The Six-Day Race Part 2: Edward Payson Weston (1870-1874)

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By Davy Crockett

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The six-day race became the most popular ultrarunning (pedestrian) event of the 19^th century. In Part 1 of this series, Foster Powell started it all in 1773 when he ran 400 miles in six days in England. During the next fifty years, ultrarunners tried to match and beat his historic effort, especially during a four-year six-day frenzy of 1822-25. But after that, interest faded for the next fifty years until American, Edward Payson Weston came onto the pedestrian stage.

Reaching the 1870s, the six-day challenge had not yet been exported outside Britain. But that changed as the challenge reached America and moved almost exclusively indoors, thanks to Weston. He became the most famous pedestrian in history. Weston was introduced in episode 54 for his impact on 100-mile history and in episode 26 for his famed transcontinental walk. Now we will examine his early impact of importing the six-day event to America, trying to reach 400 and 500 miles.

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Edward Payson Weston

Edward Payson Weston (1839-1929) was born in Providence, Rhode Island on March 15, 1839. He was not particularly strong as a boy and took up walking to improve his health with exercise. As a teenager, he worked for a time in traveling circuses. He was athletic and won prizes in “wrestling, running, walking and leaping competitions.” He started long-distance walking by selling a book written by his mother door to door for 40 miles in Connecticut. When he was 22, after losing a bet, he walked from Boston to Washington to witness the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln, covering 453 miles in about 208 hours.

In 1867, he walked from Portland, Maine to Chicago, about 1,200 miles, in about 26 days, resting on Sundays. That walk brought him worldwide fame. But later he also received criticism as he failed in some wagered walking attempts, and he was called a “humbug” by many.

Weston’s Fame Grows

In April 1870, Weston walked 100 miles in 21:38:20 in New York City, an accomplishment that silenced many critics. (For more about his early walking career, see episode 54.)

During 1870, Weston came up with the idea to attempt to walk 400 miles in five days, as pedestrians fifty years earlier were trying to do. Had Weston, in 1870, heard about Foster Powell’s historic runs?

In July 1870, British newspapers were announcing that Weston was coming to England in August to make his attempt, so it is likely that he understood some of the British pedestrian history involving six-day running. Weston did not travel to England in 1870 because he could not find enough financial backing but said he would make his attempt in America during the fall.

Did Weston truly walk? His distinctive wobbly walking gait was a swinging stride, with a relaxed upper body and shoulders without pumping his arms. The action came mostly from his knees. Starting in the 1840s, a “fair heel-and-toe” racewalking style was established for walking in competitions. Weston was criticized by some of not using a true heel-toe racewalk, that it border-lined on running at times, with both feet off the ground at the same time.

Weston’s First Multi-Day Attempt – 1870

During November 1870, Weston made his attempt to reach 400 miles within six days, and he was confident that he could actually do it within five days. He may have thought that no one had accomplished it before, and he would set a record. (James Tenny, in 1822. had reached 400 miles in four days, 23 hours, 22 minutes.)

Weston’s $5,000 wager agreement required him to reach 400 miles in five days, and he also needed to walk 112 miles within a 24-hour period and for the other days, must stop to rest for four consecutive hours each day. He went into specific training during the three weeks leading up to the event. It was billed as being a scientific experiment sponsored by a committee of medical men “for the advancement of science by investigation as to his physical condition, weight, of his food, the quantity of excretions, the conditions of the heart, temperature, etc. for five days previous, five days during and five days after.” Professor Charles Avery Doremus (1851-1925), a chemist of Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City, headed up the team to help Weston and study the walk. Doremus studied and lectured on the effects of chemicals on the body.

Skeptics were vocal. One wrote in the Spirit of the Times, “Is there in all this city a man so credulous and unwary as to believe that these six ‘most eminent men’ got together of their own motion and addressed a long letter to this fellow Weston for the advancement of science? If these is, there is a bigger fool in this community than we had thought it possessed.”

