The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-01-07
AUTO RACE INCIDENT
How a Policeman Made Heath
Win International Contest.
ADVISED hin WHEN DISCOURAGED

Coaxed Driver of winning Machine
to Change Damaged Tire After
Both He and His Mechanic Had
Given up the Race-spectntors Also
Urged Heath TO Get to Work.
There IS little doubt that George
Heath. the winner of the first interna.
tional automobile race in the United
States. which was recently held on
Long Island, viii always remember a
red faced, sandy haired young man
in a blue uniform who was stationed
about a quarter of mile beyond the
second turn. in the village OF Queens,
says the New York Herald.
All his skill as driver, coupled with
the advantage Of sitting in car of
acknowledged merit, would not have
won for Heath the first place at the
finish Of the great race if it had not
been for Policeman Wireman OF the
Jamaica squad
1t was just after the powerful Pan
hard had whizzed around the second
turn at Queens on its ninth lap when
the right rear tire Of the car flattened,
and the driver, feeling the Jar Of the
collapsed tube mechanically shut of
bis power and. bore down upon the
brake pedal
Heath was leading at the time. Al
bert Clement, Jr., was his nearest com
petitor. being three-quarters Of a lap
behind. AS Heath drew up TO the side
of the road aud stopped the crowds
that lined both sides of the course be-
gan to run toward him Policeman
Wireman darted out upon the course
and shouted warning to keep back.
He might as well have remained quiet.
In moment 200 persons had crowd
ed so closely about the car that Heath
and his mechanic, a Frenchman named
Lejeunie. were completely hemmed ia.
Both men sat and stared helplessly at
the faces about them, neither making
move for full minute to get out Of
their racing machine.
W ASA iAtIy nlAaiiN 4tlN blSiE ctttr
they stepped to the ground with a list
less air which betokened utter discour-
agement Lejeunie IN particular seem
ed completely unnerved. With the ex-
citabiiity Of bis race. he waved his
hands In the air and, speaking in
French, said: 1T Is all over We are
beaten"
Il believe you are right; we cannot
stand up under this hard luck" and
Heath showed for the first time dur.
ing the race that his nerve was shak-
en-. His hands shook as with the palsy
as he examined the time. 1t was prob
ably the reaction after the intense
strain to which he had been subjected
for several hours, but 1t was evident
that his nerveless fingers would be UNI
able TO even hold the tools which he
must use 10 set new tire
1t was quite plain to the crowd that
both Heath and Lejeunie had no inten-
ton OF trying to continue the race
There was a commotion in the crowd
as Policeman Wireman forced his way
to the side of the car. lie apparently
had forgotten all about the danger
which threatened those who stood up
on the road right in the track Of the
racers. His face was red from excite
ment, but he assumed an air OF calm
ness.
"Why don't you get to work, Mr..
Health" he asked. element is close
behind you.H
II don't believe it's any use to try
longer replied Heath.
Now. don't say that. urged Wire
man. Get to work and change your
tire"
yes" chorused tie crowd, ''don't
give up
why, you've got the race won, per-
sisted the policeman Hurry up, Mr..
Heath" and he put his hand on the
drivers shoulder and gave it little
pat.
There was a shout OF Back Look
outl Here's another' and the crowd
broke Just in time to let painting
racer sweep past.
r.