John Caffrey Again Wins the Marathon Race, Cuts 10 Minutes From the Record He Made Last Year. Davis, the Indian, Second; Mellor of Yonkers Third - Man From Sparta Makes Poor Showing - Ronald McDonald Collapses After Plucky Race - Ugly Rumors as to Cause.
ORDER OF FINISH OF MARATHON RUN. H:M:S 1-John J. Caffrey, Hamilton, Ont. 2:29:23 3/5ths 2-William Davis, Hamilton, Ont. 2:34:45 2/5ths 3-S. A. Mellor, Yonkers, NY....2:44:34 2/5ths 4-C. Crimmins, Cambridgeport. - 2:47:15 3/5ths 5-T. J. Hicks, Cambridge........2:52:32 2/5ths 6-P. Lordan, Cambridgeport.. .2:55:49 3/5ths 7-Jas. McAuliffe. Cambridgeport. 2:56:44 3/5ths 8-E. Grusell Jr, New York.......3:02:02 4/5ths
Champion J. J. Caffrey of the St Patrick's A. C. of Hamilton, Ont, again demonstrated his ability as the greatest distance runner in America by winning the annual Marathon run from Ashland to Boston given By the B. A. A. yesterday.
The dapper little Canadian cut a slice off the record last year, but hewed a big block off yesterday and set a mark that will probably stand for years, unless he returns and makes it three straight. He was never worse than second, and then always within reach of his "towney," Hughson, who cut a killing pace for half the 25-mile course.
When Caffrey once took the lead he ran a steady, well-judged race, never showed the flag of distress and was as cheerful at the finish as though he had only done a practice spin. After getting through with McDonald's record last year Caffrey's figures stood at 2h 39m 44 2-5s, but his time yesterday was 2h 29m 23 3-5s, more than 10 minutes faster. To be sure the road and weather conditions were remarkably good, but a cold easterly wind struck the runners when they surmounted the big hill back of the reservoir and sent some of the athletes into cold storage.
Indian Takes Second. As was expected, the Indian, Davis of Hamilton, Ont, proved to be a sensational figure in the race, and by winning second he filled the Canadians' cup of happiness to overflowing.
The third Canadian, Hughson, covered the first 11 and 1/4th miles in one hour and at no time during the first half of the journey was his leadership disputed. When Caffrey engaged him it was a desperate struggle and so intense was the feeling that the broad road was not wide enough to allow them to pass each other. Caffrey went to the front at Wellesley Hills and although Hughson fought with the desperation of a drowning man, he was forced to give way to Caffrey, who had run a better judged race. Once the champion got to the front he tore away, and soon had a big lead on the entire field of 36 runners.
R. McDonald of the Cambridgeport G. A., and Boston college was the local favorite and he ran a plucky race, he was never worse than fourth until he collapsed, and at one time he ran for miles in second place. He was booked to beat Caffrey on the last end of the race. He was very much encouraged when he put Hughson behind him, but when the shouting of men and boys announced that the red man was closing on him McDonald shut his teeth and ran with all the life there was in him.
Davis Passes McDonald. On went the bony Indian, with knees wide apart, head erect and no visible signs of exhaustion, and when he challenged McDonald a pretty brush followed. It was on one of those killing hills before the reservoir is reached that the men came together, and, after a contest that lasted for nearly half a mile, Davis, the Indian, broke away, Continued on the Seventh Page.
CAUSE OF MCDONALD'S COLLAPSE. Trainer Bowler Says Pills - Dr Thompson States Runner Was Chloroformed. After the race there were ugly rumors that McDonald, the Cambridgeport runner, had been drugged. John W. Bowler, who trained the Cambridgeport men, said, within two hours after the finish of the run, that Dr Thompson had given some pills to McDonald when he appeared exhausted, and that instead of stimulating the ex-champion they had a directly opposite effect and put him out of the running altogether.
In speaking of the incident Mr Bowler cited the case of Dave Hall in the New York Marathon run of a few years ago, when the Brown university man practically collapsed after being given a pill by an outsider. Dr J. S. Thompson of Cambridge stated last evening to a Globe reporter that in his opinion McDonald had been chloroformed.
"Several hours after McDonald reached home," said the doctor, "I could plainly detect traces of chloroform in the sponge which had been used to wipe his face before the collapse. Some of his attendants or some one in the crowd around him had sponged him, and the sponge was tossed into the carriage which brought McDonald home. So I had a chance to examine it."
"Do you think that if he was really chloroformed it was intentional or an accident?" the doctor was asked.
"It couldn't well have been an accident when there was so much money up on the race," was the reply.
