Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1875 — A Foolish Feat. [ARTICLE]

A Foolish Feat.

If there is one occupation more wickedly foolish than another it is that of the professional walker, as shown on the stage of Goodrich Hall, Pittsfield, Mass., last week. Waters literally dragged out his apparently useless existence during the last t#o or three days of his 100 hours’ walk without rest, lifting his tired and swollen feet with such difficulty and moderation that it seemed to the bystanders as if he were pulling up a hundred pounds with each effort. During The day, Saturday, lie frequently became crazy, and once he leaped the ropesjdn the edge of the stage, and rushed about the room as though his limbs were as well and pliant as ever. He was seized by one of his trainers, who was very fear ful that he would throw his ankles out of joint, and, being placed on the stage again, he soon camo to his senses. He kept in good spirits, when rational, but expressed himself as being in great agony. The pain he endured in his feet, every time his weight came upon them, he declared to be worse than the most violent toothache. If the most desperate criminal in our prisons were obliged to perform this feat as a punishment, it would stir the sympathies of every heart in the land, and it is a question whether a man ought to be allowed to do it voluntarily. II it is true, as Waters said, that he was walking on a wager ot SSOO with a private citizen of Pittsfield, then the private citizen of Pittsfield is out of pocket, for the young man braved it out and finished his 100 ho«rs Saturday night at eleven o’clock, having been steadily on foot since Tuesday evening at seven, amid the cheers of the crowds gathered in the hall to witness the close of- the performance. As soon as he had finished he was treated in the uspaj way; being taken to his room, be was thoroughly rubbed and put to bed near a hot fire. After sleeping fifteen minutes he was awakened by main force, rubbed again, and allowed to sleep half an hour. The process was continued, giving him a quarter of an hour more sleep each time, until all danger was passed. He had not slept a minute during the previous four days and nights, and probably found yesterday verily^ a day of est. — Spring Held (Mhss.) 'Republican.