Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-07-18
WASHINGTON TO BOSTON
Mr.. R. P. Libbey Now Making the
Journey on His Bicycle.
THE WHEEL IN MILITARY SERVICE
What He Hopes to Demon
strate by the Trial.
CYCLISTS BACK FROM ASBURY PARK

Mr.. #. p. Mbbey OF Washington, Now
Making a Test TO Demonstrate The
Usefulness of the Bicycle in the Miii-
tary ssryioe-Ffon the Capital to the ,
Hub by Wheel-Looal Cyclists Bach
From Asbury Park.
Il. p. Libbey, asmember of the Capt.
toll Cycle Club of Washington, ID. O.. and
whois Also first lieutenant OF the Wash
ington Military Cyclists, is travelling on
his wheel from tho National Capital to
Boston, his object being to demonstrate
to the officers of the District National
Guard the usefulness of the wheel in
the military. The trip Is made as an
experiment. and when Mr. Libbey
returns to Washington he will submit .
lengthy report to the officers The idea
is to ascertain what time can be made
and now much a man can accomplish
under certain conditions and over all
kinds of roads. 1t is likely that Mr..
Libbey's experience will have great
deal TO do with the future of the wheel
\ In the National Guard and also in the
regular army. 1t is being watched with
interest by military men all over the
country.
Mr.. Libbey left Washington at
O'Clock on Sunday morning on 49,
pound wheel. He took with him,
strapped on the wheel enough rations
to last him five days, when he expects
to reach the Hub He also has tent
strapped on the wheel which he uses at
night while camping out. The luggage
weighs about 90 pounds and his weight
is $50. Altogether he carries in the
neighborhood of 1876 pounds, which is
| puod load on a light wheel, 4f7+
Lieutenant Libbey arrived at Stanton
at about II o'clock Sunday night, and he
pitched his tent He was up at day
break ON Monday, aud after cooking
aud eating his breakfast started for Will
mington. He reached the city shortly
before o'clock, and by the nerest
chance was hailed by Isaac s. Bullock,
captain OF the Wilmington Bicycle Club,
Mr.. Bullock was attracted by the amount
of luggage on the wheel and inquired
its meaning. When he was acqnain ted
with the facts he invited the weary
looking traveller to take warm break
fast at his expense. Libbey did not re-
fuse, and about an hour was spent IN
A. ii. Ainscow's restaurant, at No. I'll
Marke, street. The warm meal was very
refreshing and Libhey resumed hts
/, northward journey at about 0 o'clock.
He was accompanied short distance
by President Bullock and William l..
, Bowers of the Bicycle Club.
The plucky wheelman has enjoyed
the trip wonderfully so far, and in con-
: versation with reporter of THE
. GAZETTE Monday he stated that he
y !, was no more tired than he would he on
y an ordinary run of the same length. He
looked bright and fresh and was in ex.
: cellent spirits. He will undoubtedly be
,, able to make howery report to head;
= quarters when he returns. II anybody
:. can ascertain the usefulness of wheel N
% the military service, Lieut.. Libbey "
. the man to select.
y The towns passed through between
Washington and Wilmington were Bal
imore, Havre de Grace, Perryyille, Elk
:, ton, Stanton and Newport, and afte
=, - leaving Wilmington he proposed 4
travel through Chester, Philadelphia
Bristol, Trenton, Pennington, Hope
~ we'll, Bladenburg, Plaintield, Nanaken
~ Sumerville, Bound Brook, New Market
az Fanwood, Westfeld, Elizabeth, New
II. ark, Marion and Jersey City. Al .lerse
nr City he will board the ferry for Ne'
a. York, and from that city will wheel b
81 the shortest route to Boston.
10 Libbey started from Washington with
out money, but he will find it necessar
A to seek trihing assistance from fellow
"a whcelmen along tho route in such case
., as when he strikes Il ferry. He Gu
~ subsisi, however, on the rations lie too
-, with him and can sleep in his ten
-" which will even protect him in case |
IL rain.
III III Lieut.. Libbey is well known all owe
.. ,,atr a a n
tourist. He has made several 90
mile runs and is capable Of great endu
unce.
Irt, HONE FROM AsBuRY PARK.
the Caleb NJ. Steward, Charles Simmor
SEES Perle Sisler, Frank Turner. w. R.Wie
ar RobertWier, w. l.. Strahorn, w. D. Bus
10 @. S. Rice, w. w. Rice, Elliott Harve
the Harry Lawrence, Z. l.. HILBERT al
ost Charles Fahs returned home Sund
ing from Asbury Park. Some came pa
wn way by train and some rode the emit
'sa distance, which is about 1870 miles.
ner party of the members OF the club we
i 10 as far as Trenton to meet them. Willis
her II. Robbins and William l.. Bowers 70
'me TO Trenton and return, making
OF miles. William Kirk, V. II. Pyle,
lish and Mrs. S. Wallis Merrihew are still
oe Asbury Park.
cfs' The boys report having had deligl
5 a full time. Tho headquarters of the W
mingtonians were at Smiths Grosver
Cottage, where they were hospital
Inns entertained. They had an opportun
Ali. of meeting cyclists from all oyer
mi country who were in attendance at
and annual meet of the League of Americ
,ost Wheelmen. They were very mt
hen pleased with the trip and had lots
q Of fun.
INV. Wier was entered in all the open O
left handicap events and Turner in all
Inc handicaps. In each instance the "
mt. mington men got second or third pla
in their heats, but they failed to quail
for the finals, as only the first n
rion qualified, They did not connect "
an. any prizes in consequence, but notwi
d in standing they rode remarkable well
Dina their friends were pleased. Jack
ago, taken i'll on Wednesday and he was
Ill at vented from participating at all.
,,a.S Suicide by 1nhaiing Gas.