Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-07-04
weston's Winning of the Ashley Belt.

WestOn's Winning Of the Ashley Belt
The follo'sing is condensed from the
New York HerdiFS account of the fin
ish of the international walking match
at Londtl:
Woston's fight with the resolution
that he would surpass all previous rec
ords caused universal excitement.
Nothing seemed to stop him in his
steady work, and thus being pushed
and full of "go," he had against his
name at half-past nine o'clock, 140h.
and 30m, from the commencement of
the competition, 543 miles, laps, the
greatest distance ever accomplished in
o like contest, and one mile three laps
more than his opponent had made when
he won the English championship.
The marking on the board of these fig
ures was met with loud cheering.
The attendance, which on Thursday
and Friday was very small, was larger
to-day. There were fully 4 200 people
in the hall tonight. They were very
enthusiastic and cheered Weston con-
tinuously. Indeed, the best feeling was
manifested on every hand Browns
form in the last match seemed wonder
full, but Weston's condition throughout
this match has been even better He
| danced around the track in the liveliest
way. He would run one lap and then
walk another at tremendous pace.
| The American seemed on springs, al
ways fresh and in splendid spirits.
When the music played he walked
faster than ever, and apparently might
have gone on forever. His perfect con-
dition is proved by some of his last
miles. The 501st mile was reeled off
| in I'm. 39s.; the 526th mile was done in
I'm. 37s., and was the fastest during the
, match; the 535th was scored in SIN.
49s., and the 540th in I'm. 58s.
At 9:l3 Weston passed Browns
record with 13 minutes to spare, amid
great cheering. He made, it will be
remembered, 542 miles 2 laps in 14Oh.
27m. 20s. Weston continued his great
speed, however, as he had no time to
lose if he was to succeed in making his
$50 miles. AT this time Panchot, the
Buffalo postman, presented Weston
with bouquet decorated with Ameri-
can flags, and EnniS warmly congratu-
lated him. After Blower Brown
finished 452 miles laps he paraded in
a scarlet jacket covered with medals.
His appearance was in great contrast
to his admirable form in the last match.
Tonight he was stiff, tired and down.
cast.
As the hour of eleven approached the
eyes of the spectators were often cast
from the board on which the score was
kept to the clock. There was little
anxiety, however, as it was clearly fore
seen that Weston would perform the
task of walking the $50 miles. The
crowd gathered closely around the
track and congratulations were show
cred on the pedestrian from every side.
The many Americans present were
modestly proud of their champions
success. Westou's wife and child and
a few of his personal friends were pres
ent at his tent, which was a perfect
bower of flowers.
The closing moments of the walk ap-
preached. The last two miles (549th
and 550th) were made in lin. 24s, and
lin. Bis. AS Weston passed his tent
for the final lap he was given the Brit
ish and American flags, which he car
ried around the ring, waving them
amid the deafening cheering and the
din of the music. The band first played
yankee Doodle and ended with
"Rule Britannia" He finished his
$50 miles at 10h, 55m. los, when he
marched to the entrance and took cab
home. Sir John Ashley was present at
Agricultural Hall all day encouraging
the American. He said to me this
evening: "My bet with Weston was
that he would not make $50 miles by
eleven o'clock tonight. He has, there
fore, won."
The profits of the whole affair will
not exceed SO, 3,000-in sorry contrast to
the amount which the New Yorkers
showered into the lap of Rowell. Wes-
ton has two-thirds of this (or 81, ,O0O) be-
sides his stakes. 1t would appear that
the boasted enthusiasm in England re-
garding manly sports is something of a
fiction. Weston probably starts for
New York at an early day. Brown is
arranging already to go in few weeks.
New York is the rich bonanza that is
now going to be worked by the British
pedestrian enthusiasts.
Rowell, who was present all day and
clearly did not like the looks of things,
also goes out to America at an early
day. Panchet returns Immediately to
complete his plans so that he can enter
the contest for the belt. Ennis, who
returns in fortnight $4,000 out of
pocket, also enters for the struggle at
Madison Square Garden.