The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-01
PACED BY 1 LOCOMOTIVE.
prCYCIlsr NrRPnY MAKES 4 NILE
IN 81 IS SECONDS.
wild Ride NJ Terr1Ae speed Leaves
Hin In sueh IN Exhausted state
TAaf He WsslA Have Fallen ut
Ffnfsh HAD He Vet Been Caught.

NEW YORK. June 3a-Charles n. Muir
ply. OF the Kings County Wheeimen, rode
mile on bicycle. paced by a locomotive.
IL 81 As seconds today. His course was
two-m.le board track on siding Of the
Long Islant. railway. Murphy followed an
engine and day coach. the latter being
provided with hood. which acted as
wind shield for the rider. The board track
was laid near haywood, L. l.. and extend
ed from that station two macs west and
was as nearly perfect to a level as skill
could make II.
Fully 1900 people saw Murphy make his
daring ride. Engineer Sam Booth had his
hand on the throttle OF engine a when the
word was given 10 start. $40 O'Clock. the
engine starting AT rapid rate and before
100 yards had been traversed, was running
at a rate of more than fifty miles an hour.
Murphy keeping well within the hood. As
they nearei the beginning OF the mile
stretch, tile pace was mile minute, and
cloud of dust obseured everything from
the view Of the spectators who lined the
banks on either side
On entering this pace, which would test
his speed Murphy. in reply to query.
shout I'm all right, send her along"
but there was no necessity for his remarks
as to speed, as the engineer was sending
the big steam flyer along at top speed. The
quarter was reached In Is seconds and the
quarters were Nessrs. Bieges and Stoil,
the former registering a ane the latter
83 4-5 At the finish two OF the watches
showed 81 40, one 81 So another IS and the
fifth 57A.. which was held by Sheriff Cream
er. 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 riders handle bars had
al f,a huff FAT at
six times and each time the conclusion sent
him back fully six feet, but Murphy al
ways had strength enough to regain this
distance. During the last quarter OF mile
the rider covered the ground for the greater
part fully wheels length outside of the
heed. but as he passed the finish he was
close up.
Just then two strong neE 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 Murphys life. because ne was then
in such a ve,ak condition that had he be
above d to remain on the wheel he would
have been unable to control II and scr
ious. II not a fatal accident might have
happened.
Murphy was carried to the front part of
the car and laid on a cot, where a physi-
clan administered TO him and In less than
Ave minutes. the cyciist was able to con-
verse with those around him. Murphy
seemed dazed al first and said in answer to
queries as to why he fell back 50 many
times:
81 did that so that I might nos come in
contact with the planks which were being
tori up in from. Of me"
Later on. however. he did not refer to
this but said:
Boys. I've felt always that I could do
this. Now that I have done It. am sat-
issied and so are many Others
Before the train had reached Babylon.
Murphy had regained his normal condition.
Murphy rode 2s-inch wheel geared 70
40: siz-inch crank hangers. and the weight
OF the machine was 20H pounds