Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-08
ON THEIR JOURNEY,
The Pedestrians Start the Big
SiX-Day Race
AMID GREAT EXCITEMENT.
St. Louis Opinions About PittSburg'S
Ball Players.
LEAGUE UMPIRE BARNUM'S VIEWS.
Ward Fully Explains Why He Won't Go to
Washington.
AMID GREAT EXCITEMENT.
UMPIRE BARNUM'S VIEWS.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS OF THE DAY

The big race has started, and what the re-
suit will be nobody can tell. Probably no
contest in this city ever commenced under
more favorable auspices. Judging from the
attendance at the start, midnight as it was,
the event seems to have aroused consider
able public interest. To a great extent a
contest, such as the one in question, is an
innovation here. True, there was 49,
hours race here years ago, but in no respects
was it anything like the present one.
1t would be difficult to find a more evenly
matched field than that which started tl.is
morning. Two OF three of the very best pedes-
trians in the world are abse mt bnt this only
equalizes matters among those who are here.
The great anxiety of many Of the contestants
is to get over the first "a hours. Just before the
start Peter Golden said:
A TESTING TIME.
'The first night and day is trying time to me
and to many others. That time seems to test
every part of ones stomach and inside. When
we once get over thatcrucial point and our legs
keep right we can stay as a rule. However,
nobody knows what will happen in night and
day race. The best men are liable to break
down"
The track is an excellent one: George Nore-
mac contends that 1t is one of the best that he
has ever set foot on. It consists of about three
inches of tanbark and sawdust. very tightly
compressed by roller. 1t is soft and springy
and is satisfactory to all the contestants.
The attendants of the contestants are located
at the sides of the track, where small benches
are erected, on which refreshments can be
placed. The name of the pedestrian claiming
each particular bench is posted above the lat
ter. The beds of the contestants are not the
most attractive places of rest that one would
wish to see nor are they the most comfortable
things in the world. They are, however, not
put up for attraction. nor-Gltogether for com
fort. A little rest and rest only, is what they
are there for In one corner Cartwright, Con-
ners, Day, Hegelman and Williams have three
beds for the five Of them. Jimmy Taylor. one
Of their attendants, explained this apparent de-
fciency by saying:
why bless you, all the five will never want
to sleep at once"
the contestants regarding the scoring. 1t is not
meant that the system adopted is not an ex-
cellent and fair one, but many of the contest
ants have an inherent fear that somebody will
rob them of lap.
SOME STRONG SAFEGUARDS.
Manager Davis has, however put up the
strongest safeguards against any result of this
kind. The scorers are all under oath, and are
under the constant supervision of a referee and
two official scorers. The latter and the sheet
keepers are located on the lefthand side of
the building when entering, and they present
formidable array
The interior of the building is elaborately
decorated with Japanese lanterns, umbrellas.
etc. The appearance is extremely attractive.
The immense stage is reserved for ladies. The
band is located in the gallery, about the center
of the building.
1t would probably not be safe to say who
will win. nor how many will get over the limit
of 475 miles. That the entire % starters will
not last all week is certain. Many will soon
fall by the wayside. but the winner ought to
be found among Cartwright Corners. Day,
Golden and Noremac. There is very strong
teld against these five, but they have travelled
the road before, and done well. -
THE START.
At u o'clock the crowd clamoring for admis-
sion was so immense that before all were ad-
mitted the start was delayed. The scene was
intensely exciting, fully 5000 people pressing
against thu doors. The efforts of policemen
seemed to be of no avail whatever in stopping
the extraordinary Jam. Several times doors
were crushed in, and the crowd became wild.
The pedestrians leisurely walked out of their
cots and viewed the noisy scenes with evident
interest In Short the crowd was far beyond
the most sanguine expectations. Hundreds
had their clothes almost torn of their backs.
The pedestrians, however, waited patiently un-
til an opportunity for starting presented itself.
Manager Davis started the men at l245 amid
wild excitement Noremac went away first,
but Cartwright soon took the lead, and covered
the first mile in seven minutes amid cheers.
He made the pace warm, and Hegelman was
close at his heels. Connors was a good third.
Cartwright made his second mile in five
minutes. with Hegelman about so yards be-
hind. Hoagland gave an exhibition of some
remarkable heel and toe walking. At l:30 the
score was: