The Washington herald., 1909-05-02
Dan O'Leary, Veteran Pedes.
trian, Tells OF Career.
ADVICE TO PEDESTRIANS
Grand Old Man of the Game, Thrice
CoDaaeror OF the Mighty weston
and winner OF the Champions
Belt. Reeites Effects of Walking.
One of His Notable Performances.

OF Dan O'Leary. the greatest Of ali long
distance pedestrians and e walker VINO
THREE decades ago was as widely known
and talked about as the President Of the
United States. who has been in our midst
for the past fortnight.
During his eyentful caree. as a pedes-
TITAN. extending from the early '70s 70
the present day. OLeary has covered
loo.s7s miles OF territory, and in remark
able time. He has walked in Eve differ
enI countries-the United States, England.
Australia, Ireland, and France
Victories over Weston.
He has three victories 10 his credit
over Weston. He arst defeated Weston
IN a six-dsy walking contest in Chicago
in ISIS. making 50s miles Weston Gid
only s51 in that contest. In April. 1877,
hs and Weston again walked a six-day
contest II London, in which Dan won BY
ten miles In San Francisco IN Is78, in
another six-day walking contest, O'Leary
again finished first. making the same
distance as IN the London race, 80 miles.
which was then the worlds six-day walk
ing record Weston did sss miles in that
race.
OLeary stH holds the worlds record
for 100 miles heel-snd-toe walking-ls
hours. 3 minutes. and - seconds. The
record was made in October, 1875.
He IS q most extraordinary man. He
does not touch strong drink eats lightly.
uses no tobacco. is up early for q walk,
and his face IS always lighted up with
dne No % Celtic smile.
Advice to Pedestrians.
Here IS his advice 10 pedestrians:
Get shoes big enough. with low, fat
heels. and be proud Of a good strong foot
that holds your weight with ease. A foot
too small is as bad as a little head
If your body is out Of plumb through
wrong shoes. your spine IS crooked and
your muscles strained. Naturally your
vital organs win sympathlze with your
cramped feet and tired backbone. and
yoa wHl be ripe for most any disease that
happens along.
Know how 10 waIk-then walk; and
n you get tired and stiff, why walk just
as much the next day, and you'll get
rested.
AS you walk. keep your mouth closed,
carry your chin In. and think Of the good.
kind, and loving people you know and OF
the good times you have had II your
mind IS depressed. your feet stay behind.
and that big artery IN your neck, Ih2l
sends the blood and big thoughts 20 your
brain, goes on a strike and you re thinking
OF chasing OF after trouble
Walk with your head. and your feet
VIII follow; but treat your feet right. for
3 10 g- frne haTn
no head-we're on
History of Career.
Dan O'Leary was born in County Cork,
ireland. sixty-three years ago, and he
came 10 this country VIXEN he was nine
teen years old He was a book agent in
Chicago when he discovered that he pos
sessed unusual pedestrian ability. AT that
time the possibility OF a man walking
so miles IN six DAYS was sCOffed at Sev-
cral noted pedestrians had tried and
failed Dan said he could do Il, and was
laughed al. He tried il IN the old Ran
dOiph Street Skating Rink, Chicago, IN
lS74 and turned the trick
He then defeated several Of the best
walkers OF the day. and challenged the
champion. Edward Payson Weston Il
was not without some difficulty that the
men we're brought together n Chicago
in November. 1875. TO the surprise OF
every one, O'Leary won in 2 decisive
manner
Weston then went to England. where
he attributed his defeat 70 fear; that he
would have been nlobbed II he won. as
there were so many Irish IN Chicago.
This remarkable statement was printed
n the press throughout the English
speaking countries. and O'LeaTy's answer
vas a challenge 10 walk n England The
match was arranged and proved one OF
the most memorable on record For three
DAYS they divided honors. O'Learys
style Of walking pleased the English. and
MS stubborn determination won their sd-
ulIratfon. throughout the last two days
Il was a certainty that Dan would win.
and early on the final evening Weston's
backer. Sir John Ashley. conceded the
race. OIeary twice won the famous
Ashley belt
Goes TO France.
In 1ss2 O'Leary went 10 France ard
gave an exhibition OF walking before the
French president and the chamber OF
deputies For this exhibition he received
a. large sum.
Prom france ne vent 70 AuSIFaii3,
where he won six important matches.
He was given a banquet in Sydney by Sir
Joseph Banks and received q parchment
testimonial from the citizens.
A Notable Performance.
His creates. performance was only re-
Gently accomplished in Cincinnati At
the Norwood Inn he walked a mile at the
beginning OF each hour for Loo con-
secutive hours. finishing on October ..
1861
This feat is the most remarkable dis
play Of human endurance. mental and
physical. ever made by a man Of h:s
age. The conditions provided that only
che mile was 70 be covered each hour,