The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-05
DARKNESS AT THE RACES
ELECTRIC LIGHTS LATE IN BEING
TURNED on AT NEWLY OVAL.
Large Crowd Enjoyed the SpOrt-Da-
Wis Wins the Marion County
Championship.

The Indianapolis public was evidently in
keen relish for bicycle races, judging from
the large crowd at Newly Oval last night.
The oval was in darkness for more than an
hour after the people began arriving, and II
was doubtful until the last minute set for
declaring the races postponed and the dis
tribution of rain checks whether or not the
crowd would be held. The electric light
wires had become grounded or crossed and
the large crowd good-naturedly held the
seats until 800. in the hope that the dozen
or more linemen at work would remedy the
difficulty Only few left the oval, and
those who had sufficient patience were re-
warded by witnessing a good all-around pro-
gramme.
The first race two-mile handicap, for
amateurs, in which there were seventeen
entries. c. w. Donovan and Cliff Allen,
with handicap Of 125 yards. caught those
with better handicap on the first round and
then the riders were punched, with the ex-
ception of the scratch man and two with
small handicaps, until the last turn. when
Donovan and Allen pulled out and finished
first and second.
The second race was of considerable inter-
est to both riders and spectators, 1t being
the one-mile amateur championship of Ma
rion county, in which the riders score by
points for the seasons racing. Davis is in
the lead by IA points. and increased the lead
last night. He traied along behind the
bunch until after the tape had been passed
on the last round, and then apparently wait
ed for the rest until the last turn. Coval
spurted, but Davis won by six inches.
Jacob and Ed Steinmetz, who have here
tofore been classed as amateurs. entered the
rlo ir1 hird 1oc or
night. but did not succeed in landing any
firsts. Ed Steinmetz got place in this race
and in the one-mile handicap. professional.
Gordon (scratch) and Ed Steinmetz 600
yards) rode almost dead heat. and. in fact.
many contended that Steinmetz had won,
but the judges decided differently.
The prettiest race of the evening was No.
z, for which riders getting places in Races
4 and were eligible. 1t race from
the tape, with Davis, the winner, in the
rear. At the last turn he pulled out. pass
ing the bunch and winning easily in 30 Sec
onds for the quarter mile. A match race
between James Davis and Marshall Levey
was won easily by Davis. Willis Coval.
paced by quint, attempted to lower the
Newly track record of 80 seconds for half
mile, made by Harry Gibson, but In two
trials only succeeded in making ii is 81 is
and SO 10 seconds
Following is the summary:
Two-mile handicap, amateur: G. W. DON
ovan. Goshen. first; Cliff Allen, second, Ar
thur Schofield third, Oscar F. Andrews
fourth. Time, Ala 20
One-mile amateur, championship Marion
county. 1899: James Davis first, Willis Coval
second, j. H. Woodruff third, Cliff Allen
fourth Time, 2:32 1-5. A time limit of go
was put on this race. but the referee called
the heat a race.
Half-mile open, professional: Dina Stay
back first, l.. 0. Gordon second, Ed Stein
metz third, Sam Murbarger fourth. Time,
107 3-5.
Quarter mile open, amateur, flying start:
c. w. Donovan first, Marshall Levey sec
ond, Harry Moorehead third, Oscar An
drews fourth Time 81 10
Quarter-mile open, amateur, flying start:
James Davis first. Willis Coval second,
Cliff Allen third. Time, 81 %
One-nDle handicap, professional: l. o.
Gordon first, Ed SteinmetZ second, Dina
Slayback third Time, 2:15 2-5.
Quarter open, amateur, flying start;
starters to qualify in Events and 3: James
Davis first, Willis Coval second, Marshall
Levey third. Time, 80.
Match race, one mile, tandem-paced:
First heat-James Davis first, NJ. L. Levey
second. Time, 1859 2-5.
Willis Coval half MILE against time,
paced by quint. Time. 81 Is. Newly Oval
track record. 80. by Harry Gibson.
Second heat match race: James Davis
first, NJ. T. Levey second. Time, 2:02 2-5.