The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-07-01
MARVELLOUS BICYCLING.
Murphy Covers a Mile in Fifty
seven and Four-ffth Seconds.
HIS PAoBMAKBR A LOCOMOTIVE.

Though the swiftest Engine on the
Long Island Railroad Went at Its
Greatest speed, the Daring CycIist
Followed It Closely.
New York, July 1.-Charles M. Muir
ply, of the Kings County Wheelmen,
rode a mile on a bicycle. paced by a
locomotive, in 81 AS seconds yester-
day. His course was the 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 acted
as 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
perfect on a level as skill could make.
Fully 5000 people saw Murphy make
his daring ride.
Engineer Sam Booth had his hand on
the throttle of engine a. the fastest on
the road, when the word was given to
start, at $40, The engine started at
a rapid rate, and before 400 yards had
been traversed was running at a rate
of more than so miles an hour. Muir
ply was keeping well within the hood.
As they neared the beginning of the
mile stretch the pace was a mile
minute, and a cloud Of dust obscured
the rider from the view of the specta-
tors, 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 sec
onds and the half In 29 rs. At the fin
ish two of the time watches showed
So As, one 81 3-5, another 58 and the
fifth 57%, which was held by Sheriff
Creamer. The timers agreed that Muir
ply had covered the distance In 81 AS
seconds.
Those on the back platform, who
watched Murphy all through his
wonderful ride, stated that the riders
handle bar had knocked against the
rubber buffer at least six times, and
each time the concussion sent him back
fully six feet, but Murphy always had
strength enough to regain this dis
tance. During the last quarter of 1
mile the rider covered the ground, for
the greater part, fully a wheels length
outside 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 by either
arm and lifted him aboard the car in
safety. Their action undoubtedly
saved Murphy's life, because he was
then in such a weak condition that had
he been allowed to remain on the
wheel he would have been unable to
control It, and serious, if not fatal ac-
oident might have happened.
Murphy was carried to the front part
Of the car and laid on cot, where a
physician administered to him, and In
less than FIVE minutes the cyollst 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: "I did It
so 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 contin-
ually: Boys, I've always felt lnat ]
could do this. Now that / have done
it, l am satisfied, and so are many
| others"
Before the train had reached Babylon
Murphy had regained his normal con-
| dition.
Murphy rode % inch wheel, geared
to 120. 61s crank hangers, and the
weight OF the machine was 20h pounds.