The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-05
THE OREATB BICTCLE MEET.
Thousands nr Whsclmen in the City of
Br0therly Love.

Br0therly Love.
PHILADELPHIA. August 4.-Ciose. sui
try weather characterized the opening
day of the Eighteenth National Meet OF
the League oil American Wheelmen, but II
failed 10 suppress the enthusiasm or les-
sen tho number OF arriyels The number
OF wheelmcn already registered is far IN
excess of any previous TWO race meets
and up To late hour tonight every rail-
road train brought additional visitors.
Prominent among to-day's arrivals were
Albert Mott. OF Baltimore, chairman OF
the National Racing Board; Herbert w.
FOts. chairman of the Indiana Racing
Board: Abbott Bassett. secretary and
treasurer OF tho National League Of Amer
lean Wheelmen; Sterling Elliott expires
ident OF the League; William il. Klinker
secretary OF the Associated Cycling Clubs
OF New York city.
A. ID. Peck. secretary-treasurer Of tha
Massachusetts, Division, who will act as
l starter in the races, arrived after hay-
ing wheeled all the way from Boston.
q. H. Kast. president Of the Louisville
League Of Wheelmen, who Will act as
clerk OF the course came In to-day
Ex-Chairman of the Racing Board,
Howard r.. Raymond. reached here on an
early train and was in conference with
George Gideon. last years chairman.
During the morning, Chairman Mott,
Thomas Hare Chairman or the Race
Meet Executive Committee aud Abe
Powell official handicapper for this dis
trict. went carefully over tho list OF en-
tries and examined the record Of each
professional and amatuer.
Two entries delayed i'm transmission
were reached today They were j.
Frank Mohler and Andre Boulng, Of the
city Of Mexico. They are the amateur
champions Of Mexico, and are reported 10
be very fast riders.
From the first gleam OF daylight until
long after midnight the asphalt streets.
suburban roads. and park drives were
dotted By riders of both sexes. Although
tho humidity was high, the sun was be-
hind the clouds most Of the day and les
sened the discomfort considerably.
TIE first scheduled run OF the meet was
started al . clock from the national
headquarters. over 100 riders, many o.
them women covered the ten miles 70 the
country club house OF the Century Wheel
men, riding along the river drive in Fair
mount Park, and the picturesque VISA
hick0n Valley.
After refreshments the return 10 the citl
was made, and "a much larger number
rode out the Lancaster pike. the finest
macadam road. passing the county homes
OF some OF Philadelphia's wealthest and
most substantial citizens.
The indianapolis delegation, headed by
Mayor Thomas Taggart, Postmaster
Sahm, and Superior Court Judge Hack
ney. OF Shelbyvile spent nearly all OF
last night and to-day securing pledges
for the '9s meet. This morning Omaha
began 10 rival their efforts. headed by w
J. Shrader. Edgar B. Henderson and l..
T. BroadstOne.
BY midnight many OF the racing cracks
had made their appearance. Most Of them
went Immediately TO the track az Willow
Grove. fourteen miles from the city and
established themselves In their quarters.
Johnny" Johnson, Of Minneapolis. met
with an accident late last night and may
rot be able 10 enter. lie was being paced
ON the Willow Grove track by Jack
IIndley. when the latter's rear wheel
broke and threw Lindley. Johnson spill
ed" over him and severely bruised his
right side. Linoley was slightly scratch
ed
Special attention ~ being given rlTc
women starters by an auxiliary committed
OF local wheel women. Headquarters
have been opened N the Odd-Fellow Tenn
Die across from the National headquar-
ters Tomorrow night fete will he
given In their honor ~ Relmont Mansion
in west Fairmount Park.
Word was received to-day that the hrst