The Portland daily press., 1890-05-31
WHEELING FOR PRIZES AND RECORDS.
Maine BIcyclists Out In Force at the
Lewiston Meet.
BoWdoin's Crew Show Water to
Boston's Crack oavsmen.
The National Game as PLAYED Yes
terday on Many Diamonds.
Especial to the Press.l


was perfect, just warm enough, and the con-
ditions were all that could. be desired. The
streets were little muddy in places, though
not enough to cause serious trouble in rid
ing. Great interest was manifested in the
gathering, the streets being lined with peo-
pie.
At the depot about 30 of the Lewiston and
Auburn club and crowd of citizens met the
York county and Portland delegations. The
cyclers rode to the Dewitt House and after
a short rest line. was formed on Franklin
street. Shortly before II the parade started
and was formed in the following order
First Lieutenant Lewiston and Aburn Club.
Mounted Police.
L. A. w. staff: Chief Consul Dow, Vice Consul
c.. D.. Batchelder. Secretary Treasurer A.
T. GnnWngs cpS President den Stevens ems Of
bury of Boston.
Mr., Mrs. and Miss York of Brunswick, E. II.
Corson and little daughter OF Rochester, N. II.
Portland Wheel Club.
York County Wheelmen.
Pine Tree Wheelmen.
Unattached Weeelmen from Belfast, Fairfield,
etc.
About 200 were in line, a striking sight,
Passing on to Lisbon street and up Main, the
line moved at varying pace, watched by a
thr0ng of people as large as that which
greets circus procession.
AT David's mountain bicycles were
stacked, and the boys maSSed on the grand
stand of the ball grounds for a photograph
to be taken. Harry L. Plummer of Curtis
d Ross's manipulated the camera.
Returning through Lewiston the wheel
men paraded in Auburn, halting at the foot
of Goff's Hill. where the hill climbing con-
test occurred. Several thousand people
were on the hill, which is little short of
grade than Portland's Clark street, and
about twice as long. The surface could not
be called excellent. Small rocks were plen-
tiful and sand lay in places aa inch or more
thick. The first half of the hill was the
toughest, tremendous steep incline. Then
followed three or four hundred feet of a
grade bit harder than State street
the very last being almost level in compari-
son with the first 1t was here that the con-
testants endeav0red to save time. A good
There were five entries.
Ara Cushman of Lewiston drew first
chance, but concluded not to attempt it.
William l.. Merrill, of the Portland Wheel
Club, had second chance. and got almost
over the tough part, when he had to stop. 1t
was a brave effort. He rode an American
Rambler.
George Turgeon of Lewiston tried next.
and amid much cheering crossed the line at
the summit His was Victor safety. He
well done. Time was 2m. 6sec.
Warren G. West, of the Portland Wheel
Club. was the next contestant, and gave an
exhibition of which Portland can be proud.
He was proceeding rapidly, and had crossed
shouted "That's the line" Supposing he
was done, West dismounted. 1t was great
shame, fact freely admitted in the crowd,
for there is no doubt he would have made
fast time, Whether the uncalled for remark
was premeditated it is hard to say. A Co.
lumbia safety was his wheel.
Frank Groves was next to aDDear on the
mountain side. He rode up in good
shape. though not quite as rapily. perhaps,
as Turgeon. The judges at the top did not
se pSsG s e snet fqf e 50
perfection safety.
: w. L. Merrill tried second time, but only
did a bit better than at first.
Warren West, on his second trial, made
remarkable showing, and with determin-
ed look pushed his Columbia for all he was
worth. The crowd cheered loudly, and
The judges called his time minutes q Sec
onds.
Groves tried a second time, reaching the
top in minutes 16a seconds.
The judges announced the award of prizes
as follows:
Manufacturing Company, to George Turgeon.
Second, field glasses, by j. W. Perry & Son. to
Third, safety head light, by A. W. Anthoiue, to
Fred Groves.
Fourth, solid gold L. A. W. badge, by H. E.
Doten, to W. L. Merrill.
There was much dissatisfaction with
the decision in regard to the winner of the
first prize. The Portland boys entered
protest In favor of West Many Lewiston
people have said they thonght he did better
than Turgeon, considering fine points.
Returning to the Dewitt House, fine
banquet was served, the only trouble being
scarcity of walters.
After dinner the judges in the hill climb
ing contest, DR.. Dow of Portland. VIM.
Stevens of Lewiston, and F. I'll. Neal of
tie between West and Turgeon on account
of inaccurately. taking the time, but prizes
were given as above. On informing the con-
testants Of the decision, they agreed to the
wisdom of it. West wanted to make an
courteousiy declined. West was at a dfsad-
vantage, as he had never seen the hill before
while the Lewiston man was familiar with
it,
Two-thirds of the boys went on the run to
Lake Auburn in the afternoon. It was a
hard pull over sandy, rutty and billy road.
Excellent lemonade was served gratis The
return trip was easier and enjoyable.
At p. m. complimentary supper was
rendered by the Lewiston and Auburn
Wheel Club at the Dewitt, which was an
1t was splendidly served.
1t was announced there would be fireworks
If the wheelmen would parade. This they
did, but little red fire was all that was dis
played. Lisbon street was made lively for
few minutes however. A driver of car
riage attempted to run down some of the
cyclers. Edgar Dow and George L. Scott,
standing on the sidewalk. saw the intention
and seized the horse by the bride, holding
him until the "road hog" promised to retire
peaceably. Some angry words were ex-
changed.
AfterwaId, the business meeting or the
League was held in the hotel parlor. The
report of the chief consul showed the pres
ent membership to be 215, a healthy growth.
He appointed j. III. Hannaford local consul
for Portland and the Preble House as the
League hotel A few minor changes were
made in the bylaws to make them conform
to those of the National League, the chief
alteration being to change the date of the
annual meeting to Labor Day in September.
A rousing vote of thanks was extended to
the Lewiston and Auburn Club for its hos
pitality.
NOTES.
On the way down a cow on the track
created quite an excitement and the train
almost came to stop.
e. B. Pillsbury's kindly face was seen
among the cyclers, as was also genial Charlie
Shannon, a member of last years European
tour. Both are from Boston.
The mounted police kept the road clear on
the hill. 1t was a tough job for the horses,
galloping up and down, and all but one sue
cumbed before the contest was finished.
Captain George AmeS deserves the hearty
thanks of the visitors. He was extremely
attentive.
Vests descent of the hill after his second
trial called forth an ovation from his Port
land comrades, who assured the world at
large that "West is all right"
@.--~x -.,- .-,ne tn NApMEIt