet short However this may
be .'Sports' performance Is wonderful one and
from the most reliable information to be obtained
sports score at quarter past seven to-day was b72
short miles. or 5ll real miles. and. as the judges
quantity explained it, having then little IL
of the bridgeport miles to to equal Corkey record
sport ut this time is keeping up lively aud steady
jog trot and looks as bright II he ut the be-
| ginning of his task.
Crowds continue to flock in. an tie u1n n.rf99
hall is 40 denscly packed with eae 49, - sg'F
| spectators tina, It is barely possh 's 81
keep the track clear His prinQAVs~ tts~,F t'e'n
| Merritt, also y pedestrian, will ~ sA-
bratcd, Ia keeping him conipan aaaa 1F ni.0
| every possible attention. frendl yNee &N yicgs-
| ing over the entire walk. and from &Ac "a = =
expect to derive any benefit the oeingf Sy =
rated ~ lift for sport" who oeen Y ne.
| culiar position of favorite in I'd lucs rs
| which he has pluckily walket md beco
lebrty. kA.
At eight p. NJ. base drum and several drums
vigorously to their task they did their best to shat
ter the numerous panes of glass that encircle the
building, which is surrounded by windows on all
sides. Seeking little relief from the terrific music
and to find room to write. followed the pseudo
trainer into sports" retiring place. long closet
about five feet wide-and there upon the floor laid
poor thin straw mattress. covered with sheet and
blanket, upon which three dogs We're COM
ties, old shoes Sc. Uttered the space un.
occupied by the bed. Among this littes
lay Sports discarded walking shocs-a marvellous
combination OF Sits and patches; but although ap.
| parently roomy enough tor almost any feet they
gradually proved too small. and since the second day
he has walked in his stockings. The pain in his leg
and swelling OF the knee have not been allowed to
interfere with the task of the pucky walker; and al
contained innumcrable slivcrs and blocks Of wood.
sport would permit no such trifes to prove obsta-
ces. During the early stages OF the walk his meals
consisted of almost anything he could pick up and
when his attendant did procure what was called beef
tea it quality which New York police dog
| would not dcgn to drink.
All the surroundings AMI statements Of those who
have been more or less e0hstant IN their attention
/ prove that, with little cncouragcmcnt and under
| every disadvantage, sport has gaInely accom-
plished feat which proves him formidable rival ia
| champion honors, and. from his easy style Of
| ming at a period OF his task when others could
scarcely creep there is doubt that in go-asyou'
| please competition he can put in series OF runa
| which must prove dishcartening To any opponent.
and permit him. under proper care and management.
to cover distances which will wipe out standing
records. At twenty minutes past eight Y. Nj. Sport
the 517th real mile In I'm 33s and will no doubt
give some good exhibitions of speed before he ceases.
At half-past eight p. NJ brass band was added to
the festivities and IL became impossible to descend
the stairs. The centre OF the hall dense
of solid humanity. standing erect sweating and shout
ing, and the overflow who could not find room in-
side blocked the streets far the brilliantly illu
minated hail could bo seen with the speeding hero OF
the hoar. making spurt upon spurt, his neeting
| figure being easily recognized from the street.
At half past nine L. NJ sport, going ut clipping
pace, informed that he mad but little more than
mile to 60 TO complete his task. AND. between the
cited multitude the scene rsemblcd perfect pande-
monium: and II sports classical education had not
been sadly neglected he would have looked for
| the traditional laurel crown.
As tho end approached the crush became absolutely
dangerous. and the policemen, patient and gentle
as the circumstances permitted had all they could
| do To preserve narrow passageway for sport
without resorting To- violence, and although the
citemcnt high they managed unlike New
York clnbbers to keep the heated. sweltcring multi
| tudc in check; but ut twenty minutes to ten,
| when II announced that sport had completed
his task. having gone he pleased walked,
logged and run. 52l real miles, the crowd srged In
struments their heads 10 them from do
strucuon.
sport" was now hoistcd on the scorers table and
called upon for speech. in which he thanked the
people tor thcr kindly interest. and was then taken
| 20 his room to receive needed and attention.
And thus ended young sports" first attempt at long
distance redestranism.
|
NASGAT- nnAT