Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-08-29

-em had to exert a great deal OF
strength in their exercise. In those
Says they were bent on speed over Pc
destrianism, and worked hard to push
their wheels. To-day, however, the
bicycles are very light, and it is really
easier to propel them than it is to walk
long distances
When the velocipede came here from
France, the capital city was unprepared
for it. Our streets were cobble-stoned.
They were either muddy when wet, or
full of ruts when dry. Hence the We
locipede became popular in all other
cities before the people here undertook
to use them. But, with the develop
ment of our beautiful CITY, with its
hundreds of miles of smooth concerted
streets, the modern bicycle has become
popular. Men and women use the wheel
nowadays, and many a family has dis
carded the old horse and buggy for the
silent steed. The introduction of cable
and electric cars, supplemented by the
popularity of bicycles, have combined
to drive horses out Of the market, and
they are SO cheap to-day that almos+
any man of moderate means could at
ford one; but the wheel is generally
preferred.
We have many visiting clubs of bicy
clers from all parts of the country
every year, and our city is properly as
well as popularity known as 1.-The wheel
mems paradise" The smooth asphalt
pavements in all parts of the city make
the best possible roadways for wheels,
while the wide streets give plenty of
room, and the usually mild weather
81
| almost any season of the year. Rain
rolls off of our streets so rapidly that
| within half an hour after a shower
they are as dry as ever and glittering
as glass. The roadways leading into
| the country are SO carefully macadam-
lied and so heavily rolled that there
| is never any mud to speak of, and the
only time when it is impracticable for
| bicyclists to be out is during the very
brief periods when snow is on the
! ground. It is easy to wheel to the sol
diers' home, and there. amidst the
trees, there are miles of hard roadway.
Over hill and through dale, past monu-
ments, brooks, lakes and over bridges,
the young men and women spin from
early morn till dewy eve, without let
or hindrance.
|
and one may go into any of the ex-
ecutive' departments during business
| hours and see the courts and basement
walls lined with bicycles belonging to
the clerks. Ladies as well as gentle
men use them as horses used to be
driven from their homes in the morn
ing to the departments, and back to
their suppers when the light labor Oh
each day is over. At almost any hour
Of the day or evening these flying vehi
clcs will sweep past, like swallows
Swimming the surface of a pond Min.
listers, clerks, letter carriers, business
men, messenger boys, all use them, and
can make the distance from the capitol
to the treasury in three or four minutes
leaving street cars and herdics far be
hind. The district messenger and tele
graph boys cannot go to sleep on Their
errands now, their bicycles keep then
| awake. Moreover, the managers know
exactly how long boy ought to bc
gone on an errand covering a given dis
lance; and the boys must push theil
pedals in order to keep pace with The
inexorable clocks.
Some wonderful and daring feat
have been performed in this city b.
expert cyclers. Many of them have
been foclbardy, perilous, unnecessary
and worthy of condemnation for thei
hazard; but, having been accomplished
they are noteworthy. For example
the marble steps leading to the east o.