The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30
By John B. Foster

OPJNG down Commonwealth ave.
nue.. which s. IN the most fssh-
Ionable district or Boston, smi-
ing in friendliness at the cheers
and appisuding shouts of thousands,
who had gathered 70 see the finishing
stretches OF the New England Mara
thon race Of 25 miles, meanwhile cOoilv
peeling an orange and pulling il apart
to moisten his parched and feverish
throat with the pleasing juice Of the
fruit, Thomas Longbost. IN onondsga
Indian. son Of the six nations. ever
facial feature marked with the typical
characteristics Of his ancestors his
physique sinewy. angular in all ways
conforming 10 that Of the red msn Of
fhe forest sci more ton sues 10 wse-
ging in athletic circles on April - thaD
have buzzed on this side Of the ocean
since Sherring. the Canadian. won the
Marathon in Greece.
The reason FOR this was not dIc
wholly 10 the winning OF this psrtcp-
lar Marathon FIVE minutes Easter thi1
the race had ever been run before. b1t
that the achievement defined h.nl--.,s
some had ina gined--Onc Of the greatest
dong distance runners of the world anc
represent the American continent 3
The next olympic games. TO De beid IN
London in 1908.
Around the Indian settlement - Gale
douia. near Hamilton. Ont, goGns bows
and youths know this Indian marvel IS
Tom" The old folks knew him as
that Longbost boy" who liked 10 play
e lacrosse when perhaps he should have
been doing other things; who could
run some, as everybody in the village
had witnessed on the big open field
where the Indian games were plaFel.
end who, Hike every youngster Of his
age and race, took keen delight I'D
tests or speed. leaping and other con
tests that called for physical skill. Not
that he is expert in al athletic tests.
but there is little OF an athletic nature
that does not appeal 10 him.
Next fall lie viii DC 20 years old. Mea
who arc wise ia athletics and who have
made study OF records say that no
youth OF his age In history hes a rec
ord FOR running which IL equal 10 that
which he made iH Boston on April ~.
II is also their contention that some
parts OF the race were Travelled at e
greater speed than any adult has been
known 10 make in Intermediate miIes
Of like tests OF endurance Hence the
- marrclousness OF his performance.
Perhaps Longboat might never have
known how much OF runner lie is il il
had not been for another boz who
played lacrosse against him and chal-
lcngcd him 10 race. That was in 1895
His career has been very limited On
the road and track. and is the more
marvellous for that reason. LonSboat
won tho race with his Indian chum Tie
ran so well that he made up his mind
he might win more important races *
ever lie got a chance TO start in them
Some Of the old men who were wise in
council in the village confirmed him n
his belief, and advised him TO keep his
eyes open. Probably they did il with
a mercenary idea in view. They were
thinking that the boy might earn sums
which would help 20 support the family
and perhaps would be handy TO loan 10
his friends. In any event he is re-
ported 10 have raced at the Caledonia
fair in his native village and he won.
Still an Amateur
History does not say what kind of
prize was offered, but Il is asserted
that he did not run for money. Had
he done so he might have been for.
given, for he was only a younester
and knew little about the rules OF the
Canadian amateur athletic union and
the amenities or pure amateur sport
Canada has turned out great many
hne distance runners. Among them Is
canrey. He ran for the Boston Mara
thon few years ago and won It. lie