The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-21
Y. NJ. G.. A. Runners Reach City
Hall, Chicago,
With Message FIR m Mayor Nc
ClelIan to Mayor Busse.
1000 MILES
In Quick Time of 119 Hours al d
% Minutes.
Made Twenty Miles an Hour. on
Last Stage.

Chicago, July 21.-The Young Mems
Christian association relay race, which
began in New York at 10 a. m, last
Wednesday, came to a brilliant close
in the city hall here at 9:3S a. m. to-
day.
The silver tube containg the message
of Mayor Mcclellan of New York to
Mayor Busse of Chicago, was carried
over the final stretch by William H.
McCabe, of the Evanston Y. NJ. c. A.
McCabe received the message at La
Sale and Monroe streets. but had a
hard time of it, making his way along
the two blocks to the city hall. He
was compelled to stop several times by
street cars and wagons and as he ex-
pressed 1t, Il made no time at all. y
The eager faced youth was cheered as
he lodged hither and thither in des-
perate endeavor to avoid delay. At the
city hall McCabe came under the pro-
tecting shelter of a squad of police who
kept the crowds at a respectful dis
tance. Mayor Busse. however, was not
present and the duty of receiving the
message devolved upon Vernon Bean,
secretary of the civil service commits
sion. Mr.. Bean promptly turned 1t
over to Assistant Corporation Counsel
Childs who read the same soiled type
written as follows;
TO the CITY OF CnlCdSO-
THE city of New York sends greet
ings by the fleet runners of the Young
Mems Christian association
This message is borne on foot, with
out halt from the Atlantic to Lake
Michigan and the hundreds of the boys
who carry 1t gain no prize except tnS
consciousness of having done their best.
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Mayor.
Hon. Fred A. Busse. Mayor, Chicago,
Ill"
Thus ended the race of 1000 miles
by hundreds of boys ranging In age
from II to 21 years. The distance was
covered in 119 hours and % minutes.
The time declared in the mayors once
to be official was three minutes less
than this, but the announcement that
the finish occurred at 9:S5 lnstead OF
9:3S was declared to be Inaccurate.
Crowds of spectators watched with
keen interest the clean cut youths with
cleaning lmbs and eyes as they race
through the city streets and boulevafds
from the time they reached the city
limits at 1853 m. until the last man
reached the mayors office. The last 100
miles of the run was beset with many
difficulties. not only by traffic in the
down town district but in the WOODS
and sandhills of Indiana last night
Although the runners crossed the
limits some miles out their real en-
trance into the city proper took place
at Garfield boulevard and HalsteaG.
Here the boys were met by two mount
ed park police. who attempted 20 trot
ahead of them, but were compelled 10
break into a canter in order TO Keep
up. A train of automobiles preceoeu
the runners, dropping j fresh one at
each corner to increase the speed. The
last few miles Of the raca was raally
a series of 100 yards dasles. Another
train of motor cars picked up each
tired athlete as fast as he iinlshea ms
sprint. Inside the city it is calculated
that the boys made rate as high as
20 miles an hour.
Mayor Busse's absence was due 10
the fact that he had not expected sne
runners until this afternoon. j was
arranged that the mayor should receive
the runners. at 2 p. m. when Mayor
McClellan's message would be present.
ed to him formally.