Evening Star Newspaper, September 12, 1896, Page 16

16 THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, “SEPTEMBER 12, 1896-TWENTY PAGES. This is the season of the year Ww! cycling is indeed 4 pleasure, and the deve- tees of the wheei find an exhilarating pas- time in riding. This is the season when the roads are In their finest condition, and to those who are afraid of road riding it is suggested that they take an early morning spin, if only for a short distance, over any of the highways leading cut from the city. Once tried, it is safe to say that the prac- tieg will continued. The season for} oyster roasts is open, and a merry time it promises to be. A genunine cyclist oyster roast is something worth seeing. The riders of the fair sex may attend these gather.ngs with sa: the restrictions which prevent them from attending the smokers being abelished on these outdoor events. Clam bakes are also in order. The season of the clam is fast disappearizg,and no cuch feas' will be placed on record for this year. In only a short while the frost will be here. and persimmon runs, nutting trips and other outdoor events will be in order, which will withcut a doubt prove interes: nd en- joyable to the riders of both s |. Chest- nuts will soon be ripe, and a chestnut run is ‘an event that all cyclists are recom- mended to attend. The racing season is fast drawing to a close, and already plans are being made for events and meets to occur next season. During the week an additional race meet wes projected. Frem all indications, the residents of this city are being educated to exjoy legitimate racing, this fact being evi- dent by the attendance at the last meet at the International Athletic Park and other meets held at the same place. This ts very gratifying, and it is predicted that within a few vears bicycling as a sport in this city will be a close rival to our national game of base ball. Columbia Athletic Clab, The principal topie at the Columbia Ath- letic Ciub 1s the tournament which occurs one week from this afternoon. From pres- ent indications the affair will be a grand success. A large number of entries have al- ready been recetved in all of the events, and there are yet two more days before the list wlil be closed. The grounds and track are tn perfect condition and arrangements will be complete for a large crowd of spec- tators at the unique event. The principal event of the day, the tournament proper, will be the cycling novelty of the vear. The arches and rings are in position and contestants are puiting In all the spare time possible perfecting themselves in the art of charging. From the already large Uist of entries to the tourney it is possible that the preliminary tilts will be run off in the forenoon, leaving the winners to ride for the honors in the afternoon. Capt. Harmon has called the first run of the fall season for tomorrow, the destina- tion being the Cycte Cottage, near Takoma Park. In order to make the run a little longer, a roundabout course will be pur- sued to reach this pleasant place. Next Sunday the club will go to Marl- boro’, and after that runs will be taken to brookeville, Brandywine and other points Popular with loca! wheelmen. It is Ikely that the club will tag a century run short- ly, possibly on October 11, the date selected by the Century Cycling Club of Baltimore for their run to Frederick, in which case the C. A. C. boys will meet the Baltimore Wheelmen at some point along the route and possibly take the trip together. Nearly all of the members of the club who have been sperding the summer out of town have returned, so that a big party will no doubt line up for the run tomor- row. be Eastern Athletic Club. The members of the Eastern Athletic Club are making arrangements for a twen- ty-mile club road race, which will be held seme time in the near future. The starters will ride with sealed handicaps. All of the riders will start together, and the handicaps announced at the finish. The time and course have not yet been an- nounced, but the race will probably come off about October 1. Messrs. Ed and William Raab started Monday morning for Baltimore. They will make an extended northern trip on their wheeis and will be gone several weeks. Mess Mansileld and Vioiand left last Monday morning for a trip across Penn- sylvania. Theirs will be a regular tramp- ing expedition. They will stop when night overtakes them, have no regular schedule and expect to make no fast time. They will ride for three days in one direction and thea back home by different routes. Mr. F. W. Buckler is spending his vaca- tion in Maryland. Of course he takes hi wheel, end while gone intends to add sev- eral bars to his century medal. The boys sttll talk of the famous trip to Colton’s. On that trip Capt. Fryer lost his way in the woods. Night overtook him and ral minutes inquiring his way owl. Mr. Charles A. Montgomery is riding in great form and it will be well for local Fiders to look out for him in the road races this fall. Messr:. Grace and Revill made quite a trip on sday last. They started out with the intention of making a century, but found some of the Maryland roads, owing to the recent rains. In such a condition that they corcluded not to make the a’ tempt. Brearley, the last winner of the club championship medal, broke his wheel in the road race Sunday. The boys greatly deplore his action, as they felt certain that he had a chance for a place. Capt. Fryer and Lfeut. Grace are busy arranging a echedule of fall runs. They expect to be able to take out a good num- ber each Sunday, and, judging the future by the past. they will not be disappointed, as on the last two trips over twenty-five members were present. Capital Bi. Club. The Capital Bi. Club last Sunday had veral rurs. About half a dozen of the members took a train Saturday for Fred- erick, and rode from that place to Get- tysburg, visiting the historic battlefeld. The rain the day before placed the roads in such a condition that it was difficult to make ary time in riding. The party remained over until Labor day and rode direct home from tne battlefield. Among thcse who took the trip were Messrs. Boet- ler, Bradley, Edson and Barnard. Another crowd of the C. Bi. C. wheel- men started out Sunday morning and took a trip to Marlboro’. From that place trey rode to Hill Bridge, where they em- barked in boats belonging to a fishing club