The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-11-19
RARADIsG wHEELmEN
Hic, cIes Decorated wI,h Ianterns-e7o
Men In Iiue- -PrIxrs Awarded.


the finest, bicycle parade last night that
has ever been seen here. About 275 men
were In line. The decorations were pret-
tier and the number that turned out far
surpassed that of any previous parade
Several women with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
wheels were in line.
Long before the parade started the
streets over which it was to pass were
crowded with people. They expected a
brilliant display and they were not dis
appointed.
This immense crowd greatly interfered
with the wheeimen and nearly caused
several accidents. The people, as soon
as the parade began to pass, crowded out
into the street. hardly giving the wheel
men room. Some of the men with the
large canopies had to stop, get off their
wheels and push the crowd back before
they could proceed. The people could not
see any better by crowding out into the
street, but could have seen as we'll from
tho curbstone.
The parade was to have started from
Washington street bridge at 1880 o'clock
but 1t was $40 before the order to move
was given. This delay was caused by
the trouble some OF the men had In get
ting to the starting place with their
decorated wheels. From a square or two
off 1t looked as IL fairyland had been
moved to the bridge. 1t was abaze with
light. every color OF the rainbow bsing
represented. The lanterns suspended
above the wheels swung in the air like
balls of fire, and the least movement of
the wheels had the same effect as a great
collection of fireworks would have had
they been put of ON the bridge. The
light seemed to cover the bridge from
side to- side. as well from end to end
Everything seemed to move together.
Captain Kirk with his aids, Howard
Shuster, Elwood HILBERT and Vance
Thomas headed the procession. Then
came the ladies' with their escorts.
II there had been a prize for the best
dressed and attractive woman. Mrs. Will
liam E. Bruce would have taken 1t. She
was dressed in white China silk and wore
a gilded cap. She was greatly admired
cycle Club, under whose auspices the pa
rade was given. followed. This club had
this prettiest decorations. There were cano-
pies. boats. anchors and many other hand
some designs.
Frank Chapman's wheel was a novelty
and showed much mechanical work. By
clever device he kept four bicycle
wheels covered with tinsel moving back
of him and over his head. 1t was greatly
admired. Nothing like 1t was even seen
here before.
George Stevens rode under a large can
opy made of handsome cloths and rib
bons. No part of the wheel could be
seen for bunting and ribbons and flowers
Suspended above and in front OF the wheel
was a white dove. William Bowers.
dressed in white. rode under a light green
and pink canopy. In front were the let
ters, wv. b. c." Walter Marvil of Chas-
ter was dressed to represent Robinson
Crusoe in a suit made of corn husks. He
carried an umbrella made OF the same
material.
j. A. oliver was dressed to represent
Santa Claus. He carried large bag of
toys and distributed peanuts. Another
man. dressed as Uncle Sam, rode a wheel
Handsomely decorated, on which was in
scribed "Cuba and Liberty" Luther John
son looked we'll. There were a number OF
burlesques.
George Lockwood rode a donkey fast on
his wheel. 1t was very natural. He was
dressed as a plantation negro. @. De
Haig, dressed in white bloomers. rode be-
hind an old negro woman, carrying two
negro babies. Several other men carried
doll babies, while some had live babies
sitting on their wheels. John Morris.
dressed in a fantastic costume. had several
tin pans fastened to a rope dragging be-
hind his wheel.
The junior riders. who rode in the second.
division, looked well. They were in charge
of !. s.. Bullock, w. Z. Linton and ]. N.
Robinson. The Chester Bicycle Club had
twenty-five men in line and looked we'll.
They were dressed in the colors of the club.
red and blue. The Warwick Cycle Club
presented a fine appearance, as did the
Barnes Club. The men In the latter club
wore white duck trousers and dark coats.
The Delaware and West End clubs also
made a good appearance.
The houses along the line OF parade were
decorated. the most noticeable being Job
II. Jackson and Edward Melchoir. The re-
viewing stand was at Eleventh and Wash
ington streets. The judges were Mayor
Jefferis, Lewis Sasse and w. s. Hilles.
After the parade the prizes were awarded
as follows: Best decorated wheel, George
Stevens, w. B. c.; second. Walter Maryll.
Chester Bicycle Club; most comical, George
Lockwood. Delaware Bicycle Club. The
prize for the child having the best deco
ratIons was awarded to the boy dressed In
the Mexican suit. His name could not be
learned. The judges gave another prize
to Alfred Wade for his comicai decora-
tlons. The prizes will be awarded at the
clubhouse tonight. In the report sent to
the club by the judges was the following.
after naming the prize winners:
We would also make mention of the fol-
lowing persons, whose names were consid-
cred In connection with the awarding of
prizes. but for various reasons were not en-
titled to the prizes awarded: Frank Chap
man. Henry Walker, William l.. Bowers
and J. A. Oliver. We also desire to con-
gratulate YOU upon the success of the pa
rade and the uniform excellence of the
displays.