Carl Herman Hittenberger - Surgical Store Boss Has Come Long Way - By ANITA DAY HUBBARD - The San Francisco Examiner, 04 Mar 1962

I follow East Bay Yesterday, and you should, too. A few days he posted this:

A listener just sent me this old newspaper clipping about his great-grandpa, who was born in Reno in 1886, but grew up "on a 5-acre farm in then remote East Oakland." They grew most of their own food and "had enough extra to barter for things they needed from the general store."

— East Bay Yesterday (@ebyesterday) September 14, 2021

Since I like to research old-timey Oakland stuff, and I know how to dig through old newspapers and old maps, I figured I'd try to go from an image of a newspaper clipping to something readable, with context. Here it is. Thanks, Liam.

Hiker's Rest Being Torn Down - Hill Section Landmark for 50 Years - The Montclarion, circa Feb 21, 1955

Dorothy Longadin, author of the A Bit of History blog, sent me this clipping, which she got as part of an archive of the Montclarion from Chris Treadway. I'm sharing this with her permission. I've researched Hiker's Rest, because it's near where I live, and key to the history of the Oakland Hills, a subject that interests me a lot. Here's the article. Beyond it, I'll post a collection of newspaper clippings. I won't transcribe them all, but it will give you a sense of its history. Thank you, Dorothy and Chris. - MF

Hiker's Rest Being Torn Down - Hill Section Landmark for 50 Years

To the strains of "This Old House" pealing over a public address system, friends and neighbors gathered Sunday to say goodbye to Hiker's Rest, landmark of the Oakland hills for more than fifty years, now being torn down.

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Aug 1886

The Wheel. 31 Aug 1886, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

A week ago last Sunday William Meeker and Frank James, First and Second Lieutenants of the Bay City Wheelmen, rode to San Jose and return in thirteen and a hall hours, their cyclometers showed a record of over 110 miles. Very little of such riding as this is seen out here, as it is too much hard work.

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Aug 1886

Do click the link for J. A. Hasley, of the Kansas City Wheelmen. They spelled it "Halsley," and I almost gave up looking for the name until I found the article linked below. It's worth a read. - MF

Bay City Wheelman 17 Aug 1886 17 Aug 1886, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

The Bay City Wheelmen had a club run to Haywards Sanday, leaving the city on the 9:15 o'clock boat, creek route. After a short run through Oakland they started for Haywards, reaching there about 12 o'clock. A fine dimer awaited the boys at the Hayward Hotel, which it is unnecessary to say they did justice to. This was the most numerously attended run of the season, having nearly forty men in line. They made a fine appearance as they rode through Oakland, attracting considerable attention. The residents of that silent town Haywards were also somewhat surprised at the large gathering of wheelmen. Leaving Haywards about 2:30 o'clock the 5 o'clock boat was easily made. The following wheelmen were guests of the club: W. C. Heavener and H. J. Toll of the Capital City Wheelmen, Sacramento; J. A. Hasley of the Kansas City Wheelmen; Harry Houseworth and B. C. Auster Jr. of the San Francisco Bicycle Club; D. W. Donnelly of the San Mateo Wheelmen; unattached - Fred Teller, Walter Teller, E. Ehrenfort, C. A. Biederman, Mr. Sheldon and T. Richardson. Of the club members the following were present: P. Haslett. Dan O'Callaghan, R. Tittle, C. C. Moore, E. Fahrback, F. D. Elwell, S. F. Booth Jr., L. Cole, R. A. Smyth, R. M. Welch, Harry C. Cummins, F. E. James, T. Thornberg, William Meeker, W. Whitson, R. Russ, C. E. Adcock, C. J. Shuster, R. W. Turner, F. E. Browning, S. Parsons, James Cox and G. W. Gilmore. Fred Russ Cook and Ed Mohrig of the Bay City Wheelmen have gone to Los Angeles for a week or so.

ON WHEELS. - A Great Day for California Bicycles - Winners of Races - The San Francisco Examiner, 10 Sep 1886

ON WHEELS. A Great Day for California Bicycles - Winners of Races. Oakland Ramblers 10 Sep 1886, Fri The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

ON WHEELS. 

A Great Day for California Bicyclists - Winners of Races. 

It was a great day for Coast wheelmen, and the programme which had been prepared for the celebration was carried out with marked success. The parade in the morning was probably the largest and most attractive of its kind ever seen in this city. Notwithstanding the heat, which made it very disagreeable for those who were to take part in the parade and tournament, over one hundred bicyclists, connected with the California division of the League of American Wheelmen, assembled promptly at 10 o'clock at Van Ness and Golden Gate avenues, from which point the start was made. The parade was under the charge of Robert M. Welch, Chief Consul of the division, and taking his place at the head of the line and giving the order to march the bicyclists proceeded up Van Ness avenue two blocks on foot before a place was found sufficiently smooth to allow the men to mount. After the mount was made the line moved on out the avenue to Pacific street, with a counter run to the starting point. The procession presented a very attractive appearance, as the many colored uniforms passed by one after the other and the finely polished machines glistened in the sunlight. The order of the procession was as follows: Chief Consul Welch, accompanied by Messrs. Donnelly, Olds, Radke, Mohrig, Haslett and Biederman as aids; the Bay City Wheelmen, numbering thirty-five members, under command of Captain O'Callahan: the San Francisco Bicycle Club, with twenty members, commanded by Captain Housewith; [Houseworth] the San Mateo Wheelman, numbering fourteen, under command of Captain Donnelly: the Oakland and Alameda clubs, under command of Lieutenant Meeker, the unattended wheelmen, thirty-five strong, from different points in this State and Oregon, brought up the rear, and the numerous kinds and varieties of bicycles and tricycles to be seen in this division attracted much attention.

A Bicycle Run. - Oakland Tribune, 11 May 1883

A Bicycle Run. 11 May 1883, Fri Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

A Bicycle Run. 

