The Washington herald., 1912-07-09
MEREDITH SCORES
GREAT VICTORY In
SOO-METBR RACE
Mercersburg Academy Star Breaks
Record for Both 800 and
Half-mile.
SHEPPARD SHOWS UP WELL
BY c. w. WILLIAMS.

Stockholm, Sweden, July 6Next to
Johnny Hayes Marathon victory In
| 1910. probably the most wonderful scene
ever witnessed at any Olympic games
was that enacted at the stradium this
afternoon during the final heat of the
500 meteres run. the result Of which
brought for the second time at this
Olympiad, 8 American flags futtered TO
their asts, ends on the strsdium denot-
ing first. second and third places for the
United States.
And a total of fifteen out Of a possible
twenty-four points at the end OF the day.
had brought our team to place
where II is regarded with the widest en-
thusiasm by the multitude every time any
meber enters the Stradiu and with awe
by the remainder OF the worlds best
athletics who are here for the gigan-
tic events.
Although the great 500 meters was
won by ]. E. CTad) Meredith, OF Mer-
cersburg Academy. a nineteen-year-old
schoolboy, with Melvin Sheppard and Ira
Davenport, Chicago. in dead heat for
second place, and all three breaking
worlds records for the distance. Mere
dith went on and broke the italian
Lunghrs worlds record for Q half mile,
there being a second tape strung to ON
cially time that distance.
Without disclaiming the winners feat
in the least. great credit for the remark
able victory belongs to the veteran Mel
Sheppard. The Irish-American star de-
liberately set such a heartbreaking pace
that It killed of Braun. OF Germany.
whom many had picked as the winner.
and thereby ruined his own chance
against the youngster Meredith. in the
final sprint.
sheppard shows Well.
In the first heats and semi-fnals Of the
past few days Sheppard has loafed along.
merely contenting himself with qualify
ing for the final. and many admirers
locked anxiously at the New York vet
eran in to-day's lineup and wondered
IL the old speed was there. When he
flashed out ahead when the race was
underway a great cry burst from hun
dreds of American throats:
Look at that! Look at that! He's the
same old Mel"
When Meredith, the fresh. young school
boy.> passed Sheppard. just as they were
on the tape. Johnny Hayes, who was sit
ting next to me in the press box. burst
into tears crying:
II oughtn't to feel so badly, because we
have won any way. but to have Mel
beaten shows the passing of the old
guard"
But when the figures on the board
showed the glorious fact that three
Americans had broken the worlds rec
ord. which. by the way. was held by
Sheppard, Hayes feelings underwent a
change.
Il don't feel a bit sorry now II he can
still do that" said the famous Mara
thoner. The figures put up on the board
were:
Meredith-lm. 5lss.
Sheppard-1m. SIS.
Davenport-lm. SIS.
Merediths time for the half mile was
I'm. 521as. The old Lunghi record was
I'm. 81 i-5s.
Thompson Cheered.
During the running Of this event. the
rooters' stand was under the direction of
that other veteran. Col. Robert NJ.
Thompson. who himself came in for a
round of cheers, and as the flags rose
gaily to the mastheads the bands again
played the Stars and Stripes Forever"
while the entire stadium fairly rocked
with deafening yells for the American
victors
Richards Beats Lische.
Next to this sensational performance
the greatest event Of the day was Rich
ards winning the rhnnings high jump. de-
feating the very dangerous Lische, of
Germany. at 1873 centimeters, breaking
the Olympic record, with HORNE, the
sensational Leland Stanford star. third.
Richards, who is from the Brigham
Young University, Provo. Utah. won the
admiration of the crowd by his beauti-
full jumping style, and he also furnished
considerable amusement by insisting
upon jumping in a ragged old felt hat,
which he considers a mascot Several
members of the committee laughingly
asked him to remove it. but he firmly
declined.
Commissioner Sullivan said to me after
this event: And to think that this man
came over here on. the supplementary
list and only then after insisted on II.
After watching him perform was con-
WINGED that he was one OF the greatest
Jumpers in the world
In the standing broad jump. our man,
Platt Adams, and his brother, Ben
adams, finished second and third to
fSGreece, where the Olympic games be-
gan fioated from the highest mast with
the 1Stars and Stripes on either side.
AsSe from the athletic events In the
Stadium, America now leads in points,
including all the outside events OF the
Olympiad, having S. against Sweden's
81. England took another slide down.
ward to-day. when her team OF London
policemen were beaten in the tug or war
by the SHedes in the flrst heat, ana dis
qualified N the second for sitting down.
800 Meters. fat tc3 yards, nce.-Fnal-J T.
Meredith, NercerabuH Academy. fnt; time.
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