Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-11-20
SPORTING MATTERS.
A Row Over the, Johnson-FiIan
Foot Race.
Eoh, Morris withhoIds His Decision Until
To-day The Boat Race fiaseo on
Saturdly-Gener

The ten mile foot race between Ted john
son, of Allegheny, and Mike Filan. OF this
city, for $500 side. took place Saturday
afternoon at the Exposition grounds. John
son coming in an apparently easy winner,
leading his opponent about quarter OF
mile. The start was made promptly at4
O'Clock, Eph Morris acting As referee.
The two men ran almost even for the hrst
mile. johnson then spurted and succeeded
in gaining few yards the lead, but the
little man, Filap, took step in advance.
and in the second lap of the second mile
was in the lead slightly. In this manner
they continued until the third lap oil the
third mile, when Johnston showed TO tine
front in god style and from that point TO
the finish continued in the lead, coming in
an easy winner, as stated above. The time
made by the winner, one hour and three
minutes. was considered good owing to the
beayiness of the track, which was very
muddy and cloggy. The betting through:
out was in favor OF johnson, and
after the third mile 500 to $50
was offered in his favor with but
500 $40 to S. were gobbled up by the
small investors, After the fourth mile had
been gone over with Johnson still in the
lead and increasing it on every lap. all
interest in the race Jagged, 500 TO f5o
beinp offered in Johnson's favor, but with
mo takers. From this point TO the hnish
the Allesheny boy had it all his own way.
He logged along apparently at the same
Gait he started in on, and made but little,
IF any variations to it. At the finish
Filap claimed foul, stating that johnson
on the third lap OF the third mile had
struck him in the breast. This caused an
eruption amongst the friends Oh Johnson,
who Immediately began TO clamor for the
referees decision, claiming that there
wasn't possibility OF foul on the pat Of
their man. Morris decided TO hear both
parties in regard to the claim before giving
any decision. For while the crowd
sursed hither and thither around the
referee and anathemas we're poured
in upon him from all sides-
He still sustained his position
and escaped the surging crowd, with the in
tention, as he says, of hearing both par:
Johhson, said to reporter last night that
il the referee would decide adversely
against his man, he would show up some
parties interested that would not benefit
them any amongst square sporting men.
From anoth er source the fact was brought
out that the race was put up" in other
words Johnston had been approached by
outside parties, and for an inducement he
was to let the race go Filan's way. John.
ston. vas to lead the first three miles and
then Filan was to get the lead and retain
it to the end. This is one Of the many
stories current on the street last night
The sporting public can therefore take
them for what they are worth. Some $ll,-
600 were in the pool boxes Saturday after
noon, almost all being even money, until
the selling, or rather Off bets were open
ed on the grounds, when Johnston jumped
to the front as the favorite. Eph Morris,
the referee says he will announce his de-
cision to-day.