New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-12
GIVES CHASE ON A WHEEL.
n POLICEMAN OvERHAULs TWO RECK-
LESS DRIVERS AFTER AN EX-
CITING SPIN.
THEY INVITE THE OFFICER TO COME ON AND HF
COMES TOO FAST FOR THEIR HORSES
PRAISE FOR THE BICYCLE POLICE

PRAISE FOR THE BICYCLE POLICE
IN THIS CITY AND BROOKLYN.
It Is only occasionally that the bicycle police on
the boulevard have to give chase to unruy drivers
of carriages and wagons for those drivers are be-
rtnning to realize that II they want to keep out OF
trouble they must pay proper respect TO the rules
of the road. they are understood In this section
Of the country John J. ellis. one OF the oicycie
patrolmen was the hero Of little incident on the
Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon. AT $50 p m. on
that day the policeman on his whee. at seventy
sixth-st. and the Boulevard when he saw two
wagons approaching at fast rate OF Speed ana
concluded to investigate He saw In an instant That
the drivers more or less intoxicated ana ne
called to them to slow up. Their reply was a sheer
and flashing OF the horses and an invitation to the
guardian of the road 10 catch them II he could.
The wagons bowed along at a clipping pace. and
the policeman bent his back over his wheel and gave
chase In real scorcher fashion. People stopped on
the sidewalk and cheered on the racers Gilliss
wheel was going at frightful speed and II did not
take him long to overtake the drivers Gilis over
took one Of the wagons in front of the Calumet
Club house. and. grabbing the Bride with some
danger to himself. he brought the horse TO a stop
The driver continued to lash the animal. hoping TO
be able to break away from the policeman but
G!liss weight was too much for the horse, and he
gave up the struggle in trying TO obey MS prutai
master The other driver pulled up when his COM
rade was caught, and the two worthless were
marched to the police station and locked UP ior
the night. Quite a crowd OF the members OF the
Calumet Club stood in front of the house and saw
the chase and they applauded the policeman heart
Ny as he marched off with his prisoners
The drivers were taken before Magistrate Fam
mer at Yorkvil.e Court. yesterday The Magistrate
gave the men a severe lecture, and after ming
them s. each allowed them 10 go. as they SAID II
was their first offence The drivers were August
Smith, twenty nine years old. Of No. go Eleventh
Vt
No. 100 West Fifty third-st Both are IN tne employ
Of Robert HILL grocer Of No Ss West es1e fIffg -
the bicycle the next time they one, and particu
larry so if there is policeman on the machine. q,
Greater SewTork looked upon the bicycle and
cluded that il could be used by the Police az tines
ton ton in Keeping with the times Brooklyn was frs,
in line. and when the wheel coppers as they We're
r time the victims OF mpGn ,Ss nd
me S nd # we'll and ACCOMPLISHED much more than
had ever been accomplished before Att. .,... =.
Then the Police Commissioners IN this city DE-
oided 10 follow the example of Brooklyn, and police
mounted on bicycles were assigned to duty on 'ns
spring gets 0. the lap Of winter ana the outdoor
riding opens in earnest Chicago da no, fe p 5ne
her she decided 10 wait before putting her police on
Ss aes noS 'e iH found that
tropos Of America knew What !, was taking a6ou,
Frequenters Of the boulevard and Eighth7aySe We up
after the wheeling police began to patrol that much
used thoroushfare Reckless driving decreased ana
those fends who delighted 20 offer incsntes 10 the
riders OF wheels found that they had new enemy
70 cope with whom they did not dare 70 take liber-
ties with. Then these mscreants found that throw
ing broken bottles and tacks INTO the streets was
NOT all that II cracked up to be- and they con-
cuded 10 find amusement in some other direction.
A well-known citizen. IN speaking about the o.,
cycle and the which II was being put. said
yesterday: There Is telling where this bicycle
enthusas m Is going end. 1t Is beginning 10 look
as II il won't be long before II will he considered
penal offence Cor d man to be found without
wheel"