The record-union., 1899-02-20

Plodded Along in Misery of
Mind and Body, Haggard and
Worn From the Terrible Strain
All Previous Records Cast
Far Into the Shade.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 19.-The
greatest six day bicycle race ever run
ended tonight at Mechanics Pavilion,
and Charles w. Miller, the Chicago
gripman, maintains his position as the
long distance champion of the world
Contrary to general expectations there
was no sprinting among the leaders
during the evening and the finish of
the contest which has caused much ex-
citement in athletic circles was COM
paratively tame. No less than six of
the riders beat all previous records
and more might have been reeled off
had there been any incentive to do
so. But as all of the men, excepting
Gimm and Hale, were separated by
distances too great to be overcome in a
few hours, the management decided
to end the race ahead of the scheduled
time, which, however, was two hours
longer than that of any previous six
day contest. The famous events in
Madison Square Garden, New York,
only lasted 142 hours, while the riders
at the Mechanics Pavilion continued
their struggle for supremacy for l43
hours and p minutes.
There were no incidents during the
evening to arouse the 1000 spectators
to outhursts of enthusiasm, though
much sympathy was expressed for
Gimm. the one-time leader, who fell
and was removed from the track, not
to again return. Teddy Hale, who has
been his close friend, for time re-
fused to ride further, but later on was
induced to come on and finished Ut
tie ahead of Gimm's record.
Fredericks, when sure of third posi-
ton quit the track and did not reap
pear until near the close. Lawson ana
Julius, though far in the rear, kept on
their wheels as long as possible anu
were among those who finished.
During the evening nearly all OF tne
riders appeared with brand new SUITS
that of Miller being especially attrac-
tive. Rarnaby, always eager to amuss,
wore astiny stove pipe hat and smoHeo
a big cigar The others were all IN
cheerful mood, especially Hale, VINO
seemed to be the favorite Of the crowd.
At IN o'clock w. A. Brady stepped
to the front of the starters STAND ana
after announcing that the riders hao
agreed to end the race little aheao
of the anticipated hour, introduced each
one in turn, excepting Gimm, VINO ala
not appear. much to the disappointment
of his admirers Then, after going one
more Lap around the track to the ac-
commitment of music and cheers. Nil
Ter. the freshest of all, received the
greatest ovation, the cyclers went to
their tents and the long distance chain
pionship race was ended.
CLOSING SCENES.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 19.-No men
ever more heartily welcomed the APP
preaching close of a contest than did
the dozen remaining contestants in the
international six-day race at Me-
chanics' Pavilion, when at 6 O'Clock to-
night they entered upon the last half
dozen hours of a remarkable test of en-
durance. Nothing but the nearness of
the finish and the stimulus of a cheer
ing crowd could have kept the men at
their task Human endurance had
the body. and total collapse was immi-
nent
Miller deserves his victory, and his
record will probably stand for years to
come. No previous contest has been so
stubbornly contested from start to fin
ish, and no similar number of men
have shown such wonderful pluck and
endurance.
IN,
attendance at the closing hours of the
Madison Square contest last December
remained in the big pavilion through
out Saturday night and Sunday.
1t was a noisy but sympathetic and
impartial crowd. urging and encourag-
ing each rider in turn. There was
plenty of enthusiasm, too, when Miller,
at the end of the 127th hour rode his
two thousandth mile in 2:25 80 I'M
paced. At half past 6 o'clock this
morning Miller was IA hours. 10 min
utes ahead of his New York record.
AS the day wore on sprinting became
infrequent, except in the cases of Nawn
and Barnaby, who were repeatedly
charged with energy by an electric bat
terry and came out to exhaust their
charges in wild sprint.
The fight of the last half dozen hours
has been between Fredericks and Aron
son for second place. For a time it
seemed as if Fredericks would succeed
in overhauling the Swedish rider, but
with the assistance of julius pacing,
Aronson made a game ride throughout
the afternoon and evening and at 8
O'Clock apparently had second place to
a certainty.
Gimm went down the line to-day,
dropping mile after mile to Aronson
will be beaten by Hale also. Gimm
was unable to overcome his physical
weakness, though he tried hard to do
so. Hale was in bad shape mentally
all day. He imagined himself riding
to San Jose. His physical condition
was good, however and he kept stead
lily at work.
All through Saturday night and Sun
day the poor tired fellows, jaded and
worn, with drawn faces and staring
eyes circled the track, sometimes at a
snaiPs pace and then again, under the
influence of inspiring marches by the
band and the urging of friendly voices,
encouraging them to .hurry up, old
man." or You're all right" the riders
would increase their speed for q few
laps and then drop back into the old
rut.