Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-01
MURpHY's GREAT MILE.


81 4z5 Seconds.
Charles NJ Mussashy faf the Kings County
Wheelmen rode smile on a bicycle, paced
by a locomotive, In 81 As seconds yester-
day. His course was two-mile board track
on siding of the Long Island railroad.
Murphy followed a locomotive and day
coach. The coach was provided with a
large hood. which acted as wind shield
for the rider The board track. which was
laid near haywood, /. l., and extended
from that stations twdb miles east. was as
nearly level as Skill could make it. Fully
5000 persons saw Murphy make his daring
ride II d
Engineer Samuel Bobth had his hand on
the throttle of engine "a when the word
was given to start, at $40. The engine
went off at rapid rate. and before 400
yards had been traversed was running at
a rate of more than fifty miles an hour.
Murphy was keeping well within the hood.
As they neared the beginning of the mile
stretch the pace was a mile a minute and
cloud of dust obscured the rider from the
view Of the spectators, who lined the banks
on each 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 send
ing the big steam flyer along at top speed.
The quarter-mile was reached in Is Sec
oiiuS anu tI1e HAL In % 20. Inc timers 1OI
the three-quarters were Messrs. Dieges and
Stcll. the former registering A and StOll
43 40. At the finish two of the watches
showed 81 As, one 81 3-5. another So and
the fifth 57A, which was held by Sheriff
Dreamer. The timers agreed that Murphy
had covered the distance in 81 As seconds.
THOSE on the back platform who watched
Murphy all through his wonderful ride
stated that the handle bar of the cycle had
knocked against the rubber buffer at least
six times, and each time the conclusion sent
him back full six feet, but Murphy always
had strength enough to regain this distance
During the last quarter of a mile the rider
covered the ground for the greater part
fully a wheels length outside Of the hood
but as he passed the finish he was close up
Just then two strong men on board the
train reached down and seized the rider,
each by an arm, and lifted him aboard the
care in safety. Their action undoubtedly
saved Murphys life, because he was then
In such weak condition that had he been
allowed to remain on the wheel he would
nave ben unable to control it, and serious
If not fatal, accident might have happened
Murphy was carried to the front part of
the car and laid on a cot, where a physi-
clan gave him attention, and in less than
hve minutes the cyclist was able to con-
verse with those around him. Murphy
seemed dazed at first and said in answer
to queries as to why he fell back so many
times: Il did that so that l might not
come in contact with the planks which were
being torn up in front of me-" Later on
however, he did not refer to this, but said
continually: Boys, I've always felt that
l could do this. Now that l have done it
am satisfied, and so are many others
Before the train had reached Babylon
Murphy rode a 2S-inch wheel, geared to 10
tx craDk-hangers, and the weight of the
machine was 201a pounds.