The New York herald., 1879-10-15
FLUSHING'S SPORTS.
HARRY HILL TAKES HAND IN THE DAYS
ADJUSTMENTS AND WINS A FOOT RACE.

HARRY HILL TAKES A HAND IN THE DAYS
ADJUSTMENTS AND WINS A FOOT RACE.
At the head OF Flushing Bay. on Long Island,
there was one of the most extraordinary gather
ing of athletes yesterday that has been seen for
some years in this region. The occasion was the
opening of Harry Hills new hotel in that part Of
the country. Nearly everybody Of note was there.
Politicians Of every stripe attended Some came in
wagons. some with their own teams and others
by the late train on the Long Island
Railroad. The Congressman Of the district was
there and all the officials of the countryside like
wise. By the early trains which left at half-past
eleven o'clock the athletes went. did the rowers
and others who wanted to compete for the prizes
which were offered. But the earlier struggles for
athletic honors not to be compared with those
which occurred afterward; for sparring wrestling
and running races Of any account did not come OF
TIE EVENT OF THE DAY.
There some discussion as to who should
contest for the prize of the 100 yard race.
though there were a great many people entered no.
body cared to run except Harry Clifton. He had
been barred for age, because he ffty-hve years
old and it was presumed that nobody of that age
could be found to match him. There were young
men enough around to run for that prize. but they
could not be assimilated. there was difference OF
weight. age former record pending between them.
and none of them willing to be ptted against SO
old a man us Mr.. Clifton. The sports at halt.
and IN the extremity Mr. Robert Smith, better known
as the 'Judge," suggested that ne could nnd man
who could win the 10G yard dash from Mr.. Clifton
age no discount. There was some parey about this
because Mr.. Clifton. who in former times was
known to be n good runner, had put himselfH in fx
for this occasion, and willing to run against
ANYBODY. Therefore the thing was taken seriously
into consideration by Mr.. Hills son william. and.
considering the challenger's age he named his
father for 100000 Mr.. Clifton from the lower
bridge to the upper from the word GO" Robert
Smith chosen referee. and Harry Hill and Harry
Clifton left their outer clothing ut the goal.
FUNNIEST RACE ON RECORD.
II s safe to say that pedestrian match was ever
so funny as this. Both men dead in earnest.
Each man wanted to win. and they didn't care cent
for the the road that either kicked up. The
but neither could keep up with them. though they
both encouraged them to the utmost and just
rived at the winning post In tme to take their men
to safe quarters, where GOODNESS and refreshments
might be found. Harry Hill was the winner. and he
said afterward it neck nothing with him. but
yards for $4,000 who is not under fortyseven years
old and did not weigh less than 201 pounds. His
time in this race was 100 yards in ~ seconds Tho
loser twenty-five seconds behind.
ATHLETICS.
After Mr.. Hills extraordinary effort ensued con-
tests for hstic honors between Messrs. Kelly, Me-
Coy. English. Murphy. Taylor. OReilley and Others
been seen. Each pair of athletes strove for tho
mastery with commendablc vigor. and every strug-
gle was upon the turf in the open air. People sat
the verandas and watched them, and those that
interested in them squatted on the turf
about the margin OF the ring they might have
done at Farnham during the Heenan and Sayers
fight. Nothing in gladiatoral way could have
been moro complete than Harry Hills opening OF
his new place yesterday To use the gy mnasts exc
preston, 1t was simply splendid