The San Francisco call., 1896-09-13


changes, in consideration of time, take
place than in athletics. Each year as we
take up the record tables and observe the
Improvements made we naturally wonder
whether there is any comparison between
the athlete of ten years ago ana of the
present day. In some respects 1 concede
that improved methods of training, better
cinder paths and experience of a general
character have contributed TO great i'm
provement. But Notwithstanding all this
l am constrained to believe that there was
one runner in the past who was equal to if
not superior to any man who now treads
the cinder path. That man was Lawrence
E. Myers of New York.
To write this mans athletic history is
most interesting task, and more of pleas
ure than a task; and for the benefit of
those who enjoy athletic anecdote and
Ieminiscence, and the young aspirant to
athletic honors who is anxious to learn by
the experience of others, have decided
to undertake the biography of this remark
able man.
Many years ago, while preparing the
material for my Record Book" which
made me the official Handicapped of the
old National Association, came across the
publication where L. E. Myers was ga
zetted to the sporting word. This was in
November, 1873. He did not win; indeed
do not think he even gained second place,
but it was a beginning-and such a be-
ginning
That winter he ran frequently in Madi-
son-square Garden-an old amusement
hall. similar in some respects to our Me-
chanics' Pavilion and since torn down.
Here he did not achieve distinction, but
he gained experience, occasionally winning
races and sometimes losing. However, as
spring crept on his speed increased until he
was recognized by all as coming man. On
May 80 of that year, 1879, be met Edward
Merritt, who had won the championships
at either quarter or half mile for three
successive years. The old champion beat
him, but it showed observing men that
new quarter-mile runner was clamoring
for recognition. Nothing daunted by this
defeat the young man kept to his training,
and by the 4th of July was running in
magnificent form. Patrons of athletics
were looking forward with delight 10 a
race between the subject of our sketch and
W. c. Wilmer, holder of the quarter-mile
record-:52 1-5-but this was frustrated by
an accident to the latter.
During August and the early part of
September, 1879, he kept steadily increas-
ing in strength and speed until he reached
the Goth day of that month, the most
wonderful day in athletics that had ever
been known. On that occasion full set
of scratch events was given, like a cham
pionship meeting. In all seven records
wsre beaten, and TWO of these were accom-
plished by Myers. The 22O-yard course
was almost exactly like the Olympic
course-a sharp curve and long home
stretch. A year before Wilmer had ac-
complished the distance in :22%. On the
occasion in question Myers ran it in :223<
without serious trouble.
After rest he was called out for the 44O
yard. At the crack of the pistol he left
the mark with unusual aIacrity and
started down the homestretch, for the
track was five laps to the mile and gave
him one lap and about ninety yards to
cover. The spectators, except his init
mate friends, thought he was running go
yards-at least they could not understand
such rush but on that process of reason
ing. When he reached that mark, how
ever, he went by it with long, powerful
strides that electrified the audience. AL
though 1t was supposed to be a race, there
being other competitors, no one paid any
more attention to the others than if it was
an exh1 bition by the feet-footed runner
from the Manhattan Athletic Club.
when Myers reached the last curve the
astonished audience began to realize that
he was running at pace hitherto un-
dreamed of by the amateurs of the world. ~
So said one of the sporting journals of the
period. AS he was rounding said curve he
began to feel that something was wrong
with one of his running shoes and men
toned the fact to friend standing inside
the track as be passed him in full career |
just as he entered the homestretch, 80
yards from home, the shoe mentioned
few off. The only difference noticeable
was slight twing as the naked foot struck
the caroon cinders, but the great athlete
was in for the record of the world and not
to be deferred by such trifes as this. The
homestretch even increased the wonder of
the audience, for it was marked by a dis
play of strength and vigor entirely unex-
pected in one who had travelled at such a
pace.
The onIookers naturally waited In
breathess anxiety for the time, for it was
apparent to the most indifferent observer
that something remarkable must have
been accom- plished, but when the result
was dBnOuuNeOi anu Gil pISScuJ TedllZeQ
that they had witnessed something far
superior 10 anything ever achieved by the
amateurs of the world, the excitement was
intense. Myers had run the quarter mile
in 40 1-5 seconds, or about a second faster
than the fastest time ever made by an
amateur.
One week later was the occasion of the
annual championships of America. Myers
I'D
when it came to the half mile he had to
face once more his rival, Edward Merritt.
The struggle did not last long, however,
for the coming man won easily in min.
1 2-5 Sec, the best on record. From that
time no one ever seriously attempted to
dispute his supremacy at the quarter and
half miles.
The following spring, 1880, Myers ran
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