Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-12


"Ah-h-h-h-hr' as the machine flashes into
view. A roar as 1t passes the finish, and
another record is broken, new history
made. That is all. but 1t is enough.
Nothing could have been more interest
ing than the crowd itself that attended
the opening day of the races. Most Of
those who attended were not quite sure
whether they were going to enjoy them
selves. But they soon found out.
EVERY MIND CONCENTRATED.
People who came to sepnd an hour or
two stay through the day without lunch,
forgetting that they ever ate. The daring
drivers were cheered to the echo for
every wonderful achievement The crowd
was having a good time and wanted
everybody to know 1t.
over at the Hapeville orphanage, which
is on a hill overlooking the course, the
homeless little ones massed and saw the
races unhindered and unrebuked
Down in the Chalmers-Detroit repair pit
there was a young man, covered with
CRIME and grease, working like a slave.
whose name recently rang on hundreds
of thousands of tongues throughout the
nation. 1t was Ty Cobb premier batsman
of the Detroit Tigers, and the world. He
was, and is a great man, but he didn't
care. he WdulGu HIS cars 10 Wlnf anu
he went into the repair pit with the same
dauntless determination that he plays the
national game.
THE ONLY ACCIDENT.
There was only one accident to mar
the day, and the happy outcome of that
lightened the gravity of the risg that was
run. Harry Stillman, driving a Mar
mon, and one Of the most dangerous
men in the 2O0-mile race, reeled off 10
miles, lap after lap, without a pause.
In his hist mile his rear tire, becoming
overheated, burst, and he and his ma
chanician were thrown from the flying
car. Strange to relate, both escaped.
The Marmon suffered somewhat, going
into the ditch and losing all four wheels.
Louis Chevrolet, after winning the 200
mile Coca-Cola trophy, removed his Cog
giles, wiped his hands and asked for a
drink Then he said:
IT hat not had a smoke for zis long
time. I wish to smoke"
HOW HE GOT OUT.
Then he reached into his hip pocket
and produced begrimed, flattened Gig
arctic that he had been sitting upon
for 200 miles, and borrowing a match. in
hailed deep draughts of the soothing
smoke.
It was like that all through the day.
Stillman, in describing his accident,
showed the quaint humor Characters
tic of the reckless, daredevil drivers who
risk their lives daily.
How on earth did you get out of that
carp he was asked.
We'll" he replied with a slow smile,
Ter hardly know. We were going about
20 miles an hour, so when the wheel col
lapsed, 1 reached out and took hold of
fence picket and just stepped out with
it's all No. l was not scared, but I
was afraid 1 would pull that picket off
at first. ! am glad 1 didn't.
DIRECTORS WERE PLEASED.
There was a meeting OF the board OF
directors of the Speedway association at
the office of Maj r. ]. Quinn in the Can
dler building Tuesday night, at which
time these gentlemen thoroughly discus
sed the opening day in all it's phases.
They adopted resolutions expressing
themselves as being highly pleased with
the manner in which the races had been
handled, and with everything in con-
nection with the unprecedented success
of the opening day.
Special praise was accorded to Secre-
tary Durant for the manner In which
he discharged the difficult duties of his
position and to the other officials and
representatives of the association for the
part they played in the venture. Abso-
lutte harmony and good feeling prevailed,
and all were confident Of the final sue
cess of the speedway trials.
Wednesdays Races
In sensational finishes, thrilling climaxes
and attendance the speedway events We'd
nesday eclipsed the brilliant program of
Tuesday. Everything was bigger and bet
ter the second day than the first, with
the single exception of the weather-and
the thousands of cheering spectators
didn't seem to mind the rain.
Their eyes and ears were straining at
the flying putting cars that whizzed
around the ribbon of two miles, and lots
of people who were dripping wet didn't
know ii had been raining until the races
had been finised. Such was the sensation
al interest that held the vast audience
spellbound.
The day began with the motor cycle
race in which Russell Walthour won.
Next followed the ten-mile stock chassis
event, which was won by Merry Hard
ing in his Apperson Jack Rabbit.
The third event of the day was the ten
mile amateur, free-for-all, won by Will
liam. E. Oldknow, of Atlanta. driving a
30 Buick.
In a four-mile free-for- all, strang won in
his monster Fiat.
Strang was again the winner in the
ten-mile event.
The 1OO-mile event, for the Gambler
trophy was begun in a hard down-pour
of rain.
The 100 mile race for the Gambler tro-
ply was won by Knipper in a Chalmers
Detroit 80. Time 1856.
Matson, in a Chalmers-Detroit 60 finish
ed second.
Nelson. in his Buick, finished third.
The race was spectacular, but no world
record was broken.
CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN
PREPARES FOR POLE DASH