The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-13
The Weary Pedestrians Rest
ing on Their Laurels.
LESSONS OF THE CONTEST.
Walkers Cannot Compete with Runners In
"GO-AS- YOu.PleaSe" Matches.
A CHAT WITH THE CHAMPION.

Tho winner of the OLeary belt was discovered by
. reporter yesterday In luxurious apartment in the
Union Square Hotel. During the contest he had
made his headquarters at the humbler hosiery OPP
posite Madison Square Garden. known as tho ru''
nam House; but when he was declared victor his
friends thought that the pedestrian champion
of America should BIO lodged in apartments
suited to his new dignity. When the reporter
entered, Murphy was seated on SOFA dressed IN his
ordinary Clothes except that In place or shoes ne
wore stockings drawn over his bandagei ieet' Inc
size Of the feet was something phenomenal D"t
the pedestrian explained that this owing to the
fact that they were swathed in bandages. He adj
mitted that his feet and swollen but not to
the extent that they appeared to be- Several friends
were present, discussing the merits or last weeks
race. among them the ex-champion. OLeary. With
the exception of his swollen feet Murphy seemed to
be In excellent condition He was lively and bright
and exhibited but few traces of fatigue. In reply
to the reporters questions he stated that his
arst exhibition walk given at Haverstraw
last year. It heel and toe walk.
He made hfty-one miles in twelve hours
on track which had ffty-fve laps to the mile. His
second exhibition was walk of 100 miles In twenty
four hours. This task he successfully accomplished
on a track Of forty laps to tho mile. During last
spring he made match In Nyack with . pedestrian
named Kelly. whom he defeated In twenty-four
hours walk. scoring eighty-two miles. He also
walked against Regain. OF Sutferns. in twenty
four hours contest but Regau withdrew
after seventeen hours. when Murphy was ten miles
ahead. After this he went to Providence. where he
entered in the OLeary -Englehardt match. but when
he had made eighty miles he got sick and was
Obliged to retire. He also took part in the
second Providence contest. which was won by
Hart. few days before the walk he had
bruised his log. AMI Us it became sore during
the walk he obliged to retire when lie had only
made forty seven miles, These failures made 1t
difficult for him to get entered in the last match. as
OLeary had but little confidence in his staying
powers It only by the persistent efforts OF his
friends that he was permitted to enter tho race
"How did you feel during tho contest. Mr..
Murphy
''Ifsit quite WE'LL but. Of course, was tired.
was hungry all the time and eat WELL"
WHAT THE CHAMPION LIVED ON.
"What did you eat principaliyY
"Beefsteak, custard, potatoes, milk and bread.
also drank good deal of ginger ale"
Ibid your feet trouble you inuch?
eyes; suffered good deal with my feet During
the first day the sawdust got into my shoes and
broke my feet all up They are pretty sore now and
somewhat swollen. lost flesh during the walk. but
arms. face and body. Ny legs are in first rate con-
dition.
''Havo you any complaints to mako against the
mo Everything was conducted squarely. There
some mistakes in tho scoring when we first
started. but believe the scorers meant to do right
The mistakes made did not amount to much. and
am sure got credit for every mile made,
''Were you pushed hard during the racer"
"No. After the first day KNEW could keep my
place unless unforeseen accident should occur.
such as spraining my leg or having sudden attack
there was no need to make extra exertions;
ayes; think could ii had been pushed hard"
''will You challenge Rowell?"
.'No; don't intend to do SO. I mean to try and
keep the O'Ieary belt IL can. don't know that
Ill ever go to England.
'.Do you think Howard can wrest the bolt from
.'No; don't think hc can"
USED UP.
Faber was reclining on his bed in small room in
the Putnam House when the reporter entered. He
partly dressed and stated that he had been out
Tor mornings walk just to stretch his logs. He
looked completely tired OUT and in his there is
doubt but that his physical strength was taxed to
the utmost Faber IL u German by birth apd
is about thirty-hvo years old. He has the
appearance Of a quiet. goodnatured man and Lis
quaint broken English lends certain grave conf
cality to his conversation. BY trade he is candy
profession worked in Newark. N. j. He has been in
the United States about eight years. His strong
point IL mis- power of going for great length
Of time without sleep. During the walk just nm
lshed he slept On an average only about two and
with less rest than any known pedestrian. His weak
point 10 his inability to run With the exception OF
The first mile no walked all the time in the OLeary
belt contest. James Smith. his trainer. with
him when the reporter entered and said he wished
stated that the reason why he compelled Faber to
return to the track on Saturday when the man was
In q very exhausted condition to prevent
Brody from capturing the third place.
,eit. Faper replied: III feel ali right. am sound
al over. My feet not In the least swollen. nor
have the slightest trace Of fever in the feet as is
usual after so long walk.
What do you think of the result of the walk?''
''It was a very good walk: Murphy is a nice
by tho managers, and all the acted we'll except
Howard. He acted meanly to ali the other men,
"Are you satisfied with the scoring?"
Eyes. except In one case; but don't wish to say
anything about It until the sheets can DO cx-
amined."
Whose score do you doubt?"
"weil, don't want to say yet"
mo; Murphy walked overy mile he is credited
with
..why did you not run during the contest?'
because IL would have broken up. am
walker not q runner I can beat any OF tho men
walking. but will never enter match against
ners again. walked $50 miles less two laps up to
two o'clock Saturday. beating the best time
made in this country or anywhere else"
FABEn sKETcHED
Mr.. X. Murray, u member ot the N.P.A.A.A., and
brother Of the hacker of Hughes in the OLcary walk
of q year ago. was visited with view obtain some
al know Fabor," said he. He's a queer cuss.
He'd sit in place all evening and never Say word:
If you asked him about u match he'd say, III
sort OF disposition has he? It's qucer--vcry
queer. He's quiet. but good natured. Friday night
When hundred of tho Newark boys went and pre-
scented him with a basket Of flowers and floral
harp, with tho letters 'N.P.A.A.A." ON the latter.
he was delighted. One OF the members walked
around with Him on tho track. Faber made him give
him his Newark badge and he wore 1t all the eve,-
Ing. faber In the twenty tour hours walk
ut the Newark Rink on February 81 last and made
l07 miles. winning the New Jersey championship
belt. He was only OH the track ton minutes out OF
You go and Billy Williams. his backer.''
Tho reporter did so, and found MIR. Billy Williams.
who is the junior partner IN Newark shoe store.
httng No. gater. AS soon as he could tear him.
self away he attended to the reporters questions:
III hrst knew Fabcr." said Mr.. Williams. when
and he was Quot and gritty took q notion to