New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-07-20
old TINE RUNNERS
we're VERY FAST
Records Of Athletes Measure Fay
Orably With Present Stars
( Written Exclusively for the rhei "iu
by Patrick H. Corbett.)


Whether or not the athlete or the
present day, is better than the star
of olden DAYS. is a question that often
causes manv good natured arguments
and at their end, it is often the case
that each of the parties in the dis
cussion. proclaim that they have had
the best of it.
II is an agreed fact that the sprint
arc of today are very fast, but the
sunnorters of the old time speed
lines argue that in view of present
conditions, track, trainers. etc., that
+ne present champs do not compare
with the old timers, when this is
taken into consideration.
One of the supporters for the old
timers, is Patrick H. Corbett, of
North street, wine clerk at Whites
cafe. who has furnished the sporting
editor of the Herald, with some val
liable statistics, of records made in
olden days, and which strengthens the
argum ents of the supporters Of old
time champs
The following figures show that the
boys in the Sos were able to get over
the ground in fast time. n. M. John
SOS of New York on November %,
1884. hit the cinders for SO yards in
s Ia seconds.
Harry Hutchins, of Edinburg, Scot.
land, set the sporting world agog on
January 2, 1884, when he ran 100
yards in 10 seconds flat, 200 yards in
20 seconds and 800 yards in 80 sec
onds
Georges Fast Mile.
The recent performance of N. s..
Taber who smashed the one mile rec
ord OF j. p. Jones, is a feat that is
being marveled at but on August %,
1885 under conditions far more un-
favorable that those which Taber ran
under, w. G.. George of Little Bridge,
IL "a seconds
Back in 1871, r. Hewitt Of sydney,
Y. s. w, ran the half mile distance
n ! min. 5s n seconds.
100 Yards in 9-3-5 Seconds.
Piper Donovan, brother Of the
famous Pooch Donovan, was one of
the real speed artists of his day and
at 5Brockton, Mass, on September
1895. he went down the cinder path
for loo yards at 94-5 seconds clip.
This was considered wonderful sprint
Ing and at present there are but few
men who can do the distance in that
time.
Here's Ia Man.
George Seward, with what was
known as an American flying start
ran the 100 yards distance in 91-4
seconds. This method of running is
not in vogue with present athletic
events.
Six Day Runners.
Charles Rowell, James Albert and
George Littlewood. in 1888 ran 623
miles and; 1920 yards in six days
which was travelling pretty well.
Gilbert Beat Billy Sunday.
ClAude j. Gilbert, for number OF
years manager Of the Russwin Lyce-
UNI, Was sprinter OF no mean ability
IN his day and was reputed to be able
to hit the trail at 10 second clip.
During this time Billy Sunday. who
has since AFFIXED Rev. to his name
was also a runner besides being
ball player. During a trip to Cleve-
land, Ohio. q match race was ar
ranged between Sunday and Gilbert,
and the boy from the Nutmeg State
showed his heels to the evangelist in
three straight heats.
Many 10 Second Men.
Those participating In handicaps IN
olden days, were forced to travel
some. at all times, when 1t will be
seen that the following runners In
this vicinity were reputed to be able
to get over the cinder paths in 10 Sec
onds or better: Mike, .Stockie'' Muir
ply. Steve Farrell. Sidney Pete Clark,
Jack Gibson. Bunce' Flynn, Art Simns
Wagner" Kettleman. Coco Collins,
Morris. Crisis o'Brien, Johnny Mack,
Jack Doyle, Dan scully. Pooch Done
van. Dan. Budd, Ed Tanning, Mike
Walsh. Phil Lenreaux, Ed Skinner and
John M. Henry.