The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-12

Just fifteen men out of the thirty-sx that
started lasted till the finish. No wonder
1t was breaking, killing pace. MOI
one to-day could change his place on that
black score board that has stared the poor
fellows in the face for six long weary days
A few rode fast to beat out Rivierre and
Moore, who had places on that board
though they were out of the race Some diG
it; others failed
All day long the crowd poured in. At
D.. m. there was not seat left in the bis
Madison-square Garden. But with dusk
things began to look serious in the neigh
borhood of the garden. Suddenly Inspector
Brooks put in appearance at the head of a
Gordon of $50 police. The garden was com
pletely girdled by blue coats, and they
stretched across Madison avenue in an un.
broken line. They came, the crowd fighting
for a place. The arena was packed with
humanity; not a seat was to be had. Blue
coats blossomed out everywhere. They sur
rounded the track; they acted as ushers in
every aisle.
1t was a splendid sight-for all but the
poor riders who have struggled for a week
for fame and dollars. And round and round
they doggedly pedaled while the crowd
tried to urge the men. Slowly the clock
crawled round. YEARLY poor Miller led the
van. Behind him toiled Rice and Schinneer
riding desperately at ten miles an hour
when earlier in the week twenty miles an
hour had been easier But it was great
race. Four men, Miller. Rice, Schinneer and
Hale had beaten Hale's record of 1910 miles
Hale equaled his own record at $751; He
got floral horseshoe in honor of it.
THE CLOSING SPRINTS.
The melancholy spectacle which had been
going throughout the entire day was
frightened up to a great degree tonight by
the presence of the multitude and by the
fresh and gay colors with which the weary
riders had adorned themselves Toward the
end the band struck up its liveliest airs
and the leaders who had retired for last
rub down returned to the oval, and, mount
ing their wheels for the last time started
off with renewed energy, which brought
forth a tumult of applause. Although II
could hardly be termed race, yet there
was much excitement furnished by the re.
markable sprinting of the long distance men
Notwithstanding the terrific strain under
which they had been pedaIling for almost
six days, they showed wonderful speed and
even daring skill in going so swiftly round
the corners in their present debiltated
state. When the announcer's pistol indi.
Gated that the last lap of the 142-hour race
was at hand the vast audience rose to It's
feet and cheered like mad. Around the track
the men shot, Miller still in the lead. with
Schinneer. Rice, Hale and Waller following
and the others in bunch
Anna Held, who had been waiting in a
box opposite the official stand, stepped out
on the track and bestowed a gorgeous
wreath of violets and roses on the victor.
Miller. then remounted his wheel and.
holding the wreath aloft dashed around
the ring twice. When he dsmounted he
grasped the hand extended by Hale, whom
he had shorn of his glory. and made little
speech. Hale escorted Miller around the
track. and. as the new and OLD champions
moved along, the crowd shrieked itself
hoarse. There were cries for Rice. and the
sturdy miner, accompanied by his trainer.
followed the others To show his marvel
Gus staying powers: Miller again got astride
his wheel AID, following a pace machine.
rode two miles in a little over five minutes
and then showed few signs of the fatigue
he must have suffered Then the others