The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-17
WHEELMEN'S GALA DAY.
THE SAVANNAH CLUB CRLE-
BRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

The Annual Meet and Road Race in
the Afternoon and the Anniversary
Dinner at Mrs. Bannon's Last Night.
F. W. Williams Wins the Club Medal
Over a Two-mile Course-Crowds of
People Witness the Race-The Din
ner and Speeches-The Night Parade.
The Savannah wheelmen held their first
annual meet yesterday-the first ami
versary OF the club. The club run aud an
nual road race took place in the afternoon,
and the annual dinner at Mrs. Bannon's, at
Thunderbolt last night.
The club started from the De Soto at $50
O'Clock. The race started from the top of
the Cathedral cemetery hill, on the Thun-
derbolt road, and ended at the turn
off of the Isle Of Hope road, an estimated
course Of two miles. There were four en-
tries, +. W. Williams. P. A. WariDg, G..
N. Butler and j. g. Ferguson.
THE RACE.
The race was from a standing start
and push. C. s. Richmond, president OF
the wheelmen, was starter. Ferguson
got Off first, followed in order
by Williams, Butler and Warning
Ali Of the entries rode Century Columhias,
except Wariog, who rode a Humber road
racer. The race was practically no race at
all fer the first mile and half. The riders
kept closely punched and were followed by
the club, except those who had gone ahead
TO witness the finish At the beginning Of
the last half mile Williams took the lead on
squirt and held it, Butler was about eight
feet behind at the finish. Warning came in
third about twice the distance behind But
Ter, and Ferguson thirty feet behind War
ing. The time was: Williams 5:25, Butler
5:26, Waring 5:27 and Ferguson $50.
The race was won by squirt in The face
Of stiff wind. Williams was chesred as
he finished and the cheers we're not over
before every man had crossed the line.
THE DINNER.
After the race the club rode to Thunder
bole, where the anniversary dinner was
served ct s o'clock. The dining hall was
appropriately decorated for the occasion
The ia bles we're arranged around three sides.
Covers were laid for forty-1ve, and that
number sat down to the dinner President
Richmond sat at the head Of the table. On
his right and left were the officers of the
club and others. R. II. Polk, 8. NJ White
side. T, D. Rockwell. William Denhardt.
G. NJ. Butler, P. A. Waring. g. A. Greg
DRY, F. W. Williams, G.. E. Inglesby,
J. G.. Ferguson. John W. Golden, c.
H. Sawyer, r. X. Williams.
j. Mclaughlin, Jr., r. s. Colding. g. L.
Kayton, c. NJ. Rushing, j. E Grady. Jr.,
s. N. Gibson, 81. A. Wenzel, Allan Sweat,
L. NJ White, w. A. Evans, j. R. Good win,
c. W. Goodman, J. L. Meredith, G. 7,
Rogers, J. M. Adams, Richard Webb, Jr.,
A. Fl. Abrahams, D. O. Farmer, Frsder-
lex Jones, G.. L. Heller, C. s. Parks, J. W.
Mott. Jr. O., and R. H. Mobley. After the
dinner came the presentation of the medal
\ -. - n
we'll, ESQ, presented the medal in neat
speech.
THE GOLD BADGE.
The medal is of solid gold and 10 hand
somely and appropriately designed. 1t is
pendant from bar, upon which is inscribed,
Savannah Wheelmen." On a scroll
pendant from the bar is the date, 'July 16,
w" and on the badge proper, which is in
the shape of wheel, are the words, can
of the badge is artistic. Between
the spokes of the wheel which forms the
badge proper is a network OF 6ligree. 1t Is
about four inches from the bar to the pend
ant. The badge will remain the property
Of the club, being worn by the winner,
however, until the next annual race, in
1898.
THE PRESIDENTS WELCOME.
President Richmond welcomed the
Club hiln Ills upOu
it's growth during the last year. The other
speakers were Mr.. Butler, upon "The
fellowship of wheelman." Mr.. Whiteside
upon The League Of American Wheel
men," Mr.. Gregory, The press" Mr.. Polk,
Our first anniversary" Mr.. Clancy, "Our
Irish friends" Mr.. Wenzel, sour country
roads" The Mandolin Club played be-
tween the speeches. Mr.. Kayton played q
cornet solo, Mr.. Conner banjo
solo and Mr.. Ahrahams a vio-
lin solo. Following the regular
toasts we're impromptu speeches by various
members of the club. At 10 O'clock the din
ner ended, and the wheelmen mounted and
rode into the city. Forming in single fils
on Liberty street. the club paraded through
Bull, Broughton and Congress streets, and
out Bull street TO the De Soto, where it DIS
banded.
The first anniversary celebration was a
successful one. The club has been organized
year. and now hes an active membership
of over seventy, with an associate member
ship OF lady cyclists, quite number Of
whom witnessed the race from carriages