The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-07

Q GShRu MIN TO MAKE OuE his OWN terms and
forward them. Three weeks ago "Zimmv''
did so, sending his trainer, Troy. 10 Paris
TO talk the matter over. How well .'Slick
| Willie" as Troy is affectionately called
by racing men, succeeded is shown in
Zimmerman's acceptance. Every point
asked by Jimmy was conceded by the
Freuchmen.
Zmmermans retirement from the
amateur fold will be a severe loss to
League of American Wheelmen clubs.
The Jerseyman's appearance at a race
meet meant many thousands of dollars in
the treasury of the club conducting, the
same. Jimmy" is not only great rider
but very popular young man with
cycling enthusiasts, and he always drew
large crowds. Anticipating change of
faith on the part of Jimmy" and recog-
nizing the serious loss 1t would mean TO
| amateur cycling, it is said that the Off
Gals of the League of American Wheel
men set about to arrange plan whereby
! they could tempt the champion to recon
slider his intentions. The result of their
efforts was the creation and recent adop-
tion of class B, which permits a rider of
Zimmerman's prominence to accept a sal
airy from a manufacturing firm for riding
their wheel and enjoy all the privileges
of a professional except as to the recep-
ton of money for an exhibition of riding
| ability. The bait held out by the French
men was Oh Il more persuasive and TEMPT
ing character, however, than that offered
by the League of American Wheelmen,
and, as consequence, the idol of anna
teur cyclist will never again take part in
League of American Wheelmen COMPETE
| tions.
MAY RIDE ABROAD IN MAY.
Zimmerman's debut as professional
will probably be made in Paris next
month. 1t all depends on Troy. If the
latter arrives next Wednesday, according
to the schedule, and all ARRANGEMENTS for
the trip can be perfected in the mean
time, zimmerman and Troy will leave
for France on the l4th inst. In anticipa-
tion of a favorable reply from France
! Jimmy" has been doing little prepare
tory work at Freehold, n. J., for the
seasons campaign, and he is already
! in fairly good condition. He says he
Will require at least three weeks more
however, to get into shape for hard race.
! The balance of his training will be done
i'll Paris.
Jimmy" expressed the greatest CON
tidence in his ability to successfully cope
with the professional flyers of the old
world. He believes that his career as a
| professional will be just as brilliant as
his career as an amateur He says that
he expects by no means to have an easy
| time of it in the professional arena. u
realize" he said, "that every rider [
meet will set his heart and soul on beat
ing me, and will do his utmost to accom-
plish the feat They will not be actuated
| by spirit of malice, for 1 am friendly
with them all, but because they know
that by defeating me they win gain pres
tige and money. Being aware of this. |
will train as | never did before and do
my best to keep the cycling champion
ship in America - Whether "Zimmy's"
rosy expectations will be realized or not
remains TO be seen.
As an amateur Zimmerman made q
record never before equalled by wheel
man. He has beaten the cream of the
racing men of the world on their own
grounds in fair and square tests of super
iority. His record for last year alone
may never again be equalled During the
season he won more than 100 prizes and
beat all the cracks in England, France,
Ireland and America, and broke numerous
records.
Zimmerman and Troy will be accom-
panied on their trip to France by George
A. Banker, the ex-amateur champion
cyclist. Banker will also race for cash
prizes in France, having tired of the am
ateur field.
Although Zimmerman has accepted the
bonus of $4,000 from the Frenchmen. and
will probably make twice as much in
stakes and purses, it must not be sup
posed that his career as an amateur was
not successful in financial sense. True,
he did not receive money when he was
placed in races, but he got the equivalent
in valuable prizes. During the past sea
son he won various kinds of of valuables
representing in cash $4,000. At his home
in Freehold, N. j., he has a barn full of
pianos, enough bicycles to start store,
pockets full of diamonds, several teams
Of horses and wagons and miscellaneous
collection of medals, rings, scarfpins,
lamps, sweaters, etc. Freed from the
restraint of the members of the L. A. w.
Racing Board, he will now probably dis
pose of these prizes for many thousands
of dollars.