Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-04-27
By ENID DAVIS

A4aLlSklOf tatlOu, communication anC
mining methods-theSe are only a few
Of the things that have undergone
tremendous changes in the last Sc
years, but the sports OF the eighties
were much the same as those which
we enjoy today-horSe racing, football
baseball, wrestling and even the coun-
terpart OF the recent valuations"
This latter sport made its appear
ance in Butte over so years ago. On
the morning of May 2 1882, The
Daily Miner carried an advertisement
IN which one George Wilcox. the great
pedestrian, challenged any two men
IN the state of Montana 70 a walking
match OF six days, go-aS-you- please
The two men who accepted were to
alternate IN the walking and each side
was TO furnish $500 Of the 81 900 stakes.
Money and papers were available at
George Fitchen's saloon, as Wilcox
was at that time appearing at Salt
Lake. The challenge was accepted BY
MesSrS. Adams and Waid, amateurs.
A couple OF weeks elapsed and VIII
cox had not appeared 50 MeSsrs
Adams and Waid took matters into
their own hands and published their
ultimatum which changed the time
from six 70 four days and the stakes
trom $500 to $1,000 each. They said.
i frankly that Wilcox must either put
up or shut up" and relinquish the
money he had already given 10 Fitch
en-. 1t was hoped Wilcox would appear
because by this time much interest
had been worked up. among the citi-
zens and they had readily helped
MeSsrs. Adams and Waid make up
the amount OF their stake.
Within few days Wilcox did ar
rive and II was arranged that the race
should begin at IL o'clock on Friday
night and last until IL on Monday
night, 70 hours. Caplice hall, at Park
and Montana streets, was prepared
according to Specifications, wilcox set
up a tent in the corner while Waid
and Adams used a room back of the
SheriffS office In the same building
for their periods of rest
Interest ran high and many pools
were formed. Quite a crowd was on
hand to witness the start And
throughout the ensuing DAYS. and
often nights, there was almost always
small group to watch the progress
OF the contestants. Season tickets had
been sold and, in all, 1868 was taken !
IN at the gate. On Sunday church was |
held under the same roof. In another |
room, without any disturbance.
On Monday, as the end Of the race /
approached, interest became intense /
Wilcox had led during SATURDAY. and |
Sunday and all day Monday and the |
odds in betting rose steadily. At 8 |
O'Clock on Monday night ne had a |
lead Of three miles But Immediately !
after Adams and Waid began their |
final squirt, with obvious effort but I!
also with effect for by II O'Clock and /
the end OF the race, the scores stood: |
wilcox. S43 miles and II laps Waid, |
1IO miles; Adams, l78 miles, laps /
Wilcox had lost by 4 miles and Is laps |
Bets were hardly paid before
ladies match was announced. II would
last three hours and there were five I
entries. But when the time arrived for
the race, one contestant appeared
was presented with the silver cup and
departed
But this was not the end. MANY of
the young men who had seen the pro
feSSional contest began to wonder why
they could not win fame and fortune
IN this seemingly agreeable way. BraR-
g1ngs took tangible form and after a
few days OF discussion In the saloons
and along the streets q 5-hour ANA
teur walking contest was announced.
Each contestant would pay an en-
trance fee of IS. The winner was to
receive one-half of the gate money
and $35 pair Of silver vases. Second
prize was one-third and third prize
Of the gate money.
Twelve contestants were all that
finally remained. Their points Of
strength and weakness were discussed
over every bar and dinner table In
town: Some were such definite favor
lies that their rivals began to spend
part OF their time connecting plans
TO eliminate them early In the race.
One such plan, thought to hold great
aSt possibilities. was that Of bringing
into the hall the young lady OF the !
Iavortte's choice and by cleverly dis (
tracting his attention. completely spoil /
his chance Of winning.
AS a matter of fact, a special Sec |
Ion OF the han was reserved for the
air sex and they were assured that {
here would be no smoking nor any
hing IN any way offensive to their
Iense OF delicacy. The band was to
DAY and 1t would be entertainment Of j
he highest quality for all !
Training began In earnest and the {
'eople OF the countryside became quite {
.ccustomed to seeing worried looking /
Dung men running down country S
anes or even across country. Accord
ng TO the newspaper the Jack rabbits
Uttered most.
One near Silver Bow junction,
tier being aroused from his warm bed
nree successive mornings about
clock and run down by nine OF the
amateurs In two-iust for
port-Was found drowned In Silver
low creek, clear case OF suicide.
mother, finding existence unbearable
utSide OF town, moved in permanently
nd roasted under Caplice hall every
light, getting pointers for his own fu-
IRE use by watching the nocturnal
nd early morning practice efforts Of
ne walkers"
1t was also reported that two of
ne pedestrians who started at IL
CLOCK last night are supposed to have
aQHnHH OGDEN faer @Hso
telegraphed to walk back in time