Empire Skating Rink

The event was held in the Empire Skating Rink in New York City on 63^rd Street and Third Avenue. This was a massive ice-skating rink, under an arched cast iron structure, 350 feet long, 170 feet wide, and 70 feet high. The arch was enclosed within a large building. The structure included a raised platform for spectators and could seat 10,000 people. At its grand opening a few years before, 3,000 skaters visited the rink. This venue was the site of Weston’s earlier 100-mile walk.

For Weston’s 400-mile try, newspapers promised a “grand promenade concert” each afternoon and evening put on by the “Empire Rink Full Military Band.” Admission was 50 cents. The walking track laid down on the surface was measured out at being a little less than seven laps to the mile.

The Start

On the evening before the big event, Weston took a supper of beefsteak, fried eggs, toast and stew. His walk began on November 21, 1870, at 12:30 a.m., weighing in for the doctors at 129 pounds. He entered the scene accompanied by Ole Bull (1810-1880), a famous Norwegian violinist. Weston was dressed in his usual “costume of black velvet, white silk hat, blue sash, white kid gloves, top boots reaching to the knees on the outside of the pantaloons, and gold-mounted riding-whip.” Six judges took their seats with pencils and a watch. The word “go” was given and he started off, covering the first mile in 13:08.

The Brooklyn Newspaper joked about all the doctors watching and poking him. “Weston’s case will command much sympathy. It is bad enough to get in the hands of one doctor, but the victim of half a dozen is indeed a deplorable plight.” They also joked that Ole Bull should be required to play his violin for five consecutive days too. “This would afford a test of musical as well as physical endurance and would also draw a crowd.”

Spectators Thrilled

The spectators that took in the event were initially enthused. “It was extremely exciting to watch Weston as he tripped with the agility of a ballet dancer over the path in a regular and well-times step, turning round on his heel each time on reaching the judge’s box and taking a reverse course. Each time the band struck up an air, he beat the time with his riding whip, evidently cheered with the melody.” Weston especially had fans among the women present.

Reporters were amazed at the popularity of the event. “Hundreds and thousands flock to the enclosure, pay their fifty cents, see a dapper little gentleman in neat jockey garb and tight-fitting shoes make a few rapid strides around the circle. They note his timekeepers, physician and groom and should he be near one of his home stretches, they may be excited with the sight of him being in blankets, rubbed down, daintily fed, and then put to bed for a brief time to recuperate his exhausted energies.” The public was becoming hungry to watch some sort of sport. Major League Baseball was being organized and its first team was organized the previous year.

After reaching 20 miles, Weston went to bed. His distance to and from his bed was counted into his total distance. Rising before 8 a.m., he ate a breakfast that perhaps modern six-day runners should give a try: mutton-chops, egg flip (similar to eggnog), stale bread, and eight ounces of coffee.

After reaching 50 miles, the band took their stand in the center of the hall and began playing a series of lively marches which perked up Weston. “Whem he started again, he was full of fun, marching slowly in time to the music, walking backward and changing hats with one of the doctors, to the great amusement of the crowd.”

In the evening the hall was filled with spectators again who watched at the apparently fascinating sight of Weston walking as he swung his arms loosely by his side. At the end of the first day, he was right on schedule and reached 80 miles.

Attempt to walk 112 miles in 24 hours

The New York Times continued to give a blow-by-blow of Weston’s walk on page one of their newspaper as it captivated the city. During day three, he tried reaching 112 miles in a 24-hour period. “Occasionally he would strike out into a very rapid and powerful pace, amid the applause of the spectators.” On that day it was said, “his step had lost a good deal of its former buoyancy, and he did not exhibit the same sprightly movement.” Fatigue and sleep deprivation hit him hard. “Every now and then his eyelids would drop, and the muscles of his face would become contracted, showing that nature was more powerful than his indomitable will.” An alarming report went out that Weston resorted to “lashing his legs with his riding whip until the blood spurted” in order to wake himself up.

