Evening star., 1896-07-10
EARLY MORNING Run,
Christian EnLcavorers An heel in
Soldiers Home Before Brcakfuxt

ChriStf9n EndedvorerS ardor is not
dampened by wet weather, and the threat
ening skies this morning did not prevent
a company of more than two hundred and
twenty-five wheelmen and wheelwomcn
among the visitors from assembling in
front of the White House promptly at G
O'Clock to participate in the first of the
early morning bicycle runs arranged for
by the bicycle section of the convention
excursion committee Riders from all sec
tioIs Of the country were in the party.
Texas, New England the middle states and
the west being allsrepresented by expert
riders, who did not falter at steep hills
nor lag behind because of a too swift pace.
Out-of-town riders assembled along La
fayette Square, while local wheelmen met
on 18TH street. and at O'Clock came riding
by in sections to escort their guests The
visitors were divided up among the three
divisions, and. four abreast. started out
Vermont avenue and 14th street for Whit
ney avenue and the Soldiers Home.
John G. Muir. chairman of the bicycle
section of the excursion committee, acted
as captain. and for aids to his division had
the assistance of A. B. Graves, G. l.. Beel-
er and J. T.. Kelly. H. G. Kimball 1st leu
tenant Ted the second division. with Frank
Brown. W. A. Dobson, 3r., and E. A. Crit
tenden for aids. The third division was
headed by John Stewart, I'd lieutenant, anu
c. j. Harrison served aid. The process
sion was headed by Captain Muir, Mss f.
V. Ellis, Miss G. Perry and A B. Graves.
and three were assigned to bring up the
rear and prevent struggling, c. q. Harri-
son, G. A. Hibbard and DIR. F. A. st. Clair,
the latter with all his equipments for
mending broken bones and bandaging
ounded arms and limbs should his serv-
ices be necessary. There were no aoc!-
dents however and he was not called on
to minister to any
Most Of the Washington riders carried
the convention flag attached to their handle
bars. and some had their wheels decorated
more extensively. With the fiuttering of
the flags and conspicuous display of badges
the procession, extending over five or six
squares attracted considerable attention
from those out on the streets at that early
hour. A number of EndeavorerS on Their
way to prayer meetings were passed and
saluted 10y the ringing of bicycle bells,
recognition that was returned 10y handker-
chief waving.
Just as the head of the procession turned
into Whitney avenue from 18th street
shower came up, and the riders took refuge
in the 14th street car house OF the capitol
Traction Company. There for half an
hour, while all was gloomy and rainy out
s.de the Endeavorers congregated and sang
their favorite hymns, Sunshine in My
Soul" Scatter Sunshine" and Others II.
G. Kimbal one of the convention musical
directors. leading. This was followed 10y
short testimony meeting, so that those who
chose the run instead Of one of the regular
early morning prayer meetings were not
deprived of their service, after all
After the shower had pasSed-and it
stopped raining in a short time, leaving the
gravel roads of the home in prime condi-
tion-the riders pressed on and followed out
the route planned. with the exception of
the trip to Brightwood. The delay caused
by the rain was just enough to prevent
their going over the entire course, and the
ride was limited to the Soldiers Home
grounds.
Coming home and passing through the
city's streets, about 7:I5 O'Clock, the rovel
procession was the center of attraction
among the distinguished onlookers being
members of the Chinese legation.
Tomorrow afternoon the next run under
the auspices of the committee will he
taken. one section starting at 2 o'clock
from the White House and riding out
Woodley Lane past President Cleveland's
country residence to the Tenleytown and
Loughborough roads and back by the Ridge
| road to Georgetown. At the Aqneduct
| bridge section B. having started from the
White House at 3:15 sharp, will meet the
other section. and together the riders will
go to Ft. Myer and Arlington.