The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-22
READING HAD 1T FIXED.
ARATaEa QUEER WAY TO WIN A RACE
An Intensely Bitter Feeling Being Stirred
Up in Sporting Circles over the Re-
suit of the Chicago Six-Day
Bicycle Tournament.

CHICAGO. May l9-An 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 apparently be no
end of comment, and may be reversal of the
result the minutest details of the affair are be-
ing sought.
The Tribune tells of the unprofessional spec
tacle as follows: "The riders were well
punched and everything proceeding smoothly,
when, at 5 q. m. an accident occurred. Reading
OF Omaha fell head-frst on the track. Prince,
also of Omaha, was just behind and had no
time to escape. In a moment he. too, was sent
sprawling Before either could get away
Knapp, the Denver man, had the good fortune
10 get one lap in the lead. The advantage
legitmately obtained was being maintained in
gallant style.
at o'clock when the band playing
Hail Columbia, and 5000 people were wav-
ing hats and handkerchiefs in the air, came
the extraordinary incident referred to. The
Omaha man, Reading all at once began
tremendous squirt. Knapp was Immediately
behind Prince and Morgan. When he discov-
cred that his much-prized lap was being taken
away from him, he made heroic effort to In
crease his speed. The Omaha man, Prince, and
the Englshman Just in front, thwarted every
effort. Morgan was in a pocket. When he
attempted a burst of speed, Prince would
promptly cut him off by forcing him to the out
wall. In vain Knapp expostulated and ap-
pealed 10 the judges as he swept by the stand.
Prince only smiled grimly. Knapp swore and
shook his tist, but without avail.
The queer spectacle of two men leisurely
holding excited third in check while
fourth, at every turn of the wheel was snatch
ing victory from conceded defeat was to the
crowd like red flag to a bull. On every side
Prince met with a storm of Kisses.
Robber,' shrieked the crowd. Shame,
shame thief, thief That may go in Omaha,
but II won't go here. yelled chorus of boys.
when Reading finally came around, neck
to neck with Prince and Morgan and in advance
of Knapp, now hopelessly behind, the kissing
became terrific. Knapp was painfully
favOrite.
"'You are a sneak, yelled the crowd to
Prince; Had it fixed, didn't you" sneered a
hundred voices, derisively
"The feeling was only intensified when
Prince, riding close by Reading patted him on
the back in brotheriy fashion
In on the dizzy are you? 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 Blake Because this is
not the time TO do it. If Prince is fouling
Knapp ne can have redress at the proper time,
but don't think there will be any use in ask
ing for it. This race WIS not only fixed by
the riders, but by the management as WELL
The Times terms the outcome "dsgraceful"
and adds: "The riders who gave the exhibit
ton were at the end roundly Kissed by the
thousands of ChIcagoans present"