Morning journal and courier., 1891-06-09
THE wHEELmEN.

THE wHEELmEN. Brilliant Tournament of the Bicy-
 clists-The Parade In the Forenoon
 Closely Contested Races at Elm
 City Park-The Steamboat Excur.
 sion.
 The annual meet of the Connecticut di- vision of the League of American Wheel men has been very enjoyable occasion, not only to bicyclists but to many others who watched either the grand parade Of yesterday morning or the exciting race contests at Elm City park during the after noon.
 The line was formed on Temple street in the green and was headed by the Second Regiment band, which rode in big bus, in order to keep pace with the fast moving wheelmen. $
 Arthur Allen Dean, chief consul of the Connecticut division, was marshal, and Fred. M. Baily of the New Haven club was adjutant. Their aids were: 0. L. Burdett, David J. Post, A. G. Fisher, E. A. De- Blois, Calhoun Latham, E. P. Prial Joseph Goodman.
 R. F. Isbell and H. D. Kelsey, who were the pace makers, set lively gait when the parade started, which was soon after 10 o'clock. The band struck up merry tune and the wheelmen on their silent steeds fell into line, going through Chapel, Church streets and the advertised route.
 Safeties were everywhere, they were the rule and not the exception. Such is the change that year or two brings, and two years ago the high wheels would have predominated ten to one; to-day they were in the minority by greater propor- tion. The safety was overwhelmingly in the majority, but was present in every style and make. Pneumatics, with great clumsy looking tires, blown up with air, and on which the rider seemed to be nov ing without jolt or jar; cushion tired, not quite so big or clumsy, but easy and comfortable; the small solid tire, bet ter than which was not known until this year.
 In hack rode Frank Thompson, presi- dent of the New Haven Bicycle club, and the judges of the parade, William M. Fris- bic, William H. Hale, Norwich, and Charles s. Davol, ex-chairman of the na- tional racing board.
 The New Haven Bicycle club, seventy strong, in their uniforms of dark blue, presented fine appearance. Captain w. F. Perkins was in command. Some of the wheels were handsomely decorated in rib bons of red, white and blue. The Bridge port Wheel club had twenty-five men in line and the Columbia club of Hartford had twenty-two. The former made fine appearance in dark green uniforms, and the club color, yellow, foated from the cycles. The Columbia men wore dark blue suits with braid trimmings.
 The Colt club of Hartford were uni formed in drab suits with buff gloves and carried on their wheels their club colors, yellow ribbons. This club had 43 men in line and the Hartford Wheel club, which followed, A. The uniform of the latter club was gray and it's colors orange and purple. With the Hartford Wheel club were four ladies and their escorts, all mounted upon wheels. The ladies were attired in becoming costumes of dark ma terial
 The New Haven Rover Wheel club, Cap tain Smith in command, made splendid appearance. This club is scarcely year old yet and it numbers 120 member, and is one of the largest in the state.
 Following the Rovers were a club of wheelmen from Guilford and other di- visions from Windsor Locks, Meriden, Stamford, Ansonia, Danbury, South Nor walk, Palmer, Mass, Philadelphia, Spring field, Mass, Brooklyn and other places, there being about sixty in all. After these came unattached local riders to the num- Der of about sixty-five. Among these were middle-aged men, little boys on diminutive wheels and several ladies.
 J. P. Lavigne and many others had wheels elaborately decorated. After the parade the wheelmen were photographed in budy on Center church steps.
 %1,o .rl1 these prize winners: Hartford Wheel club, first prize, an engraving, for having the largest number of L. A. w. members in line; the Colt club, second prize, an engraving, for having the second largest number; the Bridgeport Wheel club, third prize, an engraving, for making the finest appearance. The New Haven clubs were not contestants for the prizes, because the meet was under their auspices.
 During the afternoon the interest cen- tered at the Elm City Driving park where the races were held. The following were some of the committees of the tournament: Saunders; starter, Captain w. F. Perkins; clerk of course, F. N. King.
 There were many spectators at the races, class gathering.
 The first event on the track was the one- mile Novice safety, for which the follow ing contestants started: Geo. Tonkin, New York; J. M. Grant, jr., Hartford, and H. D. Wolcott, New Haven. The first prize, gold medal, was won by MT. Grant, who rode safety with pneumatic tire. The second prize, silver medal, was won by MT. Tonkin. Time, 2.561.
 The second contest was the one-mile race ordinary. The three contestants were at the wire in the order named: H. P. Green, New Haven; W. H. Ballou, New Haven, and E. c. Barst, Meriden. Time, 2:574. Medals were won by Green and Ballou.
 One of the big events was the one-mile safety handicap; there were twenty-two contestants. The winner of the prize, Victor safety bicycle, was F. T. Catlin of New Haven, who was handicapped at 200 yards. Fred Herman of Hartford won second prize, alligator skin travelling bag. w. F. Murphy of N. Y. A. c. Time 2:25 2-5. This was the fastest time yet made in competition.
 The next race was one-mile open. The first prize is gold watch, prize No. 3 is Kodak camera, prize No. 3 is field glasses. The winners were: A. A. Zimmerman, New York; w. w. Taxis, Philadelphia and Mont. Scott of Providence Time 2:47 2-5. This race, which was close, caused great excitement and loud cheering for the win ner who rode Star bicycle.
 Race No. 3 was one-mile safety, state l.. A. w. championship, for the following prizes: First, gold medal; second, silver medal. There were seven contestants. H. B. Hewett of this city led at the quarter, half and at the finish; time 2:42. Fred Herman of Hartford and O. B. Larom of this city were second and third.
 Race No. 6 was one-mile 2:5O class for first prize, diamond scarfpin, value $50; second prize, pearl opera glasses, $15. The first prize went to c. F. Taylor of Cam bridge. Second prize was won by NJ. Scott Soon after the half mile had been passed a collision occurred between two Hartford nen, J. M. Wainwright and O. L. Sage. The latter was slightly injured by the fall. There were eleven starters in this class; ime BAY 1-5.
 Race No. 7, half mile safety, open.- First prize, silver shield, $75; second prize, fishing rod, $25; third prize, silver up, $15. The following were the win lers R. H. Davis of New York first; G. I. Warden of Boston second; H. J. Hall, r., of New York third; time 1:16 2-3.
 The next race, which was No. on the l core card, was the ene-mile team race for ilk flag, valued at $1OO, which was won V tho fp110uvi,c 4o4 ze