Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-22


Sporting Matters.
A very large crowd CT people as
sembled at the ball park last evening
to witness the much-talked-of race be-
tween Miss Allen and Mr.. Matthews,
and. in spite of the cold weather hun
dreds of ladies helped to swell the
crowd of spectators.
At sos the referee announced that
the race would start in five minutes
and moment later the two lldais
appeared upon the track and, after a
preliminary spin, faced the starter.
Previously the reporter for tic Regis
ter had talk with MIR. Marthc VS. con-
corning the outcome of the race, but
the latter refused to talk further than
to say that Miss-Alen was the greatest
female rider ne had ever met, while
Miss Allen express Il the same opinion
of her opponent.
Mr. Matthews was loudly cheered by
his friends, and cries of 'llurrah for
Will" and He'll winf" were heard
upon all sides. Miss Aliens appear
ance upon the track was the signal
for an ovation, which was rendered her
by her many friends and admirers.
1t can be plainly seen that she has
made many friends by her quiet de-
meanor and graceful riding. The
crowd was greatly excited and anxious
to see the riders start.
The referee held consultation with
the riders and cautioned them abou.
fouling and informed them that if such
riding developed it would lead to their
disqualification, and then gave them
the word to get ready. At the crack
of the pistol, which was fired at S:13,
the two riders started off at merry
clip, with Matthews leading. He tried
to gain lap on the fair rider, but the
little English girl would not have it
that way and promptly reduced the
lead he had gained at the start
The first mile was covered in the
remarkably fast time of 1926, Miss
Allen trailing very closly and neter
giving him an opportunity to sat
lead on her. They changed pace quite
frequently during the evening, watch
ing each other like hawks, and as
there seemed to be an argument be-
tween the riders as to who should be
leading at the intermediate points, it
was very pretty race. Matthews made
a fast sprint for the five mile mark,
which was covered in 1916, which is
very good time when the cold weather
is taken into consideration. He also
tried for the ten mile mark, but Miss
Allen was on the lookout for him
and made pretty sprint, winning it
by about wheels length. Time, 81:
46. She was also leading at the fif-
teen mile mark, which was reached in
1:50.
AT this stage Matthews began to see
he was up against it," and started out
with terrific sprint, his spokes fairly
singing as he took the turns of the
saucer track, which has caused so
much comment among the riders of
this city. He was leading at the
twenty mile mark, time, $500. The
next five miles were ridden cautiously
and the sprirts which always bring
forth cheers from the audience We're
few, as both riders seemed to be say
ing themselves for the finish.
Matthews was leading until ;ne last
mile, when Allen saw an opportunity
to get the pole, which she succeeded
in doing by a fast sprint. She imme-
diately made the pace hot, evidently TO
keep her rival in the rear, but he pull
ed up on the bank beside her, with the
Of
Then occurred the most exciting part
OF the race, as they rode side by side
for four laps. Just as he succeeded in
getting past the referee fired the pis-
tol signifying that they had but three
more laps to ride, and at this point
both the riders and the crowd began
to get excited. Everybody was cheer
ing for their faYorite, and the air
was filled with shouts of Go past him.
May" and go in, Matthew'S" The
West Virginia champion responded
nobly to the encouragement of his
friends, winning by about a length,
thus giving each rider one heat and
leaving the race as open for specula-
ton as it was Monday
Tonight the question of supremacy
will be settled and great race maY
De expected. The race is on it's mer-
its-no hippodrome-and each rider is
out to win, as there is a difference of
$500 in the first and second prize.
which will spur the riders on to strain
every muscle to get their wheel over
the tape first.
The score for last nights riding
was as follows:
Matthews, % miles, hour. 10 min
ntes
Allen, % miles, hour, 10 minutes
3-5 seconds.
Matthews is greatly pleased at the
outcome of the heat, and as he is be-
coming accustomed to the track now
he expects to duplicate his ride to
night. The finish of the race will
start promptly at o'clock tonight,