Evening journal., 1888-10-03
A BIG SPORTING EVENT..
All the Great walkers of tho Country 10
be Here.

be Here.
The walk in the Wilmington Rink.
commencing this evening at 8 o'clock,
promises to be the greatest sporting event
Wilmington has ever seen. The Will
mington people had not been sufficiently
advised of the facts of the race previously,
for the reason that there was some hest
tation in believing that such great pedes-
trians rs those announced in the EVENING
JOURNAL would appear, but now there is
no doubt that this evening the tan bark
will have such world-renowned pedes-
trians as Albert, the champion of the
world, Herty, Vint, Hart, Noremac.
Howarth and Guerrero Albert win be
referee Of the race and will give exhi-
bitions morning and evening
James Albert and Mrs Albert arrived
at the Clayton House last evening and a
reception was given by the lady to the
reporters. Albert who has the record Of
Cpl miles to his credit, was born in
Brooklyn, n Y, in 1854 When small
boy he removed to Philadelphia. He was
educated in the common schools of the
Quaker City and took course at the
Academy Of Fine Arts He engaged in
the broom business and did not start his
career as a walker until 1878, when he
entered in a three-mile race between him
self and his partner. He shortly after
ward entered for a long distance race in
the old Arcade Building on Eighth street,
between Race and Vine. There were fifteen
starters, but the pedestrians all dropped
out except Albert who held on TO the
last to receive the gate money which WAS
never given him. but his standing gave
him professional reputation. The next
contest OF any moment was the famous
race in 1880, which attracted world wide
attention O'Leary, heel and toe, and
Albert, the runner. were to be matched
against Rowell heel and toe, and Vaughn,
| runner, the former as Americas
team and the latter as England's Albert
had scarcely gone fifty miles when he
| sprained his ankle and was compelled to
leave, Rowell was the winner and as his
share of the proceeds received $40 GOO
| Albert had scarcely entered this race
when the American Institute race
| took place in New York. which
John Hughes won breaking the record
with 56S miles and Albert was second
with 55S miles. Albert says that Hughes
was the hardest racer he was ever on the
tan bark with. The next great race in
which Albert figured was between Little
wood the Englishman, and score Of pc.
destrians. 1t took place two years ago in
Philadelphia To the reporters he said
last evening that it was in this race that
he learned all he knew about the business.
The main thing is the disposition Of the
hours OF sleeping and walking. The race
which gave the champion his record took
place in Madison Square Garden, New
York, last February. As is well known
he came within one lap of making 62s
miles, and it is said that correct meas
urement of the track would have giveI
him 625 miles. This record Albert thinks
will not be broken for years and should il
be in his life time the breaker will hav,
to run him.
Mrs Albert has always been with he
husband in his races and renders him con
stant attention. At all the great races
she has staid on the track and filled thi
place of attendant.
The First Regiment Band will Civ,
daily concerts during the exhibition. 4
large force Of men were at work at tn
rink last evening, preparing it for tn
race.
Manager Frank Hall, who has eharg
Of this race, has managed several grea
pedestrian matches and is one Of the lead
ing sporting men Of America. He ha
displayed great enterprise in giving VIII
mington such treat. Special provision
will be made for ladies' They need hav
no hesitation in appearing at the rink, a
in all the great races in New York an
Philadelphia large numbers Of ladie
were present
The very best OF order will be pre-
served. Three local newspaper men vii
act as scorers for the race
At noon to-day the track had been al
most completed 1t is composed Of
layer Of turf, over which is laid tw
inches OF sawdust The enclosures 70
the band and reporters have been com
pleted and the large dials to mark tn
laps are in position. 1t twill require ff
teen laps to a mile.
starting Judge