Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-04-19
WOODEN LEGGED RACERS.
Novel Contest In France In Which Sixty
seven Persons Minus Leg Started.

| n mover contest IN france In w men Sixty
seven Persons Minus n Leg Started.
A race between 66 wooden legged men
and one WOODEN legged woman was the
novel sporting event which took place on
March 10 at Nogent-sur- Marine, pretty
village three miles east of the Paris fortif.
cations. Judging from the widespread at
tcntion which the contest attracted and
the ardor of the numerous competitors,
courses de jambards," or wooden leg
races, bid fair to become epidemic in and
around Paris during the coming summer.
The novel idea originated in the nimble
brain of NJ. Ward, the one legged taverI
keeper in this village on the river Marine
One rainy evening not long ago, after lis
tening for some time to the boasts of pc
destrian prOwess made by two of his pa.
irons who were timber tOcd' like himself,
he offered to race them both twice around
the large room for bottle of wine.
The innkccper won, and while enjoying
the fruits of his victory suddenly proposed
to the assembled company u similar contest
on a largo scale. The idea met with in.
slant favor, and committee was organ.
lied for the reception of entries. The 81
who competed responded at the first call,
and it was deemed wise not to increase
this number until the success or failure OF
the first meeting was assured.
The curious types ranged in years from
boy of to n graybeard of 90. There
were NJ Roulin, who had come all the way
from Orleans; an. Jack, " burly Eng,
lishman dressed like an undertaken mute;
NJ. Florcnt, "a lyric artist" from the De-
Easements Comiques of Menilmontant, a
Mt,
scendant of an illustrious family, NJ. lie
COmte dc Stock. The one who attracted
the most attention, however, was the sole
representative of the feebler but more
beautiful sex, Mile. Collet, who did not
draw back at the prospect of showing he'
wooden leg.
The course was about 600 feet in length.
When o'clock came, the starter called
the first race through an immense tin
speaking trumpet, but when the contest.
ants lined up an unforeseen difficulty pre-.
sented itself. There were 90 who had lost
their legs at the thigh and two whose
stumps extended below their knees. Aft.
er much discussion the committee declined
to make any distinction and lively storm
of protests at once arose. One of the run
ners objected obstinately and retired from
the race. Finally, everything having been
arranged, the starting signal was given,
and NJ. Roulin, who had the advantage of
a knee, was easily the winner.
1t was so evident that his leg, having
been cut below the knee, gave him great
superiority over the "cuissards," or those
who had lost theirs at the thigh, that he
was at once unanimously disqualified He
acknowledged the justice of the decision
upon being promised that the papers
should mention his victory, and that he
should not lose the bets he had made. He
took great pride in the fact that his name
would thus pass down to posterity as the
champion wooden legged runner of the
world in the "jambard' class.
Special races then followed, the contest
ants being matched according to age, those
with the right leg gone being pitted
against each other, while those whose left
legs were missing raced together. Then
there were races between the champions of
each class and finally n consolation race.
There was one dark speck, and only one,
upon the whole occasion. Monsieur the
president of the republic had been invited
by the committee, but he had not deigned
to reply or to send prize.
A race between cripples who are minus
both legs and walk on stills, and also a
contest on crutches, will take place early
in August. York World.