He and his handlers eventually realized that it wouldn’t be possible to complete the 112-mile challenge, and at his 266^th mile, while very dizzy, he gave up that quest and went off to bed. To reach 400 miles in five days, he needed 126 more miles on day five.

Failure to Reach 400 Miles

Reaching 400 miles in five days also became out of reach on day five as he looked “haggard and worn out. Dark rings were around his eyes, and he continually placed his hands to his head as though he felt dizzy.” He experienced an intense headache, “dizzy pain that seemed to be beating out his brains.” It only lasted an hour and he was then able to press ahead strongly.

Weston sprinted his fastest laps during his last mile which delighted the crowd. He finished during the evening of the fifth day with 320 miles, with no plans to continue on and try to match Powell’s 400 miles in six days. The doctors announced that during his “tramp” he did not take in any “liquor or other stimulant, or any narcotic,” but was affected negatively by the tobacco smoke that filled the rink.

Professor Doremus proclaimed that “they had witnessed one of the proudest illustrations of physical endurance on record, in sacred or profane history since Adam.” Weston spoke and thanked his friends for their encouragement.

Newspapers across the country published the news of his “failure” and some called it a “foolish attempt.” Other comments were especially cruel, saying that Weston was trying to walk himself to death and that they were sorry he failed doing that too. He was called a “peripatetic humbug.” The New York City press was especially delighted that he “failed lamentably to make the new dodge a success,” charging that the entire event was a money grab attempt on the gullible public and that the “advancement of science” twist was lame. They were sure he would again attempt to “hoodwink the public.”

Near-Death Accident

A couple months later, Weston’s walking career nearly came to an end. He was riding in a train near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in very over-crowded, poorly-conditioned cars traveling 20 m.p.h. Because of the weight, one of the cars broke an axle, derailed, and went down an embankment turning over. Other cars derailed and burst into flames. Weston was able to get out of a window safely and came away with only a bruised leg. Other passengers suffered burns and the wreck resulted in two fatalities.

Weston’s Second Multi-Day Attempt – 1871

In June 1871, it was announced that Weston would try for 400 miles in five days again. This time he would also go after the 112 miles on the first day, and he was to be handled by a new trainer, Charles H. Winans. It was announced, “Edward Payson Weston, who gained considerable notoriety by walking one hundred miles in twenty-four hours, is now attempting, at the Empire Skating Ring, the unparalleled feat of walking four hundred miles within five consecutive days.”

The track laid down for him on the rink was again seven laps to a mile, with a two-inch layer of dirt and sawdust on the boards, which was an improvement on the track surface from the previous year. Improvements were also made to the air ventilation in the building.

To reach 112 miles on the first day, Weston planned this time to limit his rests to a total of 45 minutes on day one. He started on June 12, 1871, at 11:30 p.m. in front of a very small crowd, in his usual velvet suit. But after only three laps, the vest and hat were discarded, and he was all business. The first mile was walked in 12:24.

Weston kept up a good pace during the first day. “His step was quick and buoyant, and his friends seemed confident of his ability to accomplish his giant undertaking.” By noon he reached 62 miles, on target for his 112-mile day. He kept it up until 5 p.m. (17.5 hours) when he stopped for a brief rest and a “hearty meal.” “The Rink was thronged in the evening with spectators eager to witness the great feat of pedestrianism.” He reached 100 miles in an impressive 21:01 and succeeded reaching 112 miles in 23:44:45.

Some in the press did understand what an amazing accomplishment that was. “Weston has almost immortalized himself. He has, in spite of countless assertions as to his inability by Bohemian critics, performed the marvelous feet of walking 112 miles within 24 hours.”

During the early morning of day two, he walked on and off. “At one time toward morning, he became drowsy and used his whip for a little on his legs to wake himself and them. But when daylight broke, he regained his vigor.” After 35.5 hours and 134 miles, he stopped for a prolonged sleep in his room.

