The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-08-14
A LINE OF DANCING LIGHTS.
sIcycIists Ride on Decorated wheels
Through Crowded Streets.
ANevei and Pretty Spectacle Given
by the WheeImen.


Inc lantern parade last evening was an
entire success. From start to finish all went
smoothly, and with surprisingly small
number OF accidents. In fact nothing at all
serious happened along the route. OF course
lanterns would occasionally 90 out, but none
caught fire as might have been expected
1t was great event for the wheelmen of
Portland. and popular feature with the
people of the city, judging by the large num-
bers which greeted 1t on every side. APP
plause was frequent. and in all quarters as
the gayly decorated wheels, from every one
Of which dangled from two to a dozen
Chinese lanterns. proceeded on their silent
| course, expressions of establishment were
many and enthusiastic. An event calling
| out such crowds has not been seen here for
long time, and the occasion brought to
| mind vivid recollections of campaign torch
| light parades, only 1t was more unique.
| Cycling will be given good impetus by this
| interesting spectacle,
A few minutes past eight Capt Hannaford
| gave the order, and the wheelmen started on
the somewhat difficult task of riding adorned
bicycles, which, the public may not know, is
about twice as hard to do as to guide clean
wheels. High street was crowded with peo-
pie and in Congress square they allowed just
room for the wheels to pass through. The
club house of the Portland Wheel Club was
tastlly decorated with flags and many Ian
terms. In Deering street a number of houses
were Illuminated. The cyclers did not here
ride In quite so good line as later in the pa
rade.
The slight rise up State street to Congress
was rather hard riding, the road being very
| damp. Arrangements had been made with
the Street Sprinkling Co. not to wet the
streets In the afternoon over which the
parade would pass, butthe most of the streets
were actually muddy, giving the impression
that they were sprinkled just at dusk. On
Congress street Mr.. Geo. A. Harmon dis
played red fire. The ride over the asphalt
pavement was the best pant of the route for
| the cyclers. A halt was called on Congress
street and extinguished lanterns relighted.
The participants then pushed their wheels
up Bramhall street toVaughan, on account of
the incline
On the Western Promenade 1t was hand
some sight as the dancing lights came rapidly
| up West street, and again as they circled and
countermarched on the broad roadway A
crowd OF people were there to look on. Chi
nese lanterns were displayed at Hon. A.
Titles residence.
There were several Nominations on Bow
dom street, among them being the houses of
l.. A. Cloudy, President j. G. Stevens of the
Wheel Club, l.. M. Clark and 81. l.. Hough-
Il tax, nd l,1., Ioo~
from the spectators.
Thomas street also presented an animated
appearance, some of the Examinations being
by Postmaster Briggs. Mr. Strout and Frank
Q. Woodman. Mr.. F. I'll. Fassett displayed
lanterns on Pine street. The countermarch
on Emery street was witnessed by a large
crowd and several houses were lighted up on
all floors. On Spruce street a gentleman
tired number Of rockets. AT Mrs. Glover's
on State street. led fire was displayed and an
enthusiastic crowd was congregated in Long
fellow square. 1t was nine o'clock when
the boys dismounted at the club house. Ex-
cellent lemonade was there dispensed to all
who had been riding.
There were 63 decorated wheels In line and
numbers of others skirmishing about.
Among the most noticeable was Mr.. Fred
Berry's wheel, which was made to quite
closely represent a two-masted vessel with
cross-trees. bowsprit, etc. The boys styled
| 1t the Baltimore" High up was a trans
parency with "P. w. c." upon it, Carl
Houston had lanterns and crosspieces ingen-
lousy arranged. Chas, ID. Alexander's
wheel was made to represent a full rugged
yacht, which it did excellently. The bow
spirit and the many ropes were all there,
while Mr.. Alexander was dressed in the rig
| Of sailor. The mast extended u feet into
the air and from the top streamers Of all
colors of the rainbow ran to points in the
rear. 1t was an artistic decoration. Mr..
Walter Whitney had fastener to his ''orci-
nary" large pine tree surmounted by flag.
Being member of the Pine Tree Club, the
design was very appropriate. A. W. Pud-
dington and Ed Hall rode side by side and
successfully kept high in the air an enor-
nous lantern four feet tall, Long fish poles
were fastened to the head of each machine,
and these poles tied together at the top.
From the center Of this connection the large
lantern was hung. The boys are to be con-
graduated on manipulating such a tandem
over the route without trouble.
Forest Ames made his wheel look hand
some with variegated crinkled paper. Wal
ter Robinson had an unique Japanese decora-
tion. over which was spread a parasol.
Howard Breen had in the air colored paper
circle, which perhaps represented the Fair
field track on which he will race Friday.
Warren West had patriotic paper on his
wheels and an enormous parasol spread over
his head. Some of the other wheels worthy
OF notice were those of FL. B. Hart, Ralph
Merrill, j. E. Marrett, F. l.. Norris, M. d.
Hanson, Ed Hawkes. and John G. Stevens.
Bunting was woven among the spokes of
many wheels, making fine effect when in
motion.
Messrs. j. G. Stevens, FL E. Tobie and c.
A. Dunlap were the judges to decide on the
Lest decorated wheels, and, after consulta-
tion at the club house, decided that the prize
for the best looking safety should be award
ed MIR. c. d. Alexander for his yacht design,
and for the best decorated Ordinary" Mr..
Walter Whitney was selected as the man to
receive the prize. The prizes have not yet
been purchased, but will be shortly.
About five years ago a similar procession
was held in this city, but in size it was not
more than half as large, nor was 1t half the
success Of the one last evening. 1t needs
but this statement indeed any argument
/ Is necessary-to show how wonderfully
cycling has developed within the past few
years. Then high wheels were all the rage
the safety had not appeared on the market,
and riders were thinking the dangerous
"ordinaries' about perfection. Now, there
is an entire revolution of ideas, and "ordin-
aries" are deemed too risky for pleasurable
riding. In addition ladies are now looking
toward the sport with longing eyes, and in
this direction the future undoubtedly has
surprising developments In store.
Cumberland County Pomona Grange