Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-07
GREAT FROG AwHEEL..
A sight That scnred Citizens ma
Farmers Of Hadd0nne1d, n. J..
Correspondence Of the Dispatch

. ] aHt bbtu tftiItiH vi tnlo tOUh NJ -
more addicted to the whiskey habit thar
others. but there were many who thought
that their sins had found them out when
one fine day last week, they were treated
TO the spectacle OF what looked like az
antedeuvian monster riding modern
bicycle through the streets. The monster
was Enthusiastically a frog, but Of what q
size. No tabled croaEer. who, In an at
tempt to equal the size of the boastful
COW. swelled himself until ha burst, ever
reached the bulk OF this Haddonheld
frog. He was monstrous. terrible, ap-
palling, and as he rode swiftly through
the streets and out into the country, men
turned pale and muttered solemn vows.
| women shrieked and ran terrified into the
| houses, while even the small boy, who Is
| afraid Of nothing that does not wear Il
| glittering shield and carry hurtful club,
| turned tail and made way for the appari-
| ton.
| 1t gave heart to the startled Haddon-
| hedcrs. however, to see that the spectre
was In reality fleeing. with band OF de-
termined men in hot pursuit. 1t seemed
| TO DC frightened, too-more frightened
| even than the spectators-for its great
| bulging eyes stood out of its head and
It's big-clawed feet grlpped the pedals
of the bicycle firmly, and pressed on as
though for dear life. No man is afraid OF
anything that fees from him, and 90
the pursuers were soon Joined by a mob
OF supporters. who kept up with the chase
until the monster who led them had dis
tanced all but the wheelmen, and was
far in advance of these.
His big bulk kept ON. soaring possersby,
xr-bn in bitches and clfmhal
fences i'm their haste to get away, until
at last one man rode out OF the ruck
behind, and, bending over his handle-bars,
began, foot by foot. TO overhaul the
gigantic frog. The pursuer was Elisha
Lloyd of MoorestOwn. a speedy rider,
who can give a generous start TO most or
the wheelmen In his vicinity aud beat
them out.
Steadily the pursuer gained, and II look
ed as though the monster in front would
be speedily run down. The rest Of the
wheelmen contented themselves with
keeping within hailing distance of the
leaders and watching the course Of
events. Presently the race came rear
ending with the death of the gigantic
frog, for sportsman who came along
leveled his gun at the ugly-looking figure
that led the chase. and was about 10 pull
trigger and bring it down, when the
warning shouts Of the wheelmen made |
him lower his gun. A big dog ran out |
Of a farm gate and dashed at q frog, |
barking madly and making frantic efforts |
to get at him, but the monster had evil |
IDENTIFY been accustomed 10 such Interrupt
tons and. cleverly lodging the dog. he |
scorched on faster and left him behind. |
Further on a team took fright at The |
unusual spectacle of a mammoth frog
riding a bike. and were with difficulty
restrained from riding down both pursuer
and pursued. Then a cow th& had been
peacefully chewing the cud in a meadow
by the roadside caught sight OF the frog,
and, forgetting all but its ancient grie-
vance against the croaker, 1t charged
with lowered head on the procession OF
riders. The interruption was all in favor
of the frog, who raced along the roadway
as though possessed with an evil spirit.
Lloyd still gained on him, however and
at last ran him down.
The spectators who were in at the
finish were then treated TO the greatest
surprise of all. Instead OF throwing
the monster from his wheel and fastening
him with ropes, the pursuers gathered
around, laughing and cheering. Then the
big frog suddenly opened up down the
centre and out from the interior step
ped man. very much dishevelled. pant
ing and exhausted, but not at all dan
gerous in appearance.
"a fine run. boys" said the frog-man
Five minutes more, and / should have
been safe at home. Good thing you
stopped that fool from shooting me. One
IF you fellows can be frog next run.
roo much risk in IT for my blood. I'm
ielicate and have an aversion to shot
guns. Besides, l never likes cows. and
logs / detest. But II was a great run.
IN thirsty. Come on"
SO ended the first great frog run. For
{ was only a man made up to look like
giant frog. after ALL The idea origi-
lated with Mr. G.. l.. Carr. Of Haddon- ,
Ield, who offered a handsome medal for
he winner of the race. The distance
Overed was eleven miles and thu time ,
s minutes.
The man who caught the frog gives the
Glowing description Of the novel event: ,
1.-THE frog was allowed five minutes ,
tart, and seventeen of us went in pur- ,
nit. 1t was the finest sport ever seen in ;
his vicinity, and nothing has occurred for
long time to arouse so much excitement. ,
he country people went wild over the =
rog's appearance among them. No one ;
uessed for a moment that the frog was :
man, and the fright we gave them
8 we swept along made the event all ;
he more enjoyable. We are arranging
Or another frog run. this time 10 take (,
lace at night. The frog will be furnish =
with illuminated eyes and a phospho-
ascent suit. and as he sprints through ;.
ne dark country roads / venture 10 pre- .
let that the appearance OF the frog by
aylight will not bd a marker as regards -
airing qualities 10 the frog that will !,
ppear by night. When the frog idea ;,
cts tame we intend 10 cOnc0ct some =
ew scheme TO keep the excitement at
yer heat" :.
The suit worn by the frog-man was in -
lted pneumatically, so that when he ,,
ounted the wheel the figure was OF ~
onstrous size, while the rider was not ',
riously hampered by his outfit. 1t was -
Isy for the pursuers TO keep him in 81
ew, for apart from the fact that his ..
urse could be tracked by the sensation ~
caused. the frog was so big that he =,
wered over every other object on the :,
adway. Those who saw him FOR the =.
st time on that eventful run and were o
II in the secret Of his makeup will /.
ng have reason to remember the shock ,r
gave them. 49,