The Washington herald., 1908-07-26

New York. July 25.-A little more
than nineteen years. ago. in the shadow
Of CocEran's Roost. John :. Hayes first
saw the light
There were no bells on his initiation
IN fact. his coming didn't even inter
1ere with the weeks wash He was an
incident OF the day IN crowded tene-
Eent. and he started out or a humble
career without even dinpIe TO distin-
Euish him from the Dclyglou group OF
little ones On the block Ee was a wee
bit Of a boy. but strong in limb and
lungs. and he weathered the first lap
OF life with a fine scorn for Group and
measles In time be tOddled down the
dark stairway TO the fresh air Of the
great outside world
At six he showed a penchant for run
ming away. A ships anchor could not
hold hin TO the stoop. Around the
block he romped. never firing. A. ten
he we've medals-the tin ones the boys
make and give 20 the winners Of the
back yard races At fifteen his eve was
on the St Bartholomew Club IN East
Forty-second street. and at sixteen he
vas full-fedged member
4 month ago this same slender 125-
pound boy took ship for England He
was not unknown. In Nay last he had
shown his mettIe in the Boston Mara
thon. when he finished second 70 J. P.
Morrissev- But few Of his friends be
Ieved that he would write his name in
the history Of the world Of athletics bv
winning the great Olympic Marathon.
Said n Year Ago He'd Win.
a year ago he said he would win Il
In the utJle room he shared with his
cousin. Pat Hayes. on the top foor Of
20 East ForJy-fourth street. ne Uropbe-
sled a victory.
Pat" he said. twelve months ago
you viii 1--we TO see ne win the Mara
tho1 in England Tomorrow I VII! be-
gin to train
No 2l9 Is a typical fve-sto-v tenement
Il is tall. narrow. and dark. The SIM
shine hits the front and dies in -bo
shadows Of the windows. The middle is
as dark and dank as an unlighled sub
way But the Hayes apartment IS filed
with laughter and song, inspired bv
twenty cauaries. the hobby OF John
Hayes uncle Pat Il IS a poor mans
humble home. but il is the wholesome
ana home-lke abode OF strong and big
hearted people
Pat Hayes is a baker. He is head ~
the bakers union Three wears aro
when John Hayes lost his father. four
years after his mother died Pat Havee
TOOK the boy in IN tle Green Isle PAT
had been something OF an athlete him
seif- and he encouraged his nephev- F5a
provided training table Of eggs in rba
morning and good. substantial vegetables /
al night Tor the boy, and gave the lad /
TIE benefit q al his old schooling A. m J
O'Clock every night the coming v-o-I7-s I
champion was tucked away IN bed ana a.
3 every morning he was Up and out.
After the near victory at Boston 1i.t1a
Jonn hayes received a royal greeting /
when he returned 10 his work in Rloor,-
ingdale's store He fnOculated the great
bazaar with the spirit Of athletics until 1
when the time came near for him 10 de-
part for England even the pretty sales
girls Joined IN the enthusiasm. Ever
Sunday and also on Saturday afterDooo
the boy went 10 Celtic Park but 70 fur
ther aid him Mr. Samuel Bloomingdale
and Supt- Joseph Reilly fixed a roof gar
Cen track for him. and every day ne was
sent up 70 60 through his PAGES
Celebrate His Victory.
Two weeks before he was 10 sail for
England he went TO camp with the
Twelfth Regiment He was 1T for the
race OF his life and sure Of victory.
When the news came yesterday thar he
had won there were three distinct explo-
slons n Manhattan-One in Blooming
oaLe's store. one across the street at the
Irish-AmeTican Athletic Club. and one al
70 West FOrty-fourth street.
Presto. and the front OF the Irish
American Club was clothed in 4 rniuzling
Of the Stars and Stripes and colors Of
the good Green Isle --Oh. I could inst
hug him chOrused the girls IN the store
and the little tots who play about the
Forty-fouTJh street house Joined IN the
wild enthusiasm
John Hayes is an ideal boy" said 10
seph Reilly. superintendent Of the store.
who is also a member OF the Irfsh-Araeri- J
,an Club. He has worked faithfully and {
risen rapidly. We did al We could 70
help him along. and we are all mighty /
proud Of him
John Hayes has shown that size is not
essential 70 endurance. He IS feet :
inches He is mild-maunersd. quiet
youth When he comes back TO
title old New York he viii get a rousing
reception
Nancy Hanks Has n Colt by Todd.