of that locality end were rowed across the Patuxent to Pig Island, four or five miles away, where they witnessed a day of sport. Dr. L. L. Harban is expected to arrive home this evening, after taking a trip through Europe. Dr. J. Bart Hills, the captain of the cluh, has been incapacitated for riding since the Piney Point trip, but is now getting in excellent shape for hard fall riding. Washington Road Ci There is no schedule for the Washington Read Club tomorrow, and no run was taken last week. This evening quite a Party will leave town for Seneca, Md., where they intend spending a week in camp, hunting and fishing during that time. Among those who will take the trip are Ceptaim William Jose, Harry Crandall, C. I. Ronsaville and Fred. Moore. Last Sunday a farty took a trip to Seneca and were s0 impressed with the place that it was de- cided to spend a week in the vicinity. Joseph Prince, the popular Heutenant of the club, has returned home from a trip through the Shenandoah valley. The next regular meeting of the club will be held on Wednesday evening at the Hotel Arno, at which considerable business of importance will be transacted. The elub has under consideration the giving of @ club road race this fall, and a race meet some time during the early part of next season. Queer Wheelmen. The Queer Wheelmen have a run sched- uled for Dickey’s at the Virginia side of the Great Falls tomorrow, and as this is [club hous always a favorite place for the local whecl- men, Capt. Boyd expects to carry out a large crowd. The start will be made at 3:30 o'clock in the morning from 812 14th street. The club premises has decided finally to secure 23 12th street as the future as intimated in this column lest week. ‘The club will enter on the occu- pency of their new home Tuesday evening and preparations are being made to fit the place up in an appronriate style. Consid- erable fucniture has been secured from one of the members of the club, wha loaned the articles to the Miles Cycle Infantry, in fitting up their quarters in National Geard Armory. It is expected that upon tering the new quarters the club mem- bership will take a jump, and soon be more than sufficient to defray all the expenses of mausging the club house. ‘The next regular meeting of the club will be held during the week in the new quar- ters, at walch the project will be discussed of mcre compietely furnishing the club heise. A handsome pool table is among the many articles already secured for the place. Altair Cycle Club. The Altair Cycle Club was scheduled to Rold a meeting last Monday, but owing to the fact that it was Labor day, the meet- ing was postponed until the com!ng Mon- day, when the details of the coming road race will be fully discussed. A number of prizes have been donated for the va- rious events, and the committee in charge will make a full report. Lieutenant Britt had charge of quite a run last Monday. The trip was to Falls Church, where a political meeting was in progress, and the cyclists lent encourage- ment to the promoters of the rally by their attendance and enthusiasm. On account of the meeting Monday evening no rung will be taken on that evening, but it is possible that a run will be taken some evening later in the Week. Captain Weaver is getting up a schedule of runs for the fall season which will be scon announced. Among the attractions are several roasts. Arlington Wheelmen. The Arlington Wheelmen held a meeting during the week at the Losekam, which vas made a merry occasion. Five new members were admitted to membership. Mr. Robert Stone, who has been on the pas- sive list, was at his own request transferred to the active rolls once more, his return be- ing welcomed by the club members present, there being nearly forty at the meeting. ‘The report of the racing committe was made, though everything relating to the af- feir has not as yet been settled up. The club has under consideration the giving of anoth- ér race meet, and without a doubt the next meet of the cltb will be heid on next Deco- ration day at the International Athletic Park. A novel race has been promised for the near future, which is known as a “supper race.” This will take the place of the pro- pesed ten-mile handicap club race. The “supper race” will only be for a distance of five miles, and will be a handicap affair, every member of the club being expected to enter. The event will probably come off the latter part of this month, most likely over the Conduit road course. The plan of the race is to get the names of all those who enter, and make the last half to finish in the race pay for a supper for the entire crowd. In the losing crowd will be counted those who signify their intention to enter the race, but who fall to ride. President Gettinger made a statement which was received with cheers. It was understood that the Marshall trophy cup, which was won by the Arlington team on August 22, was to have been competed for annually. According to Col. Marshall, the denor of the cup, this !s a misunder- standing, and that the magnificent silver trophy was the permanent gift of the win- ning club. At the conclt:sion of the meeting the members assembled in the banquet hall, where a feast was enjoyed, and where the silver trophy cup was the center piece on the table, being filled at the expense of the club. At the close of the meeting there were a number of impromptu races held over the White Lot course. The first race was between W. H. Henshaw and Francis E. Pratt, both members of the club and well-known wheelmen. Henshaw managed to win by several lengths, his time being slightly over two minutes. The second race was between Messrs. Rhine- hardt and Seward, the former winning easily. The closing race was between Messrs. Potts and Davidson. This result- ed In a dead heat, and in a second race Mr. Davidson won by half a length, the time being 1.20. The thanks of the club were unanimously exteaded to The Star for the kindness and consideration shown to the club. E. ¥. 