The next club run of the Oakland Bicycle Club will be to San Jose on Saturday, May 19th, and the following day will be spent in and about the Garden City, the Club returning by train Sunday afternoon. Members desiring to ride the whole distance at a leisurely gait are at liberty to start as early as they choose, and will be overtaken by those starting later, but they are not to proceed beyond Milpitas until all participating arrive, so as to ride into San Jose together. Members unable to start in the morning can proceed to Milpitas by broad gauge train leaving San Francisco at 3 P. M. The start will be from the corner of Market and Thirteenth streets, Oakland, at 10 o'clock A. M. Necessary expenses of trip need not exceed $4, which includes return railroad fare from San Jose. Members of the Club are requested to appear in uniform, and new members who have not already procured uniforms are urged to do so at once.

CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS - Wilber J. Edwards, the San Jose Crackerjack, and Something of His Racing Record - The San Francisco Examiner, 09 Feb 1895

CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS Wilber J. Edwards, the San Jose Crackerjack, and Something of His ... 09 Feb 1895, Sat The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS

Wilber J. Edwards, the San Jose Crackerjack, and Something of His Racing Record.

WANTS TO DO A MILE IN 1:30 TO-DAY.

The Quadruplet - Southern Men Coming Here to Race - Reliance Road Races - The Acme Wheelmen - Club Runs.

Wilber J. Edwards, the star rider of the Garden City cyclers, is pretty well known all over the Coast, but as yet no full history of his racing work has ever been printed. His first race was in 1890 at the field day of the University of the Pacific at San Jose. He won that race and in 1891 he won the race again. In 1892 Edwards got second in the mile State championship, riding against such mon ag Foster, Bell, Waller and Needham, who were crackerjacks at that time. This was on the old Alameda track, and Grant Bell finished in first position.

A BATCH OF BOOKS. - The Wheelmen's Handbook - Several New Novels. - Santa Cruz Surf, 21 Jul 1890

A BATCH OF BOOKS. The Wheelmen's Handbook - Several New Novels. 21 Jul 1890, Mon Santa Cruz Surf (Santa Cruz, California) Newspapers.com

A BATCH OF BOOKS. 

The Wheelmen's Handbook - Several New Novels. 

THROUGH THE COURTESY Of Ralph M. Thompson, Chief Consul of the League of American Wheelmen of the State of California, and also of Ed N. Radke, the accomplished wheelman of this city, copies have been received at this office of a very neat and useful “Hand Book of California Division, L. A. W., 1890," compiled by Ralph M. Thompson, Chief Consul. This is a very valuable compendium for wheelmen and a volume full of interest even for those who do not ride the silent steed. It is, moreover, plentifully illustrated with photogravures of prominent wheelmen, and with views taken at different tours and meets. Another feature is a large lithographed bird's eye view of California. Santa Cruzans may well take an added interest in this little book and in the organization which it represents, since the compiler and Chief Consul of the league is a son of a Santa Cruzan and spent his boyhood and youth in this city. We quote the following brief exposition of the objects of the league:

AMONG THE WHEELMEN. - Frank Fuller Has Returned From the East - Entries for the Meet at Dixon. - The San Francisco Call, 02 Mar 1897

AMONG THE WHEELMEN Frank W. Fuller in favor of establishment of a Western League 02 Mar 1897, Tue The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

AMONG THE WHEELMEN.

Frank Fuller Has Returned From the East - Entries for the Meet at Dixon. 

Frank W. Fuller of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, who attended the National Assembly of the League of American Wheelmen in company with the California delegates, R. M. Welch and F. H. Kerrigan, returned from the East yesterday. He was hearty in his confirmation of everything said by Mr. Welch in the interview with him published in THE CALL last Monday week. He said that no consideration whatever had been shown the Californians or the delegates from the other States who desired divisional option on Sunday racing. Mr. Fuller is very much in favor of the establishment of a Western league, and says California had better hurry up or it will lose the honor of having taken the initiative, as both Illinois and Louisiana are already taking steps in that direction.

SOUR, SELFISH AND NARROW - Attitude of Eastern Wheelmen Toward Western Brethren. - The San Francisco Call, 23 Feb 1897

SOUR, SELFISH AND NARROW Attitude of Eastern Wheelmen Toward Western Brethren. 23 Feb 1897, Tue The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

SOUR, SELFISH AND NARROW

Attitude of Eastern Wheelmen Toward Western Brethren.

Return of R. M. Welch From the National L. A. W. Assembly

What He Thinks and What He Says of the Delegates He Met.

Robert M. Welch, a member of the National racing board of the League of American Wheelmen and one of the delegates from the North California division to the National assembly of the league recently held at Albany, N. Y., returned last evening. He was met at the Sixteenth-street station, Oakland, by a number of his friends prominent in local wheeling interests, and representatives from the different papers.

'Cyclistic. - W. E. Nachtrieb - San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Jan 1885

Cyclistic W. E. Nachtrieb 20 Jan 1885, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

'Cyclistic.

The Oakland Club will take a more active part in the sport during the coming season. The roads on the other side of the bay are in excellent order.

At the semi-annual meeting of the Bay City Wheelmen the following were elected officers for the ensuing term: President, E. Mohrig; Vice-President S.F. Booth Jr.; Secretary, Thomas L. Hill; Treasurer, W. E. Nachtrieb; Captain, F.R. Cook; First-Lieutenant, Charles L. Davis; [Clarence L. Davis] Second-Lieutenant, H. Houseworth; Butler, W. F. Sperbeck.

Carl Kron's "Ten Thousand Miles on a Bicycle" will probably appear in March.

William Woodside wants to ride John S. Prince five races at tbe following distances: Ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five and fifty miles for $500 a side and the title of champion of America, the winner of three out of the five races to take the stake and the title.

