The evening times., 1897-08-05
ARMY Of the Dixie RIDERS
Noted Wheelmen Ready to Beat
All Cycle Records.
SCORCHERS FROM NEW YORK
Johnston Disabled ana May Not
Enter Tomorrow's Race-A as
Pound Baby ysho Rides Twenty
eight Pound wheel-Purple and
Gold CoIors Waving Everywhere.

Philadelphia, Aag- 5-The eighteenth
annual meet OF the League of American
wheelTnen is an assured success. The city
il in til.. possession of q vast Amy of cy-
clsts, that steadily grows larger "a each
boat and train arrives. Members number
ing S,616 had registered at headqea rters
up to- 10 O'Clock last night, and mole will
do 50 for the succeeding days of the week.
Among the prominent arrivals yesterday
were Secretary Abbott Bassett, ex-Presi-
dent Sterling EIiott and Capt a. ID. Peck
~ Boston. the official starter. They are
all m the AIdine Hotel. Everybody knows
the genial Lon" Peek He has been
starter at So many race meets throughout
the country that one could hardly be
caILed q success IL he yefe not found IN
his CUSTOMARY place at the tape
Yesterday was delightful and fine here,
and ft was a surprise To learn that rain
had interfered with the first of the century
IuDs from New York About / so bicy-
eiists, aoiusiing several Iadies, turned up
at the appointed time The wet weather.
tlaTpened the ardOr Of most of the m. and
only about thirty-ffve started They ar
rived here at 7:30 last evening, tired bus
happy. having made the run in little hess
than twelve hours A large delegation is
expected today.
The wheelwoman Is very much ia eyi-
dence, as Web as the wheeIman, bat
blOomers are almost an unknown quantity.
A ladies' auxiliary committee looks after
the wants OF the visiting fair sex. Tney
have secured a large reception room at
the Odd Fellows Temple. Oae OF the
most esting figdres is Baby" Butts,
who tips the scales at 425 pounds. and
whose back view is appalling. lie stands
about five fesG SIX inches. his girth Is
sixtyfive inches. hips sixty-eght. and
chest sixty. He rides tweRt eight
pound wheel.
Everywhere the league cOlors royal
purple an,l gold ARE TO lie seen, The front
Of the arena is hung with them. Half the
stoTss In town display them in their
windows, along with IL A. w. Shoes"
L. A. W. taffy, "''L. A. W. cigars" etc.
In fact the leagne dominates the entire
city. The Philadelphia clubs have done
nothing by halves. Everything is of the
best. The souvenir program, printed on
superfine paper, and embeilished with
the photographs of OffifalS and handsome
view Of the city, IS work of art.
view Of the city,is work Of art.
John 5. Johnston's accident at the track
yesterday is the occasion of much COM
ment. and 1t Is feared he viii now be IN
able TO ride ON Friday. He was being
paced by Jack Lindley. the young profes-
sioDal, of this city. when Lindiey's rear
run broke in the sprint for the tape AMI
JohIston, WHO waS right on top of him.
had a bad fail. heerating nfs right side
The pacemaker escaped with a few
scrat ches.
For today there Is an all-day run to
Valley Forge, run up the WisSahickon
a run to the Quaker City Country Club.
where musical program will be offered,
and tour through the beautiful West
FairmOCnt Park, In the evening there Is
midsummer night fete at Belmont man
sion. and the anxiously Iooked-for night
smoker.
There are representatives here from all
over the country. San Francisco. Portland.
Me; Galveston. Tex; Chicago, ILL.,, are
all represented. while Mexico has sent two
Of her sons. whose costumes are not the
least thing Of interest about them.
Friday will see the races inaugurated
and some great exhibitions of speed are
looked for. 1t Is claimed that records will
30 hight and left on the new wood track
This is constructed of yellow pine The
boards measure 2x2 inches on the turn
ana 2x4 inches on the stretch. an are laid
iengthways To avoid friction They are
laid 90 sleepeTs placed every six inches.
1t cost $4,000