The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-29
Two Hundred Homing Pigeons
Released This Morning.
Expected to Reach Milwaukee
and Racine Tonight.
DID NOT HESITATE
Every Bird Started at Once to
the East.
Manager De Gelleke Expects
Birds to Break Record.

The two hundred odd pigeons from
Milwaukee and Racine, Wis, property
Of the contestants for the diplomas
awarded by the Milwaukee District
International Federation American
Homing Pigeon Fanciers were releas-
ed at the lawn near the Santa F'e de-
pot this morning at 5:37 a. m. by their
keeper, Josiah De Gelleke, train bag
gage master with the Chicago, Mil
waukee and ST. Paul railroad in Mil
waukee and with the f1utter of wings
and a seconds poise in the air they
turned their beaks toward the north
east and few in a great flock toward
their roosts and their homes in Wis
consin. 1t is expected that they will
arrive in Milwaukee sometime this
evening. These pigeons have been in
Topeka for the last few days in care
waiting for a clear day in which to
start the birds on their journey. Each
morning they were scheduled and
they seemed to know it as they peck
ed away at the wire screens which
held them in captivity but not until
this morning would the pigeon expert
allow them their liberty.
At 5:37 the operator inside the de-
pot was notified and he informed
Milwaukee of the beginning of the
flight. The little cages were opened
and the birds given the free use of
of encoura cement which they seemed
able to understand they 1oosened
their wings, spread them apart few
times and with a deafening fiutter
they rose in the air above the city
and in one minute and thirty seconds
they were out of sight far out over
the Kaw valley f1ocking close together
and sailing majestical1y on the quiet
morning air.
It was a beautiful sight and a large
crowd witnessed the flight at the
Santa Fe depot this morning. "I was
more than pleased with the release
this morning. said Mr.. Gelleke. 81
don't believe I have ever seen such a
fine start. Generally they fly, high
above the starting point and circle
around a few times losing in this
manner a minute or so in order to get
their bearings. This morning they
seemed to have picked their direc-
tions from the cages and they did not
waste a second before flying on then
journey. I look for this to be one OF
the best flights of the series"
The Milwaukee people have beer
notified of the start and considerable
interest is being taken in the finish
Last year it took 1 hours, "a minutes
and 6 seconds for the flight of SOC
miles but it is thought that the rec
ord will be broken this year. "a stiff
southwest breeze would be a great
thing for them, ,''added Mr.. De Gelleke
"and I am hoping that they are ben
efitted by little wind Of some kind
1t will save them considerable time
and make the race more interesting
But during quiet day like today they
will make good time
To cover the 500 miles between To
peka and Milwaukee in less thar
twelve hours is quite flight for the
Homers. They are a high bred class
of pigeons and probably have more
class than any other flock in the
country They have been on exhibi-
ton at the Santa F'e depot for some
time and have been interesting to the
few fanciers in Topeka Most of the
birds are black or blue-very few
white The whites are a cross with g
slower and more sluggish bird and
are not considered good f1iers.
Mr. De Gelleke leaves for Milwau-
kee at once and when he arrives he
promises to send to the State Journal
a complete report of the time made
by the birds and their condition. The
fight is one of the big flights of the
country and has attracted wide at
tentiOn.