8. Cyele Club. The O. E. Y. 8. Cycle Club, No. 1, under Lieut. John J. Costinet, will take the reg- ular weekly spin Tuesday evening. The route will be from 14th street and New York avenue, thence out to Ist street, out Ist street extended, through the Soldiers’ Home grounds, out on the Harewood road, to the Rock Creek Church road, to the 7th street road, to Whitney avenue, to 14th street, out the Columb!a road to Connecticut avenue, thence down 17th street, around the White lot, through the Mall in front of the Agricultural Depart- ment, Smithsonian, the National Museum, and back to the place of starting. Last week the run was in charge of Capt. Van Deusen, on which occasion fifteen riders went out. The route was out Con- necticut avenue, following the line of the Chevy Chase railroad, out Newark street, just above Woodley Lane road, to the Ten- Jeytown rcad, out Loughborough road, down the Ridge road, over the New Cut road to 25th street, and thence through town to the end of the route. Mr. Benjamin Parkhurst, a member of the club, who is president of the Postal Clerks’ Association, left the city early in the week to attend the annual convention of that organization. Liberty Wheelmen. Of late the Liberty Wheelmen have been doing little riding, though hard road work is expected to be given soon. A century run has been called for tomorrow to Balti- more, upon which a large number of mem- bers is expected to attend. There will be pacing all along the line, so as to prevent the party from straggling. Those unable to make the century will return home on the train. Several other members of the club will take a trip tomorrow morning out to the Cycle Cottage, near Takoma Park. B. H. W. Cycle Club. The B. H. W. Cycle Club of 32d street extended, which all along has been an in- formal organization, will shortly be made @ permanent club. A meeting will be held next Tuesday evening at which a consiitu- tion will be adopted, officers elected and the permanent organization effected. It is contemplated to make it a cycling and so- cial club, the former for the riding season and the latter for the cold weather during the winter. A preliminary meeting was held during the week at which a commit- tee, consisting of Miss Lena Weaver, Mi: Florence Weaver, Miss Buelah Barnet Miss Bessie Barnes and Master Frank Shallue were appointed a committee to draw up @ constitution and select suitable colors for the club. There were fourteen riders present at the meeting. During the week Capt. Pauline Barnes called a run for Chevy Chase. There were about twenty riders who made the trip and spent a very enjoyable evening. Columbia Heights Wheelmen. The Columbia Heights Wheelmen held their regular meeting last Tuesday evening at their temporary quarters, the princtpal business on hand being the election of of- slcers for the ensuing term. After a long and hot argument Mr. G. Solner was elect- ed captain to succeed Mr. I. Scharf. Mr. A. 8. Peters. was clected first HMeutenant to succeed Mr. A. Muelizien. Mr. E. Ransdell was elected secretary in the place of Mr. W.. Tate and Mr. L. Watkins was re-elect- ed chairman. After the election of officers other club matters were talked over. The club colors, red, black and green, were found to be the colors of another organi- zation and so the club wil? adopt black and blue. As the committee appointed to look after new club rooms had found nothing that was desirable the matter was not brought up. After the name of Mr. War- wick Torbert was put up for membership and accepted, the club adjourned. The club went last Wednesday for a run to Cyele Cottage under the new captain and all who went enjoyed it. ‘The run to- morrow will be to Marlboro’ and return, the start being made at 8:30 a.m. Messrs. A. S. Peters, B. Towles and War- wick Torbert are hard at work under their trainer, Capt. Solner, for the circuit races the fore part of next month, on which oc- casicn they expect to win everything in sight, if possible. Mr. T. Parnell has returned home after a two weeks’ wheeling tour through Vir- ginia. Mr. I. Scharf, with his brother Paul and Mr. D. Dessez, has lef: on a sailing trip down the river to Norfolk. They expect to be gone three weeks. Mr. B. Breckinridge is the first member of the club to receive one of the century badges, and he is very proud of it. He made a century last Tuesday to Frederick and return. = B. Towles, after having worked very hard, has become a very clever trick rider, and if he keeps on as he has been for an- other month it is expected he will be as good, if not better, as any trick rider in the city. MILE CHAMPIONSHIP CUP. The Owner: jp of the Trophy is Questioned. During the week the question arose as to the ownership of the Evening News trophy cup for the one-mile championship of the District of Columbia. In winning the championship last Decoration day Billie Sims was under the impression that he was entitled to the possession of the cup, and at the last regular meeting of the Arlington Wheelmen he annourced his intention of turning the cup over to the club to be held until again competed for, provided the cup could be obtained. The cup in question was put up about four years ago by the Evening News and was valued at $100. It was first competed for at a race meet at the old Y. M. C. A. Park, corner 17th and U streets, given by the old Victor Cycle Club. On account of a misunderstanding and the refusal of the management to permit other than these memters to participate in the race, H. E. Raymond, then chairman of the racing board, directed that the race be run over egain. This was not done for some time. and during the Interval the racing rules of the L. A. W. were put in force, regulating the limit value of prizes to amateurs to anything valued at $50 or less. This pre- vented at the time a permanent ownership of the cup. ‘The next time the trophy was put up It was won by C. E. Wood, then secretary of the Washirgton Road Club, and now secre- tary and treasurer of the local division of the L. A W. He was awarded possession of the cip, and no letters or restrictions were placed upon him. Before another championship race the Evening News went urder and all of its effects were purchased. In the bill of sale there was nothing to in- clude the trophy c.p, and no one claiming it, he held possession of It. At one time he had made all arrange- ments to turn the trophy over to the ‘Washington Road Club for an ornament to the club Louse, but owing to a misunder- standing with some of the club members this was never done, although an attempt was made to compel him to do this. Since then Mr. Wood has given the trophy cup to a friend, who has it in his possession, and where it is apt to remain. As the donor of the cup fs no more, and no provision has been made for the dis- posal of the trophy, it practically belongs to the last winner. It {s understood that there ha. been some correspondence over the possession of the cup, but nothing defi- nite has been done. —_——.