The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-04-10
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.

cOutagiOn so QUICK hs in the pItSeul
contest az Gilmore's Garden to decide
the long distance championship Of the
world. The rush on Monday morning
was so great that the police gave orders
to stop the selling of tickets. This act
so infuriaied the crowd that they surged
against the frame work at the entrance,
breaking down the PARTITION. Inspector
Williams, be that never hesitates, hast
lily gathered together q dozen Of his
blue-coats, and reached the scene in
time to tap the head Of the leader. An
indiseiiminate clubbing here took place.
The old advice, "Hit wherever you see a
head" was faithfully carried out, and
many received punishment who were
not entitled to il. Yet on occasions Of
that kind policemen can hardly be ex-
pected to stop and listen to the griev-
ances, complaints or stories Of the null
titude; besides, they would disobey
orders if they allowed the club to re-
main idle. In the spring Of 1873, Sir
John d. Ashley Bart, NJ. p, great
lover Of athletic sports, and fair pedes-
trian himself, conceived the idea Of in
augurating a pedestrian tournament Of
six days duration, wherein the compet-
itors could go as they pleased, the man
getting over or covering the most
miles in that time to be Acknowledged
as the best performer in the world. The
idea was acted upon at once, aud invi-
tations sent throughout the world to all
prominent pedestrians. As result
petitors, and subscribed to the rules and
conditions, which were: sweepstakes
OF ten soyereigns each, for all comers;
each comp mretitor to make, by running or
walking, the best Of his way on foot
without assistance) for six days and
six nights, 4. C., TO start at one o'clock
A. NJ, on Monday, March is, 1878, and
finish at half past ten o'clock T.. NJ,
March %. The man accomplishing the
greatest distance in the specified time to
be the champion pedestrian OF the world,
and TO have iutrusted to his keeping
belt, value elOO, and to receive $500;
second, elOO; third ESQ; and any COM
petitor covering u distance Of four humid
red miles to receive back his stake with
an additional 60 Any competitor
(olher than the first three mem cover
ering more than five hundred miles TO
have an additional e5 for every three
miles over the five hundred miles, such
amount not to exceed $40. The surplus
receipts (if any over expenses to be
either divided between the competitors
who have covered more than four humid
red aud sixty miles in the same proper
tion as the prizes, or awarded in further
prizes 10 encourage pedestrianism. Two
tracks were laid down-One for English
men and one for foreigners-the former
measuring seven laps to the mile and
the latter eight laps to the mile. The
contest took place at Agricultural Hall,
London, and O'Leary carried the belt
over the Atlantic. Two attempts have
since been made by various pedestrian
pretendors to wrest the belt from its
owner, in both OF which O'Leary came
out victorious, and Sir John Ashley, the
creator Of the belt, saw possible chance
OF its decease, and hardly liking the
farces that had been enacted over its
head, determined to at least give his
/ belt an ordinary chance TO save its Iiie
/ With this view, he no doubt looked
around to see who was the man 10 send
across the pond to take Daniel O'Leary
into camp. After much forethought,
William Rowell was called out Of the
long line Of pedestrians as the most re-
liable man, and one who could bring
back to Engiand's shore the belt that
encircles the HibeTno-A a merican. As a
result OF this determination, the present
race at Gilmore Garden grew out OF it,
and from what have seen to-day the
Englishman will beyond doubt return
to England in possession Of the belt and
no less than $4,000 gate money.
Some scientific tests, which have been
in progress several months by one OF
the most distinguished professors Of ag-
ricu.tural chemistry in tue country,
have developed the rather startling fact
that the sprouting qualities of last years
crop Of No. , spring wheat have been
seriously damaged, owing to the ex-
cessive heat which prevailed just before
the haIvest-time last year in various
parts OF the West, notably in Mime.
sofa, in consequence Of which a large
quantity Of the wheat product was ut
terly ruined by blight. The fact is OF
incalcuable Importance to farmers in
the West. No. > spring is a grade gen.
orally used for sowing purposes, and II
is feared, unless the farmers are promptly
informed of this timely discovery as tc
the deterioration of last years product,
and make ample allowance for il in
theirarraugement for sowing this spring
that the next crop will not equal fifty
per cent. Of the usual product per acre
Ii is stated that the damage TO the
sproutiug capacity of the kernel is not
such as to affect its value for millin &
purposes. Outwardly aud to all appear
ances the kernal is plump aud unim'
paired, but it is the structural interior
growth which is affected. The dis
covery Of these facts is timely, indeed
and il promptly promulgated may aver
very disastrous consequences, such al
would surely follow upon the genera
use OF damaged wheat for sowing pur
poses. Atthe same time, the fact is on,