The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-01
MEETING OF THE WALKERS.
DANIEL O'LEIRY THE FIRST TO TAKE
ROWELL nv THE HAND.

Appearance or sir John Asticy's Bcst Man
n Model Athlete -tsntherIng or Noted Pc
dcstrians--Preparins for the Coming Fray.
The first man TO spring up the gang plank
Of the Parthia yesterday morning. after she
had been fastened TO her wharf in Jersey City.
was Daniel o Leary. He had read the announce
mont in THE sun that the ship had arrived in
the lower bay the night before with Charles
Nowel the English pedestrian. who had CONS
TO contest for Sir John Astley's champion belt Of
the world. Mr.. OLeary was the only rcprcsen-
tative Of the sporting fraternity who crossed the
river to greet the Englishman. The meeting OF
the rival pedestrians on the deck OF the steam
ship WIS cordial 1t was their first greeting.
OLeary's hearty grasp and good-natured eyes
made the Enghshman feel at home at once.
Rowe was accompanied by his friends and
trainers Messrs. c. Asplen and J. Simpson.
They all wore long ulsters. which prevented a
critical examination Of their physical develop
ment. although their eyes were bright and their
cheeks ruddy
After u little chat about their voyage which
Rowell said had been rough and tedious. the
ship making only 1870 miles day at times.
against head winds. the party crossed to New
York They fret visited Cilmore's Garden,
where preparations are being made for the
walk which Is t. be begun at ! \. VI March 10
md to last for six days and nights. kowcll and
his friends expressed themselves rs much
pleased with the building and arrangements.
The men then separated to 90 to thcir hotels
Hotel. a, 2S p. NJ. 10 talk over and arrange art,
Giles OF agreement for the walk.
Before me hour apHolntsd Daniel 0Leary,
who are TO walk with Rowell, met in the read
Ing room of the St James. Ennis had just ar
rived from Chicago. having been detained on
the road by heavy snow storms nearly two days.
With the pedestrians were several sporting
men and newspaper reporters.
BrOmutlN the NppUiutnN the three
Englishmen walked into the room. and were
warmly received They had thrown aside their
ulsters, and were uttired in yellow and gray
mixed English walking suits. They wore very
narrow trimmed Derby hats. Rowrll WIS per-
feet picture OF health and strength. Fresh from
his rough voyage. he looked a. though hecould
enter at once into amy athletic struggle and stay
for some time. He il tweuty-tour years old.
5 feet 6 inches high. and weighs 40 pounds
His hend IL Hs round as an apple. his thick
brown hair cropped short a. a prlze lighters,
eyebrows thick and bushy. with cheeks iull and
jaws firm. He has the shoulders and limbs Of
Hercules, When he is attired for the walk he
will show the largest pair OF logs ever seen on
His first trainer. Mr. Asplin, Is tall red.
fellow. They look as though they will stick to
their man from first TO last
MIR. O'Leary said that az first il was supposed
that there would he only two competitors Tor the
belt. but now that four We're IN the list, some
definite arrangements should he made ABOUT u
division OF the gate money. The articles gave
the winner half. How should the remainder b9
QlNlNtu 2 Intn tlfrr WAS the CLAUSE That N 81
man failed TO cover 400 miles he was to receive
Roweii-If we can't do 45O miles we don'twant
The other pedestrians said the same.
II was then suggested that some Of the four
would be third ana fourth.
Rowell-I don't care how Il is II we only have
2 lair 20. 1t il al want We have fair play in
oLeary-Yes; they always want the best man
to win there
Ayoice-How about Manchcster2
O'Leary with smilel-Well. that was little
Rowell,,we came away in hurry, Mr. At
kinson Of the London Sportsman will be here
by Monday. He j. To help arrange matters for
us; Suppose We wait until he comes
li was assented g. that minor details should
be left open until Mr.. Akiusun's arrival.
howell was asked 10y q reporter for THE Sun
why Sir John Ashley did not come over o,
He wanted TO come replied Rowell; but
he had too much business To attend 10. Would
you IKE to see his photographF
Rowei then produced the likeness. It was
that OF man about 80 years Of age. He had u
rather long, handsome face. with full beard. A
right side rested over thick hair that had
nearly turned white A large cigar was held al
slightly upward angle between lips that
looked as though they would relish wel-donc
chop. A long. suow-white oyercoat covered an
erect and strong body. Altogether. 1t was the
Mr.; Rowell. what is your best perform
well. 47O miles in a six d7ys' walk. be-
You stopped several hours?"
Yes, think did
Anything the matter 2"
Tired. suppose.
1--WE heard that you had covered 55Omlles be-
fore coming over. HoW'~ thatf'
kowel here gave qulc glance at his trainer,
who sat 10y his side. The question remained
unanswered.
Mr. Bruce OF the Turf Fied and Farm. Mr..
Curtis Of the SPIRIT Messrs. Kelly. Eaton. Hun
Lowell. and other sporting men who were pres
ent. expressed the opinion that Rowrll WAS q
marvel as an athlete and that he would make a
great walk. He has the reputation Of being u
long-distance runner with tremendous endur-
ance.
OLeary said that he had made bet that over
Do miles would be- covered ia the walk.
The book makers are lnving $50 10 800
against q Leary. 500 to $40 against Rowrll.
500 10 $40 against Hartman. and 800 10 slO
against Ennis.
O'Leary is In better trim than when he walked
Hughes and Campana. Although he is modest
and not given to underrate his men. his ap-
peurance AZ the meeting in the 81. james was
such rs 70 give his hackers confidence that he
felt equal 20 the eXertion necessary 10 retain
the belt. He Is "a years Old. five feet eight
inches high, and weighs lij pounds. He was
Charles A. Hartman was born in Haverhlll.
Mass. in 1880. He is six feet one inch high.
and weighs l6s pounds. He has trained ardu-
ously for months. If anything. he is down "a
little too fine. and looks tribe pale for the biz
task. He is confident. however. and probably
OF the four he chrrishes the brightest hopes OF
John Ennis is i've feet eight inches high. and
weighs l45 pounds. His birthplace Is Rich
mond Hurbor. County Longiord. ireland. He
has made some good performances but is lin
walked with Rowell in England. He calls Row
Ell the champion runner and expects 10 see the
Engllshman cover l2u miles IN" first day.
All four are good-natured men. anxious Tor a
fair contest.
a BISHOPS RESIGN1TIOM