Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-07
DAVIS WINS THE WALK.

The Fifty Hour Tramp Ended-sfOgee-
chez John" Distanced II Miles
Scenes at the Finish-Awarding the
Prizes.
The fifty-hour go-as-you-please walking
match for the championship Of the Stete
and a money prize OF $500, which was be-
gun at 9 O'Clock Thursday night, was
ended last night shortly before IL
o'clock. with Davis the winner by II miles
and Is laps, tsOgeechee John" second and
Thomas Carrig third. The three winners
were taken from the track to the platform
by their friends and repeatedly cheered
by the crowd. Mr.. Gearon, manager of
the match, took a position to the left of
Davis, with Ogeecheee John sitting to
his right and Carrig further beyond. The
ascent TO the platform was the signal for
a rush OF the crowd, and in a twinkling
almost the pedestrians and trainers were
hemmed IN.
0geechee John held up a large and
handsome American flag of silk,
while a friend of Davis waved over
the heads of those on the platform long
staff surmOunted by a live game cock. a
broom, and number of bouquets sent to
him by his admiring friends. One Of the
largest and handsomest of the bouquets
was a tribute from the members of the
Savannah Lodge OF Good Templars, of
winch DAVIS Is a MEMBER
SCENES AT THE FINISH.
The band was playing "Dixie'' and the
crowd repeatedly cheering, so that it was
some minutes before the manager could
make himself heard. Finally, order being
partially restored, he said: 81 shall not
undertake TO make a speech. My duty
is to announce the result of the
match which has been won by Mr.. Fl. j.
Davis on a score Of $50 miles. Mr.. Davis
is the champion Of the State and the
winner of 5000"
The announcement was received with
cheers, followed by cries of Davis"
"Davlsw
Mr.. Gearon then said: ''The winner of
the second prize is John Mccarthy, who
walked 1873 miles and y laps. He will be
presented with purse of $3.50"
Ogeechee John sang out: eyes, / won
! that prize, though l was nine hours sick
| and over seven hours off the trackl"
Cheers for Ogeechee John were followed
! by~-'GOOd for you, old bOy"
Mr.. GearOn continued: ''The winner
| of the third prize, amounting to 500, is
| Thomas Carrig, who walked 131 miles and
/ . laps"
PRESENTING THE PRIZES.
He then counted out 5000 and presented
/ it to Davis, when the latter was
| called on for a speech. The champion
! acknowledged the call by bowling to the
/ crowd and smiling. The prizes to Ogee-
/ chez John and Carrig were then counted
/ out and presented, when the three Win
| ners arose to their feet and received an
1 ovation, the band playing popular air.
When the music ceased Mr.. Gearon
4 said: 81 am gratifed to know that the
/ pedestrians are perfectly satisfied with
/ the way the walk has been conducted,
! and in behalf of them and myself thank
/ the public for their encouragement of the
/ enterprise"
] WEXFORD CHALLENGES THE WINNER.
/ Hethen announced that George Wre-
! ford, who was number three in the
/ match, and retired, challenged Davis to
| walk 5O-hOur square heel-and-tOe within
/ 60 days for $3.50 a side.
! The challenge was received with cheers,
/ and it is understood that it will be ac-
/ cepted.
| The pedestrians were then escorted to
4 their quarters, where their walking cos
| tunes were changed for citizens dress,
/ and were taken in carriages from the hall.
PERSONNEL OF THE WINNERS.
! Ogeechee John, who lives is miles from
! the city on the Ogeechee canal, has room
at the house Of a friend, corner of West
/ Broad, Congress and st. Julian streets.
1 and VIII return to his home to-day.
! Davis is native of Charleston, S. c.,
/ and is "A years of age. He has been en-
| ployed for some years as a book agent in
4 Augusta, Savannah and other points.
and is about five feet six in
/ ches IN height, and apparently of
/ a delicate frame. Before entering
/ upon the walk he was advised by his
/ physician not to undertake it. 1t will be
| remembered that he entered the match
which took place in July, but on account
Of sickness was obliged to withdraw on
/ the second day.
THE RECORD OF TIE MATCH.