Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-07-07
BROKE TIE WORLDS RECON-
Murphy Rode a Mile !,
81 As Seconds.
PACED BY A LocoMorIv.
Screened From the Wind by Uooa
the Train-Nearly Cost Him HI. -.
wheel Was Geared to 1eO.

New York, July 3.-Charles VI
Murphy, OF the Kings County Whsal
men. rode a mile on bicycle, noca,
by locomotive, in 81 As seconds =.
day. His course was a two-mile bosJ
track on a siding of the Long island
railway. Murphy followed an enyin,
and day coach, the latter being n,o
vided with hood, which acted q. y,
wind shield for the rider. The hoa,1
track was laid near haywood. /
and extended flom that station ,n'
miles east, and was as nearly pe,fect n
a level as skill could make it. Frl,
5000 people saw Nun ply make his t,r
ing tide.
Engineer Sam Booth had his hand
on the throttle of engine "A when tbs
word was given TO start at 5:l0. Ibs
engine started at rapid rate, and bs.
fore 400 yards had been traversed, va,
running at rate of more than IA
miles an -FOUR. Murphy was keepipy
we'll within the hood. AS they neareI
the beginning of the mile stretch, th
pace was mile minute, and ClOuj
of dust obscured everything from the
view of the spectators. who lined hs
banks on either side.
On entering this pace, which would
test his speed, Murphy, in reply to a
query, shouted: "I'm all right, send
her along" but there was no necessy
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 Is seconds, and the half in
20 2-5. The time for the three.quar.
ters was A. At the finish, two Of the
watches showed 81 40. one 81 3.5, an.
other So and the fifth 81 3-4, which
was held by Sheriff Creamer. Tie
timers agreed that Murphy had covered
the distance in 81 40 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 concussion 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 thel
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 conhOl it,
and a serious, if not fatal, accident
might have happened.
Murphy was carried to the front part
of the car and laid on cot where q
physician administered to him, and in
less than five minutes the Cyclist wa;
able to converse with those around him.
Murphy seemed dazed at first and
said, in answer to queries as to why be
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 l could do this. Now that
have done it, am satisfied. and 60
are many others"
Before the train had reached Baby'
Ion Murphy had regained his normal
condition.
Murphy rode a 28-inch wheel, gearei
to 100, 61a-inch crank hangers, and tue
weight of the machine was 2OH
pounds.