The San Francisco call., 1895-11-04
PACED BY THE ELEMENTS,
Cyclers in the Park Try to
Keep Ahead of Shower
of Hail.
Boatrace on Stow Lake-Ouail and
Wild Birds Disappearing.
Accidents.

The morning shower yesterday was sue
ceeded by few hours OF struggling sun
shine and that was enough to delude the
members of the Park band that it would
be clear, ard II also induced many to go to
the park and many cyclers Of both sexes
to venture out on the road. Att o'clock.
while the sun was shining through rift
in the clouds and giving promise of a
pleasant afternoon, there were dozens OF
wheelmen and wheelwomen on the main
drive of the park, westward bound and
needless OF the approach OF an immense
black cloud from the southwest.
Onward it moved, and, as the edge of it
was over the speed track, there came down
a few gentle drops OF rain-''a sprinkle to
lay the dust, cried out merry cycler in
bloomers-but soon the drops increased in
size and the merry cycler and many others
who were near her faced about, heading
for the cycleries or some place of shelter.
One OF the vheelers attired in suit of
blue and wearing 4 calla lilly for an en-
blem on his sweater, who declared that
he 'knew something about California
weather" ." called out, "Scorch or you II get
doused by the bucketful." Hardly mad the
warming been given before the drops from
the great black cloud came larger and
faster and then down came hailstones that
pattered on the backs of the riders.
Then came the most extraordinary race
OF the season, q race between the cyclers
and the elements the former doing their
best to keep ahead of the cloud and the
sauting rain and hail coming down mer-
cilessly upon those who were caught in the
center OF il.
Those VINO knew how TO scorch kept
ahead of the wet but those who were not
so "a ~ ~
will not forget for some time.
Those who beat the showers were happy
and smiled at their unfortunate fellow
riders who were caught in the wet.
The members of the Park band were on
hand TO play, but there was no audience
and they were dismissed.
Speaking In reminiscent mood l. c.
Coggln, the manager OF the band said: :
I'VE have played $50 concerts in the park.
When these concerts were started, with
only twenty-four musicians, it was thought
they would not be success, but | had g.
different notion of the tastes OF the peo-
pie. | felt satisfied that the people in
spite OF all that has been said, were lovers
OF good music, and these concerts have
proved it. l hope that an extraordinary
programme will be prepared for the one
thousandth concert.
During the afternoon there was race
or STOW Lake between members of THE
CALL Cycling CluD in light boats In one
boat there were Samuel Foltz, John David
son and Fred Volz; in the other Thomas
+. Boyle. Ernest Helmore and George Hell
more. Nolz and George Helmore were
coxswains for their respective boats, while
Davidson and Boyle were stroke They
rowed mile, the winner-Boyles boat
coming in length and half ahead in 51%
minutes, "the best time ever made on the
lake. said Louis Orinus, who acted as
tlmekeeper.
Patrick Higgins, member of the I'm
perial Cycling Club and an employe of the
Overman Wheel Com pany, was coming in
on the main drive at a fifteen mile gait
and when abreast of the '49 camp at
tempted to make a short turn on the curve
in the road. In doing this his wheel went
one way and he another, landing on his
head and losing consciousness. Beyond a
few bruises on his face he was not in jured
A. Trim of 619 Post street was knocked
down by runaway team in the park in
the morning and taken TO the Receiving
Hospital for treatment. He was badly
bruised.
Quail and other wild birds that were SO
plentiful in Golden Gate Park two wears
ago are disappearing. II do not know
what has become OF the BIRDS said
Acting Police Captain Compiler yesterday.
''but they have not been so plentiful as
they used TO be before the Midwinter Fair
was here. The noise and the great crowds,
no doubt, drove them away, and when
they got outside the park they were killed