Ultrarunning Stranger Things

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By Davy Crockett

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Ultrarunners/Pedestrians of the late 1800s were a unique breed of determined and aggressive individuals who were in the sport primarily trying to cash in on the huge prize money potential and to get their names in the newspapers as “world champions.” They would gladly endure the torture of running hundreds of miles in a week for a perceived easy way to earn life-changing money. Such opportunities obviously attracted individuals that weren’t necessarily the most outstanding citizens and had run-ins with the law. But the law and others at times wanted to bring down the sport and the athletes, and thus confrontations occurred.

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Race Accused of Disorderly Conduct in a Saloon

In 1885, two female pedestrians, Emma Frazier (1861-1914) and Elizabeth Carr were arrested in Philadelphia at a saloon on Walnut Street, along with 25 spectators and the race manager, James B. Jamison (1830-1900) for disorderly conduct.

A policeman visited the event and went to obtain an arrest warrant. A raid was conducted, the race stopped, and arrests were made. It was discovered that Carr was a minor, aged 19. “The excitement over the match was at its height, some thirty persons being assembled in the bar and showroom. The raid had been carefully kept secret and was completely successful. Everybody in the house was taken out of it and marched in a melancholy procession to the Central Station where they were locked up to await a hearing the next morning. One of the young pedestrians had the good fortune to be wearing a calico skirt over her bloomer costume, but the other, in the regulation fancy dress tights and short jacket of red, was marched through the streets, to the amusement of the ‘groundlings.’”

Jamison, who also had a retail store, had previous run-ins with the law and believed the raid “was a piece of spite work on the part of a neighbor with whom he was competing in business.” At the hearing, it was testified that the place was noisy and disorderly. “Mr. J. L. Grotenthaler, the owner of the competing business, said the place was interfering with his business, and he was losing his lady customers. Officer Watson said that he visited the place because of complaints that young girls were enticed into it. He saw a man guarding the entrance to the show room allowing nobody to enter without one of the checks presented by the barkeeper with each glass of beer or liquor sold. He saw both men and women drinking. Jamison was held for $1,000 to answer the charge of keeping a disorderly house and the other prisoners were released.”

Mark All, the 60,000-mile Pedestrian Arrested

Mark All (1828-1925), of England, was an interesting pedestrian character. He claimed to be one of the mega-mile “around the world” walkers of the time and claimed to be the “champion walker of the world.” Many stories are told about these journey walkers in episodes 38-45. Most of these professional walkers were taking advantage of the naïve Americans, but Mark All was a rare elderly walker who was entertaining the British.

All was born in Greenwich, England in 1828 where he learned an electrical engineering career. For years he was employed by a firm of engineers. But during a great strike of 1897-98, he lost his employment. Since he was 72 years old, he made up his mind to start a walking tour and find employment wherever he could, to prove that a man isn’t “used up” in old age.

All claimed that he started a long walk on August 6, 1900, and walked 30,000 miles before his efforts were noticed by the sports newspapers of that era in 1904. He said that three of the papers raised a £500 prize for him if he could continue and reach 60,000 miles in a total of seven years. He was described as “a ruddy-faced, white-haired man, carrying a black bag containing small engineering tools, a walking stick and having a picture of his dead British bulldog suspended from a button of his waistcoat.”

By 1906, he claimed that he had traveled through the British Isles and many European countries. Like most of the “around the world” walkers of the time (the majority who were frauds), he alleged that the conditions for his long walk required that he could not solicit donations but could receive them if offered. “When the opportunity presents itself, he does a day’s work. He was stabbed when in Spain, and on two other occasions, he had been stoned and robbed. But the proudest moment of his life was undoubtedly when King Edward spoke to him on the road near Newmarket, gave him a couple of sovereigns, and called him a brave old veteran.’”

He claimed that his usual pace covered 50 miles in 10 hours, 250 miles per week and that he never walked on Sundays. Another time he said he walked 27 miles per day. A good pair of Army boots lasted him two months. He said at age 77, “My life on the road has been one of many vicissitudes, with few to recognize me or give a helping hand. Still, I am alive. I am without a rival or companion on the road, having beaten all previous records at my age. I will never despair but struggle on to the end.”

During 1905-1907, All became famous across England. He would always visit newspaper offices and try to get his story in the local papers. He said that he allowed himself a little beer when “off duty” and enjoyed a pipe before his daily exercise.

In 1907, at the age of 80, he was arrested for drunkenness in Ashbourne, England. The judge was shocked to see such a famous man in his court. The night before, he had fallen, cut his chin, and was arrested for being drunk. The judge did not want to “deal severely” with the famous old man, so he let him off with a fine.

