PEDESTRIANISM EXTRAORDINARY.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 709, 4 August 1870, Page 4

PEDESTRIANISM EXTRAORDINARY.

■• [KEW YORK. TRIBUNE.] It was announced some weeks ago, in the Empire Skating Rink, that Edward Payspp Western, the celebrated pedestrian, would attempt the extraordinary feat of walking 100 miles in 22 consecutive hours. Some sneered, others doubted, but Weston, nothing daunted, made' bis preparations, and, under the eye of competent and honest judges, and in the presence of thousands of applauding spectators, the feat was fairly and triumphantly accomplished. Mr Weston's only training consisted iv. a daily morning walk of ten or htteeu. miles daring the three weeks preceding the trial. He made his appearance at the riuk promptly at midnight, and at 12.15 a.m. he began his walk. The length of the track, which was made of earth and shavings, was 735 feet and C inches, and he was required to make nearly 718 rounds to accomplish the prescribed distance. Eight rounds were allowed for every fifth mile, and seven rounds for all the others. Weston started off in excellent spirits, and made the first round in 1 minute 55 seconds, and the first mile in 11 minutes and 15 seconds. The first 25 miles were accomplished in 4 hours 7 minutes and 54 seconds ; and the first 50 miles in 10 hours 35 minutes and 31 seconds. Seventy-five miles were completed in 16 hours 18 minutes and 3 seconds, and the round 100 miles were triumphantly ended in 21 hours 38 minutes and 15 seconds. According to 1 the measurement made some time ago, it was necessary to make three additional rounds. This, too, was leisurely- done, leaving fully fifteen minutes to spare. Weston stopped nine times during the walk for rest or refreshment, the shortest halt being three minutes, and the longest being nine minutes and forty seconds. His food, taken at intervals, consisted of beef tea, coffee, and crackers steeped in strong green tea. After the eightieth mile he took a spoonful of champagne three times, and during the last ten miles he swallowed a little brandy and water about every third round. He used a sponge dipped in bay rum to moisten his head and wrists, and put whisky in his shoes to ease his feet. His quickest round, the last of the fiftieth mile, was j walked in one minute and twenty seconds. During the day there was a scattering attendance of curious spectators, but after nightfall a crowd poured in, until there were not less than five thousaud people present, including not a few ladies, who watched with the keenest interest the rapid strides of the wonderful pedestrian. The scene was picturesque. The Rink glittered with a myriad of brilliant gas jets. The, cool fountain in the;middle tossed a score of tiny streams into the air. A band of music played the most jocund and inspiring tunes. The animated crowd swayed to and fro with restless interest, and still the little figure of the smiling athlete pursued its unhesitating way. Bareheaded, clad only in his shirt and tight velvet trousers with shoes and loggings, Weston shot along, like a human comet. Every time he passed the Judge's stand a hearty clapping of hands saluted, him. . Toward the close the enthusiasm; became so great that the in out cynical became sympathetic^ arid anxiously

inquired, " How far now ? " " Six miles and an hour and a half ! " " Three miles and 55 minutes ! " " One mile and 31 minute 3! " On the last mile the excitement was tremendous, and when Weston came up, smiling and bowing, the air was rent with hurrahs and bravos, and stamping of feet ; and hats and handkerchiefs were Waved on every side.. Weston mounted the raised platform, where his wife and child were sitting, and made a noat little speech of thanks, amid renewed cheering. : Tlie crowd then slowly dispersed, and Mr Weston finally left in a carriage' for his home. He showed very few signs of fatigue, but laughed and chatted with his friend as though he had been taking merely a little half-mile stroll instead of a hundred mile journey. The purse of 1500dol, to which he is entitled, will be handed to him without delay, and he will soon sail for Europe, cai-rying with him the proud . consciousness of haying performed an unparalleled task, and proved himself beyond question the champion walker of the age.