National Republican., 1883-06-12
THE WHEELMEN.
Some Splendid Exhibitions Of Their Skill at
Athletic Park.
The Racing Witnessed by Large and
Fashionable Company
One Hundred and Thirty-Nine Machines and Riders
in Line-The Long and Short Races.
One or Two Mishsps Hut Nothing Serious
The Programme For To-Day.

Inc best evidence of tho present popularity
of the wheelmen and the wheel was given at
the Athletic park yesterday, where tho tour
nament of the Capital Bicycle club was inau-
gurated. The preparations for the event
have been going on for some time, and upon
rather stupendous scale for w ashington.
The park had been completely transformed
by tho addition of large extra stands for tho
accommodation of spectators, and by the con-
struction offs quarter mile track around the
edge Of the base ball field
Yesterday afternoon tho park presented
very brilliant appearance. The numerous
flags with which the stands were decorated
foated gaily in the pleasant southwest breezes
that made the temperature delightful. The
band stand in the center of the field, occupied
by tho marine band, was completely covered
with small national flags, making fine effect
of color. While the crowds were gathering at
the park the wheelmen were on their way to
the scene of action in procession. There
were 139 wheels in line and they presented
an unusually unique and pretty appearance
The uniforms Of the various clubs showed to
advantage, and the sun cleaning on the
nickel plating of the bicycles made them
seem like moving wreaths of silver The
procession arrived at the park shortly after
- p. m and at thirty minutes after that hour
the pistol was fired for the commence
ment of the races At this time there
We're about two thousand spectators on the
stand, Of which a large number were
ladies' IL was congregation Of Washington's
best people, and beaux and bellies were pres
ent in large numbers. 1t was good natured
assemblage, too. II applauded the riders,
laughed at their little mishaps, and, in fact,
enjoyed itself hugely. The poor time made
IN the races was solely on account of the
track which had been loosened up considera-
bly, by the heavy rains If there Is no moro
rain 1t will be in firstclass condition to-day.
Inc flrst race on the programme was five
miles for the championship of the Capital
Bicycle club. The starters were ]. Mex.
Borden, L. A. Berryhill Leland Howard,
and u. W. Hanna. 1t was one of the most
closely contested and exciting contests ever
seen ON bicycle track. Lap after lap tho
machines flew around in a bunch, and II was
anybody's race for long time. After pass
ing into the first lap of the third mile Howard
dropped out, his leg muscles having stifiened
considerably. The other three kept on, and
on the last two laps of the last mile the pace
was very fast. Borden, who had led slightly
during seven laps, drew away, however, and
won with a splendid burst in 22:56. Berry
hill second, in 2305l.
The second race was mile for members of
the Maryland club of Baltimore. The start
ers were Il. r, Jones, j. Y. Lord Joseph D.
Chesney, Z. S, Schon, j. Day Flack, j. Ed
ward Ducker, T. Stran, Charles Stran, and l..
8, King. At-the start Lord led and went the
quarter mile in 1;02h, but Flack caught up,
ana was never headed winning in 4:10. r.
II. Schon second, in 4:16s, Charles Stran third,
the others strung ont
The third event on the programme was tho
fancy riding contest in which were entered
Seward Beall, of the Capital Bicylo club, j.
Edward Taylor, of this city, but who is not a
member of any club, and Bert Pressey, of the
star club of Smithville, N. j. The wonderful
riding of the young men was enthusiastically
greeted by the audience. They performed
the most marvellous feats, displaying, besides
a thorough knowledge OF their wheels, an in
tlmacy with gymnastics. Messrs. Taylor and
Beall both rode splendidly, but Mr. Pressey's
exhibition was superb, He rode machine,
on which the small wheel is in front
and is used as n guide. Mr.. Pressey rode in
every conceivable position, vaulting from one
side TO the other of his wheel with the ease
OF an acrobat, and showing consummate power
over the delicate iron steed. Whom he had
concluded his exhibition there was continu-
ous applause for ten minutes which the young
gentleman acknowledged with bow from
the Judges stand He was awarded the first
prize, Mr.. Taylor securing the second, and
Mr.. Beall the third.
The fourth race was n quarter mile for
contestants were j. Mex. Borden. w. +.
Crossman, and Seward Beall. Borden had
tho race from the start, never being headed,
and won easily in 55sI Crossman second in
55s; Beall third.
The fifth contest was a slow race of 100
yards, in which Seward Beall, Leland How
ard, III. Il. Davis, and @. M. Lewis were en-
tered. Tho race was not very interesting, as
Messrs. Davis, Howard, and Lewis were off
their wheels before many feet had been gone,
and Mr.. Beall then rode in and won. No time
was taken.
The sixth race was mile handicap, open to
all amateurs. The entries were ]. Nick. Bor-
den, of the Capital Bicycle club (scratch);
Frank T. Howard, of the Ixion club of New
York (scratch); c. ii, Chickering, of the Star
club, of Smithville, N. ]. $50 yards) I. A.
Berryhill, Of the Capital Bicycle club $50.
yards; j. Edward Ducker, of the Maryland
club 200 yards); j. Day Flack, of the Mary
land club (100yards); II. Il, Foster, of the In
curable Order of Bicyclists of Baltimore 400
yards); l.. S. King of the Maryland 100
yards); j. d, Lord Of the Maryland club 200
yards). and j. G.. Smith, of England (120
yardsl. Being handicap, the race was nee
essarlly of the folow-my-leader sort. Mr..
Flack quickly drew away from the 100 yards
starters and soon overlook Mr., Smith.
The two leaders were never headed, but
the race for third place was particularly ex-
citing, MIR, Howard, who started from scratch,
caught up to the riders in front Of him, and
after hard riding won the honor Flack was
first in 342, ]. @. Smith second in 3I7, and
Howard third in 3;4si.
AS Mr.. Howard went over toward the open
seats, after passing the wire, he took header
and was slightly injured by being thrown
against post. lla was all right last night,
however, aud will ride to-day. The ride and
run race, which was the last event on the
programme, was postponed until to-day.
The silver-mounted leather medal presented
by Mr.. Chris. Abner, to he given to tho most
graceful rider in the street parade, was
awarded to Mr.. Charles McCook, of the
Capital club. The judges were limited in
their final consideration to the follow
ing riders: Capt. l.. w. Seeley, Mr..
McCook Mr.. Frederick ID. Owen, Mr..
Charles NJ. Lewis and Mr.. Clarence g. Allen,
and tho winner was decided by drawing lots.
The tournament will be concluded this after.
noon, and the races will be of most interest
ing order. Tho professional race will he an
event of no ordinary interest, as it will be
the first meeting between Higham, tho cham
pion of England, aud Prince, the champion of
America,
The following are the races and the names
Of the contestants:
First race, two miles, open 10 all amateurs--J.
M Borden, scratch +. T, Howard, scratch O. IL.
Chickering, 100 yards; H. A. Berryhll, lb0 yards ;
G. X. Evans, $50 yards; II. n. Foster $50 yards ;
ID. L. Williams $50 yards,
Second race, three miles, for PROFESSIONALISM S.
Prince Boston; ligham, Nottingham, England |;
T. s; Robinson, New York city; Thomas Harrison,
Washington, d. O.
Third race. one mile. for noyioes, open TO all
amalenrN3E. AZ Newman, 2, b C;i B; W; Hanna,