The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-07
FOR A $4,000 PURSE.
John s. johnson and "Plugger Bill'
Martin Will Race Fifteen Miles.

Chairman Foltz was too busy to even give
attention to meal time yesterday. All the
riders who arrived brought with them their
entries and as each one had to be copied,
it made an enormous amount Of work.
The management has at least completed
all arrangements for the much-talked-of
middle distance race. 1t has finally been
decided, in line with the prediction of the
Journal, to offer purse of 5000 for fif-
teen-mi race between "Plugger Bill Mar
tin and john S. Johnson, the winner to take
all. This style Of game suits beth men to
a nicely and great race is in prospect. To
pick the winner is even to the most ardent
follower Of the game, an impossibility, as
both men are evenly matched, and are now
supposed to be in first-class condition. Mar
tin is so sure of his ability to defeat any Of
the big middle distance men, that he is
willing to add a side wager of his own
money to the purse offered by the meet OFF,
Gals.
Johnson, on the other hand, is equally
sure of his own form and the unprejudiced
sportsmen familiar with the abilities of
both men are all afraid to pick the win
ner.
Another race now settled on by the man
agement, is the secTets distance, race. This
is an altogether new race, imported with the
big French riders by AL Reeves, now serv-
ing as press agent for Chairman FoltZ. Any
of the riders are eligible to enter in this
race, from the shortest sprinters, to the
longest-winded of the long-distance men.
The reason for it is that none will know
until the bell rings, how long the race is to
be. 1t may be a tive-mile race or it may
extend over only a quarter mile stretch.
This will serve to put the men on their
mettle all the time and there Will be no
n roIT1 hnh M fnT F0nG a
ing of the pistol, the pace will be as hot
as the men can make7lt. -
One of the principal reasons why Eddie
Bald has not shown the form he did a few
years ago, has been that he has not until
lately, become familiar with his wheel. He
is now getting his proper movement and
feels renewed confidence in himself. When
he was riding another make of machine,
on which he made his greatest records. he
was of the fastest men at getting off
with d jump then on the track. This he
lost when he made his first change OF ma
chine two years ago, 1t will probably be a
long time before he allows himself to
change wheels again. "Plugger Bill Mar
tin yesterday sent word that he would be
in the city some time to-day or tomorrow
AS the riders drift into town, the change
in the condition of the work is noticeable
to one accustomed to the practices of a few
years ago. Then the first-class racer was a
king among men and the idol of the wheel
cranks throughout the country. The manu-
facturerS took off their hats to him and
paid him enormous salaries to ride certain
makes of machines. with air of apology
Now all these things are changed. Men
like Eddie Bald, who a few years ago could
have chosen place in the employ OF a
dozen manufacturers at practically his own
terms, is now glad to get an engagement
with one firm at a comparatively modest
salary. Most of the big riders have not even
as good a thing as this Nearly all of them
are paying their own. expenses, and those
who are riding for firms, are only paid
enough to cover their expenses in many
cases. The cut in prices in wheels is pri-
marily the cause of the Discrimination on
the part of the makers to invest in racing
teams as they did a few years ago.
Teddy Edwards has good contract, but
his is an exception and designed to cover
special emergency. The maker of chain
less wheel wants to know what the wearing
qualities of the machine are and
has engaged Teddy to ride it to finish
Since Jan. /, he has ridden a century day
without missing q single day. This feat on
the face of it, and in view of the fact that
he intends to keep the gait up until next
Jan l. is thought by some to be marvellous
When however, one considers all the cir
cumstances of it, it looses some of it's
startling qualities. A century a day to a
trained athlete is not such a hard job and
there are now in this city any number of
men who would take Teddy,s contract off
his hands gladly. He is paid S. a century,
with q bonus of 81 500 at the end of the sea-
son If he completes his contract In addi-
tion TO this he is provided with a trainer
and all expenses are paid. Judging from the
ease with which he is doing his work, he
will complete his record with ease.