After day three, he reached 233 miles, somewhat behind schedule and after day four was at 320 miles, the milage he ended up with on his first attempt.

He started his final day’s walk at 4:43 a.m. after a good sleep of four hours. He knew he had to walk 80 more miles. After the first 20 miles, in 5:22, on swollen feet, he stopped for 20 minutes for breakfast and a rest. Continuing on, he did not stop until reaching 50 miles in 10:53. For the final 30 miles, he exchanged his velvet suit for silk tights. “During the last five miles, both Weston and the audience were aroused to an intense state of excitement, cheering almost continually, and Weston winning applause by walking backwards, running, jumping, and performing many playful tricks in order to demonstrate the large amount of physical force he yet held in reserve.” During the last lap, with 18 minutes to spare, his face was glowed and he finished his 400 miles in four days, 23 hours, 42 minutes, just twenty minutes slower than the fastest known time accomplished in 1822.

He did it! Two men placed him on their shoulders and ran a lap around the track. He was brought back to the dressing room where Dr. Doremus thanked him for his trial of endurance, “more severe than anything that had happened from the time of Adam to the present day.” The audience cheered for him to return, and his friends brought him back and carried him around. He made a speech and thanked America for its inspiration and to God more than all, who had given him strength. He said he would not do the multi-day walk again unless some foreigner beat his time. He pointed out his 34 years old and said in the future he would turn to journalism. His friends later said his next goal was to walk across America.

Cornelius Payn Tries to Outdo Weston

This time the New York press critics were silent. But just a week later, his rival, Cornelius Noble Payn (1847-1914) of Albany, New York, started walking in the same rink in attempt to beat Weston’s 112 miles in 24-hours. Payn started competing in 100-milers in 1868. He was about 5 feet 8 inches, 123 pounds, and described as “a lithe, wiry, well-formed unassuming, intelligent young man.” Payn quickly became a very prolific 100-mile walker, sometimes competing at the distance multiple times within just a few weeks. He beat Weston twice in head-to-head 100-mile races, in 1868 and 1869. This time, Payn did not succeed, and an article joked that Weston now had the title of “The Pain Annihilator.”

Walking at Fairs

Over the next couple years, Weston rode his fame and traveled the country widely doing walking exhibitions, mostly at fairs, and giving lectures. He traveled to Georgia, Louisianna, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, and Iowa. Not at home much, he also dealt with severe marital problems and for a time deserted his wife and family. In 1873, his appearances were greatly reduced, and he likely was having financial problems. Weston always spent more than he took in and his fortunes disappeared quickly.

In South Carolina it was reported, “Edward Payson Weston, the famous pedestrian, offers to walk at agricultural fairs during the ensuing fall for the modest sum of $150.” In September 1873, he was able to book a fair exhibition in West Virginia to walk five miles in an hour. He also was working as a reporter for the New York Sun. With the horse carriage traffic in the city, he was seen beating horses when in a hurry to get a story.

Weston’s reputation seemed to be declining and he needed to do something big in 1874, something that no one had ever accomplished before.

Weston Attempts 500 miles in Six Days – May 1874

Weston generally did not walk on Sundays, but not because of religious beliefs. He said he avoided doing it out of respect for his mother’s wishes. He also was likely savvy enough to know that he would be highly criticized if he did compete on Sundays. Thus, as he thought about six days of continuous walking, he believed he could reach 500 miles.

Thus, Weston set his sights doing what no one done before, walking 500 miles in six days and he planned to do it in 105 hours of moving time. In April 1874, he announced his intentions to walk in the American Institute Hall which had recently taken over the building that once housed the Empire Skating Rink. It now was a place that normally put on concerts. Weston promised to also walk 115 miles during a 24-hour period. The Boston Herald editorialized that he couldn’t do it.