Just a year later, All claimed that he was walking 100,000 miles in 8.5 years, which would have required him to walk 40,000 miles in just a year and a half in his 80s. His prize amount curiously jumped to £2,000 and then to an outrageous £3,000. He then boosted his mileage amount to 200,000 miles. Obviously, it all was a farse, but no one seemed to want to confront the old man.

His tales to reporters became more and more outlandish. “Mr. All has suffered as many persecutions as St. Paul, been flung into prison, attacked with knives, shot at, stoned, baited with dogs, and had many adventures and extraordinary escapes.”

Starting in 1909, authorities finally recognized that he was a homeless traveling tramp, and he was committed or admitted voluntarily over and over again to workhouses. These were public assistance institutions and were intended to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people. They would do work such as digging for potatoes.

Mark All’s 1909 Workhouse Admission Record

All would state to reporters that there were important conditions for his walk, “that he shall not enter a workhouse or fall into the hands of police.” Well, records show, he was committed to workhouses continually. He would get out and visit local newspaper offices, claiming that his walk was continuing, with a trip even to America. Reports never saw him walking, he was only seen in newspaper offices.

Mark All died on March 31, 1925, a pauper in at Shirley Warren Poor Law Infirmary, Southampton, at the age of 96. Actually, there is no true evidence of his age. People said he looked 20 years younger than he claimed. No one at the infirmary knew who he was until they went through his papers left behind. He claimed impossibly that in 25 years he had walked 356,000 miles. “One was never quite able to come to the conclusion whether he was a hoaxer.” As it turns out, Mark All was one of many “around the world” walking frauds, who would turn up in towns telling stories about meeting the kings and sharing unbelievable survival stories. These tales were great for entertaining news stories. He and others like him just looked for attention and free room and board.

As All was nearing death, he stated that he hoped that in the afterlife he “may travel on a beautiful highway where there will be no bloomin’ motor cars to choke an old fellow with dust.”

The Tax Man Cometh

Samuel F. Mishler (1860-1931), a steelworker, was an accomplished pedestrian from Reading, Pennsylvania, who walked 100 miles in 23:27 and he won a 24-hour race with 107 miles. In 1879, he was arrested in Reading, Pennsylvania for non-payment of taxes. “Many persons expressed indignation, as they allege it was a put-up job to prevent a walking match in which Mishler is engaged.”

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Assault with a Pewter Pot

In 1881, George Pegge (1830-1884), age 51, a shoemaker from Derby, England, “a well-known pedestrian” who had recently walked 102 miles in 25 hours and accomplished 382 miles in a six-day match, was charged with a violent assault on a butcher, Henry Thorpe. “On Monday, Pegge entered the Old Neptune Inn and offered to walk against anybody to the town of Burton for £20. He then offered some money to Thorpe telling him to cover the bet, but when he declined, pushed it away and the money fell on the floor. Pegge gave him a blow on the head with a pewter pot, injuring him severely, and saying he would knock his brains out. The tankard hit Thorpe’s head, cut the scalp, and caused a wound which had to be dressed at the Infirmary.” Pegge was sentenced to three months in prison with hard labor. He had been convicted of other crimes before, including stealing a hare from a neighbor. He had been called a “foolish, drunken freak.”

Cruelty to Children

In 1881, in New York City, Thomas Smith Sr. was arrested for cruelty to children. At the American Institute Building, he forced his 15-year-old son, Thomas Smith Jr., to participate in a walking match, “in which, after having walked 98 miles under the use of stimulants and influences, the boy fell insensible on the track, completely broken down.” The father made him continue, supporting him as he tottered around the track. But when that didn’t work, he carried his son to his tent, and then he was sent home in a carriage “in a dangerous condition.” At the trial, the boy denied that he had been forced to compete, but Smith pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to ten days in prison and given a $100 fine.

In 1893, May Robinson, age 16, “Happy Jarbo,” was determined to follow her mother into a career of being a professional pedestrian. Her stepfather forbade her from participating and placed her in a Columbus, Ohio convent. She escaped and walked to Cincinnati where she appeared in a race of female pedestrians. From there, she went to Chicago and New York where she was chased out of walking matches three times by Humane Society officers because her childlike appearance was obvious. Finally, she was arrested in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the “Anti-Cruelty Society” and placed in a foster home. When arrested, she boasted, “I took second prize money in a race at Chicago last winter.”

