Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-10-10
COACH TRIAL
WAS A FAILURE
Couldn't Lower New York
Philadelphia Time
Vanderbilt Party Vas Three Hours
and a Half Behind Schedule Time,
Bad Roads the Cause

New York, Oct. 10.-Young Alfred
G. Vanderbilt made a miserable failure
of his attempt to break the coaching
record from New York to Philadelphia
and back. The coaching party arrived
at the Holland House, the destination
at 1872 o'clock this morning, which
was hours and minutes behind the
scheduled time.
The members OF the party were
unanimous in blaming the failure on
the condition OF the roads. Mr.. Hyde
said they had been greatly hindered
on the trip from Trenton to Philadel-
phia and return by the poor roads in
Pennsylvania particularly between
Trenton and Bristol. The New Jersey
roads, he said, were very much better
although they we're not the equal of
the French roads Mr.. Hewlett also
said that the Pennsylvania roads were
very poor and that this accounted for
being behind schedule time.
Accompanied by James H. Hyde and
Morris T. Hewlett Mr.. Vanderbilt left
tho Holland House at 5.55 O'Clock
yesterday morning. He expected to
be back at 1890 O'Clock last night af-
ter drive of nearly 200 miles. The
millionaires made the trip for fun,
but they all put in the hardest days
work of their lives trying to break
record. All three took turns in driv-
ing Each one drove four horses
about 65 miles at a smart clip. The
wrists of each driver this morning
were as sore as a defeated pugilist's
after a hard battle. For over 20 hours
they were under n constant strain
which even the enthusiastic receptions
they met at Philadelphia and at Tren-
ton failed to make any easier. over
eight hours of the journey was made
after nightfall Mr.. Vanderbilt did the
major part of the night driving, and
in this his automobiling experience
stood him in good stead.
Seventy-two horses were used in the
trial. Over a little more than half of
these were trained to four-in-hand
work and were practically green. II
was figured that at each point a min
ute would be lost in changing horses
and more than this was lost, the driv-
ers say this morning.
It is safe to say that the millionaires
will not soon forget the reception
which met them when they drove up
in front OF the Hotel Bellevue at Phila-
delphia yesterday afternoon at 3.21
o'clock, which was then SO minutes
behind time. Both sides Of Broad
street were packed with an enthusiasts
tic throng and fully 10000 people
cheered the party.
SO dense was the crowd that when
Mr.. Hewlett got upon the coach TO
turn It around the police were almost
/ compelled to use their clubs to clear
passage. Under the skillful whip Of
Mr. Hewlett the turn was made as
daintily as a woman turns in a waltz
step. A great floral horseshoe of
pinks, roses and violets from Larry
Mccormick was handed up and slowed
away. Grooms ran about overlooking
buckles and straps to see that all was
well. At 1927. six minutes after ar.
rival, Mr.. Vanderbilt picked up the
russell reins, the O&ers of the party
clambered aboard, Vanderbilt cried
stand aside. pleased" swung his
whip over the TANKS OF the leaders,
and the return race against time was
begun.
The end of the race was most ex-
citing At Jersey City the Pennsyl-
vania railroad had placed a special
ferryboat at the disposal of Mr.. Van
derbilt. The party dashed down Ex-
change place. &c ~ at full speed, and
into the ferry house without drawing
rein. The pace was not even slack.
ened to make the turn into the gang.
way leading to the boat. and it was
not until the wheels hit the decks
of the boat that the leaders were
checked.
Mr. Vanderbilt did not seem dis
heartened at mis- failure and said this
morning that he would keep on trying
for the record until he had succeeded