The Washington herald., 1910-10-26
JOHNSON DEFEATED
0ldfield Beats Negro in Fast
Auto Race.
pUGILISr CHALLENGES AGAIN
Loser OEteIassed from the start.
Beaten In Two Heats-Speed King
Makes Mile in Fast Time-MovIng
Pictures Taken Week Ago to
Prevent Serious Loss.

New York, Oct. 25.-There were a great
many disappointmented persons at the
Sheephead Bay race track this afternoon,
a lot of white men feeling somewhat
cheated because Jack Johnson had no ac-
eidspt. and all the negroes down in the
mouth because Barney Oldheld took only
two heats to defeat the champion pugll-
ist in their five-mile auto match race.
The number OF spectators was estimated
all the way from 6.O00 TO 10.O00. and, con-
trary 10 expectations. negroes were not
IN the majority, and a large number OF
White men went 10 the track IN autos.
Considered as an auto race, and COM
pared with the contests run at the
Brighton Beach track, to-day's affair
proved to be a burlesque that was not
even amusing. Before the race there was
some talk that Oldield had agreed to let
Johnson beat him. so the moving pictures
would bring IN more money. bur this re-
port was a mistaken one. Oldfeld got
away in tie lead each time. and the negro
pugilist. who has been arrested for ex-
ceeding the speed limit OF many a city
in this country, had far less chance OF
victory than JeffrieS did when he faced
Johnson at Reno.
Before the pair showed up at the line
for the beginning OF their first heat there
was lot or talk among old-time horse
racing enthusiasts in the grand stand
about the famous negro jockeys who had
performed al the track There was a lot
Of discussion as 70 Johnson's chance 10
shine In the more strenuous occupation
or a driver Of racing automobiles. now
that there seems 10 be no worthy oppon-
ent for him in the field where he IS rec
fsrasH IL. m
talk sort OF died down after the first heat
and when II was all over. there were re-
marks about the shoemaker and his last.
Rival Picture Machines
There was a fuss over couple of
rival moving pucture crews before the
first heat OF the match was run.
No one seemed TO know just which crew
was entitled 10 take the pictures. but
Johnson helped TO smash one OF the
cameras. Oldheld denied the report that
he had sold his share of the picture
feature for $500 and said he expected
10 get a lot more than that amount out
or them. Johnson had been practicing
with a 4e-hOrsepower Chalmers. with
which he mad been doing very well, maxi
ing his miles under a minute and round
ing the turns like a veteran track driver
When il was time for him 10 show up for
the first heat, he appeared IN a 10
horsepower Thomas. a big, long six cyl
inder machine that was much harder 10
control on the turns than the shorter
and lighter Chalmers.
Oldfeld had the pole in the first heat
and literally ran away from his op-
pOnent Oldheld using a six cylinder
Knox, on much less power than John
sons car. In this heat Johnson cut
sorry hgure and Oldheld won by nearly
a mile. Oldhelds time was IA, and the
negrOs time was not announced.
Between the two heats Oldheld made an
exhibition time trial with his 200-horse-
power Benz racer, his time for the mile
being announced at 442-5 seconds. The
record for one mile IS a bit less than -
seconds and is held by Ralph de Palma
with a Fiat, Oldneld's record was, of
course. unofficial. as he is under sus-
pension by the a. 4. A. for racing against
Johnson. who is not registered as a
racing driver.
Second Heat Closer.
The second heat was closer, perhaps for
the benefit OF the moving pictures. Old
field again got away in the lead, and
appeared 10 be taking things easy, as the
nesrO gained on him several times in the
five miles, In the last mile. however.
Oldheld opened up a gap and led the
negro over the line with a comfortable
margin separating the two cars. Old.
fields time in this heat was OLA 4-5
There was very little open betting on
the outcome Of the match.
Il was reported that the promoters
had taken no chances with the moving
picture part Of the affair, and that the
pictures OF the thrilling auto race be-
tween the champion pugilist and the
speed king had been taken last Tuesday
or Wednesday. II Is fairly certain that
both Johnson and Oldheld were down at
the track last Wednesday going through
the motions OF an auto race behind a
touring car that had a moving picture
machine mounted on its tOnneau.
johnson appears 10 be really sincere IN
his desire 10 become a great auto racer,
and has long been known as a fast and
reckless driver OF his own cars, as the
police records OF dozens Of cities can
bear witness. He told some men before
the race to-day that If Oldield beat him
he would 90 abroad and buy the fastest
car he could find, come back here with
H. and challenge Oldfeld to another
match.