The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-20

on Thursday. Around the table were
men who had been connected with track
and field sports for thirty-five years as
well as champions who made almost a
steady succession TO the present day.
Nearly every one had something to say
about the big doings of his day and for
the most part the truth was told by the
old timers for the bt neft OF the younger
generation.
One statement was made. however.
which as II bears on an important fea-
ture of athletic history. seems 10 he
worthy Of contradiction. The subject was
the beginning of international contests
and the part America played in the in
vasion OF England. which later led to
the first real international meet in 1895
and then 10 the olympic games which
nave developed into genuine worlds
championships.
The date OF this first attempt to
wrest laurels from the British was given
at the Hjertberg Inner AZ 1885. with a
team of the old Manhattan A. c. as the
standard b, arers OF the United states.
That is far out OF the way. for l can re-
member the sensation caused bN the
incompatible runner Lon Myers when he
visited england for the first time In 1881
accompanied by r. T.. Merrill Of the
tnion A.. G. of Boston. who won many
walking races. but failed to equal the
feat of Myers in capturing an English
title.
There are several incidents OF tina, pio-
$500. ,aH,. s1.ua V1n, 10 sa.arfh accounting
for the benefit OF some future athletic
historian. II. date of the first appear
ance Of the Americans was June 20.
l>>l. when both astonished a critical
crowd at the Iondon \. &. tamfo
Bridge grounds by their wonderful abil-
ity. Myers won the quarter mile on that
day and without being extended ran the
~,ii>tanc. In ~ As seconds. Merrill was
just AZ easy a winner OF the two-inlle
walk N 1895 -. A week later Myers
won q half mile in ! ;5S and Merrill II
three mile walk in 80 minute 40 sec
onds.
Nothing remarkable happened AT thu -
: preliminary meetings except the shock
!, gave the Englishmeu to see their best
athletes u, atcn by men from a country
where athletic sports had been INDUCED
in for only a few years. At Birm!ng-
niin on July 4: there was q scene which
was by no means creditahic to the fair
play Instincts OF he crowd. Myers
stepped his quarter mile IN 40 seconds
without Interference. his running being
rs greatly admire 10y the B.ummagems
as II had been by the cockneys.
Merrill was not so fortunate. The
English walkers were jus, as faulty In
their gaits a. the present day crop is
in this country, but the judges at lea 81
were fair and one by one the opponents
OF Merrill were disqualified until the
American was the only walker remain
ing on the track. The mob became more
and more inceused az man after man
was taken on, and when the Yankee was
Left supreme, broke all bounds and
rushed on III. track. The rowdies were
furious at Merrill. hut although maulcd
about a good deal he was not injured.
There was no chance FOR hin TO finish
IN" race. but his time. taken when he
WAS stopped 40 yards short OF the
mile. showed that he had covered that
distance in & minutes . seconds.
Merrill walked "a mile at Lewes Il few
days later in Il 80. where he received an
ovation from the south Of England
spor,smen tina, In q measure made up
FOR his rough treatment In the Mid
Lands. There was a great how by the
sporting papers ~ the time Oh the
shabby treatment; accorded q visiting
athlete and during the rest of his stay
IN" British public lid It's utmost 70 CIV.
~ ." "n. "" '"
49,, - .In I -, ,
Ia, ~. ," H., W,
-. mL ~
,., -, -, " IL, 'T,
80. ,,, ,...t,, -, i,,,in,
- ,u',ifr. ~. -
.n, ",,, '' ~ ,,.
-. A." w.
,t,. - ,n '''
,"; | ="
:" -, ~ i ' ~ ~,
d,,',a ,nm,,a.,o, o., 49,, ~.
an ,ft.,,., H., ia ,,I h,an ~, .uh
,a,, =, ..',,h ,ha 3D., =, ,ha
nrt,r "a ,h. r,". an, ,r., a.. ,r;",is nI
,,b,i,r. h,l Io.s,.I i,,,I,, 90 ,.r,, Ia.
would do ,n ,ha ,,,," rrc,,, .,,n., ia.
So, rhn,,cr u,.rs u,ds ,.v. ur.,gI
,.,,,,I "a, a, - s..o,I. Lo ,,.,.,
ir.,n,d ~, r,,i"o ,hrso sn- ~. h,,t,n,,
IT,, ,,r'. ,,.. ma All, n,
,t,.,,s ,a,, g.. h',,, n,I ,tl go, ,,..
,n .,,,,r.r ,r,il ,xS, wher he c,.r,,
.t,rnnr. .,. ~. ,,.o,. 49,, =,
,.,,r v',r I'll. ,,v,l. " '
rh, NOS, -, 10, lrt,u,.,o,. ,,,
,.t,t,u w,. Ia is, vncr W -: ,o,rn,
10 ... l,,, I...,,., r,u,ra, - 49,
.,., -, ,,,, en-. ,rI ., ~, 49,,
,a., I.,c,nr, ,,.r ,,.I .,,. T..
20, !, r,,,,h -, mo, ,,.., ,nr.,,
VI, M, li., ,,a. ,,r, ,,r ~
,r,, ,..,s ,rd ,,, KIM M, -
80, a., ,,,,.t -. ne ,,l. -. -