Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-10
WALKING ON A WAGER
George Singer, Jr, Exhibits His
Powers as a Pedestrian.
A QUICK TRAMP TO WILLIAMSBURG.
Friends Meet Him and Strew His Path
With June Roses.
AN EASY WINNER WITH TINE TO SPARE

People along Fifth avenue in the vicinity
of the Court House may have noticed an
oren barouche closely followed BY two
coupes and carriage drive up to the curb
opposite Wylie avenue at $40 o'clock last
night and deposit number of gentlemanly
young fellows on the pavement. A curious
circumstance was that the crowd after
alighting, did not move off as if they had some
business or were seeking pleasure in that
neighborhood, but stood still and seemed to
be lost in good-natured discussion.
Afew minutes had elapsed when the party
suddenly divided and made place in their
midst for a dark, curly-haired and wiry-
looking young fellow who, upon reaching a
certain line drawn with chalk upon the flag
stone pavement, toed this mark and as
sUmed the position of professional
sprinter Just before starting in cross
country race. Several more minutes passed,
when all of the young men with the excep-
tion of three hastily returned to their re-
spective vehicles Prominent among the
three remaining was George Singer, Jr., of
the firm of Sproull & Lawrence. 1t was he
that tOed on the mark in an e1pectant attl-
tude, while his two companions we're none
other than J. S. Atterbury and w. B.
Rhodes. These two held watches
Walking to Williamsburg on a Wager.
AS the hands upon the time-piece pointed
to $50 o'clock, Mr. Atterbury called out
$50" and Mr. Singer started on lodg
swinging gait out Fifth avenue while his
two companions, like the rest of the CON-
panv sought their carriages, all of which
now started in the wake OF Mr. Singer For
those not familiar with these peculiar pro-
ceedings, it might be added in way of e1-
PLANTATION, that Mr.. Singer has gained
considerable renown lately as an amateur
pedestrian of no mean ability. The other
dav he strolled into the Pittsburg Club, on
Penn avenue and announced to some friends
that he had walked from his home in Will
kinsburg to the Court House, distance of
734 miles, in one hour and 40 minutes.
Although Mr.. Singer possesses a reputation
in which his veracity is above question,
some of his listeners were inclined to be-
lieve that such feat could not be accom-
phshed.
Mr.. Singer forthwith, in a pleasant man
ner, offered to back up his statements and
repeat the journey against time He had
no difficulty in finding a ready taker in the
SSbwd, and the result was that quite a neat
little wager was posted 1t was agreed
right there and then that Mr.. Singer
should repeat the trip on Thurs
day night, June 9, and if he
successfully made the journey in one
hour and 40 minutes he would be declared
the winner Accordingly at $40 o'clock
last night Mr.. Singer put in appearance
al the appointed place with a number of
friends from the Pittsburg club and began
his long tramp at exactly $50 o'clock. The
majority of those who accompanied him also
had wagers on the affair 1t was odds that
Nh. Singer would lose.
Long and Steady Pull Up HILL
The trip FOR the most part of the way was
Up hill, and it was the general opinion after
he had rayersed one-half the distance that
he would surely fail, and again odds were
freely offered by some of those in the car
riages. However, just after passing Shady
lane, which is pretty close to half way, the
walker put forth his best efforts and seemed
endowed with renewed vigor The carriages
were at his side constantly, and his friends re-
peatedly called out go it George. Go it, old
man, you are a sure winnerr' and other re-
marks of a similar nature. Upon reaching
Morewood avenue there waiting for him
were a large party of ladies and gentlemen,
consisting OF Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dill |
worth, Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Mckee, Mr.. |
and Mrs. Ferguson, Mr.. and Mrs. Otis |
Childs, Mr.. and Mrs. George Dilworth, Mr.. |
and Mrs Harry Beggs and number of /
Others, including many young people. They |
all had punches of flowers which they fairly |
showered over the young pedestrian.
After leaving this party some distance !
behind Mr.. Singer took of his hat and coat |
and giving them to his friends, increased |
his gait. At frequent intervals he looked /!
At his watch and smiled with satisfaction /
Nothing new marked the balance of the |
"trip except that few more friends met him |
ea route and offered words of announcement, |
while other people walking on the street |
turned to look after the hatless young man /
in shirt sleeves with no little curiosity. |
When he was within quarter of mile of |
his residence in Williamsburg he stumbled |
Tor the first time and showed evidences of |
fatigue. He, however, caught himself and
made the trip up the long hill leading to |
his home with the same swinging gait he |
adopted when starting, and arrived upon |
the yernanda at 9:57% O'Clock, that being |
just one hour q minutes and 80 seconds |
from the beginning of the trip.
As Fresh a Daisy. |
His appearance at this time was as if he |
had been on a tramp for months. His shirt |
was wet through from perspiration, shoes |
were water-soaked and the color of his |
trousers could not be recognized on account |
of the mud that clung to them. Upon STEP
ping upon the veranda he was cordially |
welcomed by friends gathered there, and |
when the balance arrived three cheers and |
q tiger were given for the amateur pedes- |
trian. Mr.. Singer Immediately made
for his room, and after being |
thoroughly rubbed down he donned dry |
clothing and came down in the parlors SEEM |
inglv none the worse for his long trip.
Those who accompanied him became his |
guests for the balance of the evening, all of |
whom were invited to partake of a neat lit |
tie luncheon that had been prepared All |
spent most enjoyable evening, and it was |
unanimously agreed that Mr. Singer had |
accomplished great feat and never more |
would his powers of endurance as a pedes- |
trian be questioned.
The timekeepers were w. B. Rhodes, H |
b. Wilkins, Jr., James Marshall and w. |
Harry Singer, while the referee and starter |
vas j. S. Atterbury. Among those who !
accompanied him were Oller Ricketson, II. |
b. Rea, j. Moorhead, Jr, H. B. Patton, |
W. S. Shiras, w. S. Mitchell, Garrison Nc |
Clintock, George A Howe Marshall |
Childs, H. B. Crossman and Others The |
official time is appended: Court House, $50 |
o'clock; Fifth Avenue Bank, s:37; Fifth |
avenue market, $40; Soho hill. SAB; top of |
Soho hill, S:461z; Convent building, B55; |
power house, 900; Morewood avenue, ,9:121I; |
Shady lane, 9:271s; Point Breeze, 9:33h; |
railroad tracks, 9:5311l; residence in Will |
kInsburg, 9:571S.