The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-30
BEGINNING THE LONG TRAMP.
John Hughes Struggling 10 Realize hi. Dream
Of the Inst Two Ycnr.

When Weston started on his long tramp
from Maine to Chicago ten years ago. .he in
auguratcd a series Of weary pedestrian trials
that have broken out with an almost yearly re-
currcnce ever since. For years Weston held
the belt as n long distance walker many com
petitors trying to outwnlk him. but all failing in
their attempts. AT last Daniel O'Leary wiry
man In Chicago. OF great pluck and endurance
Tapped Weston and beat him in his six days
Journeys OF five hundred miles and more. Then
Weston went to London and engaged in extern
sivc pedestrian matches. proving himself a bet
ter man on his legs than any Of the followers Of
tho great Capt. Barclay. who in old times
thought nothing Of walking a hundred miles
before supper time. or taking an hourly consti-
tutional of a mile an hour for a thousand hours
in succession. In due time O'Leary. who
thought it was his turn to astonsh tho English.
men and eclipse Weston again. started for tho
land OF outdoor sports. In London. April Q to
7. O'Leary and Weston walked against zach
other. OLoary walked 5l9h miles and 265
yards in lil hours. 30 minutes. 80 seconds and
Weston $40 miles in li2 hours. 81 minutes. 80
seconds. which performances are the best ever
dono by these men. walking all tho way.
In London last March. Sir John Ashley offered
large purse and champion belt fort the pedes-
triqn who could cover the greatest number of
OF In Aerirni1iro ri"ii Mnrch 1sto9S V ofcarv gv
went oyer $50 miles In 139 hours minutes 10
seconds, which Is the best on record for that
covered 500 miles II. Brown. AZ 2-7 miles: q.
lde, 4O5 81 miles and fourteen other starters
made shorter distances. Weston did not enter
IN the mean time, John Hughes. an uncouth
laboring man IN this city. possessing pluck.
strong legs. and great endurance, became Dos
sessed Of the idea that he could outrun or walk
1LGary; Previous to O'Learys leaving for
England, Hughes mentioned his desire TO en-
gage in tho Ashley tournament. O'Lcary laughed
at the Idea and ridlculed Hughes. saying that
walk over to London. From that moment
showed somc Of his friends what he could do In
the walking and running line, and from what
SgreeG 70 back him for tho Rscy RTSs toaTHamont ey
that the entries wore closed
~ III dhs next month announcements were made
@ 1addST dhHThgs T2ud 10 epdfqyor @ to beat ohSoTys
said; I'll bet OLeary or die on the thrack.
lio covered i0s miles and I i3O feet in the six
Last month. in Newark he Is said to have
walked 80 miles In li3 hours, % minutes.
this rms ,mornng, in ullmores Garden, Hughes
O'Lcary forth Ashley Champion Belt and vi 900
The Same conditions will govern the match as
ruled the Agricultural Hall tournament Tho
arrangements are IN the hands OF members II
athletic clubs in New York and vicinity. II
serious disputes nriso. thcy are 10 be- referred
decision il TO be ilual. Tho stakes OF 81 900 arc
in the hands of Sir John Astloy. Tho man COW
ern. the ..rOaicst number g. miles within the
six days i 10 receive the stakes and belt and
he the acknowledged champion pedestrian Of
the wOrll
Two Trucks. about four feet apari. .mndc Of soft
earth about two and One-half feet wide and
two inches deep with n layer OF sawdust. run
around near the centre row Of pillars. Tho
outside track u exactly quarter OF n mile and
the inside ninth Of milo. O'Leary won the
choice OF track nnd took tho outside. just b.
fore the start O leary was in good spirits. talk
INK with twinkling eyes to number Of sport
ing men. among whom were Joe Goss. and
room nj the west end of the building In which
Is comfortable cot. cook stove. and plenty Of
fresh air. Hughes occupies little tent at the
east end OF the building. His wife. his little
girl, about9 years Old. and his boy of years
are In the tent.
Before starting Hughes was n little excited
hnd warm. The air in the close tent was hot
enough 10 mhkc n strong man dizzy In two
minutes. Hughes Will keep his wife and chill
dren with him during tho match lie allows
his friends in the tent. and he must possess the
strength Of ten mon II he can stand the air In
that tent while he sleeps. He labors under two
great disnivnniagos az the -tar-tOO close quar-
tors and the shortest track
There werc about two hundred sporting men
and others present when the men started on
th"ir long walk NJ o'clock sharp.
As the men appeared ON the track loud cheers
were given for O'Leary ana faint hurruhs for
Hughes.
Hughes started on n run OLeary looked nj
him with scli--at sled smile. Hughes made
the iirst milo in 80. AMI O'Leary in 1884.