Wife Beater

In 1881, Michael S. Tynan, a shoemaker from Staten Island, New York, competed in the 3^rd O’Leary Belt six-day race in Madison Square Garden. He left the track after reaching 85 miles in the first 24 hours. His friends had pressured him into entering the race and he went home with a feeling of disgust about failing. He took it out on his wife, Alice, and beat her, giving her black eyes and tearing out much of her hair. “It was shown that Mr. Tynan was of irritable temper, especially at times when he was in training, and that it was customary for him to throw dishes around the house, break glass and raise the wind generally. He promised to reform before leaving the court, and marched down Butler Street followed by two of his misguided backers in the recent contest.” He was fined $20 which was paid by his employer.

Runner Charged with Sexual Assault

In 1904, Tony Todd (real name Hugh Sloane), age 22, of Bolton England, was attempting to walk 2,000 miles in 1,000 hours at the Coach and Horses Ground, Dronfield, England. An eighteen-year-old girl, Emily Bennett visited his tent during his attempt. Sloane’s wife had been lodging with the girl’s parents and went off to wash his dirty clothes. “Sloane, it was alleged, after three other men had left the tent, fastened the door by placing a bar of iron across it, and then committed the offense. Afterward, he gave her a shilling, which she at first refused.” Emily cried long and often the following day and let Sloane’s wife know what happened. Sloane was confronted but denied the allegation, became violent, and struck and knocked down his wife. The police went to the venue and arrested him. At his trial, Sloane testified that he had never been left alone with the girl and claimed the payment given was for washing his clothes. He believed the whole thing was a scheme involving her parents to get him to fail in his walking attempt. The court believed him and dismissed the charges. Sloane reattempted his 2,000, miles in 1,000 hours several months later and succeeded, claiming a world record.

Arrested for Stealing

In 1887, Thomas Trainor, a former professional pedestrian, was wanted for stealing a diamond ring from Thomas Kirk. He was spotted on the streets of Pittsburgh by police and a foot chase was conducted. “But being too fleet-footed for the policeman, he would have escaped had not he been headed off by two other officers.”

Getting proper footwear was important to runners. John Green, a former professional pedestrian was boarding with Thomas White in Eastleigh, England in 1887. One day White noticed that Green was wearing a pair of boots and socks that had been stolen from his house. He refused to return them, and White had Green arrested. At the trial, it came out that the boots, valued at 11 shillings, had been in a box with other things that the landlady had taken from White in lieu of rent and she had given them to Green. “She said White owed her money, and she detained his box, which after a time she broke open and amongst other things were the boots and socks which she lent to Green.” White dropped the charges, but when investigators looked more closely, it turned out that the boots were military property White was then charged with unlawful possession and proof was found that he had purchased them from Winchester Barracks. He ended up getting a heavy fine for obtaining the articles.

In 1893, Gus Guererro, a very successful and wealthy pedestrian from California was arrested in Boston for stealing a bicycle and was released on bail for $300. He had “borrowed” the bike and rode it from Maine to Boston and painted it black.

Arrested for Highway Robbery

In 1892, Albert Davis won a six-day race in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and became an instant celebrity. But later at May’s Landing, New Jersey, he was arrested for “highway robbery.” He had been wooing a well-known young woman of a good family named Annette Robertson. Once the arrest became known, her parents forbade her to have any contact with him. “She refused to believe in his guilt and saying she would stick to him through thick and thin, left home.

Robertson has been visiting him in jail and affectionate interviews have taken place between the two.” She brought a clergyman with her to the jail, stating that she was going to marry Davis at once and that she wanted to share his cell with him. The Sheriff would not allow the marriage until permission was granted by her parents. The young woman wept terribly, knowing that permission would not come. After two months in jail, Davis was acquitted of all charges. It is unknown if the marriage took place.

Arrested for Drunkenness

It was fairly common for pedestrians to become alcoholics, given the amount of liquor that many of them drank during training and races. In 1883, the English champion, George Hazael (1845-1911) from London, England, was in New York City to try to win money racing others and to establish a pub in the city. He said, “I am prepared to run anybody in the world from ten miles to 100 miles. I don’t think there will be any more six-day races. There is no money in them. I have run three times more races than any other man. I am well-fixed in regard to finances, and never felt better in my life.”

He was soon arrested along with three others in Brooklyn, New York, for drunkenness. “They were found squabbling with a hackman near Broadway and Hazael accused one of them of stealing a buffalo robe, but it was shown that it was dragged off the back in the squabble.”

Sunday Lawbreakers

Many cities had laws against holding events on Sundays. In 1879, as six-day races were reaching their height in New York City, the Brooklyn chief of police, Patrick Campbell (1827-1908) received complaints about walking matches being held on Sundays at Mozart Garden. The police chief went to see Mayor James Howell (1829-1997), believing that there was a law on the books against the practice and he wondered about the permit that the mayor had issued for the race. The mayor assured the chief that he had not thought about the Sunday problem. “He believed that men should go to church and that the day should be observed according to Christian custom. If such a place as Mozart Garden were kept open on Sunday by virtue of his permission, he wished to revoke the permit.” Thus, in Brooklyn, the mayor started to disallow races on Sundays.

