The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-01
BEATS A MILE A MINUTE.
Charles M. Murphy's Wonderful
Bicvcle Feat.

NEW YORK, June 3O.-Charles M
Murphy of the, Kings County Wheel
men rode a mile on a bicycle paced by
locomotive in 81 As seconds to-day
His course was two-mile board track
on a siding of the Long Island Rail-
way.
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 May Wood, L. l., and extended
from that station two miles east ard
was as nearly perfect to level as skill
could make it. Fully 5000 people saw
Murphy make his daring ride. Engi-
neer Sam Booth had his hand on the
throttle of engine "A when the word
was given to start. AT 10 minutes past
. the engine started at a rapid rate, and
before 400 yards had been traversed
was running at the rate Of fifty miles an
hour. Murphy was keeping we'll within
the hood. Asathey reared the begin
ming of the mile stretch the pace was
mile a minute and cloud of dust OBJ
scured everything from the view of the
spectators who lined the banks on
either side. On entering the space
reply to a query shouted:
m all right; send her along" but
there was no necessity for his remarks
sending the big steam engine flying
along at top speed. The quarter was
reached in Is seconds, and the half in
292-5. The timers for tie three quar-
ters were Messrs Bieges and Stoll, the
former registering A. and the latter
43 40. At the finish two of the watch
es showed 57i4-5, one 81 3-5, another
So and the fifth 57a1,p which was held
by Sheriff Creamer. The timers agreed
that Murphy had covered the distance
in 81 40 seconds. Those on the back
platform who watched Murphy all
through his wonderful ride stated that
the riders handlebars had knocked
against the rubber buffet at least six
times, and each time the concussiion
sent him back fully six fet, but MUIR
ply always had strength enough to re-
gain this distance. During the last
quarter Of 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
by either arm and lifted him aboard
the car in safety. Their action undoubt-
eddy saved Murphy's life, because he
was then in such a weak condition that
he had been allowed to remain on the
wheel he would have been unable to
control it, and serious, if not a fatal,
accident might have happened.
Murphy was carried to the front part
Of the car and laid on a cot where
a physician administered to him and in
less than five minutes the cyclist 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:
II did that so I 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: Boys, I've always ssit
that could do this. Now that / have
done it, am satisfied and 50 are many
Others"
Before the train had reached Baby
Ion, Murphy had regained his normal
condition. Murphy rode a 2S-inch
wheel, geared to 12O 6H inch crank
hangers and the weight Of the ma
chine was 2015 pounds.