The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-20
GRANDFATHERS ON A TRACK
MR.. MARSH OF NEW HdTEy 4 GAINsrMR.
CIREY or NEW YORE.
Walking in Music Hall In the Elm City-The
New York Cation Exchange MagnIhcentiy
Hepresented-Fun for the Boys OF Yale.


New York Cation Exchange MagnIacenuy
Hepresented-Fun for the Boys OF Vale.
NEW HAVEN, Feb. ia recent challenge
in THE SUN has resulted in q pedestrian con-
test by far the oldest Of any yet undertaken. A
few weeks ago under the name of Chris.
Clock" Joseph Young Marsh OF this city. an
employee In the car shops OF the New York.
New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company.
challenged any man Of his age to walk six days.
Mr.. Marsh is G3 years Id. II was not long be-
fore an answer came from Thomas Carey. n
member Of the New York Cotton Exchange. do
ing business ut 1876 Washington street, New
York, and aged Ga. The veterans. both OF whom
arc grandfathcrs. and Carey great-grand-
father. came together. and an agreement was
entered into to walk in Music Hall. this city.
The terms were modified 50 that tho mon are
to walk four days instead Of six. and the one
covering the greatest distance In that time.
either running or walking without assistance.
will be declared the winner and become entitled
to the $500 which each man put up IA forfeit.
The grandfnthers began walking ut IL o'clock
this morning. Mr.. Marsh closely rcsemblcd n
base hall player in drcss. He wore n white linen
cap with visor u blue handkerchief around
his neck. white knit shirt. and pair OF blue
flannel trousers. .hreo gtlt buttons differing at
MIR. CarrSbrouglit with him from New York
his two sons and six other gentlemen, including
u trainer and physician. He told the reporter
TINT for thirty years he had boon Il member Of
the Cotton Exchange. and he was "a born
weeks undera Mr.. Collins. who walked some
with Hughes in tho O'Lenry match. For cxer-
else he walked daily. in that period. from TWEEN
ty-1vo to thirty miles. and one day attained
forty miles He felt good. and knew he should
win. He had refused to be weighed. but gave
his weight at iGS pounds. Mr. Marsh weighed
lSl pounds. Both are about i've feet eleven
inches in height. Mr.. Carey APPEARED on the
track n n black cloth cap. n blue and white neck
handk erchief. white knit shirt black knee
brreches ornamented with gilt cord and gilt tas-
sells, blue stockings. and thick -soled shoes
A local surveyor having measured the track
and found that to make mile II was necessary
10 40 around twenty-seven times. Marsh and
Carey slepped To the front. the latter with corn
cobs in his hands. and the two claspcd hands
and waitcd. large crowd Rnzed in hushed
given. and they started at n lively gait. their
gray hairs streaming out bAhind them and the
spectators cheering and stamping forth n " send
on" Tho New Yorker walked in true pedes-
trinn fashion, taking q long. easy. graceful
stride; His opponent paid no attention TO
style. but sailed In with n wonderful vigor MS
though h. meant to decide the mntch then and
about even then Carey began to lead. and Ut
the end OF the first mile he was about twenty
feet ahead. The time WIS not very fast, Carey's
being 1890. MHrsh's l8:i5. When Carey saw
his opponent start of with such earnestness
and vim. he wanted to run. but his trainer re-
strained him, one argument being III he
didn u would break his heart"
hours and half. and Carey held his lead
throughout.