The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-12
The Bicycle Races.

The bicycle races at IL O'Clock attracted
an immense crowd on Liberty street. The
sidewalks the whole length OF the street
from curb to houses were packed, and the
police had great difficulty in keeping back
the people from the asphalt pavement
where the races took place. In their eager
ness to get a view of the events they
climbed on tree boxes, porch pillars,
electric light poles, aud verything else in
the nature of an elevation.
The first race started from Randolph
street and finished at Bull, as was the case
with all. The riders were Gross and
Wenzel OF Savannah, Baird OF Charleston,
and Polhlll aud Kendall of Columbus.
Gross rode 42.pound machine Of 66-Rear,
while Wenzel mounted a 22.pound. TO-
geared machine. The race was pretty
one. The bicyclists made pretty even
start, but Wenzel soon forged ahead and
race in 1924 Tho excitement ran high and
as the blcyclsts d ,shed along the people
cheered them to the echo.
THE QUARTER-MILE RACE.
The second race, a quarter-mile. was started
from Habersham street with the same con-
testants and wns also won by WenZel, who
ma ie it in 0:56. 1t was neck and neck
race between him and Baird TO Drayton
street. hut at that point the Charlestonian
worked hard. he couldn't regain his place.
Gross led the first quarter, but
In the second quarter Wenzel passed him.
In this race Mr.. Gross met with pain
full accident, apparently through the negli-
gence or earelessness OF Mounted Polce-
man Herman, who was stationed near the
De Soto to keep the crowd back. AS the
bloyclists came rushing up the asphalt
pavement at break-neck speed the police
man turned his horse directly across the
path of the racers. Wenzel and Baird
barely missed a collision with the ami
nal, but Gross, who was further
over, struck him at full speed.
He was thrown forward from the
machine 10 the pavement and was struck
by PolhilI's wheel, the pedal of which cut
his back about four inches across. He also
received several other scratches on the
body. Mr.. Polhill was close behind Mr..
Gross when the collision occurred, and
threw up the forward wheel OF mis- machine
in an attempt to keep it from striking
him.
ANOTHER RIDER THROWN.
The result was that he was thrown also
and received Il sprained ankle
Mr.. Gross was taken into the Savannah
Bank and Trust Company's branch de-
partment under the De Soto, where he was
attended by DR.. Comm. Aferward be
was removed TO his home on Perry street.
The shock of The fall left Mr.. Gross in a
semi-unconscious condition for while, bu t
he was much improveflsst night, and will
be able to be about In few days.
People who witnessed the accident pla ce
the blame upon toe officer for allowing his
horse to turn across the road way at such a
critical point in the race. Mounted police
men had no business on the course anyway,
and it was display of poor judgment in
detailing them for such a purpose. Il was
claimed that the officers horse was
causing him to BACK suddenly. Gross
wheel, a road rambler. was twisted in all
sorts Of shapes. The front wheel was
twisted almost double, but the pneumatic
tire remained intact.
The race was rather remarkable one for
casualties. Kendall ran over a dog at the
start, and a little son of Mr.. J. NJ. Lee of the
Savannah Florida aud Western railway had