The New York herald., 1879-08-30
THE PEDESTRIANS.

RECEPTION TO CHAMPION WESTON AT THE MAD
IsoN SQUARE GARDEN-'BLowER" BROWN
SAYS HE WILL NOT ENTER FOB THE ASHLEY
BELT. S
Henry Brown. or as he is better known, "Blower''
Brown, Weston's contestant in the recent walk for
the Ashley Belt in England left the steamship Cali
fornia early yesterday morning. having. reported
in yesterdays HERALD arrived here the previous
night. Brown was accompanied by Smith. his
trainerJohn Smith, as it happens. The California
anchored in midstream, and the passengers were
taken ashore on q tug. Arrived at the dock.
pier 2l. at tho foot of Dey street. Brown inquired
for OLeary and seemed surprised that the ex-cham-
pion was not there to receive him. A few persons
were on hand to welcome him. whom he received
with quietness that somewhat belied his soLriQuet
OF Blower. and. after giving directions to
pressman in regard to his luggage, he started on
foot for the Ashland House, in company with his
trainer and two friends. Later in the day HERALD
reporter met him in the reading room Of the hotel.
where Rowell also reading the newspapers after
early dinner.
In appearance "Blowcr'' Brown is the ideal of o
pedestrian. OF medium height. strongly knit, 1.-the
and muscular he is certainly man of very great
durance. and his face indicates the possession Of
both courage and persistence. Although unmistaka-
bly, English. he is not the typical John Bull.
Are you going to enter for the Ashley Belt contest.
Mr.. Brown" the reporter asked.
sNo, I am not" the podesttian answered promptly
''and I will tell you why. Some time ago Mr.
OLeary asked mo to enter for his match. At that
time nothing had been said about the walk tor the
belt. and accepted Mr.. OLearys invitation.
Having entered could not well 60 back OF 1t,
and the two matches come too closely together for
both 4, had
apart. now. Imight have gone in for both. but as
things are cannot do so."
'Are you not sorry to see an opportunity to win
the belt slip through your handsY' asked the re-
porter.
swell. yes; but then Ishall challenge the winner"
''How did you enjoy your voyageY
81 enjoyed 1t very much l escaped seasickness
almost altogether. In fact. had only about fve
minutes of it, although the sea was very rough and
the winds against nearly all the time.
Whenever was not asleep was deck"
''Have you been to the Garden yet?'
'.Oh. yes I've been there. like the place very
well for match. aud am only sorry that there is
not time enough between the walk for the Ashley
Belt and OLeary.s to allow me to enter for both.
"Areyou going over to the Weston reception to-
night" the reporter asked as he turned to leave
81 shall go over. certainly" Mr.. Brown answered.
bowling.
evening he appeared at Madison square Garden to
do honor to his successful competitor at Agricul-
tural Hall. The red handkerchief round his mock
was made brilliant by the electric light and until
| Weston came he was the cynosure of all eyes. A
goodly company had gathered to greet the champion
| While the band played the "Grand March of Vic
tory" in Westons honor. Verdis "Nebuchadnezzar''
| overture, waltz OF Gungl and other selections.
| Mr.. Henry Bergh and several members of the
COMMITTED Of Reception sat round table waiting to
| receive the guest OF the evening. Presently tho
champion came forward, bowling profoundly. He
a. <hath
In full dressa refinement that greatly gratifed the
audience. Following him was Mr.. Rufus +. An
| drews, and then came DIR. II. Ogden Doremus who
| was To preside on the occasion.
THE OPENING ADDRESS
| DIR. Doremus placed "A roll of manuscript on the
table and proceeded to adjust his eyegass. Then ho
began in very loud voice. but with adistinct
citation. to speak Of the Valley of Olympia and paid
his respects to the Olympian Jove at the time
/ compimcnting the artist Phdias the delineator
of Drawn and muscle The Olympic games next
ns Sn
sor. 'in atmospheric ocean, one-hfth of which is
oxygen" and then, through some very scientific
chemical processes and inductons he reached the
| philosophy Of walking. Some people could walk
fve miles in day. he said and some thirteen but
finally at the suggestion Of Dr. Austin Flint. Jr.. he
met number Of scientists and it was deter
mined to prepare Edward Payson Weston for
walk Of 100 miles in a day for the pur-
pose OF scientific observation. In conscquenc
everybody took to long distance walking. Manhattan
Island. he remarked. was peculiarly adapted for this
exercise and 1t to be regretted that Mr.. Cyrus
| w. Field and other gentlemen had introduced the
''L roads. thereby destroying the good effects OF
Weston's Instructions He observed, however, that
one gentleman had evidently his error. for
| Governor Tilden had sold his stock and attributed
Mr.. vanderblts opposition to the walk in the Gar
den to fear that Weston may injure his roads. Tho
best Anti-fat remedy he said, was to take up your
bod and walk. In conclusion he thanked Sir John
Ashley fer his appreciation of westons qualities and
referred to Rowen and Brown in complimentary
terms.
| ADDRESS WELCOME.
Mr.. Rufus i. Andrews then made the address of
welcome to tho champ on. Mr.. Andrews told Weston
he lntstook the American peopie if he made the
remarks attributed to him by the newspapers. They
did sympathize with you," he said, ''as was evi-
dent by the eager crowds which surrounded the buc-
tins, and they arc glad to you back. The Yankees
and you are one Of them. are great people," He
then tried to estimate the number of Victories
the Americans had the British from the
Revolution to the latest walk for the belt but
exceedingly mixed in his history, and then ad-
dressed himself to Rowcll as one who would bear
testimony to the generosity of the American people.
Rowell sat quietly in his place, and finally tho ad-
| dress of welcome was finished.
| wEsIOSs SPEECH.
| On coming forward Weston ut once began OK.
plation OF hs complaints of Americans the day of
his arrival. When he lett the city four years ago he
was an American. and an American he returns. Per-
haps he did not sufficiently qualify his remarks In
regard to taking the contest for the belt to Australia
II he could have his way In this he had not meant
to include dsrespect to whole nation. but only the
| eo.callcd friends. who had stood aoof from him.
He was human, and lie could feel a
slight keenly, but he did not claim to do
what no other man could do He spoke OF Sir John
Ashley with great Kindness and then described the
recent walk. When lac started he said he heard on
every side. "Poor Weston he has no chance After
the first day 1t was thought ne might last twenty.
four hours longer and then no determined TO discard
his natural laglness and go In and do something.
| After three days Brown came up to him and said,
~ U.t ts.lf -