The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-07-05
IN LESS THAN A MINUTE.
Wheelman Murphy Performs a WOn-
dernl Feat on a Bicycle-A LOcOEio-
tive was Paeemaker.


Wheelman Murphy Performs a WOn-
derul Feat on n Bicycle-A LOcOEiO-
tive was Pacemaker.
New York, July 1.-Charles NJ. Muir
ply yesterday rode mile on bicycle.
paced by locomotive, in 81 AS sec
onds. His course was n two-mile
board track on a siding of the Long
Island railroad. Murphy followed an
engine and day coach, the latter be-
ing provided with hood, which act
ed as a wind shield for the rider. The
board track, which was laid near May
wood, L. l., and extended from that
station two miles east, was as nearly
level as skill could make it. Fully B.
600 people saw Murphy make his dar-
ing ride.
Engineer Sam Booth had his hand
on the throttle of Engine "a when the
word was given to start at $40 p. m.
The engine started at a rapid rate and
before 400 yards had been traversed,
was running at rate of more than so
miles an hour. Murphy was keeping
well within the hood. AS they neared
the beginning of the mile stretch, the
pace was a mile minute, and cloud
of dust obscured the rider from the
view of the spectators, who lined the
banks on either side.
Entering on the space which would
test his speed Murphy, in reply to a
query, shouted: I'm all right, send
her along" but there was no necessity
for his remarks regarding speed, as
the engineer was sending the big
steam flyer along at top speed. The
quarter was reached in Is seconds and
the half in 25 2-5. The timers at the
three-quarters were Messrs. Dieges
and Stoll, the former registering "A
and the latter 43 As. At the finish
two of the watches showed 574-5 one
81 3-5, another IS and the fifth 81 3-4,
which was held by Sheriff Creamer.
The timers agreed that Murphy had
covered the distance in 81 AS sec
onds.
Those on the back platform who
watched Murphy all through his Won
derful ride, stated that the riders
handlebar knocked against the rubber
buffer at least six times and each time
the conclusion sent him back at least
six feet, but Murphy always had
strength enough to regain this dis
tance. During the last quarter of Il
mile, the rider covered the ground
for the greater part fully a wheels
length outside of the hood, but ms he
passed the finish he was close up. Just
then two strong men on board the
train reached down and seized the rid
er by either arm and lifted him aboard
the car in safety. Their action un-
doubtedly saved Murphy's life, be-
cause he was then in such weak con-
dition that had he been allowed to re-
main on the wheel he would have been
unable to control it, and serious il
not fatal accident might have hap
pened.
Murphy was carried to the front part
of the car and laid on cot, where n
physician administered to him and in
less than five minutes the cyclist was
able to converse with those around
him. Murphy seemed dazed at first
and said in answer to queries as to
why he fell back so many times:
81 did so that might not come in
contact with the planks which were
being torn up in front of me-"
Murphy rode a 2s-nch wheel, geared
TO 100, 6K. crank hangers and the
weight of the machine was 20Ih
pounds.