Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-05
THE l.. A. W. MEET.
sULTRY WEATHER FAILS TO SUP
PRESS THE ENTHUSIASM.
MANY OF THE RACING CRACKS APPEAR
An Accident to Johnny johnson, of
Minneapoiip-It May Prevent His
Entering-Indianap and Omaha
Seeking Next Meet.

PHILADELPHIA. August 4-Close,
sultry weather characterized the opening
day'of the eighteenth national meet of the
League Of American Wheelmen, but it
failed TO suppress the enthusiasm or les
sen the number Of arrivals. The num-
Der Of wheelmen already registered is
far in excess of any previous two race
every railroad train brought additional
visitors.
Prominent among to-day's arrivals were
Albert Mott, of Baltimore, chairman of
Folts, chairman OF the Indiana Racing
Board; Abbott Bassett, secretary and
treasurer Of the National League of
American Wheelmen; Sterling Elliott, ex-
president Of the league; William II.
Klinker, secretary of the Associated
Cycling Clubs Of New York city; A. d.
Peck. secretary-treasurer of the Massa-
chusetts Division. who will act as u
starter in the races and who arrived
after having wheeled all the way from
Boston, and G. f. Kast. president Of the
Louisville League OF Wheelmen, who will
act as clerk of the course.
Ex-Chairman OF the Racing Board
Howard Il. Raymond reached here on
an early train. and was in conference
with George Gideon, last years chair
man. During the morning Chairman Mott
Thomas Hare. chairman of the race meet
Executive Committee. and Abe Powell
official handicapper for this district. went
carefully over the list Of entries and
examined the record of each professional
and amateur.
TWO entries. delayed in transmission,
were received to-day They were j.
Frank MOhler and Andre Bouling, of
the City Of Mexico They are the
amateur champions of Mexico. and are
reported to be very fast riders.
From the first gleam of daylight until
long after midnight. the asphalt streets.
suburban roads, and park drives were
dotted with riders Of both sexes Al
though the humidity was high, the sun
was behind clouds most Of the day, ond
this fact lessened the discomfort con-
siderably
FIRST REGULAR RUN.
The first scheduled run of the meet was
'AfAA t"fA at - 'ltNh liNiH NAllDUdl ntAl-
quarters. over 1850 riders many of them
women, covered the ten miles to the
Country Clubhouse, or the Century
Wheelmen. riding along the river drive
In Fairmount Park. and through the
picturesque Wlssahickon Valley. After
refreshments. the return TO the city was
made and a much larger number rode
out the Lancaster pike. fine macadam
road. passing the country homes Of some
Of Philadelphia's wealthiest and most
substantial citizens
The Indianapolis delegation, headed by
Mayor Thomas Taggart, Postmaster
Sahm. and -Court-Judge Hack
ney of Shelbyville, spent nearly all Of
last night and to-day securing pledges
for the 1898 meet. This morning Omaha
began TO rival their efforts, headed by
W. J. ShIader Edgar i. Henderson, and
l.. T. Broadstone.
BY midnight many OF the racing cracks
had made their appearance. Most
Of them went Immediately to the track
at Willow Grove. fourteen miles from
the city. and established themselves in
their quarters Johnny" Johnson, Of
NinneapoUs. met with an accident late
last night. and many not be able to
enter. He was being paced on the VIII
low Grove track by Jack Lindley
when the latters rear wheel broke and
threw Lindley. Johnson spilled over
MIN and severely bruised his right side
Lindley was slightly scratched.
Special attention is being given the
women starters. by an auxiliary commit
tee OF local wheelwomen. Headquarters
have been opened i'm the Odd-Fellows
tomple across from national headquar-
ters. Tomorrow night q fete VIII Dc
given i'm their honor at belmont Nam
sion I'm West Fairmount Park.
word was received to-day that the
first section Of a large delegation Of New
York city riders left Jersey CITY TINS
morning. on bicycles. TO attend the meet
NEW WORKERS ARRIVE.
PHILADELPHIA. August 4.-Between
tbirtv-dve and forty OF the New York
riders arrived here shortly after Z
o'clock. The few that dropped out came
I'm later by train j. +. Starbuck paced
tho race but no attempt was made TO
break any record. The two women VINO
started-Mrs f. G. Kimball Of the COM
monwealth Bcyclists. of Boston and
Mrs Eta Hudder. Of New York-were
among the first 70 arrive.
An the visiting League OF American
Wheelmen visiting members were gwen
an entertainment at Washington Park
to-night. Tomorrow will be devoted 10
runs and an all-night smoker at na-
tlonal headquarters.