Doubters and Supporters

Weston had plenty of doubters. The New York Times wrote, “There will be no difficulty encountered by critics in decrying this feat of Weston. They can cite the case of Foster Powell, who is said to have walked, in 1788, from London to York and back again, a distance of 396 miles by the coach road, in 140 hours.” The article then cited other past pedestrian accomplishments and stated, “if Weston completes the task in which he is engaged, he will have surpassed all previous performances of the kind.”

Weston’s true motives for attempting 500 miles were questioned, but one writer actually identified some public value. “The example of Weston will induce our young men to use their legs rather than the street cars, to the great benefit of their health, and the much-needed relief of the public conveyances. By going to see him, citizens would gather useful information concerning the art of walking, in which most of them are as profoundly ignorant as if nature had not gifted them with legs.”

The Start

The track he walked on measured seven laps for a mile, was 40 inches wide and filled with dirt. Weston started at 12:05 a.m., Monday morning on May 11, 1874. In our era of high-tech running clothes, we obviously have an amazed reaction to his typical getup, called a full pedestrian costume. “This consisted of a loose black velvet sack coat, black velvet knee britches, black leggings, high laced walking shoes, a white hat, and a wide, sky-blue silk scarf, and in hand he carried a small riding whip.”

Weston was paced for the first few laps by James Gordon Bennett Jr. (1841-1918), the publisher of the New York Herald. “Much merriment was occasioned by Mr. Bennett’s attempt to keep up with Mr. Weston, and when the journalist made the terrible spurt, swinging his arms wildly and straining every muscle, almost everybody laughed.”

How Weston was Crewed

Weston started strong and reached 25 miles in 4:54, after which he took his first six-minute break. He laid down on a cot in front of the judge’s stand, had his legs rubbed down, and had his head and arms washed while someone fed him broken crackers soaked in coffee. What happened during his longer stop after 85 miles probably makes modern ultrarunners wonder. He was hauled off the track, placed on a sofa with his feet elevated and then sponged down by two attendants. A third rubbed down his legs using the palms of his hands. While he rested, whiskey was poured through tubes into his shoes which was thought to stimulate the circulation in his feet. His stockings were also soaked in liquor. He believed that whiskey made his feet and ankles capable of more endurance. Perhaps don’t knock it, until you try it. For his meals he feasted on underdone cold roast beef, crackers and coffee.

The enthusiastic spectators were just as important motivators as his handlers were. They spurred him on as the live band livened things up. Weston responded with smiles and bows. During the early morning, he slept in his room for several hours and was usually back on the track by 5 a.m. when spectators started returning. At times Weston, wanting more attention, would pour on the walking speed which caused the ladies to go crazy with excitement as they waved handkerchiefs. One third of the spectators who came each day were ladies.

Weston’s Walk Progress

Weston did successfully reach 115 miles during the first day as he had promised as part of his wager, with nine minutes to spare. It was rumored that wagerers lost $50,000 betting against him accomplishing that.

Weston then reached 170 miles after day two, 232 after day three, and 300 miles after limping on the fourth day. The lining inside a shoe and doubled over causing him significant pain. He then knew that he had to finish off with 100 miles for each of the remaining days. On day five he fell down in front of the judges stand and by midnight reached 368 miles. The crowd sadly knew he would not achieve 500 miles.

The Final Miles

Even with obvious failure in the cards, the crowds wanted to come to watch. “The crowd had by this time increased to such proportions that there could not have been less than 6,000 persons present in the building, while thousands were waiting in line on the sidewalks. Carriages were setting down and taking up their occupants as fast as they could draw up to the entrance, where some six ticket sellers were begin constantly employed.”

“The crowd by this time nearly filled the available space around the sides and in the center of the hall, the boundaries of the track being almost broken down by the press of those who wished to catch a glimpse of the pedestrian as he passed rapidly by them.”