Fred D. Owen of Washington, D. C., has applied for a patent on a new crank bicycle which is to have its handle-bar behind the rider, the handles bending around to within easy reach.

Professional bicyclists, as a rule are not modest men. But Tom Eck is the exception in this case. He Is desirous of being known as the father of bicycling in America.

HOW TO TRAIN FOR A CYCLE RACE. - "Tom" Eck's Advice to Amateurs Looking for Championship Laurels. - The New York Times, 14 Jan 1894

See also What did bicycle riders in the 1890s drink? Not much. And weird things. - MF

HOW TO TRAIN FOR A CYCLE RACE. "Tom" Eck's Advice to Amateurs Looking for Championship Laurels. 14 Jan 1894, Sun The New York Times (New York, New York) Newspapers.com

HOW TO TRAIN FOR A CYCLE RACE.

"Tom" Eck's Advice to Amateurs Looking for Championship Laurels.

"Tom" Eck, the veteran bicycle rider, who is known from Maine to California in connection with the wheel, is perhaps, the foremost trainer of bicycle riders in the country. He had charge of John Johnson of record-breaking fame all last season, and to Eck's advice and clever handling the young rider attributes much of his success. On the question of training. In a long letter to The American Wheelman, Eck says:

'Cyclistic. - San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Jun 1884

'Cyclistic. 10 Jun 1884, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

'Cyclistic. 

While Sunday's rain was to many an unpleasant dampener, to the wheelmen it was most welcome. The roads, which were becoming dusty and heavy, will now in a day or two become quite fine and smooth.

The State Wheelmen. - San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Feb 1886

members of League of American Wheelmen form California division at Bay City Wheelmen rooms 20 Feb 1886, Sat San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The State Wheelmen. 

The members of the League of American Wheelmen met Thursday night at the clubrooms of the Bay City Wheelmen to form a State division of the league and elect officers. The names put in nomination for the office of Chief Consul were Edward [Edwin] Mohrig and R. M. Welch. The latter was elected. T. E. Haslett [P. E. Haslett] of Alameda was elected Secretary Treasurer. A committee of five, composed of the following gentlemen: T. L. Hill, E. Moore, F. R. Cook, F. E. Walsh and M. A. Bley, was elected to draft by-laws and regulations for the State division.

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Feb 1886

The Wheel. 16 Feb 1886, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

The following circular has been sent to the members of the League of American Wheelmen by a committee of the Bay City Wheelmen:

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 09 Feb 1886

The Wheel. 09 Feb 1886, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

The Bay City Wheelmen were never in a more flourishing condition. Applications for membership are being received at every meeting

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar 1887

The Wheel. 21 Mar 1887, Mon San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

[Official Organ L. A. W.] 

CHIEF Consul, Robert M. Welch; Representatives, O. C. Smith, C. A. Biederman, S. F. Booth Jr., W. W. Haralson; Secretary and Treasurer, P. E. Haslett. 

The terms of all local consuls having expired on the 1st of March, the Chief Consul has made the following appointments for 1887-8. The arrangement as below is in the order of the several representative districts: E. S. M. Judson, Los Angeles; George H. Frost, Pasadena: Edwin Mohrig, San Francisco; D. W. Donnely, San Mateo: C. J. Kryster, Oakland: P. E. Haslett, Alameda; George A. Morrill, Livermore; R. G. Bailey, San Jose; E. N. Radke, Santa Cruz: Benjamin B. Lyon, Stockton: John Breuner Jr., Sacramento; S. S Simon, Oroville.

LONG RIDE ON BIKES. - Women and Children Who Rode All the Way on Their Wheels to Santa Barbara. - The San Francisco Call, 03 Jul 1895

LONG RIDE ON BIKES. Women and Children Who Rode All the Way on Their Wheels to Santa Barbara. 03 Jul 1895, Wed The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

LONG RIDE ON BIKES. 

Women and Children Who Rode All the Way on Their Wheels to Santa Barbara. 

The longest cycle ride ever accomplished by women in this State was that in a run from this City to Santa Barbara. The distance traveled was 3872 miles. Two weeks ago last Sunday a party consisting of Edwin Mohrig and wife, Arthur Mohrig, aged 10 years, Eddie Mohrig, aged 12 years, Mrs. R. Holmes and George A. Morrill left this City for the long ride. The ladies wore the rational cycling costume and the men wore the most comfortable of cycling dress. The trip was made by easy stages, the party resting every night at some city or town along the route. The places where they rested were: San Jose, Salinas, King City, Jolon, Paso Robles, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Cold Springs and Santa Barbara. 

CYCLING UP TO DATE. - Two Local Riders Make the First Century of the Year. - The San Francisco Examiner, 30 Jan 1895

It was a tradition to try to be the first bicyclist to ride a century in the new year. I don't know why it was significant, but it obviously made the paper. Perhaps it was that new year; new chances, new luck, new records kind of feeling. It held some prestige. California in January can be wet and muddy. Roads in 1895 were primarily dirt, primarily used by horse and foot traffic, and as we can see below, riding in those conditions can be hard and messy. This article also describes the launch of the San Francisco Bicycle Track Association, which was to manage the bicycle track at Central Park, a shared resource among member clubs.  - MF

CYCLING UP TO DATE. Two Local Riders Make the First Century of the Year. 30 Jan 1895, Wed The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

CYCLING UP TO DATE 

Two Local Riders Make the First Century of the Year. 

John S. Eagan [Egan] and George J. Panario of the Imperial Cycling Club are the first wheelmen in Northern California, if not for the whole West, to ride 100 miles in one day.

Formation of the California Associated Cycling Clubs - The San Francisco Call & San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Jul 1892

Formation of the California Associated Cycling Clubs 31 Jul 1892, Sun The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

FEDERATION OF WHEELMEN. 

