The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-29
MsJOR TAYLoR's FEAT.
The Coiored Cyclist Beats Jimmy Michael
and Smashes Record,

New York, August a7.-Major Taylor
tho colored cyclist, met and defeated
Jimmy Michael, the little Welshman, in
special match race, best two out of
three, one mile paced heats from stand
ing start, at the Manhattan Beach Cycle
| track this afternoon. Michael won the
first heat easily as Taylor's pacing quint
broke down in the final laps but on the
two next heats Michael was SO badly
beaten and distanced that he quit each
time in the last lap. Taylor's work was
wonderful, both from racing stand
point and time, and no established new
worlds record which was absolutely
phenomenal. For the first time In his
racing career the Little Rarebit" was
Kissed by the spectators as he passed the
stands dispiritcd and detected by Taylor's
overwhelming lead. Immediately after
the third heat was finished and before the
time was announced, William A. Brady
who championed the colore1 boy during
the entire season, issued a challenge to
race Taylor against Michael for $1,000 or
| $40, 900 a side at any distance up to 100
miles. This declaration was received with
tumultuous shouts by the spectators and
the dusky victor was lionized when the
time was made known.
Ed uard Taylore, the French rider, held
tance, in a contest paced from standing
start.
The worlds record against time, from
standing start, made by Platt belts Of
England, was 1.43 rs. Michael beat Tay'
lor's record by / 2-5 seconds in the first
heat. but the Major piped this out and
tied Betts's record against time In the
second heat. AS Taylor was on the out
side for nearly two and a half laps, it was
easily seen that he rode more than mile
In the time and two shrewd judges who
watched the race said that he would sure.
" do better In the third attempt That
he fully justified this belief, goes without
saying. After taking up his position on
the pole, Taylor jumped away at hair
raising clip and opened up gap Of ten
yards in the first lap of the final heat.
Michael never had look-in after his
adversary entered the second lap, as Tay
lor skinned along, swift as the flight of
swallow, and on the back stretch, in
the last lap, Michael sat upright and
pedalled leisurely to the tape, as he saw
| it was useless to attempt to catch his
speedy rival. The Welsh rider was pale
as corpse when he jumped off his wheel
and had no excuse to make for his defeat.
At no time could he keep up with the
terrific pace set by Taylor. Taylor's per-
Torrance undoubtedly stamps him as
the premier cycle Splinter Of the world,
and, judging from the staying qualities
he exhibited in his six days ride in the
Madison Square garden, the middle dis
tanoe championship may be his before the
end Of the present season.
The American Cycle Racing association
induced Tom Linton Of Wales, to post
pone his departure for England today and
Michael and he have been matched for an
hour race, with unlimited pace for q
purse of $500, $500 to go to the winner
and the remainder to the loser. The
race will take place at the Manhattan
Beach track on Labor Day, Septembsr 8.
The summary:
Special match race, mile heats, best
two In three, first won by Michael, time
1.441-5. Taylor's pacing machine broke
down on the last lap and he was beaten
by 100 yards Second heat won by Tay-
| lor, time Al 90.