The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-05
WHEELING GOSSIP.
Late Wrinkles for Bicycle Men and
Women.

Late Wrinkles for Bicycle Men and
Women.
Arthur Skies, Sherman, Tex, has
only one arm and one leg, yet he is an
expert bicyclist and a good fighter,
when fighting becomes necessary. He
is a negro, in his 18th year. When lie
was years old freight car ran ever
him and cut off his left arm and left
leg. Young Skies is a familiar figure
on the streets of Sherman. lie gets
around as well as anybody, by means
of a crutch, and 1t seemed very simple
for him to become a bicyclist. he
never fights except when he thinks Re
is being imposed upon. Then he says,
Il waits till de Teller raises his haid
and den lambasts him in de neck wild
my crutch, an Is shore to win de
game den."
The use of the bicycle has not yet
become very extensive in Madagascar.
Tamatava is the principal place of i'm
port. There the condition of the streets
is much better. A road for driving and
riding is in course of construction
along the coast The road leading to
the capital, Tananarivo, is especially
good, and here bicycling is in great IA
vor among the Europeans. 1mporta-
tons so far have been accomplished
through French firms, and these, of
makes. There are two kinds of Amer
lean wheels in use. Goods must be
packed and invoiced with the greatest
care.
Tom Cooper is reported as having
ridden an unpaced standing start half
mile in 80 at Berkeley oval. This cuts
over five seconds from the existing
record held by Plugger Bill Martin,
but as it was made at an unofficially
managed trial, does not stand on the
record tables.
The recently circulated report that
Bourillon had come to this country to
compete in the international cham
pionships at Montreal and other I'M
portant events Is untrue, the French
man still being on his own side OF the
pond and expressive of considerable
doubt about his coming to America
this season.
Zimmerman having set the pace. two
more old timers, "Gentlemanly Billy"
Taxis and Harry Wheeler, are think
ing of returning to the track. Should
they carry out their intention race
promoters in the East will have two
more excellent drawing cards to at
tract the patronage of those who have
followed the sport since the old days
of low gears and honest and friendly
but spirited competition.
A New York paper asks us the bicy-
Gle fatal to beauty" Well. much de-
ponds whether or not you light on
your beauty spot.
A. fiat steel handle bar is the latest.
1t is said to be strong enough to re-
sist bending or swapping and yet
springy enough to absorb all vibra-
ton. 1t is the invention of a Massa-
chusetts man.
The Electric Vehicle company has
already placed orders for 4,200 electric
vehicles, whose contract price foots up
over $4,000, 000
The results of the big street railway
strike are being felt by the repair men
in Cleveland at present. The strike of
a month ago, which lasted nearly two
weeks, brought hundreds of old wheels
into service, and as a rule they had to
be put in shape before they could be
used second strike was sprung on
the public without any warning, and
the bicycles were brought out again
in a hurry. Many of the repair shops
along the lines of the tied-up roads
were simply covered with hurry up
work. .t
One of the largest wheel companies
will devote it's attention next season
almost entirely to chainless wheels and
automobiles. Chain wheels will be
manufactured only in case there is
considerable demand for them. The
automobile part of the business is rap
idly growing in Importance and a
large number of these carriages will
be built next year. At present 100
carriages are in progress of construc-
ton. This, however, is looked upon
merely as a beginning. The price of
| these will be placed at $1,000.