CHAPTER XXXII
TWO-PLY VICTORY AND A RECORD AT NEW BEDFORD
One week later I participated in the N. C. A. Grand Circuit Meet, in connection with the L. A. W. midsummer gathering. It attracted all of the star professional riders of the country.
The following item appeared in a New Bedford newspaper the day following the meet:
“Major Taylor in Fine Form. Wins One-Mile Championship in Best Sprint Races Ever Witnessed in New Bedford. The cream of bicycle riders in the country raced at the Buttonwood track yesterday afternoon at the N. C. A. Grand Circuit Meet which was held in connection with the L. A. W. midsummer gathering. Among them was Major Taylor, the great colored rider, who is without question the neatest rider who sits in a saddle today, as well as being the fastest sprinter in the short distances. The meet produced the best sprint races that have ever been seen on the local track.
“One very fast mile was ridden and it was thought that the track had another low mark. It was the second heat of the semi-final of the one-mile championship. Major Taylor won the heat in the splendid time of 1:56 2/5 which is the fastest mile that has been ridden in this year’s circuit races. The national championship event was a very interesting contest, although in each preliminary heat for three laps the riders loafed as only professionals can, the last lap, however, made up for their laziness.
“After the first half dozen sprints the spectators were wrought up to a high pitch of excitement. They were prepared for the semifinals and the last heat which was more exciting than the ones which weeded out the slower ones. Major Taylor won the championship and also the five points that went with it. Frank Kramer was second and Al Newhouse was third. Major Taylor now leads in the 1900 championship races with thirteen points to his credit. Frank Kramer is second with eleven, Freeman and Kiser have eight each, Kimble four, Walthour and Bowler two, and Fisher one.
“The first heat of the mile championship race was won by George Collette who defeated Kiser and Walthour. Bennie Monroe beat Miller who had the rear place when it came time to sprint, but Monroe watched him closely and kept his lead to the finish. Frank Kramer one of the fastest of the bunch rode rings around Jimmy Moran who was in his first professional contest. Major Taylor won his heat in which Freeman was second. Freeman defeated the Major in a championship meet only the night before at New Haven. Newhouse beat Frank Butler easily and Bowler won over Rutz.
