Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-27
The Walkers in the international
Contest.

After three days walking the condition and
style Of the contestants is mentioned as fol-
lows:
The men are all attracting attention, and
the condition of each one is eagerly inquired
about at their respective tents, all through the
day and night Notwithstanding the reports
about RowelIs sickness-and there was not a
few of them in circulation during the morn
ing--he was, as he appeared to be, in as good
condition at 10 o'clock at night as he was
when he went on the track in the morning,
and his attendants said he was perfectly sound
and we'll. His gate only varies from run or
trot to fast walk, and he runs q great part of
the time. Rowelps success thus far has been
recognized by the most generous applause,
and when the band played "God save the
Queen" at the end of his 800 miles, the cheer
that arose was made without reserve. Next
to Rowell, the most popular man yesterday,
until night, was Hart, the cOlOred boy. He is
the most stylish" walker of the II contest
ants for the Ashley belt, and his efforts were
abundantly recognized by applause and pres
ents of flowers. The front of his tent, at the
right of the scorers stand, was covered with
floral horse-shoes and bouquets, and pedes-
tai at each eide of the tent holds more flowers
which have been given to him. At 3 O'Clock
in the afternoon lady sent to him large
horseshoe, with the words, "Go 1t, Black
Dan," worked in purple immOrtelles upon a
bed of white carnations. Hart did very well
during the day, keeping far ahead of Weston
and from 10 to IL miles behind Merritt
Hazael rose wonderfully in popular favor last
night. He began behind Hart, Ennis, and
GuyOn, in the morning, and passed them one
after the other, until, at 1918, he had adj
vanced to 272 miles, while Guyon had made
but 270, Hart 264, and Ennis only 22O. His
astonishing fieetness aroused the spectators to
the highest pitch of enthusiasm. and the cheers
and clapping of hands which greeted him as
he sped along the track seemed to stimulate
him wonderfully ROwell could not begin to
keep pace with him. He does not move grace
fully, and when walking has a decided limp,
which disappears when he runs. The rapid
running which he did during the evening in
creased the confidence Of betting men on his
ability, and the prospect Of his winning Sec
ond place became very bright to his hackers.
Merritt's long stride and his cool self-posses-
sion and pluck won for him the second place,
which he held all the afternoon and until late
at night. He still walks with his arms swing
ing straight at his side, without bending the
elbow, and he is seldom seen without his pink
satin jockey cap or an old silk cap. His con-
dition is as good as that Of any Of his compet-
itors, not excepting Rowell. The only indi-
cation Of fatigue shown is a trifing hollow
Mt IS about the eyes; but his stomach is in
sound condition, and he suffers but little from
stiffness after rest. and believes he can walk
80 miles easily to-day. 1t is remarked that
O'Leary takes excellent care Of his protege.
Hart. Yesterday morning he took him out to
Turkish bath, and had him rubbed down.
Panchot oversight himself, through mistake
on the part of the man appointed to call him,
and to this cause he ascribes his loss of sec
ond place. His left foot is somewhat lame,
but he walks - easily as he ever did, wasting
a good deal Of effort in elevating his should
ers at every stride. Krohne, who was not ex-
pected to do much, and who has not excited
much enthusiasm as yet, appears to be in very
good condition, and to be able to walk a mile
more in each hour than he does walk. His
gait gives the impression that he has plenty
Of time, and does not care about hurrying.
He never runs, nor does his friend Federmey-
er ever leave his plodding gait. Taylor, who
has not covered $50 miles at II O'Clock, was
| still jogging along, and he attracted attention
only when he carried a pie round the track
in his hand.