The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-05-25
POPULAR PASTIME
The Interest in Wheeling
Has Increased in
This City.
TARGET N GUN.
Excelsior Marksmen Compete for
Medals-Athletic, Baseball
and Ring Notes.

Wheeling has grown so rapidly ID pop
ularity that the bicycle has ceased 10 De
regarded simply as a plaything, Due is
looked on now as almost a necessity.
Thousands of wheels are now used purely
for business purposes. The riders can
travel more rapidly than on foot, ana IL
has numerous advantages over the hofse'
In many cities and towns the enterprlsing
merchants have provided wheels for their
messengers and clerks to facilitate the de-
livery of goods and taking of orders, Rnda
large saving of time has been effected.
There has been little encouragement
offered in this city, yet the wheelmen are
increasing rapidly i'll numbers. ihe
introduction of the pneumatic tire winch
overcomes the discomfort and objection
of a Journey owe rough pavementS mas
done much toward exciting interest," IA
wheeling as q pastime, The condltlon OIL
the streets preclude its general use TOT
business purposes here. The increase OF
Wheelmen will however lead to ademand
for better streets that cannot De e0noreu;
In a few years the avenues Will
have a level surface, and they VIII ne
covered with men. women n children
OH wheels.
One of the organizations that will eX-
cite a powerful influence In bringing
about an improvement in streets VIII De
the Palma Club. Its wheeling division
will organize tonight with over Sixty
members. The number of charter mem
pers will prove that the wheel IS q popu-
lar institution. and it is a safe est1-
mate that not more than a dozen or
its members are riders. The others realize
the advantages of knowing how to proper
a bicycle not alone as a source OF amuse.
meut. They intend having plenty OF
sport, but they feel that it will
shortly come into general USE, ana
it will be necessary to ride and pc
able to ride fast to get ahead OF bust
ness rivals in profitable transactions
How small would be a merchants chance
of driving a bargain If he had to depend
on the horse car or wait until his carriage
arrived from the stables to reach a certain
point, If the roads were good and his COM
petitor had a wheel? The wheelman
would have the contract made and signed
before his rival arrived.
The several wheelmen organizations in
this city and county welcome the estao-
lishment of the Palma bicycle branch
and hope that soon the wheelmen Will be-
come so numerous that their claims can
not be ignored.
Captain Will Starrett, of the Jersey City
Athletic Clubs wheeling contingent, Is
happy over the movement in the Palma
Club and predicts many happy and jolly
runs with the hi drivers of the downtown
club. 1t will bring about a stronger fra
terual spirit, and will greatly benefit the
two organizations and increase the pros
perity OF wheeling. 1t will he an advant-
material.
The Jersey City A. G. is now preparing
O record of its members. An accurate
list has not been kept. Its officers are:-
Captain. William r. Starrett; First Lieu
tenant. Edward M. Field; Second Lleuten-
ant, Lew Schemerhorn: Color Bearer. A.
l.. Clements, Jr. The division is growing
rapidly and many new riders have re-
Gently purchased wheels. The bicycles
have been SO numerous that they will ask
the club officials for additional room.
The division will on Saturday next have
a run to Passaic. The start will be at
three o'clock from the clubhouse. The
following runs have been arranged for
the Saturdays In next month:-June 4, to
Englewood; June II, Plainfield: June
IS; Coney Island; June 25; Hacken-
sack. Some Of the members talk
of a trip to Berkshire Hills. They
will start next Saturday and return on
Tuesday. The Division will meet on the
second Monday in each month.
Charley Kluge will take part In the
twenty-five mile Dad race at Irvington on
Decoration Day will make an effort to
again hold the record. His time was the
best over the course for several sea-
ago by the fleet wheelman, Murphy, of
the Kings County Wheelmen. Kluge will
probably wear the j.. G. A. G. colors. He
is also a life member of the Hudson
County Wheelmen. and being a Palma
Club member. will take al active interest
in its wheeling division.
The Jersey City A. G. regrets the loss
of a valuable member of its wheeling de-
partment, DR.. Kindergarten Shone. He
has moved to Orange, but will continue
on the active roll of the club and remain
active in operate and dramatic company.
Ex-Captain Scudder, who sprained his
ankle while going to church on Easter
Sunday, is again on the wheel.
Thu Hudson County Wheelmen have
been quiet recently. The club runs AVE
brought the members and the orgauiza-