New-York tribune., 1899-06-22

trial Murphy was apparently the most uncon-
cerned man In the party. Those who have
watched his races on the track for the last ten
years never questioned his courage and deter
mnation for in his races he always fought
right up TO the finish His display Of nerve yes
terday was remarkable for the slightest devia-
tion from a straight and narrow course meant
probable death. The trial made on spur
off the main line of the Long Island Railroad
at haywood between Farmingdale and Babylon.
Here II was possible to get two-mile straight
away that perfectly level. or at least had
an imperceptible grade. A half mile al
lowed for the start and an almost equal distance
for slowing up after the mile had been made.
A party of about twenty-five persons left
Long Island City at D. yesterday. the
guests Of H. b. Fullerton. of the Long Island
road. Among those who made the trip were
Colonel Ashley W. Cole. chairman Of the State
Railway Commission; Colonel George w. Dunn
Of the Commission; W F. Potter. l.. P. Pairo
c. L. Addison, II b. Fullerton. Samuel Barron
and DR.. John Merritt Of the Academy of Pho
Biography. and a half dozen newspaper men.
Murphy and his handlers and two racing wheels
were picked up at Babylon. and the course was
reached without delay The track was exam
ined critically by all. 1t composed of 10
inch planks five of which fitted into the
railroad track with the nicely of the slate bed
OF a billiard table. There not a crack or
SPLINTER visible TO the naked eye in the meas
ured mile.
Then the engine and single car came in for
inspection. In the rear OF the car wind shield
had been built which was as ingenious as 1t was
novel to the racing experts present 1t extended
out from the rear platform Of the coach for
about six feet and almost touched the rails on
each side. 1t was covered, and when Murphy
was inside this shield It looked II the flooring
Of the rear OF the car had been removed and
that the rider was to pedal inside. No tackle.
pulleys or outrggng Of any sort was used. as
had been expected. In fact. Murphy did not
take the trial as seriously as did some others
for he had been told that the engine would be
sent along at only a 20 rate Of speed for
the mile. He wore neither goggles nor mouth
shield in consequence. He will be provided with
both in the coming race to accomplish mile a
minute.
Previous 10 the trial the engine and car were
sent over the course and the mile was made in
one minute and eight seconds Immense red
flags marked the beginning and the end OF the
mile while white flags marked the quarters
Several of the party did not care TO remain IN
the car and they stationed themselves beside
the track at different points.
Murphy Is twenty nine years old ana Welshs
14 pounds. He has been doing more or less
racing on the track since 1886. It has been his
ambition to ride mile minute for several
years but until yesterday suitable arrange
ments could not be made. His wheel weighed
twenty-one pounds and its gear was IL In
his coming race on June 30 he Will increase the
gear to 100. The entire course. according to the
surveyor. measured exactly two miles and $50
ogef, ord
at New-Bedford the fastest time ever made on
a track was 1:31 40, by Major Taylor, the
colo-ed rider Two years ago in the West a
rider named r. Anderson was reported to have
ridden mile behind a locomotive, down hill. in
1O3 Is. but the performance was never taken
seriously by wheeling officials
II was nearly o o'clock when the word was
passed along the line that all was ready for the
trial At the centre OF the rear platform an
iron bumper ncased in rubber was attached
to the car and a plank painted white was just
inside 70 act guide for the rider Ihis
white line and bumper were all that Murphy
was expected TO watch during his terrible ride
blast from the locomotive announced that
the start was 70 be made. the pace for The hfs'
hundred wards was slow but the engine grad
ually gained impetus until II seemed to be fair-
Iy flying as the RED e. was passed at the start
ing point Those lying the rear platform or
the coach could just Murphy's face, which
was set and mmovable
AS the train thundered along the onlooKers
held their breath The human rider behind had
placed himself nicely on the centre plank with
the front wheel % his bicycle within an inch of
the bumper During the entire mile ana nan
he did not deviate an inch from that bumper
and his rubber-tired wheels did not once leave
the centre board. At the three-quarter mle me
coach seemed feel some uneven surtace IN
tbs tnaabsd, and the car lurched 7? one sae .S'
n ihxiaAt NuTthy followed ana ths vhia"s
Iyu oxneete6 u sss him lsavs tAs track. nnt ~ !