They found an obscure law on the books. “There was no statue in the State on the subject except one, which imposes a fine on a man if he is out walking anywhere on Sunday, unless it be in pursuit of charity, going after medicine or the doctor, or is on his way to church if the church is within a distance of twenty miles.” They also found an ordinance against rope-dancing, an exhibition of animals, puppet shows, or other common shows without a permit signed by the mayor.” It was clear that they needed to pass a specific law against pedestrianism on Sundays and they intended to pursue it.

The mayor pulled the permit for the current female walking match at Mozart Garden. The justification was, “these physical shows on Sundays have become a nuisance to Brooklyn that residents in the neighborhood are annoyed by them and that adjacent property is depreciated; that the whole thing is foreign to the traditions and habits of Brooklyn; that crowds of idle and loud tonged loiterers are gathered inside and outside the building by them, to the great annoyance of quiet and orderly families who pass on their way to and from church.”

Brooklyn took a hard stance and published that week, “Sunday pedestrianism in a public hall to which the public is admitted will not in the future be tolerated in Brooklyn. The morals of the community and the peacefulness of the city on Sunday are of more importance than any ‘sacrifice of calves’ on the part of any number of pedestrians.”

Later that same year, six women were competing in a six-day match at Stapleton, Staten Island, New York. “Two were arrested at night for violation of the Sunday law. The others escaped.”

Clergymen Condemn Pedestrianism

Clergymen who were very opposed to the evils of Pedestrianism wished for ways to disrupt the races but usually just preached hell and damnation the Sunday following an event in their churches, hoping to stir up opposition. In 1884, a prominent clergyman came into Madison Square Garden during a race on a free ticket and sat with the reporters. “He watched the weary men for an hour in thoughtful contemplation and before he went away penciled the following lines from a well-known hymn on the pine writing table: ‘Happy the man who ne’er consents by ill advice to walk.'”

Rev. W. Steele of New York used 1 Timothy 4:8 as his sermon text, “For bodily exercise profited little,” He claimed that some exercise was good, “but not walking day and night for five or six days together,” to which he referred to as abuse. He used it as evidence that walkers were even losing some toenails during their matches. He was appalled at the bar in Madison Square Garden that was 65 feet long with 21 barkeepers giving out 25,000 drinks during the race, “poisoning the people.” But worst of all was the gambling where over a million dollars changed hands during a match. “A man who takes money he does not earn will steal, and I look at a gambler as a thief.”

Rev Edward Eggleston (1837-1902), Methodist minister and historian, preached, “When you put men on a racecourse for six mortal days and nights together, it has some elements like the old Roman gladiatorial shows. It is liable to result in the destruction of life and bring an abridgment for life.”

Rev Dr. John Phillip Newman (1826-1899), a Methodist Episcopal minister, added, “The pains of a whole life were endured in a week, and the happiness of a life was sacrificed in the same brief time. Is happiness so cheap? Others will be tempted to try and will suffer in turn. We can applaud the fireman and soldier who suffer in the discharge of their duty, but he who inflicts voluntary suffering upon himself defrauds society.”

Well, it was quite an era. If you are racing in an ultra today and the police show up, just act natural. Stay tuned for more Ultrarunning Stranger Things

Ultrarunning Stranger Things Series:

Sources for Episodes 115, 116, 122:

Steve Brodie (bridge jumper)
That daredevil Steve Brodie!
Henry S Tanner (doctor)
The Daily Record of Times (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), Aug 3, 1875
Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pennsylvania), Jul 29, 1875
The Courier and Argus (Dundee, Scotland), Dec 14, 1876
New York Daily Herald (New York), Mar 31, 1879, Feb 15, 1879
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The Macon Telegraph (Georgia), Feb 19, 1904
The Nottingham Evening Post (England), Jan 16, 1905
The Minneapolis Journal (Minnesota), Apr 9, 1906
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Manchester Courier (England), Sep 11, 1907
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Leicester Evening Mail (England), Jul 4, 1913
The Morning Call (Paterson, New Jersey), Jun 16, 1915
Brooklyn Times Union, Mar 20, 1891
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The Staffordshire Sentinel Daily and Weekly (England), Sep 2, 1905
Midland Daily Telegraph (Coventry, England), Sep 23, 1905
The Gloucestershire Echo (England), Jan 1, 1907

122: Ultrarunning Stranger Things – Part 11: Arrests

By Davy Crockett