St. Paul daily globe., 1895-09-09

for every conceivable purpose and
in astonishing numbers.
Just as a sort of eye opener for
the person who may think too much
boasting is being done in degard to
the fair, the G l o b ascertained
yesterday the number of cars of ex-
hibits so far brought into the
| grounds. In ordinary years fifty or
sixty cars used to be considered very
good. Last year, owing to the de-
| preston, only forty-three cars were
hauled into the grounds. Up to yes
terday morning LAG carloads of live
and dead exhibits had been unload
ed into the various buildings and
sheds.
PRACTICE ON A QUAD.
A rather remarkable mile. all things
considered, was made yesterday at
the Hamline track on a quad" The
riders were b. B. Bird, Aug Whitman,
A. c. Mertens and T. l.. Bird. With
out any practice together they went
q quarter in :27, the half in :5S, and
finished the mile in 2:O1. Just how
good this is will be better understood
when it is remembered that the rec
ord time for a quad on a dirt track
is 1853.
Tom Bird said last night that it is
the intention to put four good men
up today and go for the record. He
feels confident that it can be secured
II the track is in good shape
Charles Hofer also made a swift
run yesterday Paced by the quad he
went half in :5S on a wet track.
This would indicate that if the judges
allow pacing by the quad today state
records will be badly upset
GUN CLUB SHOOT.
Not the least important feature of
the state fair attractions will be the
annual tournament Of the st. Paul
Gun club, 'open to the world" Shoot
ing will begin promptly at $50 each
morning, commencing Tuesday. There
Will be eight events each day, except
Thursday, when there will be five
events and the contest for the dia-
mond badge representing the state
championship. This contest is open
to Minnesota shooters only, and is the
feature Of each years meet Targets
are 26 singles and u pairs, known
angles. The entrance fee is Sc. Best
score takes diamond badge and a purse
which is expected to amount to $500
this year. There are eleven special
prizes besides the badge and purse
ranging from a $40 gun to a 81 pocket
flask.
GREAT TRICK RIDER.
Charles C. fitzpatrick, the one-legged
trick bicyclist whose wonderful step
riding will be the sensational feature
OF the state fair, is a native OF Illinois,
having been born in Danville in 1866
At the age of fourteen he had the mis-
fortune to lose his right leg in a rail
road accident. Within the paSt four
years he learned to ride the bicycle,
and he is now one of the most popular
and accomplished trick riders in this
country.
on April 18, 1898, he gave a wonderful
exhibition of his skill and nerve by
riding down the west steps of the
capitol, at Washington, D. c., a feat
| never before attempted, even by a
blcycilst possessed of two sound legs.
The ride was the talk of the country,
and was one of the most dangerous
and sensational feats ever accom-
pliShed. The ride was made on a
wager with Col. Ben Lowell, of the
John P. Lowell Arms company, of Bos-
ton.
The west steps of the capitol are the
largest pair Of steps in this country
10 feet long, so feet high and . feet
wide. Each step is twelve inches
wide, with an eight-inch drop. The
steps are built from the parapet sur
rounding the capitol on the senate side
and run to the grand walk leading
through the fine grounds to PennsyI-
Vania avenue.
To show the dangerous character of
the steps, at the thirty-foot step there
is landing of ten feet; at siXty-foot
step there is a landing of ten feet, and
also another landing at the 120 step.
Fitzpatrick says: when l rode to the
top OF the steps, it was then for the
first time realized the dangerous un-
dertaking L was about to attempt and
said if it had not been for the humilia-
ton and ridicule Of my friends [ would
have backed out then and there. But
1t was too late then to think of back
ing out, so l made the second start
striking the steps 1 went down like a.
flash. Leaving the first landing, the
wheel bounded out, missing four or
i've steps, but fortunately it alighted
squarely on the tires again. By the
time / struck the second landing L
was going at a terrific rate of speed
On down rode, striking the last land
ing. l was in a dazed condition when
| struck the bottom, and was brought
to myself by the loud cheering of my
friends at the top of the parapet. Then
fully and accomplished a feat that no
other cyclist had ever dared. 1t was
dangerous and miraculous escape and
L would never attempt the ride again
under any consideration