The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1899-07-06
MURPHY'S GREAT RIDE.
Paced by Locomotive, He Did
a Mile in 81 as Seconds.
THE WORLDS FASTEST TIME
Screened From the Wind by Hood on
the Train--It Nearly Cost
Him His Life.

New York, July 3.-Charles NJ.
Murphy, OF the Kings County Wheel
men. rode a mile on bicycle. paced
by a locomotive, in 81 40 seconds to-
day. His course was two-mile boa'd
track on siding of the Long island
railway. Murphy followed an engine
and day coach, the latter being pro-
vided with hood, which acted as a
wind shield for the rider. The board
track was laid near haywood, l.. l.,
and extended fiom that station two
miles east, and was as nearly perfect to
a level as skill could make it. Fully
5000 people saw MuIp ply make his dar.
ing tide.
Engineer Sam Booth had his hand
on the throttle of engine ~ when the
word was given to start at $40. The
engine started at a rapid rate, and be.
fore 400 yards had been traversed, was
running at a rate of more than 90
miles an -FOUR. Murphy was keeping
well within the hood. AS they neared
the beginning of the mile stretch. the
pace was a mile a minute, and a cloud
Of dust obscured 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, shouted: I'm all right, send
her along" but there was no necessity
fol his remarks as to speed, as the en-
gineer was sending the big steam flyer
along at top speed. The quarter was
reached in 10 seconds, and the half in
80 20. The time for the three-quar-
tiers was A. At the finish, two of the
watches showed 81 4 10. one 81 80, an
other 5S and the fifth 81 "a. which
was held by Sheriff Dreamer. The
timers agreed that Murphy had covered
the distance in 8, 4-5 seconds.
Those on the back platform who had
watched Murphy all through his won.
derful ride stated that the riders
handle bars had knocked against the
rubber buffet at least six times and
each time the conclusion sent him back
fully six feet, but Murphy always 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 out
side 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 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, accident
might have happened.
Murphy was carried to the front part
Of the car and laid on cot where
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 10 why he
fell back SO many times: 81 did that
so that 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 felt al
ways that | could do this. Now that
have done it, | am satisfied. and so
are many Others"
Before the train had reached Baby
Ion Murphy had reganei his normal
condition.
Murphy rode 2S-inch wheel, geared
to 1870, 6 = Inch crank hangers, and the
weight OF the machine was 2012
hounds.