The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-10-12

1t, each striving to go slower than the
other. Four minutes We're thus lost,
and the race really spoiled for time.
Finally Captain Hawcroft sent a mes
senger to Hamp commanding him to
exchange PAGES with Patterson. 1t is
a rule of courtesy that pace shall be
changed if the leader asks 1t. 1t is
not the law. Hamp stood on techni-
cality, and Shearer declared that he
was not going to kill himself out set
ting pace, and letting the other man
sprint in on the finish. But Patterson
might have been generous and have
tried it TO the tape once more at least,
and there have complained.
That was the second ''mishap." The
next was when Reno Johnson Rugged
Sacramento TenBosch's wheel so close
ly that he touched it and went to earth
in a heap. He got up holding his side
painfully, and admitting it was his own
fault resumed his wheel and splendid
~ rode out the relay, giving the Sac
ramento blonde boy a fine rub towards
the close The next ''mishap'' referred
to in the Reno dispatches was the Civ
ing out of gritty Nash, who was not
well, and had on the fourth mile to
signal for a substitute. The Renos
We're short handed, that was all. But
they knew that when they entered the
race, and frankly admitted it as gen.
tlemen that they are
These We're the "mishaps," not one
of them chargeable to the Sacrament
tans; every one debited to Reno mis-
management. Reno should never have
put Nash ON the track Johnson should
not have loved TenBosch so much as
to wish to embrace him and thus get
thrown. Snare suffered because no sub
stitute wheel was ready at one of the
very points where it should have been.
On the other hand, Reno said never
a word to Sacramento about "a little
hump" in the track. 1t was discov
cred early on arrival. That hump" IS
only a giant rise of fourteen feet In a
quarter of a mile. On that the gallant
Reno boys calculated for the doing up
of the Capital Citys. 1t was a good
joke. but it was not in working order
on the 10th inst. Humps in tracks and
the Capital City Wheelmen have met
before
In the next place, Reno is away up.
not only in hospitality but in altitude,
and the affable Captain Hawcroft for
got to import supply of good COM
fort breathing air for his guests. But
the Sacramentans knew he would
have done it if he could, So
there was no kicking on that ac
count. Lastly, the Sacramento boys
had ridden in sleeping cars all night
in which they did not do much sleep
ing. But they knew that would be
the case.
The trouble with Reno is, they are
not yet skilled enough in racing or
race managing. Sacramento had its
extra wheels here, there, everywhere.
1t had its substitutes clothed in gorge
Gus robe of the bath ready. ono
standing on the quarter prompt in
flash to take a place and to ride to it,
even if a mile away.
The Reno substitute was around. but
not visible enough. and it was rumored
that when called once, he had to strip
first. But that we do not know for a
fact, but that he came late on call is
true. Nash should have had him e half
mile before he got him.
So the great race was lost and won,
and all through the finest humor, the
best feeling prevailing, with host and
guest alike on their best behavior.
Stanley of Reno, who made the best
fve-miles, wore the flying o of the San
Francisco Olympics, and the story goes
that he is a Californian, and is over
the hills temporarily only But then
it was all right, for he is at present a
Remote.
hn eli ok nv
Reno Thompson. So, after ALL Reno
carried off two fine honors, and the
Sacramento men brought away victory,
and the handsome silver cup that not
one of them knew anything about until
the Capital Citys arrived in Reno; no
more than they knew about that
hump in the track that was calcu
lated to hatten them out one after an
other.
The one really sorrowful thing about
the race was TO see the pitiful, pain
full silence and roll of wet blankets that
fell on that splendid; enthusiastic,
cheering audience, when in the fourth
relay it dawned on the people that the
Reno lads were doomed for defeat.
To that time all had been joy uncon-
u,
confidence. After that, while cheering
did not cease, it had funereal note
sounding all through it. But at the
close hospitality triumphed, and how
they did generously cheer the winners.
Only the women could not forgive. They
wept unshed tears of sorrow and
poignant grief. They We're simply 'all
broken up even their good looks,
amiable dispositions and bravery could
not conceal their chagrin.
Until II o'clock at night. in hotels and
offices, in the streets, on the corners,
large crowds of Reno citizens discussed
the events of the day and proved by
many an 'ff'' how it might have been
if And be it said that not Sac
ramento man failed to speak the truth
to them, namely:
Gentlemen, it might have been, as
you say But We do not believe you
could have done it. All the same You
gave us hot race. and that's the fact.
We don't care for any more of that
kind up here, where your air is so
blonde: but come over to US, and we
will meet your men day or night, and
beat them, if we can. You have a
wonderful lot Of riders. gallant gentle
men. and you have treated us like
princes. We have your silver pitcher,
and are going to carry it home and
keep it. Come over to Sacramento and
win one from us, any time; come over
and let the people see you do us
One of the peculiar features of the
day was the invitation to church that
evening, and all hands went, and
heard a good and eloquent sermon from
Rev. Mr.. Lee, full of good advice. kind