New-York tribune., 1879-12-25
TRAMPs AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.
MORE THAN HALF THE MEN wIInDRAwN-EE-
MARKABLE FATALITY AMONG THE LEADERs-
suApp EnpEeIGHr OF LIE ROOK-MAKERs.

MORE THAN HALF THE MEN wIIHDRAwN-FE-
MARKABIE FATALITY AMONG THE LEADERs-
SHARP FORESIGHT OF THE BooK-MAKERs.
The greatest surprise among some people at
the walking match yesterday was that Hart
did not retire from the race. Each day
since the beginning Of the match has iar
nIshed O surprise by the withdrawal OF one OF the
leaders Merritt gave up the contest the first day.
and death Of his father is assigned as the reason
Murphy followed later In the day. but he was I'm
able to give any reason. Panchot kept mp the sur
prise on Tuesday by leaving the track, when
he was the first on the score. All VINO retired
were avortes from the start and good odds offered
against them by the bookmakers On Monday 10 =
was offered against Murphy and to against Merritt
Such offers were freely taken both men had made ex
cellent records before when Panchot was ahead the
odds against MIN were TO 2. The odds against 'he
other contestants high rs 90 and loo 10
1, but very little money was placed on thcsc men
The bookmakers have been very cautious all along IN
betting against Hart This looks as II he would stay III
the race until the end
man connected with the match last evening re-
marked, "welI perhaps Murphy went as far as he
agreed to co." Other men claim that both Merritt
and Murphy ars saving their strength for the
O'Ieary belt contest which takes place next
month. 1t was said by people who claimed
TO know that they had not intended TO stay IN the
racc until 1t closed The leaders in the race NJ present
are doing very creditable work Hart and Faber keep
close together the early morning hours yesterday
Hart miles ahead. At III a. H. Faoer had re-
duced this lead to three and half miles Later III
the day when Hart of the track. Faber closed the
gap between them to two miles Hart ran good deai
In tho afternoon and increased his lead to six miles,
Faber walks all the time, but lie takes
wonderful stride. Krohnc and Hughes managed
10 keen third and fourth places. but the
latter looked very much fatguod. The withdrawal OF
Byrnes with Ia miles, Gehrns with loo miles, ana
Shannon with 81 miles was announced In the morning
Up to @ o. IN. twenty-five meu had withdrawn IL is
that Hart has equalled II ne mas NOT surpassed
RowelPs recent record.
The close between Hart and Faber attracted
many persons in the evening At m the former was
only four miles ahead, and the excitement was great.
Faber was walking at an easy gait and appeared In
good trim Hart walked close behind him, but 1t was
only with great effort that he kept pace with Faber's
long strides. About $50 D. M. Hart ran around the
track several times, and gained lap on Faber AT si3
n m he was missed from the track, and Faber only
four miles behind As Faber steadily gained on on & Hart
only to be sax sad sDc 0Se
Re beginning OF tc match and it is Harts turn to-
night. Tomorrow 4 viii be Faoers;v At marts tent
and would be on the track in a couple Of hours.
In the early part Of the evening M the bo3kmakers
money against both Hart and Faber. When both
we're the bookmakers stopped betting against Fa-
oey oeI dHa Te miles behind Hart asked
10 against him. Later in the evening they only asked
even money, Hart did appear on the track up TO
midnight and persons believed that he would not
FIght more men withdrew in the evening, making
I'm ali during the day and hirtytlree since the begin.
nng. Those that retired yesterday were Byrnes, ia
miles: Cehring. 105; shannon, 151; Walker 1e9
webster; 1870; Meeos%ck iT7; csSft' I2S; Ii'zps.-
There were several others that left the bul d.
ing, but gave no announcement OF their with
drawa All those who had not made 230 miles by mid
night are practically out Of the race, they
make i5O miles by Saturday night w. III. Davis sill
claims 10 be the although he has only made "a
miles He asked Mr. Curtis, the referee, yesterday
to increase his score 200 miles, His that be
xneced some Of the who work in the fac tory
with him 10 visit the Garden on Christmas. and he
wanted his score TO look large. Following were the
.corcG nj midnight: