The evening times., 1896-05-26
WILL BACK THE BlOOMfRS
Rev. Mr.. Winchester FaV5rs The
Rifu.cated GaIin 3nt.
HAS BUILT A CYCLE TRACK
1t Is Sixth of Mile In Circumfer-
ence and Twelve Feet Wide-The
Parson Man with Many Irons in
the Fire-Forms Three Wheeling
Clubs-Thinks Well of boomers

Middletown, y. Y, May 26.-Rev. Charles
NJ, Winchester, pastor OF the Free Christian
Church, OF this city, is happy. His bicycle
track for bloomer-wearingm men and women
is an assured success, and has been so well
advertised that he is receiving letters
from all parts OF the country on the sub
ject, some of them complimenting, some
ridiculiDg a nd some with an eye to business
Parson Winchester came to This city about
twenty years ago, and as a Temperance
advocate, he reformed nearly all the men
in the city, and had all the ministers dis
missing their congregations Sunday nights
that they might attend his services. Az
time passed the ministers changed their
opinions of the temperance divine, but n1t
until he bad drawn way from them con
gregation of several hundred people.
He next became a business man with
wealthy hackers, and found time and op-
portunity to preach three times Sunday,
bold prayer meetings twice a week, aud
carry on the duties OF a real estate agent,
sales agent for spring bed company,
member OF the Masonic order, Royal Tenn
plars OF Temperance, Equitable Aid Uuios,
chaplain OF Phoeuix Fire Engine Companr,
and OF General Lyon Post, G AR.
IN A DELIGHTFUL LOCATION.
DR.. Winchester's ventures were all Sue
cessful, and be is now well To do His last
scheme is the purchase Of II acres OF land
IN the western end of the city, overlooking
the State Homeopathic Hospital grounds.
A lake covering twenty acres adjoins is
anda grove covers his tract. Mr.. Winchestes
was found today at the new track which
he has built.
Come out here" said he, when the OBJ
!ect of the visit was explained, until I
show you something. Now, there is The
best bicycle track outside of Manhattan
Field to be found in the State OF New
York. It's sixth of mile in circumfer-
ence and twelve feet wide. Three clubs
have been given the privilege of using the
track, and they are designated as the
Red, the White and the Blue Clubs. Tia
Red club is composed OF men, the While
of ladies and the Blue OF youths and chill
dren. These pay small amount monthly
20 keep the track in shape, and TO have
il reserved exclusively for them at certain
hours.
THE members of the clubs will wear
boomers, of course-all sensible people
wear boomers in riding. What louSs
worse than woman with skirts flying
PIP in the air every time the pedals re-
volve or a gust OF wind meets her?
ADVOCATE OF BLooMER COSTUME.
II won't say that we win restrict the
ladies' exclusively TO boomers just now,
but think they Will all want to wear
them in this quiet retreat
Winchester was asked if he was meet
Ing with opposition from members of his
church, but he evaded the question, say
ing: I'm getting letters from out Of
town people. Here's one" 1t was from
the office of NJ. G. Place, Philadelphia, and
was as follows:
Dear Sir: Inotice an article in an even
ing paper where il states that YOU VIII
not allow any female cyclist to ride her
wheel on the bicycle course at Columbia
Park without her willingness to den the
boomer costume. think il an excellent
| :dea, aud hope you VIII carry il cut. In
my estimation, it is the only proper
costume for ladies desiring the pleasure
| of wheel, both fer comfort and elegance
I am a great advocate of aud believer in
| the boomer costume, and hope You VIII
meet with great success, as it may be the
means of waking up some of our American
ladies' to proper Dress
A large dancing hall, bowling alley
and tower are being erected, and a big
| wagon of the all-night lunch variety and
| bearing the name, White House Cafe"
Is being prepared for the exclusive uss
of women bicyolsts. Here they can don
the boomers aud check their wheels II
they like.
The minister's plan, while it is causing
some condemnation from members of other
churches, seems likely to become popular
with the riders here, as the police have
restricted their speed to eight miles az
( hour in the city's streets.