The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-05-09
BILL MEYERS
OF M'CLUSKY
TELLS STORY
Calls Pyle "Crust Cold
bl00ded"; Says Gamblers
Now in Control
PLANS RUN TO MISSOULA
Graduate of Grand Forks High
Carries CClorS Of Montana
Capital City
Nv !. G.. NlacGREGOR

By j. L.. NacTkEtOk
The pot Of gold at the New York
end of Il rainbow that arched across
the continent To Los Angeles
turned out to be bowl of chill con
carne in a Chicago Hole in-the-wa
to one entrant in {. &. Pyle's now
Infamous coast forecast marathon,
better recognized aG the 'bunion
derby"
Just last Saturday William !.
Meyers, Pyle Derby entrant No. 1877
and a former McClusky, N. d., boy,
bowed over truncheon of the Mex
lean national dish in the city of
"pineapples, politicians and pilsner,"
saw his pot Of gold awaiting him in
Gotham transmitted to the stuff
that dreams are made of.
Long Bill Meyers had run from
Los Angeles to Chicago. For 63
days he had dog-trotted across eight
states. His sturdy legs and heavy
brogans had withstood $500 miles
of desert sand. Texas mud, Arizona
cactus, New Mexico mountains, Mis-
souri, rotten eggs and countless
pavements.
Pyle Oustcd From Control
Disillusionment had come in the
Windy City. C. c. Pyle, promoter
of the worlds greatest marathon,
was ousted from contro' 0. the race.
Arthur Duffey, referee, quit. Only
gamblers were left in the caravan
of callouses. Advertising contracts
had been withdrawn by many COM
panies. There was nothing left.
"These are the short and simple
facts of the CASE" said Bill Meyers
in Bismarck today. "There was
nothing left in that derby for the
fellows on the square and l quit.
Seven others quit with me. Only
the runners in gambling trust are
left"
The lanky North Dakota boy is
visiting old McClusky friends in the
Capital City. Tomorrow he will
leave for the old home town in
Sheridan county to visit his father,
Louis Meyers.
Born in Egeland, N. d.
Bill is from North Dakota right
enough. He was born in Egeland,
N. D., on Feb. 3, 1908. When he
was six years old his father took him
to McClusky where the family owned
the Burlingame hotel for many
years. Bill graduated from Grand
Forks high school just year ago.
"How did you get in the bunion
derby" Bill was asked.
after graduating from Central l
went out to Missoula. Mont. to en-
ter the restaurant business with my
brother Herman. | liked to run and
in off hours used to pace the Uni
versity of Montana track men.
Some members of the Chamber of
Commerce there heard about me.
When Pyle sprung his derby propo-
sition, they decided that the city of
Missoula should be represented.
And so they selected me.
Race on Level at Start
1.-TWO months before the race was
scheduled to start, started training
in Los Angeles. That race was on
the level when we left there on
March 4. Pyle promised us daily
prizes and all expenses. When we
arrived in New York, each Of the
finishers stood a chance of making
from $4,000 to $4,000 apiece. Do
you think / was foolish to take up
q proposition of that kind?"
Tersely telling tale of gradual
establishment in the honesty of
the promoter, Bill gave ample rea-
sons for the disintegration Of the
great caravan that started afoot
across the United States.
II have to use this money for ex-
penses," Cash-and-C Carry would tell
his bunioneers at the end of each
days run after the various cities
along the route and the control
points had paid ransom just to have
the derby pass through them Or
make an overnight stop.
"Disgruntled pro football players
of Pyle's team-the New York
Yankees-attached $4,000 in Okla
homa City. In Missouri the health
officers were going to stop the race
because of the filthy blankets that
Pyle had furnished us with. They
showered Pyle with rotten eggs in
Joplin. But Pyle was one jump
ahead Of the sheriffs. He had beat
it into Illinois.
Climax in Illinois
1.-THE climax came in Illinois. A
red eros nurse from a government
hospital asked Pyle and Grange if
they wouldn't run the boys past the
hospital windows where there were
hundreds of disabled soldiers of the
World war. Grange, the spokes-
man, said they would-for a GER
tain sum.
"Pyle's initials-C. C.-rather
than Cash-and- Carry or Creeping
Caravan should stand for Crust-and-
Coldblooded," said the scornful Bill.
"What are your plans?" Bill was
uueried out at Hughes Field Tues
day afternoon after he had logged
some Is miles around the oval. care
you through with marathon races?"
Plans Other Races
"Gosh no! I'm going to run from
McClusky to Missoula! Guess will
start Sunday or Monday. l have
to keep in condition because I'm
going to run from Seattle to New
York next year."
And with that bombshell state
ment comes the one bright tale of
Bills long jaunt.
Running into Springfield, Mis-
souri,, q wealthy oil man watching
the runners spotted the clean-cut
North Dakota boy. At the control
point that night, the oil man intro
duced himself. He asked Bill if he
didn't want q manager and a chance
70 run for him. After a long con-
sultation Bill accepted the oil mans
PROPOSITION to run across the north
ern half Of the United States as an
advertising stunt.
ssThis lope will Be on the square
md can make my stake in q few
Shqrt months, IT, my chance Of