The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-08
HALF THE TOWN AWHEEL.
THE COMING SPRING MEET TO BE A
CYCLING EVENT.

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gramme This Week-PrObabiIIty
of a Two Days Meet During Mill
tary Week-The Crack Riders Anx-
feus to Come Here-Savannnh's
Advantages Training Ground.
The announcement that the Savannah
cycle Club will hold a race meet at the
Wbeelmen's park on Memorial day is
pleasant news for the lovers of bicycling.
II has been a long time since there has
been a meet here, and with the present
great interest in cycling the meet should
he a bowling success.
The people of Savannah have literally
gone mad on cycling. Everybody rides a
wheel. In fact, if one don't ride one
is nobody The ladies, who were so long
IN take to the wheel, now almost equal
the men in numbers. Perhaps this fact
is accountable for the increase in inter-
est. At least, it may be said TO have as
sisted.
The Savannah cyclist is fortunate in
having so many paved streets at his dis
nosal. With Bull, Broughton and Con-
gress asphalted; Drayton, CASTOR, Hall
Jones and Henry shelled, besides several
of the streets stoned, one can reach al
most any part of the city on good roads.
holt. White Bluff, and the Ogeechee, or
run up the canal bank.
1t has been suggested that race meet
of two or three days be held during mill
tarv week 1t would be one of the
most interesting events of the week. 1t
would bring cyclists to Savannah from
Jacksonville, Charleston. Augusta, At
lanta, Charlotte, and many other cities.
There are some very fast men in this
city. and with the cracks of the other
southern cities the meet would no doubt
be a drawing card.
George w. Hines. better known in cy-
cling circles as Dixie" Hines. is. at the
De Soto. Mr.. Hines is now associate ed
itor of the American Wheelman, the
leading cycle publication of the country,
of which senator Morgan is editor. He
said yesterday that there is a very good
chance for Savannah to secure number
IF the crack bicycle riders, who want
to come here to train for the summer
races this spring. Zimmerman, Wheeler,
Banker and several others of the crack
riders have trained at the Savannah track,
and were so well pleased with the Ia
cilities and with the town that they are
DESTROYS of coming here again..
Mr. Hines says that the leading bicycle
riders are now advocating the establish
ment of a southern camping ground
where they can come with their trainers,
have a good track and good quarters and
congenial surroundings. Richmond is
making a bid for the location, but the
bicyclists prefer Savannah, those who
have never been here being desirous OF
coming because of the glowing reports
of those who have.
In order to get the crack riders to come
here, however, it will be necessary to put
the track in good condition, ana erect
that they can live on the ground. If this
is DONE Mr.. Hines says that Savannah
will undoubtedly be made the southern
headquarters of the bcyclists.
Europe will be invaded by American tall
ent in the international meet this summer.
Tom Eek. the renowned trainer, Will have
charge of the string, which will be com
posed of: John S. Johnson who holds the
worlds record for a mile standing start,
1874; Ray Mcdonald, the record for halt
mile with a start 059; G. D. Kennedy, who
made mile last season in 1:59; Pat OCon-
nor the Irish champion who made mile
on race horse track in 1855; AL Wienig
and Tony Johnson, a brother of the cham
piOn. They will remain abroad four months
and expect to return with many foreign
scalps dangling at their belts. Before their
return il is the intention of Manager Eek
to have Mcdonald and Tony Johnson
compete in some of the Olympian games in
Greece.
Arthur Augustus Zimmerman. the ''Jer-
sey Skeeter," returned from Australia last
week, after most successful tour of the
world. "Zim" was not hailed with the en-
thusiasm that he was when he returned
from Europe year ago, but MS Irienos
believe that he will yet prove that he is
still champion of the world.
This is admirable base ball weather. And
to think that all of these fine afternoons
Savannah fans might be witnessing inter-
esting games between many OF the Ma
tonal league clubs, but for the fact that
Savannah does not boast baseball park.
This is the first time in about dozen
years that the city has been without an
athletic park, and it is truly a deplorable
condition-at least in the minds OF the
fans
There is yet a probability that the fence
around the Bolton street park may be re-
built If it is a four club city league will
no doubt be formed. There has been some
talk of this already but, of course, moth
ing in the way of organization can be done
until it is definitely decided whether or
not the park will be rebuilt.
The Catholic Library Association has re-
ceived an invitation from the ASSOCIATIONS
of the same name in Augusta AMI Charles-
ton to enter a tri-club league to play Sc
ries of games for the championship OF the
three cities, and if there is park here to
play in will doubtless accept the invitation.
Several of the league teams are by this
time in the south putting in preliminary
practice prior to the opening of the sea-
son, which will be on April 10. Here Is
where some of the clubs will be: New ork
at jacksonville, Baltimore at Macon, chi
cago at Galveston, Louisville at Montgom-
cry, Pittsburg at Hot Springs, Phlladel-
phfa at Norfolk RrookIyn at Charlotte,
and Cincinnati at New Orleans. The COM
ing season in the national league is eX-
ItCleQ TO De one OF lDe uOlltSl III tiiC iiio-
tory of the league The rivalry between
the different cities is intense; every club
wants the pennant and the winner of the
flag of the season of '96 will certainly have
to trot a good heat. Last season the
minor leagues paid $1,000 TO the National
league for protection, and the natlonai
from a minor league. This year it will
only have to pay $3.50. The minor leagues
should form a strong Independent organi-
cation and have nothing to do with the
big league. 1t could blacklist players who
deserted to sign with national league
clubs, and place it's own price on players
who are in demand by the big organiza-
tlon. There is no reason whatever why
the smaller league should continue to pay
tribute to Nick Young and his associates.
ley now, as it is pronounced, and who
was released by Pittsburg to Wilkesbarre,
refused to sign for less than 1900, but the
management of the Wilkesbarre club say
ne will have to play for considerably less.
-olcoloush is an old Charleston boy, and