The Savannah morning news., 1903-01-26
WALTH0UR'S TROUBLES.
Action of Twin Brother May Cause
Court Case.

Court Case.
Just beause Bobbie Walthour of At
lanta, champion middle distance BIZ
cycle rider of the world, has a twin
brother, almost a duplicate of himself,
and which brother has been giving ex-
htbitions in museums and other places,
of home trainer riding under the name
of Robbie Walthour" when his right
name is James, without the consent of
the champion, the real Bobbie is now
being threatened with suit by several
managers for contract jumping. The
Atlanta Journal of Saturday thus tells
of the matter:
From time to time in the last sew
eral years Bobby Walthour, the cham
pion bicycle rider, has been worried in
receiving letters from different man
ayers of theaters and concert halls, tell
ing him that if he did not keep con-
tract with them for exhibitions they
would cause him trouble.
Bobby has a twin brother named Jim
who is ringer" for the original Bob
except that Jim is little taller but with
the same blonde curly locks. Jimmy
Walthour left Atlanta about four
years. ago and landed in New York.
While in Atlanta he took part in a
number of amateur races and was
quite a local rider.
Several years ago when Charlie Muir
ply did the mile q minute stunt behind
the train he gave exhibitions in the
museums in New York. Jimmy saw
him and figured that he could go Muir
ply a few points better on the home
trainer and built him one.
Tuat q hOIIf the time that Rob won the
big six day race in New York Wal
thour was in demand by theatrical
managers, but he was shy of stage
work so Jimmy filed his place, and
since has been following this game and
making big money out of it..
But he has caused Walthour lots of
worry. Bob does not wish to interfere
with Jimmy's way of making his liv-
ing, but he has grown tired of his
using his name and is now making
efforts to stop him.
While in Newark last spring Bob
happened to pass a concert hall and
was surprised to look up and see dis
played, in large letters on the front
of the saloon, that Bobby Walthour,
champion cyclist of the world, would
meet all Corners there in races on the
the home trainer" Bobby called on the
owner of the place and demanded that
he take that sign down, which he did
to keep clear of trouble.
Again, while in Memphis, Bobby re-
ceived threatening letter, telling him
that If he did not make good his con-
tract that the writer would sue him
and have him arrested.
But it was, the last notice that APP
peared in the paper this week thai
Champion Walthour was the head lin
er in a museum in Philadelphia, thai
ried Bobby. He said recently: II dc
not mind Jim earning a living riding
on the stage, but l draw the line or
him using my name and appearing In
concert halls and museums. The only
time 1 ever rode on the stage was ir
Brooklyn, and this was at one of the
leading places, and / do not want my
friends to think that am an attraction
for concert halls or museums. l make
my money riding races on the track
and have refused good offers to go or
the stage. 1 am not an actor"
Jimmy Walthour, however, has wor
the title of champion home trainer rid
er, as the dials on the machines have
registered a mile at fifty-four seconds
This is time that no other rider has
equaled, so he is really a champion In
his class. He has as a partner H. Var
Bills, and the two together have quite
a number of acts they perform, such
as a race in a cycle whirl, home trainer
races, race against horse on the stage
the horse running on an endless roller
floor They are booked the season
through on the vaudeville circuits and
have proved a great attraction.