Here is a concise summary of the text:
**The Mysterious Disappearances**
* In 1873, James Burne Worson, a shoemaker, vanished into thin air while running a 20-mile challenge in England, witnessed by three friends who were following him in a cart.
* Despite investigations, no evidence of foul play was found, and various theories emerged, including entering a 4th dimension and teleportation.
* The incident was documented by journalist Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce in his 1888 article "The Unfinished Race".
* In a bizarre twist, Bierce himself disappeared in 1913 at the age of 71, while traveling in Mexico, leaving behind only theories and unanswered questions about his fate, mirroring the mysterious disappearance of his literary subject, James Worson.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, numbered and in short sentences:
**About James Burne Worson**
1. James Burne Worson was a shoemaker living in Leamington, Warwickshire, England.
2. He had his own shop where he created and repaired shoes.
3. Worson was known for being humble, honest, and respected, but also enjoyed showing off.
4. On September 3rd, 1873, Worson and friends were walking around town when he proposed a challenge.
5. The challenge was to run from Leamington to Coventry and back, a distance of approximately 20 miles.
**The Disappearance**
6. Worson's friends (including Barham Wise, a linen draper, and Hamerson Burns, a photographer) followed him in a cart wagon.
7. While running, Worson suddenly tripped, let out a shriek, and disappeared into thin air.
8. His friends were shocked and unable to find him after searching the area.
9. The incident occurred when Worson's friends were about 36 feet behind him.
**Investigation and Aftermath**
10. The three friends were arrested and interrogated, but no evidence linked them to Worson's disappearance.
11. Due to lack of evidence, they couldn't be prosecuted.
12. The event made headlines, sparking various theories about Worson's disappearance.
**Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce and the Story's Publication**
13. The disappearance was written about by Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce, a respected journalist, in "The Unfinished Race" (1888).
14. There is no evidence to suggest James Worson was a fictional character.
15. Bierce was known for investigating strange happenings.
**Ambrose Bierce's Disappearance**
16. Ambrose Bierce, aged 71-72, travelled to Mexico to meet Revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa.
17. On December 26th, 1913, Bierce wrote a letter to Blanche Partington, mentioning an unknown destination.
18. This was the last time anyone heard from him; an official investigation yielded no results.
19. Various theories emerged about Bierce's disappearance, including last sightings in Chihuahua, Mexico (January 1914).