The Portland daily press., 1878-11-14
THE SHE RMAN WALK,
She Fails to Succeed.

Yesterday was the time and City Hall the
place set for Miss May Belle Sherman to make
ner third public attempt to walk fifty miles
inside of eleven hours. Her first attempt was
made at the City Hall, Lewiston, ON the 10th
OF October last, which proved to be success
fal one, she accomplishing the feat in 10 hours
and DO minutes. The next time she tried it
was at Lemont Hall, Brunswick, on the Goth
OF october, when she was unsuccessful, owing
to the state of the atmosphere occasioned BY
the smallness of the hall and the crowded
attendance. Here she made 43 miles in 9
hours and minutes, when she ceased walking
at the suggestion of others.
Miss Sherman is about 26 years of age, feet
inches high and weighs about 115 pounds.
She has rather a delicate appearance. Her
hair is OF fine brown color, her eyes dark and
her complexion colorless. She is said to bs
native of Gorham, but now resides in this city.
The track was laid out by Assistant City
Civil Engineer VIM. S. Edwards. 1t consisted
of some saw-dust laid down around the hall,
surrounded by settees. The dimensions of it
were as follows: The length of it on either side
of the hall was 30 $1,000 feet; the width of it
at either end of the hall was 48 69-100 feet; the
curves at either corner Of it were Is IS 100 feet
the radius baing II feet. This made the total
length of the walking line 227 feet 10a inches
So in 10 circuits the distance made would be 1
mile and inch. and in $50 circuits 80 miles,
foot and inch. Early in the morning she
took practice walk on the road of some 10
miles with her trainer, James M. Driscoll, who
has figured SO prominently in walking circles
lately. After being examined by a physician
and found to be in good condition, with the
exception of having slight cold, she made her
appearance at the starting point, ready to re-
ceive the word 60, which at precisely IL o'clock
was given her, and away she briskly went,
looking forward to the 80 mile notch.
At this time there were but few in the hall,
hut those that were there looked on with a
keen interest, wondering and calculating
whether the little woman would "hold outs
She was dressed in navy blue merno suit,
trimmed with plaitings and bows of light blue
ribbon. She wore a dark felt hat with blue
and white feather long light gloves, stout and
loose boots open on the instep, and dark blue
stockings. She carried in her hand an ivory
tipped baton and Observation-Disclosures.
Her step is of a rather long, firm and some
what unsteady nature, displaying considerable
motion of the hips and body. While her gait
might appear to be hurried and labored
one, it is said to be practically comparatively
easy one During the walk at intervals she
would change aud walk in an opposite rec
ton, thus somewhat relieving it of its monot-
ony. She was fall of courage, displayed no
nervousness. but was perfectly cool and self
possessed. and put her whole mind on what she
was up to, with a determined look, as if she
meant to succeed or 'die" trying
The time was kept in nearly the same way as
at the Won Hillern walk. A blackboard stood on
the platform, on which the scorer placed the
number of each mile as it was finished. and
opposite the number of minutes and seconds.
Ga another part of the board was a record of
the whole time, SO that any one who entered
the hall couli see at glance the number Of
miles walked, the time CT the last mile, and
the time in which the whole number of miles
walked had been made. Mr.. John f. Rich
mond, formerly matchmaker with Gerrish &
Pearson, officated as time-keeper, with a
chronometer from William Senter & Coz.
Mr. T. J. Daley was scorer.
The audience continued small until evening,
when it became very fair. Quite number Of
ply scians were present during the walk.
During the evening Miss Sherman wore a
change Of dress, it being of the same nature as
that worn during the day. but of black velvet
material.
She perseveringly continued on her tramp
until she had made her 43d mile and two cir
cults, when several physicians said she must
stop, she having become about exhausted, and
she stopped. She made the 43 miles in
hours "a minutes 80 seconds.
EolIowinp Ia the scnre.