CHAPTER XIX
LOWERING THE WORLD'S ONE-MILE RECORD
I went direct from Ottumwa back to Chicago to resume my attempts to lower the world’s motor-paced record for the one-mile. This mark, 1:28, was made by Eddie McDuffee on the New Bedford, Mass., three-lap board track one week before I established the new record.
In my first two attempts to lower McDuffee’s record I was balked by the failure of my pacing machine to function properly. But let the following clipping tell the story of my efforts to establish new figures for the mile. I quote from one of the Chicago newspapers as follows:
“Major Taylor Fails in Record Attempt but Wins One-mile National Championship Race. Major Taylor in his trial against the world’s record for one-mile proved to be a disappointment at the Ravenwood Park track, Illinois, last night. Three attempts were made but the machine broke down each time. However, the other events on the program were run off in fine style.
“Major Taylor, was, of course, the center of attraction, although Jimmie Bowler came in for a good share of applause. Aside from the attempts at the record the race that aroused the greatest enthusiasm was the one-mile national championship which went to Major Taylor with Tom Butler second and Nat Butler, third, the time being 2:02. A great race was looked for between Bowler and Taylor. The Chicago boy won his heat but was not fast enough in taking up the sprint and did not get a place in the final.”
Undaunted by the failure of my first attempt to establish a new world record for the mile, I was more determined than ever to lower McDuffee’s mark. In the preceding November I broke the old record, human pace, for the mile, establishing the figures of 1:31. A few weeks before my unusual attempt to still further lower the record for the mile, machine pace, Eddie McDuffee shaved three seconds off my 1:31 mark which I established at Philadelphia.
In my 1899 attempts for a new record I was much better equipped than I was at Philadelphia. I had a specially constructed steam motor tandem, whereas in my Philadelphia race against time I had to depend upon 30 men to furnish the pace for me. I felt that with my pacing machine operating properly I could put the record below the 1:20 mark. In addition to my confidence I knew I was in the very best physical condition, so much so that I was very anxious for this all-important record-seeking test.
(83)
