The Portland daily press., 1897-12-13
IT is OVER.
Scarcely Able to Stand, the Bicyclists
Finished.

Thousands Saw the End of sicxaninp
spectacle-Miller an Easy winner-
The Last Records.
New York, December 11.-One of tbe
greatest crowds that ever filled Madison
Square Garden was contained within IT'S
walls tonight. 1t had surged into the
vast ring to see Miller cross the tame a
winner of a great six day bicycle race.
From start to finish the race was one
of the most interesting ever witnessed.
and it is doubtful if ever again SO much
interest will follow an endurance con-
test.
Thousands upon thousands have poured
into the place, day after day, night after
night, until it is safe to say that nearly
10000 people have seen the remarkable
race.
The race has been q success from the
every point of view; from the sportman's
standpoint and from the business mans
standpoint. The gate receipts will
easily reach $50, 600, leaving the manage
ment good profit. Just IL men out of
the SO that started in the big bicycle race
lasted till the finish. No wonder. 1t
was heartbreaking, killing pace. All
day long they dawdled. No one could
change his place on that black score
board that has stared the poor fellows in
the faces for six long, weary days. A
few had to ride fast to beat out Rivierre
and Moore, who had places on that
board, though out of the race. Some did
it; others failed. All day long the crowd
kept pouring in. AT p. M, there was
not seat left in all that big Madison
Square Garden.
But at dusk things began to look seri-
Gus in the neighborhood of the garden.
Suddenly Inspector Brooks put in an
appearance at the head of Gordon of $50
police The garden was completely
girdled by bluecoats and they stretched
right across Madison avenue in an un-
broken line. Then came the crowd fight
ing for place. The arena was paced
with humanity, not a seat was to be had.
Bluecoats blosso,ned everywhere. They
surrounded the track; they acted as ush-
ers in every aisle.
1t was splendid sight for all but the
poor riders, who had struggled for a
week for fame and dollars. And around
and round they doggedly pedalled while
tbs crowd tried to urge them on. Slow
" the clock crawled around. 1t was
p. M, and s p. m. YEARLY poor Miller
led the van. Behind him toiled Rice
and Schinner, riding desperately at 10
miles an hour, when early in the week
20 miles an hour had been easier But
it was great race Four men-MilIer,
Rice, Schinneer and Hale had beaten
Hale's record of 1910 miles. Hale equalled
his own record at 6.57, and got floral
horseshoe in honor of it.
Miller, at the end of 1872 hours had
made 1908 miles andEfour laps, against
the best previous record of 1910 miles, s
laps, made last year by Hale. Rice, Shin
neer and Hale also beat Hale's record of
last year, their scores being 2O26 miles,
5 laps; 1900 miles, laps, and 1920 miles,
2 laps, respectively AS reward for
their week OF pain and torture, Miller
will get $500, aside from presents from
wheel and tire concerns. One thousand,
three hundred of this is the winners
share of the purse. and $500 more goes
for breaking the record.
Joe Rice's share of the purse will be
$500, while Schinneer will get $500. Hale
will receive $3.50 and Waller $50 less.
IIoroo 1vo+o c0nn. Go15op G1En. Con~o.
$l25; Enterman and Rivierre, S10O each
and Elks, $75.
With the exception of Rice, Enterman,
Miller and Schinneer, none Of the men
showed the mental effects of their long
ride. All of the men named had to be
given narcotics to quiet them. Pysi-
cally all of the riders were in as good con-
dition as could be expected. All hands
will be on hand Monday morning at the
Hotel Bartholdi to receive their hard
earned rewards.
Rivierre, the French bicyclist, who was
ordered out of the race last night by
the police, was much improved tonight.
His trainer declared that slight bruise
was all that allied his man,
Compared with other days this has been
easy for the riders, particularly for Mil
Ter, who was off the track several hours,
one of his advantages his long lead
over the others gave him, but after all
Miller has had practically no sleep dur
ing the entire six days The great en-
durance of the men is shown by the fol-
lowing table, record of their sleeping
hours and the hours they spent off the
wheel during the 142 hours:
Hours off Hours of
Name. Track. Sleep.