The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-26
THE OLD MAN WON THE RACE.
POLICEMAN MaUADE THE CHAMP
ION CYCLIsT OF THE FORCE.

ROad-The Time IS Minutes 30
SecOnds-TuIIis Gave Out Before
the Ffnish-TaIk of An Open Race
for the Cycle Cops.
The old man won. Policeman McQuade
is now the champion bicyclist Of the police
department. He was an easy winner in
the race with Policeman Ben Tullis on the
Augusta road yesterday afternoon, max
ing the six miles in 1872 minutes and leav-
ing his opponent badly In the rear. Tul-
lis wind gave out on the home stretch
and he tumbed off his wheel thoroughly
played out
Several hundred people went out on the
Augusta road just west of the bridge over
Musgrove creek late in the afternoon.
They began gathering shortly after 6
O'Clock and by o'clock everybody was
anxious for the race to begin. The time
set was 7:15 o'clock, but everybody being
willing. the race began a few minutes
earlier. Both men had been on hand for
some time accompanied by numerous
friends and hackers. Twenty or thirty po-
licemen were there, chiefly as spectators,
though some of them did duty in keeping
lilt IOdu tlcdI uilu6I ulIeCNAOH u AHlel
McDermott.
The crowd included bicyclists of every
description from staid business men to
nondescripts of no particular standing.
Policeman Tullis was a prominent figure
in abbreviated bicycle racing suit with
broad, red stripes. 1t looked like a bath
ing suit. Uncle McQuade was quietly
IL,
stockings and black shirt He was closely
attended by his coacher, Mr.. ]. w. Will
son, and also by Mr.. W. ]. Lindsay of
Lindsay & Morgan, who took a great deal
of interest in the race, the Crawford
wheel ridden by McQuade. The wheel was
geared to 70 and had been improved by the
exchange of 119 inch road tires for the or
binary rs inch tires. Tullis rode Day
ton road wheel, geared to "a.
The race was from the terminus of Bay
street extended, just beyond the Musgrove
creek bridge, to the end of the paved road
way of the Augusta road. 1t was called
a five-mile run, but, as a matter of fact
was fully six miles, and probably more
Chief McDermott who had taken great
luleLtSl III NHG race lIOlll Nnt llIIlG II was
first proposed acted as starter and referee,
while Detectives Scully and Godbold, with
Mr.. ]. W. Wilson, were sent to the end Of
the road to watch results there and to as
sist the men when they came to make the
turn.
Time was called at 7:O7. The men started
back of the line about thirty or forty
feet and rode up slowly, passing the line
abreast. AS Chief McDermott exclaimed
Ego" they settled down to their work. Nc
Quade leading off slightly ahead. This po-
stion was preserved practically through
out the entire first half of the race. Nj
merous bicyclists, who had scattered along
the route, watched the men pass. They
had a stiff breeze to contend with, which
decreased their speed somewhat As they
neared the end of the road McQuade was
leading by thirty or forty yards. A barrel
had been placed there as a mark, which the
men were expected to turn. On account of
the narrow width of the road however, it
had been decided to assist the racers in
making the turn. AS McQuade reached
the end of the road Mr. Wilson seized him
to bring him around, but in his eagerness
dragged him from his wheel. While he was
remounting Tullis came up, and, with
neat assist from Detective Godbold, made
the turn and sped off down the road. Nc
QudQt lnOuBnl he was ruined, OUT with
an assurance from his coacher that he was
all right, he sped after Tullis and soon
overlook him. From that time on 1t was
McQuade's race. Tuilis had the bad luck
to get a fall from his wheel shortly after
making the turn, but remounted and made
off at good speed. He never recovered the
distance lost. however, and the distance
between the two men steadily increased.
Tullis pushed for all he was worth, but at
the IoGnRr 0prinng ahOnt mi q he
finish, he tumbled from his wheel entirely
exhausted and did mot attempt to finish
the race.
To the crowd In waiting at the bridge it
seemed as If the race was consuming an
unusual length of time. AS a matter of fact
the time was not much over a quarter of
an hour, but to those in waiting fully half
that time seemed to have elapsed before
McQuade hove In sight. 1t was seen that
he was alone and the crowd set up a cheer
He made the finish at rafting pace and
without showing any signs of exhaustion.
As he reached the end he was lifted off
! his wheel and carried for some distance
upon the shoulders of enthusiastic friends.
! Policeman Pat EiVers presented him a
bouquet of flowers and Policeman Semken
turned over the broom which had been Sc
| lected as the insignia of victory The
broom was afterwards strapped to the
handle bar of McQuade's wheel. 1t is
| needless 20 say that the winner was
| heartily congratulated.
The time, as recorded by a stop watch
was IS minutes and 30 seconds for a run Of
! six miles on very hot day,and with a stiff
breeze to contend against for the greater
| part of the distance this was considered
very good time.
! The crowd waited some time for the ap-
| pearance of Tullis, but as he did not show
! up IL gradually moved off In the direction
Of the city, the majority being mounted
on wheels. Very little money changed
hands ON the result OF the race. though
many OF the policemen had bets Of cigars
and beers The race was all the talk
| among the policemen and their friends last
night and the wonderful staying powers
developed by old man McQuade formed the
| subject Of general comment. Mr. McQuade
Is now In his seth year, small and COM
| pactly built, and is said by those who
know him, to be the best man of his years
| In the city.
Tullis' defeat Is attributed to two causes.
| the first being that he Is rather fieshy and
| the second that he rode a wheel to which
| he was unaccustomed. The racing handle
! bars OF the Dayton wheel were Just the
/ opposite OF those with which he Is accus-
/ rlN A.. .IssNN