__. ANOTHER RACE MEET. Some of the Events on the Program for the 23d Instant. Another race meet is on the schedule, che date being the 23d Instant, which will surpass, it is predicted, the races of Labor day. The main event of this meet will be the finish of the twenty-four-hour ride of John J. Fister for the American track record for that time. Another event will be the fifth of the series of intercity races, if the Baltimore people will run off the same, there being some doubt as to this. Ancther race that will undoubtedly prove of interest will be a match race between the tandem teams, consisting of Paul von Boeckman and E. A. Pitkin of the Queer Wheelmen, and Harry X. Greer and George E. Smith of the Washington Road Club. John J. Fister, Ex-American Road Champion. The first two defeated the last two, the acknowledged cracks of the city, on Labor day, and the match race is calculated to finally settle the merits of the two teams. The list of events and the value of the Prizes of the meet are given as follows: First race, one-mile novice—Prixes valued at $15 and $10, for first and second place. Second event, one-mile open—Prizes val- ued at $20 and $10, for first and second men. Third event, one-mile intercity team race, Baltimora-Washington—Prizes, silver tro- phy cup, and gold medals, valued at $20, to each member of the winning team. event, one-mile tandem match Face, between E. A. Pitkin and Paul von Auramigtorp cuve: > + Something Abou} gue pt the,Leading Wheellag ,Qrecrizations. : In the early part ofzJuly, -1889, when the. solid non-puricturebie tite’ ‘was ‘In ‘vogue,’ about ‘half 2 score bf Washington wheel- men, who were wonjjto take frequent trips awheel, net for the purpose of. organizing, This was in’ the eatty days-of the’ history: of the safety. Théesult of this meeting was the formatigl, of the Rover Cycle Club. This was name the organiza- tion was first knowndby, but in October of 1802 the name wag-q.anged to the Altair Cycle Club, the, present name of. one of the» most populars,and flourishing clube of the District, agdythe only cycle club in Georgetown. eid. + The club did not.experience a mushroom grcwth, such as ig enjoyed by this season’s crop of cycle organizations. But from a small beginning itg membership steadily increased, till at present it almost touches, the half-hundred mark. On its member- ship rolls are borne the. names of some of the prominent residents “of the West End who have taken to the use of the wheel. The Altair Cycle Club. is conservative, even to a degree, . Its membership is lim- ited to one hundred, and no great effort is made to reach that limit. Then, there areno Sunday runs called by the club, al- though many of the members frequently” arrange trips for that day, but such are hot reported.as club runs. It is the prime object of the organization to promote friendly intercourse among wheelmen, and to accomplish this purpose no season or occasion is neglected when it is possible to bring the members and their friends to- gether, In either town or country, to enjcy a feast of the prevailing delicacy and to leer a thing or two from the other fel- low. In the springtime there is a strawberry rvn, then comes the watermelon run, while the first “R” months of the year bring the oyster roasts, snd midwinter is always celebrated by the annual club banquet, on wtich occasion the company of the ‘air sex is the preferred substitute for the wheel. Both track and road riding are encouraged by the club in every possible way. A handsome solid gold meda! Is contested for in the mile track race by those members who go in as speedy riders. The holder of this medal is at all times subject to challenge by any of the club members. Great pride is taken in pos- {session of this tropry, and !t is needless to add that during a cycling season it changes hands quite frequently as specdy riders develop. Long distance road riding {s the Altair cyclist’s forte. From the very first it has been fostered by bi-weekly club runs from the beginning to the end of each season, and also by lengthy trips into the adjoin- ing states whenever the necessary holidays were obtainable. The club adorns the cen- tury riders with an elegant little enamel and silver badge, which cleverly combines the club monogram and the colors—blue and white. The annual cluty road races have been made a feature of the club for the past two years. Preparations are now being consummated for this year’s races, which will be held the latter part of this month. A committee is in charge of the matter, making all arrangements, and the neces- sary detalls will be perfected at the next this-month there will be at least fifty more names added. e The second run of the month was held last evening, starting at 7:30 o'clock from 38th and K streeta Road Consul A. W. Leeke was in chargé and conducted the party on a cross country ride in and around the city. The next run scheduled is for Fridzy evening, September 18, to Silver Springs. The start will be made from the samc place, and at the same hour. During the week the chief consul and his family started out for their annual vaca- tion cn the lower Potomac. ‘he secretary and treasurer, Mr. Charles E. Wood, re- turned home from a fishing trip at Seneca. IT RACES. Preparations for the Occasion Are Being Pushed. The preparations for the circait races, to be held in this elty on the afternoon of October 5, are being ;pushed at a steady rate. Even this early the results are very ‘gratifying to the projectors of the meet. Aiready 300 seats have been sold in the grand stand at a dollar a seat, and several boxes taken. On account of the high class of racing the admission to the - grounds will be 50 cenis, while the seats, on the grand stand will be reserved at $1 each, with the box seats still higher. The entry. blarks have been printed. and over a thousand mailed to d:fferent parts of the country, with the expectation of drawing together the best racing talent possible. Work wiil snortly be started on the pri gram for the meet, and, a novelty in this Mne is expected. Mr. William Gettinger left yesterday to attend the circuit races in Philadelphia. He will not only endeavor to secure all the entries