Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-20
KNAPP FROZEN OUT.
How Reading Won the Big Six-Day
Bicycle Race at Chicago.
THE TACTICS OF HIS FRIENDS
Cause Intense Indignation Among the
Spectators Present.
THE DECISION MAY YET BE REVERSED
One Claim Made That the Race Was Fixed by the
Management ITSELF

CHICAGO, May 19.-Intensely bitter feel
ing has been stirred up in sporting circles
by what is declared to be the unfair tactics
by which the big prize was snatched from
Denver by Omaha, last night, in the six-day
bicycle tournament. As there will ap-
parently be no end of comment and may be
a reversal of the result, the minutest details
of the affair are being sought. The Tribune
tells of the 'unprofessional spectacle" as
| follows:
The riders were well punched and everything
proceeding smoothly when, at p. M, an acci-
| dent occurred. Reading, of Omaha, suddenly
| fell head first on the track. Prince also OF
Omaha, was just behind and had no time to
escape. In a moment he too, was sent sprawl
ing. Before either could mount and get away
Knapp the Denver man, had the fortune to get
one lap in the lead. The advantage legiti-
mately obtained was being maintained in
gallant style.
At O'Clock, when the band was playing
Hail Columbia" and 1000 people were waving
hats and handkerchiefs in the air, came the
extraordinary incident referred to. The
Omaha man, Reading, had begun tremendous
squirt.
IN POCKET.
Knapp was Immediately behind Prince and
Morgan. When he discovered that his much
priced lap was being taken away from him, he
made heroic effort to increase his speed The
Omaha man, Prince and the Englishman, Nor
gan, however, Just in front, thwarte every ef-
fort. Knapp was in pocket When he attempted
an increase of speed Prince would promptly
cut him off by forcing him to the outer wall
In vain Knapp expostulated and appealed to
the judges as he swept by the stand. Prince
only smiled grimly. Knapp swOre and shook
his fist without avail.
The queer spectacle of two men leisurely
holding an excited third in check, while
fourth at every turn of the wheel was snatching
victory from conceded defeat, was to the crowd
like red flag to bull. On every side Prince
met with a storm of Kisses.
"Robber!' shrieked the crowd.
SHANE, shamer
Thief, thiefr'
That may do in Omaha, but it don't go here"
yelled chorus of boys.
When Reading finally came around neck and
neck with Prince and Morgan and in advance
OF knapp, now hopelessly behind, the kissing
became terrific Knapp was plainly q afavorite.
AN EXCITED CROWD.
you're a sneak" yelled the crowd to Prince.
Had it fixed, didn't your" sueered hun
dred voices derisively. The feeling was only
intensified when Prince, riding close by Read
ing, patted him on the back in brotherly fash
ion.
I'm on the divvy are your inquired the
crowd. How much do you get for it?'' but
the uproar had no effect and interest in the
six-day race ceased. Reading was plainly the
winner.
Further light is thrown on the queer affair
by the Times report, which contains the fol-
lowing: why don't rule Prince off?'' queried
Referee John OBlake. because this is not
the time to do it. If Prince is fouling Knapphe
can have redress at the proper time, but don't
think there will be any use in asking for it.
This race was not only fixed by the riders, but
by the management as we'll"
The Times terms the outcome "disgraceful"
and adds that the riders who gave the exhlbi-
tion were at the end roundly hissed by the
thousands OF Ch1cagoans present.