The times., 1897-06-23
SOLDIER BOYS ON WHEELS
Military Bicycle Riders From
Chicago Reach the Capital.
A MESSAGE FOR Mr.. ALGER
The Long Journey Undertaken to
Show the Practicability OF the
Bicycle in the Army-Carried
Their Tents, Clothing and Cook
ing Utensils and Gained Flesh.

The cadets from the Northwestern Mil
itary Academy, OF Highland Park, H., W no
left Chicago on bicycles June z, bearing
message from Major Gen. Brooke for the
Secretary OF war, arrived in Washington
shortly before 3 O'Clock yesterday after
noon and delivered the message 10 Secre-
tary Alger.
The bEawny young soldiers were wen
tanned and st-begrimmed and attracted
much attention as they passed rapidly down
Fourteenth street into New York avenue
and Pennsylvania avenue to the front OF
the state, War and Navy Department
building, where a halt was made, and
Major r. p Davidson, whois in charge OF
the party, rushed into the building and
TO the office of the honorable Secretary,
where he unslung and delivered heavy
leather satcheI. This satchel contained a
wallet, from which in turn was taken =
piece OF dark Russian leather. on which
the following inscription was printed in
letters of gold:
Carried by the Northwestern Military
Academy Bicycle Corps, Of Highland Parhs
H., riding the entire distance, camping
and cooking on the read; maintaining
guard and the precautions usually used
through an enemy's country, each cadet
carrying Springfield rifle, shelter tent
blanket, extra clothing and o,<s da IS ris-
tons; weight, forty-one pouLds; Sterling
bicycle, twentyfour pounds; total, fifty
five pounds. Left Chicago, ILL.,, June 4,
1897, 8 a. m.''
To this was added, after the letter was
presented: Arrived Washington. June
22, at } p. m.'
Secretary Alger cordially received Major
Davidson, and congratulated him on the
success of his mission.
Eleven cadets were with Major David
son on the journey, and each wore gray
uniform, trousers with black stripe, red
sweater. and campaign hat. Each also
wore belt, cartridge-box, haversack AMI
knife. The cadet rifle was slung on the
machine.
After the delivery of the message the
boys were photographed in front OF the
War Department, and then rode in single
file to the A rdmore Hotel where they will
remain for a week before returning by
train To Chicago. The cadets were last
night the guests of the Columbia Athletic
Club.
From Indian apolis the cadets foilowedthe
national pike, and, though forced behind
their scheduled time by rain and muddy
roads, their record is highly cretiitable, as
they were without previous training, the
corps being made up without view to
the strength of the boys, a desire 10 un-
dertake the trip being the sole requisite
for admission To the party.
The distance from Chicago by the route
selected is $50 miles The average time
made over the rolling country was seventy
five mlas per day-in one instance ninety
miles-and over the mountains from thirty
five to forty-five miles. The average for
the entire distance was fifty seven miles
per day.
The comparison of the measurements of
the riders when they left Chicago with
those taken last evening shows that every
man, with the exception OF Major Davidson,
had gained both IN weight and physical
Developments. The exact figures had not
been worked out by Major Davidson last
night, but he said he wasgreatty surprised.
lie thought the men had lost some flesh
during the first week, but afterwards they
gained all they had lost as well as putting
on more. The food OF the men on the road
was confined almost entirely to steak.
milk, potatoes and few vegetables.
Those in the party Were. Major R. P.
Davidson, Lieut.. D. NJ. Lee, Sergt Ma ;or
IL z. Zook. First Sergt- p. H. Case, First
Sergt w L. Lomax, sergt II. l.. Wising,
Corp. E. T. Barnard. Corp. @. j. Sine,
Cadet J. h Harvey. Cadet F. g. Richards,
Cadet F. z. sprague, Cadet NJ G. Sawyer.