“The Foot Race occurred at 2.25 o’clock, in which
eleven contestents took part as follows: D. Richards, K.E. Herring (boy;),
Moses Clark, W.E. Martin, C.P. Ross, C.L. Whitney, R.G. Anderson, Godfrey
Walker, Edwin (illegible)(boy,) Charles Rollings, (boy), and John Bowen. The
race was one mile, ending at 14th street. The first prize was a
handsome solid silver goblet and the second one a silver cup. The signal to
start was the dropping of a handkerchief, all the contestents being previously arranged
in a line across the avenue (Pennsylvania). The moment the handkerchief touched
the ground all started and for a short distance all run well, but as they
reached 4th street some of the younger contestents began to show
signs of exhaustion, and between that point and the end of the route all had
dropped off but two, Martin (the deaf mute) and Chas. Ross, who, from about 10th
to 14th were neck and neck and kept that position until within a
very few yards of the judges stand, when the latter shot ahead, and won by
about a yard. Mr. Ross, the winner, shortly after fainted and was taken into a
residence near by.” Excerpt from the Evening Star 02/20/1871
For two days
in February of 1871, Washington D.C. was the site of a major celebration now
long forgotten. The celebration took place despite “disease still raging fearfully
in our city” which likely alluded to the presence of both influenza and scarlet
fever. Originally the celebration had
been planned for the completion of the first “wooden pavement” in Washington.
The cobblestones the length of Pennsylvania Avenue replaced by wooden pavement,
the first instance of this type of construction in Washington. It was decided
to combine this celebration with Washington’s Birthday and the two day extravaganza
was referred to as “Carnival”.
Parades,
including firemen, baseballers and floats, formal balls and races of all sorts
were held, five separate horse races, a one mile foot race, even a goat and
wheel barrow race took place, most occurring on Pennsylvania Avenue. There were
illuminated displays and lanterns and banners hanging everywhere the
celebration took place. A 20 part fireworks display ended the event. President
Grant and his family watched over this two day celebration from the balcony of
the St. James Hotel.
This trophy
is a documented part of this celebration, and although not football (we do
delve into all things sports and exercise from time to time), it is a unique
part of our history and a forgotten time.
The trophy
is marked Gorham and stands 6 3/8“in height.
Pennsylvania Ave. on Carnival Day from an Anthony & Co. Stereoview (1871)