Combination of the Bicycle Clubs of California. 

In response to a call issued by a committee of the San Francisco Bicycle Club, the oldest association of wheelmen in the State, a largely attended meeting was held last night at the rooms of that organization on Golden Gate avenue. The following clubs were represented, either by the three delegates to which each was entitled or by proxies: Bay City Wheelmen, Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club, Olympic Club Bicycle Annex, San Francisco Bicycle Club, Capital City Cycle Club of Sacramento, Fresno Wheelmen, San Jose Road Club, California Cycle Club, Pacific Road Club, Alameda County Wheelmen, Oriental Cyclers and Monterey Bicycle Club, After considerable preliminary conversation the meeting was called to order, and T. R. Knox, president of the San Francisco Bicycle Club responded to a unanimous call to act as temporary chairman, M. S. Lavenson of Sacramento being chosen as temporary secretary. After remarks by Mr. Knox and R. Welch explanatory of the objects for which the meeting was called, a draft of the proposed by-laws was read in order to invite discussion.

NOISELESS WHEELS. - San Francisco Bicycle Club had become an annex to the Olympic Club. - The San Francisco Call, 11 Jun 1893

NOISELESS WHEELS. San Francisco Bicycle Club had become an annex to the Olympic Club. 11 Jun 1893, Sun The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

NOISELESS WHEELS. 

Racing at Central Park Track - The San Francisco Club. 

There will be several impromptu races this afternoon at the Bay City Wheelmen's new track, Central Park.

THE WHEEL. - The Capital City Race Meeting - A Club Reunion. - The San Francisco Call, 01 Oct 1893

THE WHEEL. The Capital City Race Meeting - A Club Reunion. 01 Oct 1893, Sun The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

THE WHEEL. 

The Capital City Race Meeting - A Club Reunion. 

The wheelmen are keeping themselves in great fettle for the races which will take place in the near future.

Wheeling. - The Columbia-square Wheelmen have organized - The San Francisco Examiner, 16 Apr 1888

Wheeling. Columbia Square Wheelmen have organized 16 Apr 1888, Mon The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

Wheeling. 

The Columbia-square Wheelmen have organized with the following officers: President, E. C. Richter; Vice-President, William B. Wegener; Secretary of Treasury. A. G. Russ Jr.: Road Officers - Captain, Robert R. Russ: First Lieutenant, M. D. Garratt; First Bugler, H. A. Wegener; Second Bugler, A. G. Russ Jr.

The Wheelmen. - San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Dec 1891

The Wheelmen. 21 Dec 1891, Mon San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheelmen. 

The Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club, as it will be known after January 1st, has empowered its ways and means committee to draw on its treasury for the necessary amounts to fit up clubrooms at the Schuetzen Park. The members of the club are very enthusiastic, several of them spending all day yesterday working in the new rooms. The entrance of the grounds has been adorned with a new sign, the name of the club, the old park name being entirely done away with.

NEWS OF THE CYCLISTS. - Maj. Taylor Will Probably Cause the League Trouble. - St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 11 Mar 1898

Major Taylor causes L. A. W. dilemma; he is a black professional, one must register, one can't. 11 Mar 1898, Fri St. Louis Globe-Democrat (St. Louis, Missouri) Newspapers.com

The hatred of the writer is in evidence, here. Major Taylor deserved much more respect than this. That the writer calls Taylor a "New Yorker" is a great disrespect, as he was from Indianapolis, Indiana, a midwestern city not far from St. Louis. The writer fails to recognize Taylor as one of his own.

The conundrum expressed in this article is fascinating. The League of American Wheelmen had recently outlawed Sunday racing, established support for professional riders, and required professionals to register with the League, and banned Black cyclists from joining the League. Taylor, famously, for his own religious reasons, did not race Sundays, and left much income on the table by refusing to compete on Sundays. (Before organized labor, many people worked six or seven days a week. The only day a worker might have the freedom to see a sports event, like a bicycle track race would have been on a Sunday.) 

Whether he intended it or not, Taylor was effectively advocating for Black rights, Black inclusion in the sport of cycling, which was at its apogee in 1898, in the US and worldwide. 

NEWS OF THE CYCLISTS.

Maj. Taylor Will Probably Cause the League Trouble. 

Major Taylor, the little colored New Yorker who has managed to keep his name before the public through his many escapades during the past two years, is once more on deck. He has started the season of 1898 by being chased out of Savannah, and now he is about to give the powers of the League of American Wheelman a difficult question to wrestle with.

Re Taylor being chased out of Georgia, this is what the writer is referring to:

Mister Taylor,

If you don't leave here before 48 hours are up, you will be sorry. We mean business. Clear out if you value your life.

White Riders

Major Taylor, by Andrew Ritchie, on Podiumcafe

AMERICAN WHEELMEN. - League Refused to Allow Professionals to Become Members - Color Line Drawn. - Buffalo Evening News, 13 Feb 1897

L. A. W. - no sunday racing, color line drawn 13 Feb 1897, Sat Buffalo Evening News (Buffalo, New York) Newspapers.com

AMERICAN WHEELMEN. 

League Refused to Allow Professionals to Become Members - Color Line Drawn.

ALBANY, Feb. 13. - What the League of American Wheelmen in annual convention declined to do was of equal importance if not greater than those things they did. They declined to allow professionals, no matter of what standing, to either full or associate membership in the league.

KERRIGAN RESIGNS - Secession from the League of American Wheelmen Begins. - The San Francisco Call, 28 Mar 1897

KERRIGAN RESIGNS Secession from the League of American Wheelmen Begins. 28 Mar 1897, Sun The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

KERRIGAN RESIGNS

Secession From the League of American Wheelmen Begins.

STRONG REASONS GIVEN FOR WITHDRAWAL.

The California Division Now Without an Executive Head.

A NEW AND POWERFUL BODY TO BE FORMED.

