Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02
INCIDENTS OF THE CENTURY

The biggest century run that ever left
the city marked the closing Sunday of Sep.
TENDER this season, and the trip will go on
record as most memorable one. There
were many who did not think there would
be such a large number of riders, and in
this they were disappointed. Another
thing of interest lies in the fact that the
percentage of survivors compares favor
ably with that of any century given in any
other city, about "a per cent of those start
ing crossing the finish on time. The total
number of entrants is given at 331, while
the number of survivors is placed at 257,
which number. however, is two too many
as that number are given credit of finish
ing with the others, when in reality they
did not.
Though the run was successful as a
whole, good many of the riders became
dissatisfied with the way things were run
Ming. AT the hotel in Frederick, where the
riders were supposed to get full meal,
the dining room seated only twenty per-
sOrs at a time, and many riders were IN
able to get meal. To this fact may be
attributed the reason why few more of
the riders did not finish. The officials of
the run, or some OF them. and their friends
die not suffer. A private room was set
apart for their use. and they enjoyed a full
the patrons of the trip were struggling in
another section to get moutnful OF food.
Another thing which is causing a good
deal of comment is the fact that in the list
of survivors two names are inserted of
riders who did not finish according to the
rules of the ride. The names are those of
the chief consul and Mr.. Gensler. These
riders, on the return trip, became lost.
They came into town early the next morn
| ing, and 1t was in the nature of surprise
| to many to see their names inserted as sur
viving and entitled to medal. OF course.
| il the management desires to give them a
medal 1t Is at the expense of none of the
other riders yet Ii does not seem fair that
these two should be given a souvenir when
| there were any number Of riders who fin
| ished shortly after the checking box was
closed at this end of the line, and who were
| refused permission to deposit their checks.
| 1t is understood that the plea upon which
the two will be granted medals is that they
rode considerably over century, but this
| fact does not entitle them to a medal.
There were other riders who rode over 100
miles and will get nothing. 1t was stipulated
that medals were only to be awarded to
| these who rode the full course and COM
piled with the elaborate set of regulations
governing the run.
There were incidents on the trip sufi-
| Gent to fill a good-sized book. il all were
recorded. Some were humorous and some
were more or less pathetic. but the whole
went up 10 making q SUCCESSFUL century.
\ While there was very little dust on the
| trip, those who rode distance to the rear
| found much better riding than those In
| front. The road was quite soft in places
and before the leaders passed over it had
| not been Travelled to any extent since the
/! hard rain of last week. Between Olney
and Damascus the boys had to push all the
4 way, and there was just enough give" to
the road to make II sticky and spongy, fur
nishing the hardest kind of riding.
4 -
| 1t was hot pace from Frederick to New
| Market, returning. and quite number Of
| the riders dropped out at the latter place
| The captain Of a Baltimore club was
noticed offering all kinds of Inducements tc
i two faded members of his competing team
| to keep them going after reaching New
| Market. little ice water, Wen applied
| braced them up. and at last accounts they
were making fair time toward the city.
Between Damascus and Kempton goat
of large proportions took possession Of the
road and kept some Of the boys guessing