Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-19
The Closing Honrs Of the Walk
ing Match.
From the New York Times.

ing the crowd was so dense that all outline of
boxes and seats was extinguished. The side
pens below, skirting the outer edge of the
track, were fairly bursting with people. In
the inner ellipse there such a dense
throng that moving about was a matter of the
greatest difficulty. Every proje ction of the
false rock-work of the grotto and every niche
and crevicc of the vast building into which a
person could be packed was occupied. Even
the remaining wing of the temporary gallery
was filed. The track only was clear. That
was lined by a double row of stalwart police
men. stationed about six feet apart, and no
body was allowed to pass them. Another
force of reserves was packed in the long caves
under the seats near the Madison avenue en-
trance. There were $50 men in all in uni
form inside the building, to say nothing of
swarm of detectives, under command of In
| spector Dilks and Capt. Williams. Never
before was an assemblage so madly and per-
sistently enthusiastic.
The cheers rolled in successive swells
around and around the vast ampitheatre, wave
following wave as one man after another ap-
peared in sight. Yels, cat-calls, scrcechcs,
and shouts of encouragement rose above the
din on every side. The name of each man
was called out, and three regular cheers and
a tiger were given for him over and over
got his share and Rowsll was not forgotten.
The two latter kept close together, the gener-
Gus little Englishman devoting his time TO
coaching the poor, notwithstanding, stag
gering. but plucky down-easter, in his desper-
ate efforts to encompass $50 miles. The
kindly deed was noticed on all sides, and
drew forth continual shouts of admiration.
Ennis plodded along alone at good gait but
his legs seemed stiff for the first time in the
six days, and his stride was little unssinly.
A handsome basket of flowers was presented
to him At 10, and the spectators, who eager
ly snatched upon every opportunity to applaud
yelled themselves hoarsc. Ennis was now
on his four hundreth and sixty eighth mile.
He ran the last lap amid frantic cheering,
yelling and whistling, and kept on for few
steps further, until he got alongside of Rowell
and Hartman, the latter Of whom was be-
ginning his four hundred and fiftieth mile
Rowell stepped ahead OF Hartman to cut out
his pace for him, and Ennis fell in behind to
assist him if necessary. The crowd instantly
recognized the generous intentions of the two
rival athletes, and the rafters rang with such
hearty, spontaneous, and continued outburst
of applause as has seldom awakened the
echoes on any occasion. In this style the
procession went-litte Rowell with head erect
and eyes bright but bobbing painfully on
thin almost to a skeleton, and looking as
though every lettering step would be his last,
and sturdy Ennis, stiff and tired, but plodding
with determined gait-for six laps. Then
Ennis's little boy-a tiny fodder of 3 years,
dressed in black velvet suit, came out of
the cottage and took his fathers hand. Ennis
slowed his gait to match the baby's footsteps,
and took a turn with him about the track. Row
ell and Hartman went on, and lady gave the
former a magnificent floral pillow. The as
semblage redoubled its cheers at these Incl
dents. if such thing were possible.
As Hartman came up the home stretch on
the last lap of his great task at s. A. :0S, bear
ing floral pillow, in size resembling Rowslrs,
and marked in colors with the American shield.
the crowd grew perfectly frantic. Everybody
sprang to their feet and shrieked, yelled and
shouted and the entire prospect was one un-
| broken mass Of waving hats and futtering
| handkerchiefs. Even the reporters, who have
hitherto kept silent attending to business. for
got their note books for an instant and chccred
with the rest. The relief of the moment. sf-
ter watching the struggles of the poor broken
down pedestrian for three long days and
nights, combined with the natural sympathy
on account of his nationality and the intense
admiration aroused by his pluck, were ire
sistible. Rowell, who followed after, wa.
/
so also was Ennis, who carried third floral
pillow. But all the previous excitement was
as nothing when Hartman Unexpectedly mp
peared, few minutes later, his face agl wv
and his eyes glittering with excitement and
qualification, forging along at an astonishing
ly rapid gait Across his body hun z a tri-
colored silk scarf, decorated with hutteriny
ribbons. second time he came around
| this time bearing over his shoulders a large
American flag. Rowell and Ennis trudged
gayly behind him. like well-drilled recruits
The rafters fairly shook with applause the
surplus enthusiasm finding vent in a furious
whirling Of hats and canes and shaking Of
handkerchiefs. A third time Hartman ap-
peared, bowling and shaking hands on every
side AS he passed, and once more the roar
swellcd to deafening pitch. At As 40 he
retired from the track for good, having COM
pleted $50 miles and laps in l39h. 46m. 4Os,
or deducting rests, 95h. Slim. 1885,, an average
of little less than four miles an hour actual
walking time.
Ennis and Rowell, left to themselves. put
on burst of speed which carried them around
two laps, and completed Rowelrs five hum
dredth mile. As the little fellow came up to
the judges's stand, one of the latter snatched
up the immense loaf of twist bread decorated
with ribbons, spoken of yesterday, and thrust
~,
and although it was nearly as big as himself
bore it off laughingly. 1t would be useless
to attempt to describe the noise and excite
ment which these last events created, ending
in a circling roar of laughter as the champion
and his unwiedy prize appeared in sight
Had one of the Americans been the victor the
enthusiasm could scarcely have been more in
tense and hearty. In fact, the yelling, cheer
| ing, and waving of handkerchief had not
ceased for an appreciable moment for two
hours and over Nor were they ended now
Rowell reappeared from his cottage in few
moments clad in an ulster and carrying
large American flag. Then the assemblage
went mad in earnest. There could be no
installing the recognition accorded to his
pluck and endurance to the fairness with
which he won the belt and to his generous
and gentlemanly conduct during the match.
| He ended his walk at 8 $50 30 in l39h. som
and Sos. from the start, or, deducting stops,
in Josh. 35m. and l2s.-an average of lit
tie less than five miles an hour. The band
played "God Save the Queen" as Rowell re-
entered his cottage for the last time.
| Ennis kept plodding along and the applause