Associated Cycling Clubs to Be the Basis of the Organization in This State.

Chief Consul Frank H. Kerrigan of North California Division League of American Wheelmen has tendered his resignation as an official of the great cycling organization, thus firing the first gun in the secession movement that will eventually involve all of the league members in the division mentioned.

COLORED RIDERS GET NO ANSWER - Anxious to Join the League of American Wheelmen. - Oakland Cycling Club - The San Francisco Call, 16 Aug 1896

COLORED RIDERS GET NO ANSWER Anxious to Join the League of American Wheelmen. Oakland Cycling Club 16 Aug 1896, Sun The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

Previously in this series, about Black cyclists in the San Francisco Bay area, in the late 19th century, Captain Harry Williams expressed some optimism that the lack of a response from the League of American Wheelmen about his club's application for membership might be a cause for optimism. Here, we see only frustration at waiting three years for no real answer. The pattern of deferral on the part of White League officials continued. - MF

COLORED RIDERS GET NO ANSWER

Anxious to Join the League of American Wheelmen.

WANT RECORDS KEPT.

Oakland Cycling Club Annoyed at the Long Official Silence.

DECLARE THEY ARE IGNORED.

Would Prefer to Know That They Are Rejected Than to Remain in Suspense.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,

908 Broadway, Aug. 15. 

The Oakland Cycling Club has waited several weeks for an answer from the League of American Wheelmen, and it has not yet been received. The Oakland Cycling Club is a colored citizens' club, and its members have been trying for two years to obtain recognition from the league, but so far have met with no success.

HAVE NOT BEEN BARRED. - The L. A. W. Has Not Refused to Recognize Colored Clubs - The San Francisco Call, 24 Jul 1896

HAVE NOT BEEN BARRED. The L. A. W. Has Not Refused to Recognize Colored Clubs 24 Jul 1896, Fri The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

Last post in this series, about Black cyclists in the San Francisco Bay area, in the late 19th century, we saw an apparent refusal on the part of the League of American Wheelmen to allow the Oakland Cycling Club membership. - MF

HAVE NOT BEEN BARRED.

The L. A. W. Has Not Refused to Recognize Colored Clubs.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,

908 Broadway, July 23

Harry F. Williams, captain of the Oakland Cycling Club, has been considerably amused by the publication of the report that his club has been refused admission to the League of American Wheelmen.

DRAW THE COLOR LINE. - The League of American Wheelmen Will Not Admit Colored Cyclers. - The San Francisco Examiner, 21 Jul 1896

DRAW THE COLOR LINE. The League of American Wheelmen Will Not Admit Colored Cyclers. 21 Jul 1896, Tue The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

This is part of a story, see previous posts about Black cycling clubs and riders riding and racing, and trying to gain recognition and equal standing as other, White clubs and athletes, in the San Francisco Bay area. Previously, Captain Harry F. Williams made clear his attempt - for the third time in three years - to get his club accepted by the League of American Wheelmen. Here, he gets his answer... or does he? In my next post, you'll see how the pattern of vague answers and finger-pointing by the people who might help him made his attempt to gain recognition by the national body so frustrating. This was not just a local story, but was playing out nationally. - MF

DRAW THE COLOR LINE.

The League of American Wheelmen Will Not Admit Colored Cyclers.

The Oakland Club Was Refused Admission Because It Is Composed of Negroes.

TRIED FOR THREE YEARS TO GET IN.

President Williams of the Oakland Organization Says He is an American and Will Demand His Rights.

Alameda County Bureau "The Examiner,"

914 Broadway, Oakland. 

OAKLAND, July 20. Harry Williams, the President of the Oakland Cycle Club, is very indignant because the League of American Wheelmen refuses to admit his club to membership

COLORED RIDERS ARRANGE A MEET. - Oakland Cycling Clubs' Programme at Shell Mound Park. - WANT TO JOIN THE L. A. W. - The San Francisco Call, 12 Jul 1896

oakland cycling club TODO blog 12 Jul 1896, Sun The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

See previous articles about black cycling clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is an important story. Idella Allen married W. H. Johnson, since the last article, and is still looking for a chance to race all women, White and Black in California, after her last challenge to race a White women's club in her city, Oakland, was denied. Captain Harry Williams continues to petition the local division chairman of the Pacific Coast division of the League of American wheelmen for club membership. They would like to become members in time for the big event they are hosting at Shell Mound Park in four day's time, a repeat of the previous summer's event. More to come! - MF

COLORED RIDERS ARRANGE A MEET.

Oakland Cycling Club's Programme at Shell Mound Park.

WANT TO JOIN THE L. A.W.

None of the Club's Records or Meets Have Yet Been Recognized.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM TALKS.

When Fairly Discussel He thinks the O. C. C. Will Be Admitted to the League.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,

908 Broadway, July 11. 

The Oakland Cycling Club's picnic and race meet which will be held at Shell Mound Park on the 16th inst. will bring out a large crowd and may probably result in some record breaking.

The O. C. C. is the leading colored cycling club on the coast and has a large membership as well as a ladies' annex. This is its second annual picnic and some very valuable prizes are offered. 

COLOR LINE DRAWN. - A Cycling Club Which Wants to Join the L. A. W. - San Francisco Chronicle, 05 Jul 1896

This is a big deal. As discussed in previous articles about Black cyclists in the San Francisco Bay area, their events and records were not recognized by other cyclists, because they were not sanctioned by the League of American Wheelmen. Idella Allen's record could not be said to be for all women, because the preeminent local, White women's cycling club declined her challenge, holding the color line. Their refusal was stated in the passive language of referral:

Just how the Athenian Cycling Club will take this challenge and these remarks is not certain, but Mrs. Schlueter, treasurer of the club, when seen to-day was frank to express her individual opinion. In speaking of the matter she said: "I do not think our ladies will care to engage in a race with a colored girl. Of course, that could not be settled except through a meeting of the club, which would have to be called by the President, Mrs. Quintal. If the question. comes before her, I suppose some action may be taken."

