Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-06-15
Bicycle faces.

The new bicycle track which has
been constructed under the direction
of Mfr Jas. Phillips, on the lot adj
iacent to the old Campbell bark mill,
was formally opened Thursday in
racing contest between local ANA
teurs. The day was all that could
have been desired so.far as tempera-
tnre and Sunshine could make it,
and a crowd of spectators, from all
sections of the county, TO The num-
Der OF twelve or fifteen hundred,
were interested and enthusiastic
witnesses, and stimulated the con-
testants to earnest work by tokens
of approval evidenced in many diff
terent ways. The track was in sup
erb condition-as smooth as a ,or
and as firm az cement, and the spin
ners went with The whirl of an e1-
press train. The first event of the
afternoon was neither programmed
or scheduled: a number of whe ell
men were spinning around the track
when the wheel ridden by Mr.. Fon-
tame Hoof ran afoul of a small dog.
1t took the deg as much by surprise
as it did the rider. The result was
a pile up of the wheel and the rider
and The sudden departure of the
small dog, in bee line for home, at
q speed which would have distanced
a racer. No embarrassment was oc
casioned except possibly to the dog
At 2:30 the gong sounded and the
racers took position, Mr. A. S. Allen
acted as starter, and after an inter
probation of the rules, governing the
race, fired pistol as the signal for
the start, in the 1st half mile race
which meant twice around the track,
with the following results for the
fret and subsequent events of the
day in programmed order:
Half Mile, Novice-E. V. Douglass; time
1.224. Paca Kennedy, 2; Dudley Farlin, J..
W. w. Taylor, w. IL. Hooff, o. p Syden-
stricken, ]. w. Kyle and J. w. Poole also
rode.
1st Prize, Christy Saddle value $5i End
Prize Glass Tankard, value 81; 3rd Prize,
Butter Kettle, value 75c.
half Mile, Open-Giibert Rodrick, /; time,
1.294. j. w. Kyle, 2; @. Young, 3. Dudley
o. p. Sydenstricker also rode.
LIST Prize, Lantern, value 50; End Prize,
Clock, value $1.5O; 3rd Prize, Foot Pump,
One Mile, open-E. V. Douglass, l. time,
2S3I Gilbert Rodrick, .; J. w. Kyle, 3. J.
w. Poole and ii. Alexander also rode.
LIST Prize, Pair Gold Cuff Buttons, value
s.. 80; End Prize, Silk Umbrella, value 81 80;
3rd Prize, Set Fancy Plates, 81. IS.
Half Mile, Boys Under 49, Only One En-
try-Race made up of riders as follows:
Rich Avis, Edgar Rodrick, B. Hooe and H.
Young Rich Avis won; time 1.52.
Henry Alexander being the only regular
entry in this race was awarded LIST prize, 1000
mile cyclometer, value $50, without com
petition. In the made up contest Richard
Avis got LIST prize, bell, value 81, and Edgar
Rcdrick End prize, cap value SOC.
Two Miles, for Local Wheelmen-Paca
Kennedy, 1; time, 6.444. i. V. Douglass, 2;
W. Fl. Hootf, 2. G. Young and j. w. Poole
also rode.
list Prize, Bicycle Outfit value 81 to $40;
Prize, Bicycle Watch, Sl.50.
The following were the officers who had
the direction of the races: Referee, Harry
Smith; judges, c. V. Eddy, e. b. Capper and
H. X. Moore; timers, G. Il. Baylor and w.
f. Alexander; scorer, VIM. Trapnell; starter,
A. S. Allen; umpires, NJ. y: Bolinger, w: A.
Boyd, Harry Bushong and Preston Hopkins;
clerk, j. e. West
The entertainment which was full
of pleasure to all present, passed off
W iOtlOub ibbl'ChD GNU
without an accident to any of the
riders There We're several falls and
several damaged wheels, but fortu
nately no one was hurt. The pro
motors of the evenings entertain
ment, Messrs. 4. S, Allen, j. e. West
and L. Somehow, are to be com
mended and congratulated for the
afternoon of most plcasurable enjoy
ment which they gratutiously Of
forded the public, 1t WAS at the
sacrifice OF time and labor, but they
should feel abundantiy compensated
by the success which crowned their
efforts. We hope this is but the
beginning of contests of this kind.
We feel assured with such an ad
mirable track, that Charles Tow 4
can be made n common center, of q
large radius, for races that will in
duce the presence of some of the
most conspicuous professional ri
ders. A good fence and grand
stand are adjuncts of the future,
which we predict are not very far
off. Within the wheeling circle is
an admirable plat for a splendid
base ball ground, also contemplat
ed adjunct, promises pleasant en-
tertainment in the future.
In the evening OF the same day a
very large crowd was present at the
Court house to witness the award of
the respective prizes won in the
a fternOon's contest. Mr.. L. Some
born occupied the chair and Dir, j..
e. Engle in felicitous remarks pre-
sented the awards to the several
winners.-Advocate.
Mr. Washington Banks died at his
home near Shepherdstown June 9, aged
II years.