The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-03-27
The Last Day of the International
Walking Match.

PSes~SAaA esAo heAHPJ. SO'sNs'
The Last Day of the International
Walking Match.
The attendance last evening was the
largest of the match. Along the sides
of the building 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 was such dense
throng that moving about was matter
of the greatest difficulty. Every pro-
lection of the false rock-work of the
grotto and every niche and crevice of
the vast building in which person
could be packed was occupied. Even
the remaining wing of the temporary
gallery was filled. The track only was
clear. That was lined by double row
of stalwart policemen, stationed about
six feet apart, and nobody was allowed
to pass them. Another force of re-
serves was packed in the long caves
under the seats near the Middle avenue
entrance. There were $50 men in all
in uniform inside the building, to say
nothing of the swarm of detectives,
under command of Inspector Dilks and
Captain Williams. Never before was
,, an assemblage so madly and persistent
ly enthusiastic.
The cheers rolled in successive swells
around and around the vast ampithea-
ter, wave following wave as one man
after another appeared in sight. Yells.
cat-calls, screeches, and shouts of en-
couragement rose above the din on
every side. The name of each man
was called out, and three regular cheers
and tiger were given for him over
and over again. Ennis was the favor
ite, but Hartman got his share, and
Rowell was not forgotten. The two
latter kept close together, the generous
little Englishman coaching the misera-
ble-looking but plucky Down-easter in
his desperate effort to encompass $50
miles. The kindly deed was noticed
on all sides, and drew forth con-
tinual shouts of admiration. En-
mis- plodded along alone at a
good gait, but his legs seemed stiff
for the first time in six days, and his
stride was little ungainly. A hand
some basket of flowers was presented
to him at S:15, and the spectators. who
eagerly snatched upon every opportu-
nifty to applaud, yelled themselves
hoarse. Ennis was now on his 46Sth
mile. He ran the last lap amid frantic
cheering, yelling and whistling, and
kept on for q few steps further, until he
got alongside of Rowell and Hartman,
the latter of whom was just beginning
his 450th 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 a hearty, spontaneous,
and continued outburst of applause as
has seldom awakened the echoes on
that occasion. In this style the pro-
cession went-little Rowell with his
head erect and eyes bright, but bobbing
pale, hollow-eyed, thin almost as a
skeleton, and looking as though every
tottering step would be his last, and
sturdy Ennis, stiff and tired, but plod-
ding with determined gait-for six laps
Then Ennis little boy-a tiny toddler
of three 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 turn with him about the track.
hoWSll anu WtuG OH, anu u
lady gave the former a magnificent
floral pillow. The assemblage re-
doubled its cheers at these two Incl
dents, if such a thing were possible.
As Hartman came up the home
stretch on the last lap of his great task,
at 8:44:08, bearing a floral pillow. in
size resembling Rowell's, and marked
in colors with the American shield, the
crowd grew perfectly frantic. Every
body sprang to their feet and shrieked,
yelled and shouted, and the entire
prospect was one unbroken mass
of waving hats and fiuttering handker-
chiefs. Even the reporters, who had
hitherto kept silent attending to busi-
ness, forgot their notebooks for an in
stant and cheered with the rest. The
relief of the moment, after 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 irresistible. Rowell,
who followed after, was greeted with a
separate volley of cheers, and SO also
was Ennis, who carried a third floral
pillow. But all the previous excite
ment was as nothing when Hartman
unexpectedly appeared, few minutes
later, his face aglow and his eyes gilt
tering with excitement and gratifica-
ton forging along at an astonishingly
rapid gait Across his body hung a
tri-colored silk scarf, decorated with
futtering ribbons. A second time he
came around, this time bearing over
his shoulder large American flag.
RoweI and Ennis trudged gayly be-
hind 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 appeared, bowling and
shaking hands on every side as he
passed, and once more the roar swelled
to a deafening pitch. At S:45:4O he re-
tired from the track for good, having
completed 450 miles and three laps in
139h. 46m. 40s., or deducting rests,
95h. slim. 19s., an average of a little
less than four miles an hour actual
walking time.
Ennis and Rowell, left to themselves,
put on a burst of speed which carried
them around two laps. and completed
Rowell's five hundrcdth mile. As the
little fellow came up to the judges
stand, one of the latter snatched up
the immense loaf of twist bread, decor
ated with ribbons. spoken of yesterday,
and thrust it into his arms. He
clasped them around it, and although
it was nearly as big as himself, bore il
off laughingly. 1t would be useless
to attempt to describe the noise
and excitement which these last
events created, ending in circling
roar of laughter as the champion
and his unwieldy prize appeared in
sight. Had one of the Americans
been the victor the enthusiasm
could scarce have been more intense
and hearty. In fact, the Yelling, cheer
ing, and waving of handkerchiefs had
| MT ceased f,lr an annreci bile moment