Similarly, the request by Captain Harry F. Williams to have the Oakland Cycling Club become a member club of the League of American Wheelmen was submitted to the East (original) division of the L. A. W., which referred it to the Pacific Coast Division, of which Chairman Welch was head. What we can't see - because it wasn't recorded in a newspaper - is the previous attempts by Williams and the O. C. C. to gain legitimacy. I am guessing he tried Welch / Pacific, got no satisfaction, forced the issue by submitting his request to East, which then referred it back to the local division. As we'll see in subsequent articles about Black cycling, he, and the club were very frustrated with their treatment. How did the League respond, locally and nationally? I'll publish that soon, I'm posting these in chronological order. This issue was playing out more broadly, at the same time, see this article about the color line being drawn the previous month, at the Republican National Convention in St. Louis.

COLOR LINE DRAWN. Captain Harry Williams of the Oak Cycling Club, wants to join L. A. W. 05 Jul 1896, Sun San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

COLOR LINE DRAWN.

MANY CYCLERS OF COLOR. - Oakland Has a Bicycle Club Composed Entirely of Negroes. - The San Francisco Examiner, 25 May 1896

MANY CYCLERS OF COLOR. Oakland Has a Bicycle Club Composed Entirely of Negroes. 25 May 1896, Mon The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Oakland Cycling Club had an event at Shell Mound Park the previous summer. It was the first mention of a Black cycling club, in the San Francisco Bay area, that I could find. Notice the change in tone of this San Francisco Examiner article; it is respectful, which is remarkable for 1896, unlike the Oakland Tribune covering a local event the year before, treating the event like a joke. The same photo in this article is repurposed, later, a better version is added with Idella (Allen) Johnson. I'll publish it soon. I'm publishing these in chronological order, as they were published, trying to tell the story. - MF

MANY CYCLERS OF COLOR.

Oakland Has a Bicycle Club Composed Entirely of Negroes.

Will Give a Big Picnic and Races at Shell Mound Park Next July.

IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION.

The Coming Picnic Will Be the Great Outdoor Gathering of the Colored Folk of the Coast.

Alameda County Bureau "The Examiner,"

918 Broadway, Oakland. 

OAKLAND, May 24. - Oakland has the first cycling club in the country to be organized exclusively of colored men. It has been named the Oakland Cycling Club, and they are preparing to give a series of races, games and a big picnic at Shell Mound Park on July 16th next.

WILL DRAW THE COLOR LINE. - Idella Allen - Athenian Cycling Club - The San Francisco Examiner, 15 Dec 1895

Idella Allen Athenian Cycling Club 15 Dec 1895, Sun The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

Idella Allen was 18 in 1895, a confident young Black woman, holder of a new bicycle racing record for the mile. Because racing was segregated, her record was qualified as that for 'colored women,' and she sought to validate it as a record for women. She was already breaking barriers as a Black woman cyclist, and with this challenge, she demanded a response from the new, White women's cycling club, recently reformed after a scandal, the Athenia Cyclers. The Athenia Cyclers did not rise to the occasion. - MF

WILL DRAW THE COLOR LINE.

The Athenian Cyclers Have Been Challenged by the Champion Colored Scorcher.

SHE CLAIMS THE WORLD'S RECORD.

Miss Idella Allen Is Very Anxious to Have a Race With Some of the Bloomer Girls of Oakland

Oakland office of "The Examiner,"

918 Broadway. 

OAKLAND, December 14. - Miss Idella Allen, the champion colored cycler, known among her friends as "The Pride of Oakland," is not satisfied with the record she has made among those of her own race, and proposes to give white people a chance to show whether they or she can make the fastest time.

Knave: The Spanish Settlers, El Rancho de Laguna de Palos Colorados - Oakland Tribune, 19 Nov 1933

Knave: The Spanish Settlers, El Rancho de Laguna de Palos Colorados TO BLOG 19 Nov 1933, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

I transcribed this for the Californio content, but the story of the C. & N. Railroad, (and the chief engineer's trip to Japan) Mayor Rossi's "Greater San Francisco," the guy in Chico with the log of the U. S. S. Constitution, life on Alcatraz before the prison, and the Bear Creek killings in Redding are worth reading about. As usual, I've left off the current events from the beginning of this edition of The Knave, focusing on the old-timey stuff.  Much more Knave editions are here.- MF

SAN JOSE COLORED CYCLERS. - World's Record for Wheelwomen Lowered by Rebecca Downs. - The San Francisco Call, 30 Sep 1895

SAN JOSE COLORED CYCLERS. World's Record for Wheelwomen Lowered by Rebecca Downs. 30 Sep 1895, Mon The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

This is the third in a series of articles, in chronological order, where I've found evidence of Black cyclists riding and racing in the Bay Area. Here, Rebecca Downs lowers the "world's record," set by Idella Allen just 12 days earlier by 1-5 of a second. I've found no other mention of Rebecca Downs in newspapers of the era, but the 1880 census shows a Rebecca H. Downs, 2 years old, "Mulatto" in Oakland, CA, same city in which Idella grew up. Idella was born in 1877 and Rebecca was born in 1878, making them 18 and 17, respectively on this race day. I've looked into some of the other names, but so far I don't have anything interesting to share about them. I'd love to know to which clubs they belonged, but that isn't recorded. I do know that at least these two clubs were involved; Oakland Cycling Club and San Jose Cyclers. It seems the newspaper editors variable insert the word "Colored" into their names, to differentiate them I guess.

SAN JOSE COLORED CYCLERS. 

World's Record for Wheelwomen Lowered by Rebecca Downs. 

