New-York tribune., 1901-09-05
NELSON NEARLY KILLED.
PAINFUL SCENE IN MADISON SQUARE
GARDEN-MICHAEL HAS MAR
ROW ESCAPE.

The motor paced bicycle race at Madison squars
Garden last night between jimmy Michael and
John Nelson furnished one Of the most painful
spectacles ever seen in this district Nelson's
motor crashed into the highly banked track and
fell over. carrying Nelson with It. MichaeFs motor.
which was just behind toppled over, and when Nel-
son was dragged away from the debris he pre-
sented sckening sight His left leg laceratet
from the knee TO the tnstep that the bone was
exposed for several inches
The injured rider was attended by physicians,
who stopped the flow Of blood as well as possible.
and he was taken in ambulance to BeIlsvus
Hospital where it was said that was doubtful IL
he would ever again be able to race. The accidene
happened at the turn into the hOmestretch. at this
FourtA-ave- end of the Garden. almost the
identical spot where Nelson and Mcfarland had
their fan several weeks ago. Nelson's injury 10
PROBABLY the most severe seen on a bicycle track
since Frank Starbuck was almost killed at BaItt-
more two years ago Michael who following
close behind Nelson when the accident happened.
had an almost miraculous escape. he missed ths
fallen motors by only a few inches.
The handlers seemed to have more than the usuar
trouble in getting the motor tandems and bicycles
to work smoothly BeIore the race. Tom Eek.
MichaeIs manager. objected TO having the men
start together saying that such a start when both
We're going at full speed would be dangerous. It
was finally agreed to have a flying start. the mem
getting off from opposite sides Of track Michael
from the Twenty-seventh-st. side of the building
and Nelson from the Twenty-sixth-st. side.
gan 10 gain at once but the advantage was slight.
and at the end Of the irst mile had not reduced
the distance between himself and Nelson more than
twenty yards. In the next mile Michael continued
to increase his lead. and the end OF the second
mile Michael had caught Nelson. He fell in be-
hind apparently satisfied for the present with
ms advantage Two laps further Michsels
chine drew out TO one side at the Fourth-ave-
end OF the Garden for the purpose OF passing
Nelson and his motor This probably saved 1Iich-
ael from serious injury.
As they turned into the stretch on the third lar,
the handle-bar on Nelson's motor il is thought.
broke Some thought that the front tire exploded
The motor turned UP the track suddenly and them
went down with crash. carrying Nelson and the
pacemakers with it. NIchaeTs machine struck
the other and it also came down with the Internal
machines still snorting. pedals and wheels flying
Meanwhile. Nelson was pinned under the motors.
Michael by dexterous turn. went high up on
the embankment and escaped injury.
Nelson rolled to the main floor. leaving trail
Of blood on the track Women screamed and men
were SICK Tor more PtIiful sight has never be-
lore lore oeen seen at the Garden, where many prize
Debrosceres and Pickard were the pacemakers on
Nelson $ motor, and crooks and stone were run
Terapeq and cut up. bat no bones were broken Dr.
the side oF Yto1 snd (ne s E m % 5o 70 reSa @
grasped the exposed arteries in the leg Of the fallen
rider, probably saved him, from bleeding TO DEATH
Nelson never lost consciousness during the terri
{ P5e 9Ta9a 52ii and when saTred from the arena on
GoTdng 70 Crooks one Of the pacemakers Nelson's
We're caused oy the SprOcSsL ana Cnaln on
MlChaels pacing ma chine Crooks was covered
with Nelson's blood from his feet his knees
Nelson hrst became prominent pace follower
ABOUT three years ago. and year later he won the
about twenty-three years old. ; feet inches tall.
and weighs, in racing condition, about 15 pounds
After this scene from this modern inferno the
management announced that Michael would ride
Michael was the teeth of the little fellow were
still Chattering with nervousness and he requested
rhat ne be allowed 70 ride only mile. his
nerves were badly upset. When this change
parentiy forgotten the OF carnage. hOwIed
dismally that Michael consented 10 ride out the
nVe miles, as originally announced II is said the
race tonight Will be paced by motor bicycles IN
stead OF motor tandems.
There were vexatous delays between the races
and the Onlookers weaTied looking at incomplete
loop. the loop skeleton and the bowl Ike wooden
track The loop Is larger than the old one. There
were only two short distance contests both for
anna eIrs In the one mile open. 9. c. Schreber,
or the Harlem Wheelmen. usual. having
me sne result saIe an the way H" won BY a length
and a halr, with P q. Van Cort second. and the
veteran road rider. T. H. Hall third Hall captured
the haIr mile handicap from the 30-yard mark.
SUMMARIES
Harlem Wheeuen. ?. c. Van Cott Greenwich WheeInnen
second 7 H Han Century Road c. A. third R A.
length ana half length between second and third.
ttalt-ntle amateur thandicapt-Won H. Hall.
Century Road A. YARDS: George SchoaeId Kings
YORK 40 yar4s fourth Tfn3e I.O0aS Won ~ ra-th-
Fi-reen-rtle paced
aeI and John NeIson-WOn by Michael Time for first
mile 1878 second mile. S12s the latter indoor
Five-nliIe exhibition by Jimmy Michael paced By
motor bicycle. Time. S;272s.