Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-04
WALKING.
(John D. Nolau.)


 Of all the sports and exercises prac- ttced and enjoyed by man, walking is probably the most beneficial and in Stting man to perform some great or lrduous feat, it always plays an i'm POrtant part. Walking is a very old sport the first notable performance of which we have any authentic record, being that of Captain Barclay of Eng land. who walked from Ury to Cray thy naird. Scotland, a distance of 100 vfiles in 19 hours, in 1SG6,
 This record was unexcelled for many vears. and it remained for an Ameri- can. Edward PaySon Weston. to re- awaken an interest that was world wide. when on Oct. 29 1867 he started Tom Portland, Maine to walk to Chi raeo in 26 days. Westons feat aroused great interest In the United States. and Sll classes of society took mp the fad. which was greatly stimulated by the match for s6,000 between James Cor don Bennett, proprietor of the New York Herald, and John WhiFple of .New ' Yor1 to walk from 3Sth street and Broadway to the Jerome park race track. The match was won by Ben nett, and walking became fashionable !n aristocratic circles, For several years Weston was the bright Darticu- lar star in the pedestrian world but In 1875 a new star in the athletic firm Ement attracted attention in the per son of Dan O'Leary. who in May of tual year. covered 1UU Ill4eS Tn 1OS hours. This performance secured for him the necessary backing for a match with Weston. and he met and defeated him in six days race, Nov. 15 to 20, 1875. at Chicago, III.
 Weston left for England soon after this race and met with great success, winning many races and being liOnized by the sporting public, as well as se- curing the friendship and backing of Sir John Astley. the leading sporting man of England. O'Leary had fol- lowed Weston to the other side and q match was arranged between the men at London, April 7 to ', 1877. EAich was won by O'Leary. who broke " Records, walking 520 miles to Wes- toms 510 miles.
 Weston had told Sir John Astley he would cover 510 miles and Astley had 'vagered s10,000 on the result, and al though he lost this wager he present. ed Weston with s10.000 because he had kept his promise. O'Leary returned to America like a cOnquering hero bring ing nearly $50 900 with him. it was said, as the result of his trip abroad.
 It is said he won and squandered near S1o0.000 in his meteoric career, and after Sir John AstIey had invent ed the go-aS- -you-pleaSe race and OLeary had lost the title to Powell. he gave a splendid silver belt to be com Qeted for by American runners with the idea of developing Americans cap able of regaining the lost trophy.
 Running succeeded walking in pop ularity, but the fine old sport retained many enthusiastic followers, and the fact that the old pioneers of the sport are still at the game speaks volumes for the beneficial effects of walking Weston. now 15 years of age, proposes to engage in a six-day race, and there Is little doubt that O'Leary. who was recently in San Francisco. Cal In fine physical condition at the age of 73 years, will be both willing and anxious 10 enter the proposed race if it can be arranged
 The splendid health and wonderful condition of these famous old walkers at their age should be an incentive to all to indulge more in this, the most health-giving of all exercises. for In the period between 1870 and 1880, when the walking craze was at it's height, physicians saw their practice decline, and dyspepsia was in danger of becoming an obsolete disease in America. Electric cars and other fast and easy means of travel have in recent years made walking almost a lost art, with the result that doctors and druggists flourish everywhere, while not to possess a well defined case of indigestion leaves you an object of curiosity to your wondering friends.
 Frank Chances players ought to be able to save some coin now that the Peerless Leader has put the ban on gambling.