possible, but his errand is mose of a special mission, and If everything works successfully the loy- ers of the cyciing sport in this clty will be treated to a novelty. LOCAL LONG DISTANCE RACE. Coming Effort to Be Made by Job J. Fister. The attempt of John J. Fister, the local lorg distance racer, to break the American twenty-fcur-hour track record, will begin either Monday evening, the 2ist instant, or the day following, the date not being defi- nitely sei. All arrangements for the at- tempt have been made. The opinions of the local cyciing world on the outcome of the matter differ. Those who know the rider well say that he will establish another ord, while others who keep track of current events claim that Fister will fail. John J. Fister is a Washington boy and has been a resident of the city for the past twenty-two years. He is a comparatively hew star in the bicycling world, his experi- ence dating back to the first part of 1892. He became identified with the Georgetown Cycle Club, then the leading organization of the city, and gave promise of being a good rider. He possessed a large amount of endurance, this being demonstrated by the number of centuries made in the first few years of his cycling career. His success on these prompted him to make a go at the American twenty-four hour record, and, - handled by Capt. G. W. Cook of the George- town Cycle Club, he succeeded in making William Britt, Lieutenant. F. Baker Weaver, Capta! Rober W. Cox, Secretary. meeting, which will be held Monday even- ing. The club medal was first contested for in October, 1893, and has changed hands a number of times. The present holder of the medal-ts Edward J. Hanger, Jr, the coming racing man of the club. The officers of the club at present are as | follows: President, Rezin W. Darby; secre- tary, Robert W. Cox; treasurer, Walter T. Weaver; captain, F. Baker Weaver; lieu- tenant, William Britt. The president, sec- retary and captain, together with Messrs. Theodore Duvall and Lewis Weaver, con- stitule the executive board. Some of the well-known club members are Mr. H. P. Gilbert, a well-known business man; Messrs. Charles Moran and David Weaver of the firm of Weaver & Moran. The president of the club, Mr. R. W. Darby, is a well-known contractor. He has been a member of the club since July, 1895, and this is his first year at the helm of the organization. Mr. Walter T. Weaver, the treasurer, of the firm of W. T. & F. B. Weaver, is an enthusiastic wheelman. He is one of the oldest members of the club, having been connected with it since Octo- ber, 1890. He has held a number of posi- tions, and at the present time is the mon- eyed man of the organization. Capt. F, Baker Weaver is a native of the District, being born twenty-six years ago. He is a charter member of the club, and was its first captain. During the club's career he has held four offices, being cap- tain thrice, and water boy for one term. He has been riding for ten years, his time dating back to the use of the old upright. Last year he developed speed on the road, and succeeded in winning the club cham- plonship medal for one mile. He is a good road rider and has plenty of endurance, and is popular with all of the boys. He is one of the few members of the club possessing one of the pretty century medals. Robert W. Cox, the secretary, is another well-liked member. He was a Washington boy, and was born in 1874. He joined the club in 1889, a few months after the or- ganization was formed. He was elected secretary in 1892, and, with the exception of one term, has filled the office ever since. He is connected with The Star Ad-writing Bureau, and is full of business. He has been riding a wheel for eight years, and is an excellent road rider. He has taken a number of long trips through the surround- ing country, and is a holder of on2 of the club century medals. Lieut. William Britt 1s another very pop- ular young man. He fs just past his nine- teenth birthday, and Is a native of the Dis- trict. He has been a devotee of the wheel for a period of three years, and has de- veloped considerable speed. He became connected with the club in June, 1895, and this is the first year that he has held office, one of the rules of the club requiring a member to be on the rolls at least a year before being eligible to’ office. He has dis- Played a good deal of'endurance, and prom- tees to become*one,/of the leading road riders of the clubs Local L. A. W. Matters. - Things in the! lofal league have been rather quiet, dutjng,the week. There was no increase to the membership roll, which still remains af{244 cyclists. There is a Prospect, however, that before the end of B° i 279 miles within the allotted time. This a tempt was made on September 15, 1893, and beat a record cf 272 miles, which | was claimed by L. C. Wahl, then'a resident of the city. Fister started the fever for the championship title, and a number of other attempts were made to beat his record. E. C. Yeatman, then of the Washington Road Club, made a go toward the cYose of the season and succeeded in placing the record at 207 miles. On August 15, 1894, Fister made a second attempt at the record. It is sald that training and the hot weather knocked him out. He rode fourteen hours and made 217 miles, his first ninety-eight miles being made in the remarkably fast time of 5:58. On September 22, 184, he made a third attempt at the record, under the management of the Georgetown Cycle Club, and succeeded in making a fraction over 311 miles, which remained the record for only a short time. Fister is partly in training for his coming test and is confident that he can make 430 miles. He has secured the services of Mr. Cook, who handled him for the attempt. A rough schedule of the ride has already been mapped out, and is on a basis of 440 miles for the time. Allowing two hours for rests, rub downs and eating, giving twenty- two hours for actual riding time, Fister will be obliged to ride at the steady gait of twenty miles an hour for the whole time. This is on an average of a mile in three minutes, and, though there is no doubt that this can be done for the first 100 or 180 miles, it is doubtful if the rider can keep it up. There is very little doubt, however, that Fister cannot ride the entire time, the enly question being whether or not he can keep up with schedule time. An Ambulance on Wheels. A novelty in the line of bicycle