SAN JOSE, CAL., Sept. 29. - The race meet of the San Jose Colored Cyclers this afternoon proved an interesting event.

There was not a very large attendance, but the races were all hotly contested. The feature of the meet was the ladies' mile race, which was won by Miss Rebecca Downs in 2:59, lowering the world's record, formerly held by Miss Idella Allen of Oakland 1-5 of a second. Miss Allen fell from her wheel in a faint after crossing the finishing line.

COLORED CYCLERS MEET. - San Jose Cyclers - Idla (Idella) Allen of Oakland - The San Francisco Examiner, 18 Sep 1895

COLORED CYCLERS MEET. San Jose Cyclers Idla (Idella) Allen of Oakland 18 Sep 1895, Wed The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

See previous article, chronologically; COLORED "CORKERS." - The Oakland Bicycle Club Has a Gala Day at Shell Mound. - Oakland Tribune, 17 Jul 1895. Idella Allen was a member of the Oakland Bicycle Club, which put on that event, led by Harry F. Williams, Captain of the club. In this article, the San Jose Cyclers, another Black cycling club, put on an event for Black cyclists, and she sets a paced record for 'colored' women, but as we'll see later, it was actually a record for all women, however because the Black cycling clubs were not allowed to join the League of American Wheelmen (more on that, later) the record wasn't recognized. You don't see women get much credit in this era, for cycling achievements, nor do you see non-White cyclists get credit. Idella Allen is important. - MF

COLORED CYCLERS MEET. 

San Jose Men Race, Making Good Time - Women's Record Is Broken. 

SAN JOSE, September 17. - The San Jose Cyclers, the colored organization, held its initial meet at the Garden City Cyclers' track this afternoon. A large crowd of contestants from various parts of the State and Colorado was expected, but few came. The attendance was small, but the sport was sufficiently exciting to interest the spectators to the end.

In an exhibition mile, Miss Idla Allen of Oakland, paced by a tandem, made a mile in 2:59 1-5, which, it is said, reduces the previous Coast record for women 5 4-5 seconds. The evening entertainment and ball was given in Foresters' Hall and the prizes distributed. Summary:

COLORED "CORKERS." - The Oakland Bicycle Club Has a Gala Day at Shell Mound. - Oakland Tribune, 17 Jul 1895

COLORED "CORKERS." The Oakland Bicycle Club Has a Gala Day at Shell Mound. 17 Jul 1895, Wed Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

There is little mention of Black cyclists in the 19th century. It's as if the big newspapers of the day, the ones that are preserved, that I can search, were written only for white people, for white men. When Black people are mentioned, it's often only from and for the viewpoint of the White, male. What follows is written as a humorous sketch, but it's also the first mention I find of any Black cyclists in my home town, Oakland, or my home region, the San Francisco Bay Area. More to come about the Oakland Bicycle Club (colored), AKA the Oakland Cycling Club. Throughout the articles I could find, there is mention of Black cycling clubs, races, and even a league, but I could find only some references to them, and the people in the stories are barely in the historical record. I apologize for re-sharing hateful words, but I think that this is important history. - MF

COLORED “CORKERS.”

The Oakland Bicycle Club Has a Gala Day at Shell Mound. 

The annual picnic of the Oakland Bicycle Club (colored) was held yesterday at Shell Mound park. The club, 100 strong, paraded Broadway on their way to the park and as the notes of the bugles rang out storekeepers and clerks were edified by a novel spectacle. Stout, thin, tall and long colored men astride their wheels, arrayed in gorgeous uniforms and resplendent with badges, manoeuvered on Broadway in different drills to the amusement of the throng on the sidewalks.

SILENT WHEELS AND LOUD FALLS. - Bicycle Tournament Mechanics' Pavilion - Elwell - cartoons - The San Francisco Call, 20 Feb 1895

SILENT WHEELS AND LOUD FALLS. Bicycle Tournament Mechanics' Pavilion Elwell cartoons 20 Feb 1895, Wed The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

SILENT WHEELS AND LOUD FALLS.

BICYCLISTS WHO TOOK HEAVY HEADERS AT THE PAVILION LAST NIGHT.

THE CURVES ARE DANGEROUS.

TO GUARD AGAINST FATAL ACCIDENTS THE FENCES WILL BE PADDED.

The second night of the bicycle tournament at the Pavilion proved beyond all question that the track constructed with a view for fast racing is a genuine slaughter course. This view was taken by the wheelmen after they had become converted to the idea that something should be done to guarantee the contestants' safety from broken bones. Immediately after the finish of the races a meeting of the bicyclists was held, and the manager promised them that the curves at either end of the course would be arranged to-day in a way that in a case a rider should get a spill he would receive no great injury.

Knave - Picnic Trains to Redwood Canyon - Oakland Tribune, 16 Jun 1968

Picnic Trains to Redwood Canyon, part 1 16 Jun 1968, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

Picnic Trains to Redwood Canyon, part 2 16 Jun 1968, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

Picnic Trains to Redwood Canyon

THERE was something about boarding the coaches of the old Oakland, Antioch & Eastern electric line and heading for a picnic out among the gloriously secluded and shaded glens and dales of Redwood Canyon that has left an indelible impression with Oakland rail historian Vernon Sappers.

Acme Athletic Club reunion - Dimond Canyon - "old road" - Oakland Tribune, 16 Aug 1925

Acme Athletic Club reunion Dimond Canyon "old road" 16 Aug 1925, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

ACME ATHLETIC CLUB WILL HOLD ANNUAL REUNION

Members of Club Long Since Out of Existence to Meet at Redwood Canyon.

In automobiles, by train and on foot, former members of the old Acme Athletic Club, which ceased to exist more than 25 years ago, will journey to Canyon Park, Redwood Canyon, today for their fifth annual reunion and barbecue.

