The morning call., 1892-05-02

CANT are they not 4? And well worthy Of
club which counts among its members many
OF the best cyclists in California But The
Bay City's were not always so luxurlously
housed. as brief review OF their history
will show
On September /. 1884, number OF en-
thusiastic bicycle-riders met at the resi-
dence OF Edw in Mohrig, formed an organ
ization to be known as the Bay City
WheelmeD, and elected the following Off
GERS: Preside Mt, Edwin Mohrlg; vice
president. George L. Day; captain. +. X.
Cook. From the first the club was su ccess-
full and its membership rapidly Increased,
its meetings being held at the residences OF
various members and the social character
of the organization being developed TO q
degree exceptional with an athletic ciub.
Meetings in private residences becoming
incOnvenient, the club accepted the invita-
ton Of Joseph Little to meet at ms store on
Golden Gate avenue. After Mr.. Little re-
tired from business, in 1855. the club rented
the store, and there on February Is, 1896,
was organized the California Division or
the League of American Wneelmen. In
June, 1886. the club moved to 2O2 McAllis-
ter street, and for while the boys
were content Early in September.
1890, Is mem bers of the club. throw
ing superstition to the winds, formed
an organization under the laws OF the State.
aud thus inaugurated an era OF prosperity
which has not yet reached Its zenith dheSe
enterprsing men were c. A. Elliot, u. +.
Wetmore Il. NJ. Thompson, f. w. Ray. 5.
Pummer, j. q. Cox. L. Ii. DOane, f. X
Cook, w. Nj. Meeker. I. l.. Hill, Z. n.
Langton, G. w. Hammer and C. Z. Moore.
At a meeting OF the new association on
September q, 1890, all the accounts oil the
old club were turned over to the lncoTpor-
ated body, and with As members the Bay
City Wheelmen were born again.
Ten days after securing possession or the
associations furniture the clubrOoms were
moved to 234 Van Ness avenue, which the
house committee had fitted up IN very
comfortable manner. There recruits began
to swell the ranks, smoker" was held,
followed by party at Union-square
Hall, and in a short time the club had out
grown its new quarters. In June. 1891, the
house at the northwest corner Of Van Neos
avenue and Grove street was leased, and re-
fitted in great shape. Here everything
seemed perfect, and for several months the
members congratulated themselves on the
possession of the finest bicycle clubhouse
west of Chicago. Then rival organization
moved into a little better place. ms may
or may not have been the impelllng mo-
live, but at any rate the Bay C!tys only
few days ago made another move, this time.
20 the splendid home-like clubhouse they
now occupy at 5l9 Van Ness avenue.
The Bay City Club has always been
active in promoting races. On Ihanksgly-
Fred r. Cook won the mile race and put the
record at 3:04, where it stood for long
time. On January TO- 1880, the club gave
tournament at the Mechanics Pavilion, and
on the 27tn Of the following Mach the
clubs Of Sau Francisco and Oak land united
in Joint meet. In May Of this year Cook
covered 207b miles in "a hours, then the
best American record. A few days later
Cook went to San Jose and made quarter
mile in 81 % seconds. which beat the
worlds record. In July OF the same year
another tournament was held 10 deiray the
expenses of sending Cook TO Springfield,
Mass, 10 compete in the league races. de
was disabled by accident, but managed 10
secure several trophies.
Meantime a club had been formed in Oak
land and challenged the Bay Citys to o.
mile road race. This was run on February
%, 1856. from GilrOy 10 Menl0 Park, aud
WAS won by the Bay City team-Messrs.
Booth, Elwel and Title. The first meet OF
the California Division, l.. a. W., was held
on September Q, 1SS6-a run to Golden
Gate Park and race meet at the Bay Dis
trict Park constituting the days programme.
On this occasion several records were low
cred by members of the club. A Bay City
man won the 25-mile race over tile San Lee
andre triangle on Thanksgiving day, 1856,
aud in the following spring team from the
club almost beat the worlds record IN
country run, going to San Jose and return.
On June /, 1890, in country run from this
city TO HOLSTER the Bay City wheelmen
went through with % men, greater number
from one club than had ever completed q
hundred miles in one day In America. The
many other victories won by the Bay City
men in moro recent races ars too well-re
memhered TO need recapitulatiOn.
&c The present officers of the Bay City
Wheelmen are: President, George Z. Wet
more; vlce-president Joseph 6. Cox; Sec
retary, Horace b. Sperry; financial secre-
tary, sanford Plummer; treasurer, Fred
erick r. Cook captain. Thomas Ii. DoaDe.
The first run Of the San Francisco BIZ
cycle Club and the Bay City Wheelmen, 10
which all clubs we're invited, was postponed
on account of the rain yesterday. How
ever few Of the more enthusiastic wheel
men were On hand. and a run was proposed
to Lake MERGED. With about 20 wheels in
line they moved out the avenue aud through
the park. All went well until in the yiCin-
ity Of Lake Honda, where the wheels began
to mire down, and it was decided TO return
home via the beach, where few pleasant
moments were spent in looking over the
new house which the Park Commissioners
have erected for the convenience OF wheel
men and others stopping there. On the way
home there WAS some squirting through the
park-Langt0n, Bliss, DOane, Pixley and
Edwards doing some fast work. Late In the
afternoon q number OF the San FranciscoS
made a second visit to the park, but spent
more time in listening to the music than
riding.
DR.. Guisti ofthe San Franchises, who went