Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-08

Philadelphia, August THE great
est race meet in the history OF Amer
lean cycling came TO an end this even
ing at Willow Grove Park, when the
eighteenth national meet Of the League
of American Wheelmen closed. In
attendance, there never has been a ma
tional or local race meet that has ever
approached it. During the two days
of racing nearly $4,000 persons wit
messed the cracks from all parts or the
United States, two from Mexico and the
Canadian crack, Loughead, strive for
fame and prizes. Yesterdays attend
ance of $4,000 was very nearly doubled
to-day with an attendance OF between
25,000 and 27,000 In the particular OF
racing. all the circuit "chasers" showed
themselves to be in fine form, which
resulted in the closest, prettiest and
most strategic competition that has
been witnessed in long time.
Fred l.. Loughead, the Sarnia, On
tario, lad, who carried off the honors
yesterday, kept ND his fine work to-
day, but little Earl Kiser landed on
top. winning the half mile professional
and the great mile open professional. A
purse OF $500 was divided among the
winners OF the latter race. Eddie
Bald also added to his reputation and
while no firsts appear TO his credit, yet
his seconds on the mile open and the
five mile professional finals were within
a hairs breadth of being firsts. In
each and every race in which he COM
peted. he displayed remarkable 1udg-
ment. Major Taylor, the colored
crack. was a hot favorite in the mile
open heat, which was won by him and
finished in grand style. For a while 1t
looked as though he would be the win
ner Of the final, but the others proved
too heavy and fast for him and the
best the Major could do was to land
a very close fourth.
Among the amateurs, there was much
good racing and Peabody. Eddie Lew
ellyn and Charles Mertz put up the
finest exhibition. In most Of the am
ateur events the finish was close and in
but few instances did the boys show
any evidence of loafing.
After the scheduled events had been
run off, Fred Schade, the Virginia am
ateur. succeeded in breaking the
worlds record for one-third Of mile.
Schade was paced by two quads, and
got away beautifully He Rugged the
ouads closely and finished in a terrific
pace. in :32 AS seconds, lowering Por-
ter's record of "a 1-5 seconds, made
in 1894. In addition to this there were
a number of trials at the worlds record
for one mile amateur and professional.
Church covered the three laps in
1874 3-5. and but for the second pacing
teams slowness, would have chopped
at least two seconds off the time he
made. Major Taylor had the next try,
with a quad and triplet as pacemakers.
The Major crossed the tape in 40 30.
Johnny" Zimmerman rode an exhibit
ton half mile in :53 2-5 seconds, and
Arthur Gardiner, paced by quads, did
mile in 1:44. This brought the racing
to a close.
Tonight the wheelmen own the
town. everybody is wearing a big L. A..
w. emblem and the more enthusiastic
bikers are literally covered with all
kinds Of badges. All the bicycle clubs
members of the association, are Keep
ing open house tonight.
Tomorrow morning. there will be a
big run to Atlantic City, a distance OF
60 miles from Philadelphia. The start
will be made from the city at > a. m.
in the first section and the second sec
ton will leave at a. m. II is ex-
pected that about 1900 wheelmen Will
take part. Summary:
Final. one-half mile championship,
professional, Earl Kiser won; Owen s.
Kimball second; A. c. Mertens third;
time, 1903.
One mile handicap. professional: o..
L. Stevens. 40 yards, won: Watson
Coleman. 80 yards second: F. c. Hoyt,
40 yards. third: r. p. McCurdy. 12O
yards. fourth; E. D. Fictner. Is yards.