Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-28

Chicago. Nov. 27-EdvarG Paysun
Weston completed his 133i miles walk
from Portland, Me-, ut 12.15 O'clock to-
day. Weston broke bv one day. three
hours and 70 minutes Il record made by
him ~ years ago on trip To this city
ever practically the same route.
The finish today was d tri;unpi:.i
march from the Chicago Beach hotel
through! the South side bculev.rds at 4
pace which taxed the powers of en-
durancc of several city officials and
others who cSsayed to walk beside the
aged pedestrian.
While the trip officially ended at the
Federal building, a simple unfortunate
circumstance and Weston'.; pride oper-
ated to change the reception plans at
he last moment.
At the Federal building Weston
flushed with victory. approached the
Jackson boulevard entrance. used only
by employees and to which the public is
not admitted. At the door uniformed
official opposed Weston'S entrance and
directed him 20 one of the other en-
frances. Notwithstanding that Mayor
BusS". Postmaster Campbell. Posto1iicc
Inspector Col J. T.. stuart ana several
'lI'I tllA ilIl It1cTIl flIltI1lS, were
within waiting to greet him West Oh,
seemingly MISUNDERSTANDING the oppo-
Stion to his ingreSs. turned on bis iIocl
and asked the Way {" the Illinois At',-
letic club. He could not be persuaded
TO enter the building. where a crowd
as dense as that in the streets was
waiting to catch glimpse of the
pedestrian
After some minutes had passed 4
custodian explained the situation IL
the mayor and others and it vas de-
CIdcd to dispense with the reception to
Weston.
Nothing however. intCrfcrcu with til"
unofficial Welcome of the citizens or
that which took place ~ the Illinois;
Athletic club To which Weston pro-
cccdcd.
From the steps of tie Athletic club
Weston made Il tri"f speech thanking
the people for their interest in him.
within a week." he said II will 10
ready to repeat this walk and | chaI-
lenge the world for such u walk. ]
mean that | would like to meet walk
er from some foreign country. es-
pccially from England. France or Ger
many. Tho foreign countries do not
produce athletics like those to be founu
in the United States"
Mr. Weston crossed the state line in
to South Chicago at Los o'clock this
morning. Three thousand people were
present at the border of South Chicago
to greet him. Capt. Charles Dornan
of the South Chicago police station.
commanding % policemen. kept the
crowd from interfering with tho walk
er's feet
A solid line of Iatrolmen marched %
feet ahead of him, brushing the good
natured spectators out of the roadway.
AT the outer ends Of this blue coat line
two ropes We're held which extended
back to the automobile. These ropes
formed the sides of a hollow square
six by q feet in size. in which the aged
man walked.
TIE crowd was joyful "Marching
Through Georgia. was sung through
OFT the way in South Chicago. The
old man plodded on. seemingly I'M
mindful of the attention he was re-
ceiving. or more properly rather scorn-
full Of it as putting further difficulties
and distractions in the way of an al
ready difficult task.
The walker all of yesterday looked
pale. weak and tired. but he claimed
to be fresh He was not able to keep
UP his regular clip of four miles an
hour. Three miles was the best he did
and much Of the way was only at the
rate Of two miles.
He was much annoyed when the par
ty lost its way into Chesterton and he
was piloted several miles in the wrong
direction.
Weston left the Chicago Beach hotel
at 9.52 this morning He reached
Drexel boulevard and 51st street at
1912 and struck out northward at a
fast gait The boulevard was packed
with a cheering crowd
When Weston appeared at the Chica-
go Beach hotel he had discarded his
dusty garb and wore a new blue suit.
polished shoes, black gaiter; and black
felt hat and white gloves.
Attended by noisy crowd he began
the finishing lap of his long journey. The
procession went south two blocks to 52rd