The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-09-24
Montana
Sports Tales
of other: days

Forty, or fifty years ago, foot racing
was catalogued as deceptive art as
well as sport. BuildupS, bets, shenan-
igans, ringers, all were Incorporated as
part of the game. In-the-know friends
were sent out by this or that hacker
into camp.
Every state was infested with foot
racers. The game got so bad that pro-
fessional sprint racing became out
lawed, not legally, but by an incensed
public that got tired of being taken
for rides. Attempts at different times
to revive the racket have been fruit
less.
It got so bad that if favorite lost
race, he was accused of being q
double crosser. Sometimes the infer
ence was deserved and sometimes a
man was beaten by someone who ran
faster: A racer was a hero to the crowd
being called a bum, he was, allegedly,
a SO-and-so
According to Nick Murphy, who lived
in Anaconda in the late sos, the
Shelter city harbored a Splinter who
could run rings around any athlete in
town. Bill Mckenzie was the runners
name. Mckenzie had dual PERSONAL
ity. He was a boxer, also an instructor
in the manly art. In his fistic endeav-
ors, his trade name was Professor
Langdon.
Mckenzie Beat EN- All
Anaco a Saloon, w. was MeKenzie:s IS
hacker. In race after race, Mckenzie
showed his heels to all corners. Burke
collected plenty of bets. Mckenzie was
a profitable investment for Burke.
Murphy relates that Jack Reardon
visited the Burke grocery one day: He
~ 1. <%fl Nyv1 fa1 l1o@
Of the weather, the bali club, and fin
ally, brought up the subject Of foot
racing. Reardon toasted McKenzie's
ability In passing, he mentioned he
had taken fancy to kid dish washer
who was working at the Grand Central
hotel. The boy, according to Reardon,
got the idea Of running from watching
It was the boys ambition, related
Reardon, to be great runner like
Mckenzie.
Old Financial Buildup
II think the kid can beat Mckenzie
said Reardon. II mean he could beat
him today. If Mckenzie trained Tor the
race for week or more he would run
the boy ragged, but if the boys were
to run this afternoon, in a 1OO-yard
race, I'd be inclined to bet on the
kid
For how much?" asked Burke. LAS
for the professor, he's always in shape.
While he hasn't run for month, the
Mckenzie can get ready at moments
notiSe III II your int boy has he bsamf ins
pocket your loss and forget about him:
And, how much do you want to bet?"
was Burke's counsel and question.
'I'd bet $500 that the kid could beat
Mckenzie in a 10O-yard race II they
run at four O'Clock. You see the kid
of mine has to 60 on shift at live,
We" aDone." said Burke. "1n have Nc
Kenzie at the park on the dot OF the
hour. You bring along your PUNK;
bring some more money If you want
and if anyone else wants to bet, I'll
accommodate them"
Heavy Betting on Match Race
Burke saw to it that good gathering
of fans was on hand. Not for a minute
did he take the dish washer seriously:
He made inquiry as to the status OF
bow had worked for three months at
the hotel mentioned. If Dan Reardon
had the effrontery to race his BOY
against Mckenzie, and bet on him too,
he and his kid deserved lesson.
Burke liked Reardon, but $500 was SOY.
And maybe there would be hundreds
more to be had. The idea OF 1iunkey
ioke to Burke. He'd cash in on it.
Came four o'clock. Mckenzie was
CARRIED in spangled running suit and
spiked shoes. His opponent wore over
ais and tennis shoes or sneakers A
fair-sized crowd was on hand. Betting
was active A few Butte men, who &C.
cidentally happened on the scene, PEI
big chunks. Like Reardon, they oet on
the unknown.
Loser Ran On Out Of Town
The men toed the scratch, when IL
seemed that all betting that was to be