The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-05
RECORD OF ATHLETIC SPORTS
Fitzgerald Beats the Record and Wins
the Six-Day Walking Match.
Scenes of Great Confusion and Excitement
at the Close of the COntest-BaSe
Ball Games on Saturday.
FITZGERALD WINS.

The Six-Day Walking Match Closes Amid a
Scene of Great Excitement
New York, May 3.-The great walking match
has proved to be the closest, as far as the two
leading contestants are concerned, that has ever
taken place in New York.
Thousands of people have thronged Madison
Square Garden, to-day, and'in every quarter of
New York the half-hourly time of the walkers
has been exposed to crowds of anxious people.
The gate money is enormous The crowds in
the building are good-natured but noisy.
Shouts of go it, Fifty; he will never catch
you" Hurry up Rowell, or you'll be left, 'You
amt no better than an Indian, Elson," greeted
the walkers as they spurted or loitered on their
weary way. The floral offerings came into the
building early in the afternoon and were eager
ly examined by the curious crowd.
Intense excitement reigned in the garden at 8
A. NJ Panchot, Rowell and Fitzgerald were run
ming at top speed. Panchot fell to the rear but
kept at Fitzgerald's heels, with Rowell leading
1t was the most exciting brush since the be-
ginning of the match. AS they passed the scor-
ers' stand on the seventh lap, Fitzgerald ran
alongside Of Rowell, and grinning at him, hu-
morously said:
''You have got to go now. I'll make you get.
At o'clock Rowell entered his hut and took
breakfast consisting of three soft-boiled eggs,
two slices of buttered toast, and cup of tea
His appetite demanded more food, but his trainer
advised him not to take it. He was then four
teen miles and six laps behind Fitzgerald. At
that hour there were over 1000 people in the
garden. The walkers looked hedraggled and
sleepy, and most of them retired for breakfast
and brief nap.
1t seemed as though every person who could
secure half holiday visited the garden in the
afternoon. and nearly every one came provided
with money, which was wagered on the greatest
and closest race on record Rowells steady gain
seemed to have disheartening effect on the
friends of the ex alderman.
Fitzgerald braced up in the early afternoon,
and for couple of hours maintained his lead as
became champion. At 3 o'clock Rowell was
five miles and two laps behind the Irshman. 1t
was curious study to watch the expression of
Fitzgeralds features as he plodded YEARLY along.
His generally detected mien looked very little if
any more than it did at midnight on Friday.
The same set expression of will power told of
the energy to do or die in the effort to achieve
victory Rowel looked as he has invariably
looked within the last three days of the race
fresh, firm and erect, and people wondered he
had not broken down Fitzgerald long ago. At 1
o'clock Rowell had increased his record to $50
miles and four laps, and Fitzgerald to 594 miles
and four laps. there being exactly five miles be
tween them.
dredth mile There were then $1,000 people in
the building. The excitement beggars descrip-
ton. Ladies stood up and waved their handker-
chiefs frantically; men threw up their hats and
yelled themselves hoarse. The immense throng
gave themselves up to perfect ecstacy of deli
rium-to a pandemonium of utter abandonment
is about the only phrase that approaches fair
idea of the scene. Fitzgerald seemed dazed. He
could not comprehend the meaning of the great
shout that went up from more than ten thousand
threats. At $50 Rowell came out of his hut and
walked a smart pace with Fitzgerald. The latter
was then 600 miles, laps, and Rowell COL miles.
2 laps They were walking sixmile pace, and
again perfect tumult went up from all parts of
the building So far as any sign of fatigue was
concerned it certainly was not discoverable in
his face. nor did the movement of either foot in
dictate sprain They chatted pleasantly together,
and on the third lap round the pace quickened
into spry run, Rowel carrying the
Irish flag a few feet in advance by
way of compliment to his rival Rowell
had consented to stop when Fitzgerald had made
his six hundred and tenth nile The walkers
were followed to their huts by crowds, who
forced their way into the space over the report
ers' inclosure. As soon as Fitzgerald came off
the track he was greeted by his wife, who, with
Happy Jack" Smith, his trainer clothed the
champion and took him to the Putnam House.
Rowell left the garden in company with his
trainers and Charles Mitchell, who has been as
sisting in caring for him, for the Ashland House.
He has been troubled for two days with swol-
len ankle, but in other respects he is sound. His
hacker, Peter Duryea, is not satisfied with the
result, and has issued a challenge for race with
fltzgerald Tor ao.UoU OF upwards, anu VIII posi-
the money ON Monday. The successful man will
be well repaid for his six days of agony The
gross receipts will not fall far short of $25 000
and after the expenses are paid his so per cent.
share will amount to about $4,000, in addition
to the 81, $50, his share of the stakes.
Preparations have been made in Long Island
City for the reception of Fitzgerald He will be
received by the mayor and aldermen and ten
dered the freedom of the city. The entire po-
lice and fire departments. with the members of
the Ancient Order of Hibernians, will meet him
at the ferry and escort him to his home in Ra-
venswood Wealthy citizens will present him
with mansion, and it said he will receive an
important municipal appointment.