The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-08-17
SOC|AB|L|TY RUN
WAS A SUCCESS
IN EVERY WAY
Drew Out a Big Crowd to Wei
come the Party.
WINNING TIME WAS SLOW
Secret Time Fixed Was 8 Hours and
81 Minutes While Most of
Them Came Quicker

With large crowd herring, flags
flying and the band playing, the first
car, No. 81, of the Schenectady
Gazette Sociability Run a Stoddard-
Dayton, driven by James Lucey, Jr.,
dashed up Main street and rounded
the Putnam House corner Saturday
afternoon at 3.41. The second car,
No. l., Packard, driven by ]. w. Vel
verton was next to arrive 1t was
evident that the first two cars had
raced for first place. All the occu-
pants of the cars were covered with
dust.
These cars were closely followed
by No. 2, Buick driven by DR.. II. l..
Towne, No. 81, Knox driven by w.
A. Stevenson, No. Is a Thomas driven
by A. Veddor Magee.
The other cars followed at frequent
intervals, continuing until 1890 when
car No. 13 arrived in badly dilapi-
dated condition. Sixty-three cars in
all arrived of those which entered the
run. Applause was frequent.
Walter o. Greene in a Maxwell,
Jr. created considerable applause
when he arrived without a tire on one
of his rear wheels having run in that
condition 20 miles
Mrs. Charles T. A. Howe, only wo,
man driver in the run, also received
great applause, and it afterwards de
veloped that she had won second
prize.
The timing committee went into
session shortly after seven. The
secret time set was 3 hours and 81
minutes. The prizes were awarded
as follows:
LIST prize No 6, Robt. ]. Peck time 3
hrs. "A minutes, Maxwell, Jr.
End prize. No. &c, Mrs Chas. T. A.
Howe, Grout
Srd prize No. 40, DIR. E. H. Jackson,
Franklin
4tb prize, No. 3. e. ]. ostrander,
Ford
Buick and Knox prize, DR.. J. r.
Schermerhom, No 81 Buick.
Buick and Knox prize, LIST. e. H.
Farguhar. No. 6S. Ladies prize, Mrs.
Howe. Maxwell prize, Robert j.
Peck. Elmore prize, J. F. Madgett,
No. II. Cadillar prize, No. 20, w. A.
Musheer. Slowest time No. 10, 4:17.
Prize, Lemon.
There were 81 different varieties of
cars in the run and not the least in
teresting part of the affair was the
comparison of so many different
makes.
AS the cars were so late in getting
in here the parade to the ball grounds
had to be abandoned though a consid-
cradle number of tae visitors who
came early took in the game and tried
vainly to cheer the Schenectady team
to victory.
About half the party remained here
over night. Some returned to Schen-
ectady while a few went to Manches-
ter. Several returned to Schenectady
Sunday by way of Pittsfield.
The visitors ere cordial in their
praise of the way they were welcom-
ed and treated by the people of Ben
nington. The finish line was well po-
Iced under the personal direction of
Mayor Martin and Chief Brazell and
there were no accidents. The Schen-
ectady Gazette account of the affair
says the following of the treatment
they received here:
Saturday was a great day in Ben
The sidewalks were lined
with people anxiously inquiring when
the first car would arrive Flags
were displayed from various buildings
and little banners WITH the words
Welcome to Bennington" were to be
seen on automobiles and carried
about by those waiting to see the Wis
itors. Interest in the event was keen
and the courtesy of the people in the
beautiful Vermont village excited re-
mark amonk the Schenectadians.
Every aid and facility was lent by all
of them from Village President Mar
tin down.
Shortly after o'clock the Benning
ton band took its place on the veran-
da of the Putnam house and began to
play. Everything was in readiness to
greet the first car LOOkouts were
stationed at the corner to direct the
motorists to pass under the banner
marked "Finish," which had been
across the street. Beside
this was stationed the ofnelal timer,
and those who recorded the time of
the arrivals.
Soon there was ripple of shouts,
Here they come" which passed along
the street. A few minutes afterwards
J. w. Yelverton arrived aud then they
began to come singly, in twos, threes
and tours, sometimes so closely to-
gether that it required fast work on
he part of the timekeeper. Each con-
.estant on arrival was handed a rib
bon badge inscribed Schenectady
Welcome to Bennington, the only
Town in the State of Vermont" and
having a picture of the Bennington
concentrating the battle
Of Bennington on It. These badges
we're eagerly sought for and added to
he ones given the contestants at the
start.
proprietor Cornell of the Putnam
House had carefully looked after ev-
cry detail and gave valuable assis-
lance in many ways to the Gazette
and the contestants. The Benning-
ton club members proved themselves
most hospitable and extended a vel
coming hand at every opportunity.
Cornell of the Putnam