The evening times., 1896-07-29
sALVAT|ONIsTs ON WHEELS
Bicycles viii Be Supplied
Members of the Army.
NEW MOVEMENT rs POPULAR
Capt. blanche Cox Introduced the
Idea, andShe Claims L hat 1t G realty
Facilitates Their Work-Pian Is on
Foot 90 Form a Bicycle Brigade.
Money Is Needed.

ALI the world is awheei, and the latest
acquisition to the long procession of those
whose means of locomotion is "a la bike"
is the local contingent OF the Salvation
Army.
strangest OF all, perhaps, is the fact
that it Is not the lads, but uhe lassies who
first used the bicycle fos spiritual and
religious work. A few evenings since -
crowd Of about 200 persons were congre-
gated about the dragons head fountain, at
the junction of Pennsylvania avenue and
Seventh street, listening to company Of
pryates from the army ranks, when q
trim little woman, dressed in the familiar
soldiers garb, rode gracefully up to the
gathering. Dismountng and reclining her
silent stced against a tree, she entered
the speakers space and took an active part
n the meeting.
she was Capt. Hill, the first aid TO Staff
Captain Blanche Cox, who is also the pos
SCISSOR OF an up-to-date cycle, and knows
how to ride 1t.
INTRODUCED BY CAPT. cox.
Staff Captain Cox was the first Saliva
ZIONIST to introduce the wheel in this city
among the members of the army. She is an
expert rider, and would no doubt have cap
tured prize had she consented to partici.
pate In the recent big bicycle parade. Her
home is on street, in lexington, and
every day she rides into the city to attend
TO her duties.
One evening last week she and her fright
nand man." as she styles Capt. Hill, who
resides with her, were seen scorching down
New York avenue at break-neck speed. It
seemed that Capt. Hill had conceived the
idea that size could best her superior Off
Ger in trip into the city, and a race was
arranged. At Seventh street, where they
were ecompeiledto pace. the two
were neck and neck. 1t was plain neither
had walkaway, and the contest was de-
cided draw.
AS a rule, however, these soldiers do
not use their wheels for worldly purposes.
They do not own them for sport, and have
never been known 10 go hiking with young
men. Their duties in visiting the poor and
sick call these noble Christian workers
TO all parts of the city, and their cycles have
been found to be of Invaluable service in
promoting their labors. Car fare, which
would amount to a considerable item, is
thus saved; beside the riders are enabled
10 cover larger territory, and their work
is augmented in many ways.
So successful an ally has the bike been
, moveneDt on foot among the leaders TO
to these veterans that there is now a
| movement on foot among the leaders 10
form bicycle brigade. The popularity Of
the wheel was at once manifest as soon as
:iis suggestion was made, and volunteers
were numerous.
A SALVATION RIDING SCHOOL.
Recently the eIlipse, at the White Lot,
| has been the scene OF a Salvation Army
| riding school. The male soldiers have
been pressed into service to teach their
fair comrades, and hold them on the wab-
bling wheel, and such time as they have
experienced has been quite variation
from the routine of army life.
| Among those first to master the ma
chine were two English lassies vino have
been in America less than two months and
| who are stationed at headquarters.
The only hindrance now to putting on a
mounted squad Of Salvation Army SOL
diers to fight the vices of Washington
is the lack of funds. The soldiers live
| economically and on a sort OF cooperative
plan.
Yesterday a company Of cavalry left
| Washington Grove, where the camp meet
ing has been in progress for the past ten
days, and will make a two months inva-
sion of the Old Dominion. As soon as the
bicycles can be procured, their numbers
| VIII be reinforced from this point, and a
| religious crusade continued all through the
State. Camp will be pitched at every way
; side town and crossroads, and here the
gospel will be preached. For this reason
every effort is being made to secure the
wheels at the earliest possible date.
Mrs. Charlotte Smith, in her crusade
against the bicycle, has not met with a cor
dial reception in tie ran.s OF the Saliva
ton Army. They are the first to shun even
tie appearance of evil in any form, but, as
one Of the lieutenants expressed it, she did
not believe the wheel to be one of the forces
of evil. .
THEY WILL NOT WEAR BLOoMERS
THE wheel, ,''said one of the new lieuten-
| ants, who has come here to take the place
of Lieut.. Briscoe, "may be used for harm
as well as good. Mrs. Smith might much
better use her influence to eradicate this
vices of this great city. which are every
where TO be found. and allow the bicycle to
remain.''
at is one of the. most harmless of al
amusepents, though We don't use our
for that purpose, but merely because we
find it OF such great service In our work
This lady will do more harm than good ii
her attempts TO redeem the fallen of ths
world In any such manner"
The soldiers do not think Of wearing
bloomers. Their skirts are made short
but they do not wear leggings, and cling
to the general street form of dress which
they have always been wont to wear