cohstruc- tion has been introduced in Chicago. It is nothing more nor less than the adaptation of the wheel for the use of an ambulance, as shown in the illustration. The ambu- lance is a tricycle, specially arranged, and requires two people to operate it. With the two wheels in front, the driving power is directed to the rear wheel, which has sprockets on both sides. The ambulance is somewhat elongated, sufficient to locate @ comfortable cot, which is fastened to the frame with strong springs, to prevent any undue jostling. This is to afford the in- jured the least possible pain on their trip to the hospital. It requires two men to cperate the ambulance, and they are seated on either side of the cot on a line with the front wheel. Personal Notes of Cyclists. Mr. A. B. Griffith of the patent office has returned from a bicycling tour to War- rington, Va., during which time he visited the White Sulphur Springs, Culpeper, New Baltimore and a number of other places in the immediate vicinity. According to the official bulletin of the League of American Wheelmen, Messrs. Hiel K. Parsons, Z. L. Darby, Claude E. Miller and John G. Muir are the latest ad- ditions to the membership roll of the local division. = Zobo Bandon Wheels. The latest thing iri/the use of the bicycle in the campaign liné ts the zobo band on wheels, presenting ‘an attractive appear- ance and resultthg ff good music. The use of these bands: extending up north. They originated*with bicycle parades, but lately are being made @ campaign feature. The principle ofithevband is the turning of the human voice into’s reed, to the end of which brass horns of various sizes and shapes-are added, to give tone and effect. |. The person simply hums in the reed and the musical effect !s produced. In the re- | cent New York and Philadelphia bicycle parades bands of this class were in line and received flattering notices from all sources, and the success of these has encouraged the campaign managers to utilize them for political purposes. Clubs are being organ- ized all over the country and supplied with the instruments, which cost but little. HOWSHARKEYFOUGHT | When the Rising Pugilist Was on the Philadelphia. a A DESPERATE BATTLE DESCRIBED - —- Terribly Thrashed a Powerful-and Tricky Opponent. ee USED ONLY FAIR M ETHODS Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. NEW YORK, September 11, 1896. The major number of the gentlemen who furnish the New York newspapers with running commentafies upon the affairs of bugilism have apparently converted tnem- selves into “reinmakers” for the sphinx- ke ‘Mr. Sharkey. In the depths of his reticence they discern wisdom, and if the fighter maintains his shrewd silence we shall doubtless hear ere long that he is a Latinist and an antiquarian of renown But in some respects the writers upon the lfe and characteristics of this new pugi- lstic idol have fallen, either throwgh ig- norance or carelessness, into some errors that would be dismal were they not so ab- surd. Becauge he bears in vari-hued India ink upon his muscle-knotted breast a tat- tooed bark under all canvas, surmounted by a star, he is constantly referred to as a “deep-water marine,” a man who is “every inch a sailor,” a “heavy-weather jack,” and so on—misapplications that are per- haps attributable to the dearth of know!l- edge which seems to prevail among Ameri- cans in all of the cities with the exception of Washington as to the United States naval service. It would probably go hara with any stranger who deliberately, even though ignorantly, addressed Sharkey as a “marinc” to his face, for there is no very enormous amount of love lost between the marines and the bluejackets of the United States navy, and the self-contained Sharkey was one of the latter. He appears never to have been much of a sailor, un- less the scouring of much “bright wor! and the scrubbing of a man-o’-war's decks at “all hands” fashions a sailer within the space of one cruise. An officer of the United States navy, now in New York, who was tn command of the ship's division of which the column- necked Sharkey was a member during this cruise, was discussing the pugilist at the Racquet Club a few evenings ago. Reputation an a Slugger. “I have been tremendously diverted,” sald he, “by reading the newspaper ac- counts as to the almost preternatural abil- ity of this pugilist as a sailorman. I was doing a watch and division officer's duty on borrd the cruiser Philadelphia, on the Pacific station, when Sharkey, who had shipped as a landsman on the receiving ship Independence at the Mare Island navy yard, was sent to us with his bag and ham- mock, along with a big batch of recruits. rkey had been a blacksmith in San Francisco, and the few fourth-rate fiat | ers whom he had whipped in that town not only did not make him famous or line his purse, but reduced him to want, for he conceived a disinclination to the biack- | smith’s trade after having sinped of the of pugilism. He created a sort of sensation among the men forward when he came aboard, for they were all | familiar with his San Francisco reputa- | tion as a slugger. ‘ow, a landsman in the United States navy is about as unimportant a figure as can be found in the whole range of human society. It 1s taken for granted by the old timers among the enlisted men in the outfit that landsmen are incapables and imbeciles of the most impossible character, and the scorn which the old seaman exhib- Its toward the landsman is huge and with- ering. All of the diriy work of a man-o'- war, all of the mean little jobs, fall to the jot of the landsman, and I must confess that this man Sharkey displayed a quality of patience of rather an exalted order in his quiet acceptance of the bullying to which he was subjected by the men with the rating badges—the petty officers, Tiut finally he revolted. and to the men in the fo'c'sles of warships that revolt nas be- come history. Sharkey is one of the few enlisted men TI have been shipmates with who succceded as a landsman in declaring himself and establishing a position aloard a man-o'-war without running afcul of the regulations and landing fn the ‘brig’ in double irons. Tackled the Bos‘un’s Mate. bs ; haps “This was the way of it: There was a bos'un’s mate in the Philadelphia's gang- Way who was famous throughout the navy as a ‘bucko’ and a fighter. This man, a big, brawny Welshman, appeared to have taken a violent dislike to Sharkey from the first, and he could not pick out mean enough “stunts’ for Sharkey to perform. The pugilist-landsman tackled them all soberly and quietly, but once in a while when I happened to be officer of the deck I would catch a rather ominous blaze in his Irish eyes when the Welshman was prac- ticing upon him some peculiarly mean, al though perfectly regular, imposition. ‘One day, when the ship was at Seattle, Sharkey walked up to the Welshman, who was descanting upon his prowess as a fighter to a lot of apprentices under the forecastle, and calmly requested him to go ashore that evening. ‘I'm going along with you,’ he sald. ‘If you don't go,’ concluded Sharkey, ‘I'll lick you before the whole ship's com- pany, if I get beached for it.’ Although the ‘bucko’ Welshman had been pretending that he had no great opinion of the lands- man’s fighting qualities, he winced a little at this bold stand, and for about fifteen seconds he looked Itke a man who was doing a whole lot of hard thinking. But to have refused the challenge would have insured his permanent disgrace among the enlisted men not only aboard the ship, but throughout the entire navy, for tal like these speed quickly from ship to ship in that outfit, and once a man forward zhows the white feather he is forever ostracised by his mates, and his life made s0 wretched that he ‘soon secks peace ashore. So the bullying bos'un’s mate had to pick up the gauntlet willy nilly. Officers Attended the Fight. “I must own up to it that I saw that fight, as did the majority of the officers of the Philadeiphia. I don’t fancy that any of us would care to see it repeated. We were given the tip during the afternoon by one of the chief petty officers that Shar- key and the Welshman were going to ad- just their differences that night. At supper in the ward room that evening we all dis- covered that we had urgent business ashore, and I am afraid there were some funny old glances exchanged among us when the executive officer wasn’t looking. Of a crew of nearly 500 enlisted men there were not enough left aboard that night to spread mess-gear. All hands were ashore, making preparations for this little ‘adjust- ment of differences,’ and aft, when the time came around, we did not lose much time in getting over the side, for life in the navy or a home station is not hilariously interesting, and this thing promised well. “When we reached the spruce forest on Seattle’s outskirts, where the battle was to be waged, we found our ship's company quietiy gathered around a roped inclosure. The men were in a hush of expectanc: None of them had ever seen their lands- man shipmate in a fight, although they had heard all about him, and expected great things of him. They had seen the Welsh bo’su’n in various drunken scuffles when ashore on liberty, but from their talk it was plain that he was not liked. The men backed their opinions with their money, however, and every one of them was there to see fair play, for nowhere can so much honor of this sort be found as amorg men- of-warsmen, “The men who were to fight stepped into the ring at the same time. Both were clad only in swimming tights, and wore strone goverrment shoes. Even then Sharkey was a squat Hercules. I had never seen such perfect muscular development. He had a bad look on his face. The Welsh- man, more then a foot taller than Sharkey and fifty pounds heavier, looked strong, sinewy and wicked. “It was to be a finish fight, with no rules —in short, a rough-and-tumble fight. There were neither seconds, timekeepers, sponge- holders or referee. ‘It's going to be just plain fight until one of ’em quits,’ said the chief gunrer’s mate, who was a kind of director general of the prcceedings. “There was no time wasted on hand- shaking when these two men, who hated === each cther, advanced te the center of the ring. The Welshman made « feint, and then shot nis right foot out like a flash and tripped Sherkey, who went prone upon his back. Qutck us lightning the boatswain was atop of him, his knees pinning the supine man’s chest, and then he began to land a rataplan of deadly, cruel blows upon Shar- ey’s face. It was a foul trick, and the men around the ring did not like it; but all hands had agreed to let the two men fight it out in rough-and-tumble fashion, and so there was no interference. ‘Since that time I have heard some wor derful stories as to this man Sharkey’s <ndurance as a fighter, and I believe every one of them. The horrible rain of fearful blows which the Welshman planted upon the young Irishman’s broad face in that first assault would have put out an ossified man. be Rut the landsman only seemed to aroused < to devilish fury. With a ch that agpeared as simple as the ‘< away fly, he had tossed the petty officer from his chest, and was upon bis feet like a panther. ‘The Welshman was trylux to scramble to his feet. He need not have tried, for Sharkey grasped him under the arms and forked him ‘up- right with a suddenness Chat must have de his teeth ache. ‘I fight standing up,’ hi y, in quite a loud tone (and I ys rather respected the fellow from that moment.) Then he landed both hards with catapuitic force straight in the Weishman’s face, and the bos'un went down, blood gushing from his nose and ears. Sharkey did not wait for him te Ket up, but pulled him to his feet again With terrible swiftness. Then he grasped the bos'un’ around the waist with both arms, notwithstanding the man’s frenzied and powerful strugglings, Efted him clear off the ground and literally hurled him through the air a distance of ten feet, muck as a boy would pitch a rubber ball. Then the Climax. “The Welshman described an arc as he hurtied through space, and upon his face. He was upon his f ore Sharkey could reach him, and he rushed at the landsman blind with blood, and @ )eal- ly diabolical look upon his face. Sharkey caught him around the neck with his i arm in @ grip of steel and held Lim. “Wash the blood owt of your eyes, so’s you can see; * said the young Irish- y held his enemy so that he could not move, a man sprang into the ring and sponged the blood from the Welshman’s eyes. Then Sharkey released him with 4 push, and the two began to box. It did not seem to me that either man knew anything about boxing, but the Jandsman landed five desperately fierce blows (they echoed sickeningly through the forest) to one of the bor’uns. “Then came the climax of this rather weird battle. The two men clinched, and the Welshman, utterly forgetful of Shar- key'’s magnasimous treatmen: of him. cunk his teeth in Sharkey’s neck and held on ike a bulldog. The men around the ring cried out at this (we saw ft all, unseen. from a little knoll), but Sharkey, who had gone a@ trifie pale, said in a quiet ‘ ‘Never mind, I can end this.’ He got the Welshman’s throat in a viselike clutch between his fingers. In ten seconds the Diter loosened his hold with a gasp. The marks of his teeth were a quarter of an inch decp in Sharkey’s neck, and the lands- man was white with anger. But he seem- ed to rather scorn striking so incapable and bruial an antagonist. He grasped the man again about the waist with mighty strength, and once more hurled him through the air. Before the bos'un could struggle to his feet Sharkey was upon him like a lion, clasped him about the middle and cast him through space to the other end of the ring. Thus he threw him back and forth three times more—every move- ment incredibly swift and strong. When he tossed him the last time the Weilsh- man’s head struck a stake. He was out. The fight was over. “I think I may assure you that Sharkey | Was treated with a whole lot of respect by | the men forward on the Philadelphia after that exhibition. He did not ewager or bluster—rarely, ‘in fact, spoke at ali—but I observed that there was an involuntary lowering in the tones of the ship's bullies when Sharkey happened to be around. It was a very short tme after this fi be se of the tight—that fell Into an easy berth on the ship—that of a master-at-arms. The master-at-arms of a man-o'-war has in charge the offend- ers who are imprisoned below in the ‘brig,’ and, if he is tyrauically disposed, he bas opportunities to achieve an unenviable name among fhe men for severity and brutality. But Sharkey made a good mas- | ter-at-arms, and was popular ail over the ship, fore and aft. “By the time the Philadelphia went down to Honolulu Sharkey had about all the men in the ship's company industriously banz- ing away at each other with the gloves every evening, and he always kept himself in the pink of condition. Many of the vis- itors to the ship at Honolulu used to re- quest Sharkey to box a little for them, and the late Miss Kate Field, who took an in- tense interest. in boxing contesis, and thoroughly understood the game, and who was in Honolulu at this time, took great deiight in watching the taciturn young Irishman spar.” a eS USE OF THE TOWPATH. A Positive Statement on Thix Subject From the Superintendent. There was an opinion gaining ground among the local wheelmen that the officials of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal had de- cided to throw open the use of the tow- path to the local cyclists. Upon investiga- tion this was found to be a delusion. The canal officials have no such idea in view and do not con*emplate taking any action in the matter. A Star reporter called upon Mr. G. L. Nicholson, the superintendent of the canal, during the week and had a talk with him about the matter, but that indi- vidual expressed no inclination to rescind the order against bicyclists using the tow- path. On the contrery, he gave out the im- pression that the order would be as rigidly enforced as ever. The suggestion was brought up tha the towpath be thrown open to the wheelmen, and that a toll for the use of the towpath ould be charged. The superintendent was opposed to this, and stated that he would as soon throw the path open free of charge to the wheelmen as :0 charge a toll. “Since I have been superiniendent of the canal,” said Mr. Nicholson, “I have refused to ssue any permit to ride over the tow- path, Only one exception was made to this, and that was at the time the League of American Wheelmen had a relay run from this city to Denver, Col. I at tirst refused to give a permit, but considerable pressure was brought to bear, and at last I con- sented and gave a permit for the cycl'sts to ride only one way, from Williamsport to Cumberland. They had to return by an- other route. The presence of the bicycles on the towpath frightens the mules and causes more or less damage. The mules and canal boais are to our company what passengers are to a railroad train. if through the negligence of the railroad peo- ple a_ passenger is hurt, the company is libeled for damage, and the same is the case with us, and we are obliged to look out for our own interests.” It is to be regretted that the use of the towpath cannot be secured. While not of an extraordinary smooth character, it has one advantage—it is almost a dead level frem Georgetown to Cumberland, and in traversing dt a cyclist avoids the hills and mcuntains that he would otherwise e cccnter on such & trip. Since the tow- path has been closed to riders communica- tion with Leesburg has been practically shut off, as the roads leading to that place are too bad to be ridden. Another thing that would be of advantage would be the run from the Anglers’ Club House to Great Falls, doing away with the necessity of a cycle path. It might be added here that in a gocd many places up north there is no objection to riding on the towpaths. aa ee Proposed Park Improvements. Soon after the close of the present sea- son at the International Athletic Park a number of improvements will be made. At present there is but one entrance to the grand stand, and that is located in the cen- ter of the place. At all the race meets held this year crowds have congregated at this spot and not only obstructed the view of the people in the stand, but permitted a large number of persons to get out on the track who had no authority. According to the improvements coniemplated the central entrance will be closed up entirely and openings made at either end of =he crand stand. This will facilitate the ingress and egress to the place and will also afford additional room to the grand stand. Another im- provement will be the raising of the boxes in front of the stand so as to open up in the granj stand. One or two steps will lead to the boxes, which will not interfere with the view of those in the grand stand. ‘This will give the occupants of the boxes much better view of the events than they can possibly obiain at present, owing to the fact that the starters and other of- ficials of the meet stand in front of the etand,