The New York herald., 1879-09-22
Thirteen Pedestrians Take the Track
for the Ashley Belt.
HOW THE START WAS MADE.
Exciting Scenes In and About
Gilmore's Garden.
TEN THOUSAND SPECTATORS.
Hazael Takes the Lead in the
Opening Laps.

OPSnlLS AdpS.
The fth contest for the Ashley Belt began at Gill;
more's Garden last night in the presence of crowd
variously estimated from five thousand to twelve
thousand persons. But for the efficient police
arrangements great difficulty would have
been experienced. The large and impatient
crowds that surged around the entrances ac-
corded to the men attests that great
public interest is still felt in pedestranisn. despite
the grotesque forms it has OF late assumed The ad
mission fee OF 81, which, 1t was predicted. would
great falling of in attendance and interest.
certainly did not the initial night affect the box
office receipts. ALI things considered. the opening
of the contest grand success. and nothing was
left for the managers the contestants
to wish for. The crowd not SO great
as that which attended the opening Of the
Rowell match last March, but what it lost
in numbers more than compensated for in
character. thus fulfilling the intention Of the mana
gers in raising the price Of admission. The men
peared in the building about midnight. all in good
FORM Most of them took dinner at six o'clock, and
Immediately thereafter retired to Sleep Several OF
them who were during the day brought from their
quarters to the Putnam House walked over. but
those at the various other hotels to the Garden
Ia carriages.
DAY SCENES OUTSIDE THE GARDEN.
Long before noon. while the good folk of the city
were at divine worship. great crowds gathered in
the neighborhood Of the Garden. All the adjacent
corners were invested by knots Of men and boys
who stared with curious interest at the blank walls
behind which the great walk to take place,
When the church goers began to stream. up and
down Fourth and Madison avenues. and many OF
them stopped by the way in wonder at the gaping
crowd the outside scene was as animated As though
the match were actually in progress. As the after
noon wore on the crowd continued to grow
until when the hour of six arrived, 1t
difficult to get at the Madison avenue door,. 1t
was announced on Saturday that all persons having
business In the Garden would be admitted at ak
O'Clock on Sunday. and many who hoped by an
nouncing themselves as employees to gain admission
were crowded against the main entrance. con-
tngency Of this kind had been provided against and
only those who had what Dan Bryant used to call
the "squidulum" were admitted. The "squidulum'
was pass announcing the business Of the bearer.
The number Of spurious "supes' who presented
themselves to the doorkeeper that official declares.
was over two hundred.
'.Let me in. I'm the chiropodist that takes Of
Panchot's feeti" vociferated Of the applicants
'say. young fellah tell Eddie Drew that Clever
wants to see himI" shouted q hard booking man
back In the crowd
Wnue tnls nOWlln8 was gong on quhlut auo or-
nate orations were indulged in by gentlemen on
whose feet the crowd were treading. Suddenly
some one who had business in the building. and who
had passed Cerberus, would appear at the portal
and sing out
N"Where is Sullivan ?" or where is Brown?
Forthwith twenty voices would respond. in
chorus. Here ami
Being man who had served along time as door
keeper at theatre. where for years he had
countered the young man who wanted to see DR.. So
and-So. who was inside. and the young man who
wanted to tell Mrs. whatyoumaycaller that her
child in convulsions in the house. and tho
young man who had lost his check between the acts.
the gentleman at the Madison avenue entrance
undismayed by the artistic devices OF the deadh eads
and they had to remain outside. The sullivans and
Browns in vain protested that Mr.. Hess.
or Mr.. Kuntz. Mr.. Potter. Mr.. At
kiDson wanted particularly to see them. 1t
was of no use. The terms Of admission settled
the desires of Mr.. Hess. Mr.. Kuntz. Mr. Potter and
Mr.. Atkinson to the contrary notwithstanding. The
number OF respectfully dressed men. who declared
and probably with truth. that they had engagements
to meet one other of the walkers in the Garden,
was also great But they. like the others, were de-
MED admission. So. for almost two hours. the poor
doorkeeper. who is good-natured chap. was co m
pced to do violence to his nature by fidelity to
duty.
tA GIVING MAN A REST.
When all the possible devices had been exhausted
the wicked ceased from troubling and the weary
guard mad q short respite 1t was only short, how
ever. for about nine o'clock business grew brisk
again. The young man who wanted to Captain
Williams. and the young man who must Mr..
Kuntx on particular business. and the young man
armed with letter for Mr.. Hess, which he must de-
liver himself appeared at this time with great fire.
vivSa rer1o k1.o IN,
grow larger. and the gradual increase con-
tinued until twelve. when several hundred were
crowded into the avenue in front Of tho main
entrance. The appearance Of any ono connected
with the match as participant or bscker was the
signal for general excitement. 1t was during the
afternoon. however. that the greatest excitement
snsued. At about the hour Of church closing Pan
chot and Rowell and Weston appeared among the
crowd outside. aud the small boy. who then
In force. exercised his lungs with vehemence.
Panchot seemed to enjoy his walk up aud down
Twenty-sixth street. and Weston accepted the
plaudits OF the gamins o matter of tact.
Rowell dallied with his little cane and forced
his way into the Garden without noticing
any one. The homage paid to these pedestrians
sQualled that displayed to the reverend prelates
who, when on the way to tho late dedication Of the
new Cathedral, mot by hundreds anxious for
look and blessing. Tho public interest felt in
tho mon and all their sayings and doings was
curiously manifested yesterday while Panchot was
walking in Twenty sixth street. Now aud then
some one whom he knew who was brave enough
to engage 30 great asporson in conversation would
stop him and chat for few seconds and then pass
on No sooner did the privileged disengage him
self than he was beset by score of mon and boys.
all anxious to honr what the pedestrian had
said. Some of them seemed quite happy when theY
heard second hand the words just fallen from greS
lips. This curiosity was not confined to boys; men
were equally afflicted.
DRAWING THE rRNrs.
During the afternoon most of the walkers or their
hackers appeared at the Garden order to draw tor
tents. The location OF these tents has been a bone
Of contention among of the walkers for week
past. One two of the contestants declared that
they wanted certain sites, and OF course, this an
nouncement OF preference sufficient to imme-
dfately develop opposition. Forthwith SOW
eral men all wanted the same spot.