The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-19
BIRMINGHAM IS ID HAVE A COLISEUM Capital is Ready and Suitable
 Site is Desired WALTH0UR A BIG SUCCESS Famous cycIist Likes This City and is Thinking of Coming Here to
 Live-Speaks of Birmine-
 hams Great Future.
WALTHOUR A BIG SUCCESS

It has practically been decided to erect coliseum in Birmingham. A wealthy and prominent man stated to Gus Castle Walthours manager, yesterday that he had the money to erect the building and that he was ready to put 1t out as soon as anyone with experience would come here to make the plans and see them exc cuted.
 The making of the track hinged on the success of Walthour at the fair, and he has proven to be the best card on the programme. People have shown more in- terest in his race than in anything else connected with the fair. and this has en- eouraged those who have had the coli scum in view for some time
 It has been estimated that a coliseum capable of seating 1000 people and large enough for an eight lap track can be built for about S15OO0. This, 1t is believed, could be made back in five years by rent ing the building to various amusements.
 Looking for Location.
 Manager Castle. Bobby Walthour and Gus Lawson have been all over the city in search of a suitable location and they think that one has been found which Is close enough to the center of the city to warrant a large attendance all the time. Jack Prince, who has been asso- ciated with this trio for a long time in many enterprises, has been told about the conditions and he is expected here shortly to figure on the matter. He has erected more coliseums and race tracks thany any man in the country.
 In speaking of the coliseum yesterday Bobby Walthour said: q believe the game would pay well here. You could see from the crowd Thursday and Saturday that bicycle racing had not entirely lost it's hold on the public, and that the people. of Birmingham were anxious to see a race.
 When I started against the horses ev- cry body in the grand stand stood up and was on a nervous tension until the race was over. They were at times breath less with the excitement, and showed be- yond doubt that they were anxious to witness real exciting race.
 Race Exciting.
 '"The race against the horses is excit- ing, but 1t Is nothing like a cycle race on a track banked at 75 degrees and all lowing a rider to make a mile in 1:1O which several of the tracks will stand
 "Why just think of the riders and the motors circling track an eighth of a mile long every nine seconds. It looks like a ball on the end of a string which some child is turning rapidly. To the people it might be likened to an immense giant standing in the center of the track with each rider on the end of a string and whirling them rapidly around and around It is hair-raising.
 'I am thinking seriously of moving to Birmingham and starting business here. and if I do I will certainly put several thousand dollars into any company organ ized to build track, and I believe that I will get my money back in two years.
 Birmingham is a great town, and believe that it will be the largest in the south in few years, therefore l am anx- ious to locate here. If I get any chance at all I will start bicycle and auto- mobile business, and I believe it will pay we'll"