The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-15
PEDESTRIANISM.
rEN-uLE WALKING CONTEST FOR THE AMATEUR
CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ENGIASD-MERRILL
THE WINNER.

CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ENpiASD
THE WINNER.
[pY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
BosroS Jan. IA. 1879.
=. The gentlemen who have charge OF the Orthodox
Hebrew Fair in the Mechanics Building have been
prolinc in their schemes to make il financial sue
cess They have had the Governor. the Mayor, sew
crsl ex-Govcrnors aud several gentlemen VINO want
to be Governor exhibition.
Tonight they had the novel spectacle or walking
match for the amateur championship belt OF New
England Strange TO say The chief competitors were
from the gymnasiums of the Young Mems Christian
Association and the Young Mems Christian Union.
There nineteen entries and ont OF those iour-
teen reported on the track tonight as follows:-
W. H. Holt b. Y. VI. G. A. Gymnasium.
j. II. Maxwell, Is. Y. NJ G. A. Gymnasium
H. f. Nutting, b. Y. NJ &. A. Gymnasium.
j. O'Hara b. Y. NJ. Z. A. Gymnasium.
Oscar Walker formerly Wokeck,. Union Athletic
j. l. coogan D. Y. NJ G. A. Gymnasium.
T. shaughnessey. Wakefield Mass.
Z. ii. Lewis, East Cambridge
William pcgrlm. Brighton
j. H. Burln. Providence, H. l.
G. L. Lyon Lynn.
H. h. Merriil. Union Athletic Club.
Charles L. Gallagher. Abingdon, Mass.
Henry c. Young, b. Y. NJ &. A. Gymnasium.
The track was laid out the outside of the exhibit
ton cases. with thirteen laps to the mile The prize
was to be the championship belt which
of a chain. The links are twelve in number. COM
posed of silver medals. The clasp is solid silver four
inches long by three inches wide upon which is the
cut of pedestrian illustrating the square heel and
toe" also the inscription, Amateur championship
of New England for ten miles,
A. twenty minutes to nine p NJ. the competitors
were pacei in line and the word Go given, when
thev ali started of with lively dash There was
hard tussle for first place between Coogan Walker
and Merrill. L H. Lewis being content with the last
place. At the end Of the irst lap Merrill was
.1., hn1f and and RrrNc
third These advanced positions maintained
till the end OF the first mile, the contestants toward
hard TO cut down the evident lead obtained by their
more, heet-footed competitors ahead; The bulletin
rs s'r SIN ' ios E. Z. Merrill being the leader
During the second mile there change in the
relative positions of tho four or five who were show
ing to the front Holt plucky little fell
IoS from, the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton dropping into second place and pressing
built somewhat like oLoary. He has adopted
the champions style of walking too. using bis
IS man of" Of endurance pluck and Judgment and
ELECTED during the early stages Of the contest very
liberal applause. He was in front at the finish Of the
second mile, the time being 9m. 2s little Holt still
good second.
The young men had now become thoroughly
the third mile. Merrill still kept up his steady
stride .hr coming ana Bn n.o ftn noa
put on spult about the miGlle OF
the mile and passed to the second place. y tried to-
steal ahead of Merrill and terrific struggle ensued
with varying fortune for two laps, when Merrill
called on his reserve force and forged ahead
on the third mile. which was done in sm los
spurted again and shot up to the leader,
renewing the contest for the first place but Merrill
Ss hs plnsk sn little competitor Meanwhile the
struggle In the ranks waxed warm. Coogan.
Gallagher Burns and Pesran. colored young
i %Sh When HSs the forward. men crossed the
line on the thirteenth lap Of the fourth mile Holt
that the former had male the mile in ON. 2s.
When the fifth mile began Merrill had only one pace
the of
tanned with slight variation till the close Merrill
again crossing the line ahead Time; SIN SIS.
Dos, and the plucky pedestrians entered the
sixth with no abatement of their pace and
no signs of weakening. The struggle in this
mile was hard, Holt pressing on Merrill aud
driving him to his best. although he was
ns Was made on this mile Merrill forging along Il
terrific pace and crossing the line in Srn 25s. When
the seventh mile was entered on some Of
nursing their strength to be able to take advantage Of
any weskening tho part of the leaders, began to
these was nearly lap behind they put in some good
work and by several successful spurts slowly
Merrill and Holt and Walker walking at q fear
full rate of speed Merrill was still in front-time
em. l7s-Hot second. The excitement was now
down to the rival athletic clubs or the two Chris
tan. associations OF this city and the friends OF
each chcered their champions Justify During the
eighth mile Gallagher was drawn for unfair walking
and Holt showed signs of fatigue. He dropped down
to third place being half lap behind Merrill. who
never slackencd HIS pace Ohnra and Pegram and
Walker spurted puckily and gained some advantage.
only lose it again Holt crawled mp little. but he
was evidently .brokcn up" and his friends in vain
urged him close the gap between him and the rival
of the association. At the close OF this mile he
was nearly lap behind. Merrill walking in
% I3s The ninth mile started with Merrill still
ahead and Walker pressing him hard. but he out
walked him easily. Holt dropped out near
the close of this mile. he badly
chafed and could not keep up the con-
test This gave Merrill fresh courage and he spurted
successfully. making the mile in SIN. sos In the
tenth mile Walker vainly endcavored to close up on
Merrill but failed, the tremendous stride OF the
latter was invncible.. Pegram pushed ahead
bravely. as did also Lewis aud Maxwell, but
Merrill had II all his way and lap after lap
turned of in good style. He crossed the line in
1Om us. winning the champion belt Of New England
for amateurs
The ten miles were made in III. Bonn. 3Js.
The belt was presented to the winner, and hs
walked around the track amid the cheers OF the
audience. Among the interested spectators
Lieutenant Governor Long and lady. The exhibition
was very successful.
coI yYp G A pFDrSTcIAy