Weston struggled even more. “When he appeared on the track the last day, it was evident that he was in anything but good condition. It took twenty-five minutes to make the first mile. In fact, it was evident that he was quite lame, as he limped at every step.” But he eventually found his pace again.

Like modern crowds doing the wave, cheers and waving handkerchiefs moved in a wave, as he passed by around the hall. But at times progress was almost impossible because the crowd pressed onto the track and got in his way.

“As he completed his final 430^th mile, he sank into a chair exhausted and entirely overcome. He was greeted with the wildest applause and an eager throng of spectators rushed towards the judge’s stand to congratulate him. Weston was so overcome that he could do no more than bow an acknowledgment, and by the advice of the doctors he was removed to his room.” He was carried by the police through the crowd, put to bed, and immediately fell asleep. His walking time over the 144 hours was 98 hours, 28 minutes.

Weston blamed his failure on a foot that was injured on Day Three. But most believed he had exhausted himself on the first day by walking 115 miles or by the sprints he kept doing to please the crowd. One critic called him “The Great American Fizzler.”

Critics

A thoughtful article published in the Altoona Tribune in Pennsylvania examined the type of multi-day events that Weston was promoting. It started off, “It is a common saying that Americans love to be humbugged. There is a genius of genuine Yankee stamp and enterprise, named Edward Payson Weston.” The main criticism was that Weston’s events were not races against multiple people but were money-making exploits that rarely accomplished what was promised. People loved watching horses race against each other, but there would be little interest in watching a champion horse run solo around a track. Weston was not competing against others on his walks. Earlier, in 1868 and 1869, he did compete in two 100-mile races in upstate New York against Cornelius Payn and lost both. Since then, he shied away from head-to-head matches.

Who would be the first in history to reach 500 miles in six days? Others wanted to be the first. When would true six-day races be introduced? Stay tuned for Part 3 in the Six-day race history

The parts of this Six-Day Race series:

Sources:

Andy Milroy, The History of the 6 Day Race
P. S. Marshall, King of the Peds
P. S. Marshall, Weston, Weston, Rah-Rah-Rah!
Tom Osler and Ed Dodd Ultra-Marathoning: The Next Challenge
Hartford Courant (Connecticut), Jan 4, 1861
Maidenhead Advertiser (Berkshire, England), Jul 6, 1870
The Leavenworth Weekly Times (Kansas), Nov 10, 1870
New York Times (New York), Nov 21-25, 1870, Jun 8, 12-17m Jul 4, 1871, Apr 22, May 13, 17, Dec 20, 1874
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (New York), Nov 21, 1870
The Titusville Herald (Pennsylvania), Nov 21, 1870
New York Herald (New York), Nov 22, 1870
The Baltimore Sun (Maryland), Nov 28, 1870
Alexandria Gazette (Virginia), Nov 28, 1870
The Waterloo Press (Indiana), Dec 1, 1870
The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), Nov 10, 1870
The Sportsman (London, England), Dec 15, 1870
New York Daily Herald (New York), Jun 4, 1871, May 17, Jun 18-19, 1874
The Philadelphia Inquirer (Pennsylvania), Jun 13, 1871
Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Jun 5, 1871
Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), Jun 15, 1871
The Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania), Jun 14, 1871
The Younkers Gazette (New York), Jul 15, 1871
The St. Albans Daily Messenger (Vermont), Mar 1, 1872
The Intelligencer (Anderson, South Carolina), Aug 14, 1873
Buffalo Morning Express (New York), Feb 14, 1873
The Western Spirit (Paola, Kansas), May 1, 1874
The Brooklyn Sunday Sun (New York), May 17, 1874
St. Joseph Gazette (Missouri), May 17, 1874
The Cecil Whig (Elkton, Maryland), May 23, 1874
Altoona Tribune (Pennsylvania), Jun 18, 1874

92: Six-Day Race Part 2: Edward Payson Weston (1870-1874)

By Davy Crockett