Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-24
BILL LANG A PAUPER.
Greatest Of All the Distance Runners
Now in English Workhouse.

A little more than a month ago a de-
crepit. Withered old man applied for
admission to the workhouse at Stafford,
Lancashire. England. and after hear
ing his story the clerk readily assigned
him to one of the wards.
He was Bill Grow Catcher" Land
undoubtedly the greatest long distance
runner the world has ever seen and
the only survivor Of the days when
wagering on Professionalism was one Of
the delights of English sportsmen
Lang was the only man who ever de-
feated the great ''Deerfoot," and his
record Of 911 for two miles withstooi
the assaults of both amateurs and
professionals until it was beaten a
couple Of months ago by A. Shrubb,
the London amateur.
Lang was born near Newcastle-on
Tyne on December ~ 1889, and when
about sixteen years of age got
acquainted with a drum major of the
Tooth regiment. Young though he
was. Bill had speed. and it was said he
could catch the crows on the wing.
from which incident he earned the
nickname of the Grow Catcher" A.
the time there was a Welshman in this
regiment who was said to have done
great things as a distance runner, and
the major thought a race with lang
wouiu produce some fun. SO enc day
he said:
"Taffy. I've a babe in arms who can
beat YOU and give you thirty yards in
a mile any day.
"Arh. you be pIowed" said Taffy;
then | will run him, re he as old as
ADAM
The match was made and the day ap-
pointed and when they came to the
mark the WelShman eyed Lang in dis
GuSt. saying.
WHY. this ish a boy; you make A
On fool of me-
History has it that Fill was not
t0nGue-tied on that occasion. and he
came ont with a string Of comprehen-
sive crithets. winding NJ by telling the
old Josser he would beat him like
crow They started. and the Welsh
man STAYED in front until 200 yards
from home when. with an audacity all
his own, Lang drew alongside, tapped
his man on the shoulder and shouted,
Come along" and shot away to the
post.
The Welshman fell on the grass ex-
hausted. After that Lang got plenty
Of matches and attracted the attention
OF .hc astute division. Contemporary
with a group of the foromost runners.
he came off with the biggest share Of
the winnings. He met and defeated
such cracks as Sandarson. Jimmy Han
cock Jack Brighton. the Norwich milk
boy: Bill Richards. $. Parker, C. Wills.
Paddy Staplcton. Harry Andrews. Siah
Allison J. Neary. Bob McInstray. and
others.
George Martin a keen observer Of
form. soon got hold Of Lang and added
him to his troupe Of pedestrians at
salary of SO a week. But business
becoming a trifie slack after a time
Martin intimated 10 the crow catcher
that his salary must be reduced, and
accordingly said: bill, your wages
are c. week now" Are they" re
piled the crow; then I'm off" Deer
foot was then in England making all
sorts Of records. Lang challenged him
10 run twelve miles if the Indian would
conccde him 1000 yards. The match
was made. Martin finding the stake
money for Deerfoot
The race took place at Lille Bridge.
and when Lang arrived at ST. Pancras
station he hal a half crown in his pocket
and only one week to prepare for the con
test. IN that time he reduced himself
fourteen pounds. This news spread about
and everybody predicted Deerfoot's vic
tory. Lang kept the redskin well in hand
and when nearing the finish shot to the
front 1t was a desperate finish, Deerfoot
being beaten by half yard. The time
was hour minutes ~ seconds. figures
which. still remain unbeaten or the rec
ord books Lang was leading when the
ten miles were Completed. and his time
was 81 minutes IS seconds
But the most stirring incident in Lang 8 |