Flocking from all parts of the state between 80 and 100 athletes of former times will gather to talk over the days when John Kitchen, Billie Gallagher and Jim Fox, all members of the club, were heavy, welter and lightweight amateur boxing champions of the Pacific Coast and when the Bay City Wheeling club was defeated in a 100-mile bicycle relay face from San Francisco to Oakland.

Those who intend to journey to the park on foot will meet at the Elks club, 420 Fourteenth street, before 8:30 o'clock. The "E" car will be taken to the end of the line and from there members will hike through Dimond canyon to Snake road summit and then down the "old road" to Canyon Park.

[This 1923 article about hikes, in the Oakland Tribune refers to "... the end of the Park Boulevard (E) car line." The wikipedia article says the E line went to the Claremont Hotel. You would not take a street car to the Claremont Hotel to get to Dimond Canyon. Park Boulevard used to be called 4th Avenue. You can see where it terminates in the 1911 Key Route map, and this would correspond with Park Boulevard and Hollywood Avenue. The "old road" spoken of here is the original Thorn road, built by Hiram Thorn to move cut redwood lumber from his mill to the wharves of Oakland. They would have walked up Park Boulevard, then Snake Road to what's now Huckleberry Botanical Preserve, and then down the "old road," which is now Lower Huckleberry Loop Trail to Lower Pinehurst trail, to Pinehurst road. This is Hiram Thorn's old route. On the other side of the hill it's (nothing) to Sobrante road to Thornhill drive to Mountain Boulevard to Park Boulevard to 13th Street. - MF]

Club members traveling by train will take the Sacramento Short line train leaving Fortieth street and Shafter at 10:10 a.m. Automobiles can get to Canyon Park via the Snake road.

The Acme Athletic club which at one time numbered 850 members, according to Willis Sharpe, in charge of the reunion.

Leader Sharp (Sharpe) has arranged a run for the boys to Redwood canyon next Sunday. - Oakland Tribune, 08 Apr 1891

Leader Sharp (Sharpe) has arranged a run for the boys to Redwood canyon next Sunday. 08 Apr 1891, Wed Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

THE ACME ATHLETES. 

An Exhibition Will Be Given at the Oakland Theatre. 

The directors of the Acme Athletic Club will hold an adjourned meeting next Friday night for the purpose of fixing a date for holding their exhibition at the Oakland Theatre. At the recent meeting of the directors it was decided to give the exhibition, but no date was arranged upon. Some of the boys want to have it during this month, while others think it wise not to hold it until the middle of next month. The last exhibition was such a grand financial success that the boys have confidence in giving another entertainment of the same kind.

The handball tournament at the club is creating a great deal of interest among the members and will probably not be terminated until the latter part of the week. Kitchen and Scott are in the lead, having won ten games and lost one. Scanlon and Swales are not far behind in the race, as they have won eight games and lost one. The contest will, no doubt, be a close finish.

Leader Sharp has arranged a run for the boys to Redwood canyon next Sunday. The members the Alpine Athletic Club have been invited to participate in the run. Harvey Sloper and John Grimley have agreed to take the luncheon in a buggy and meet the boys in the canyon. The rup will be about sixteen miles.

Bicycle Notes. - CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS. - Liberty Cycling Club - largest bicycle rider - The San Francisco Examiner, 05 Jan 1895

Bicycle Notes. CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS. Liberty Cycling Club drawing largest bicycle rider 05 Jan 1895, Sat The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS.

The Biggest Bicycle Rider So Far Reported Is Rev. Mr. Frost of San Bernardino.

WITH THE LIBERTY CYCLING CLUB.

What the Cycling World Is Doing - Rain Stops Club Runs - O. C. W. Smoker - Imperials in New Clubhouse.

California now possesses the largest bicycle rider in the world, as well as the amateur champion.

Souvenir history & guide of the Pacific coast, Watkins & Griffin, 1892, African-American guidebook of California

I was looking for something else, and found this:

It's the Souvenir history & guide of the Pacific coast, published by Watkins & Griffin of Oakland, California in 1892, held by the Library of Congress. It's an old, faded pamphlet that's been poorly bound in hardcover, making some of the printed pages unavailable at the binding edge. Lots of ads, some misspellings, grand language. Not that interesting, right? It is, if you look more closely. I'll let the faded text, buried amidst the advertisements do the talking. I'll show it as clippings, color-adjusted to make it more readable. I'll use the page numbering used by archive.org to refer to the pages. I will leave the spelling and grammar as I found it, I think it helps to tell the story. Where words are clipped by the binding, I'll attempt to provide the missing letters. I'll put my comments in italic

Page 5:

This is the front page, I am guessing, of the original pamphlet. Notice "Oakland Cal" in the bottom right, and "Watkins & Griffin" top left, "L. C." top right. I like the colors.

Boyd Gray rides from coast to coast in 1894 - 1895

Who was Boyd Gray?

I know almost nothing about him. I saw mention of his arrival in San Francisco, in a newspaper article, and it made me curious about him. Searching his name - also spelled "Boyd Grey" - showed his journey over time and space, and I was intrigued. What was it like to be a young, black man in New York City in 1894, to have a family at risk due to economic and racial forces, to select as a solution to leave a known place of security and venture out on a massive journey across the continent and back, to serve others, and through serving, to achieve independence? What was that personal journey like? What about the actual journey, first on ordinary bike, then on safety bike, cross the country? Who were his parents? Where was that farm, exactly? Did they end up keeping it? How did that go? What was the rest of his life like? If you know, please tell me.

Racing Men Sue For Prizes. - M. H. de Young ordered to pay The Bearings, August 31, 1894

Racing Men Sue For Prizes.

San Francisco, Cal., August 22. — Three crack racing men, Charles S. Wells, William A. Terrill, and Harry F. Terrill, were given a verdict today in a suit against the California Midwinter International Exposition for prizes won at race meets under the fair management which were not delivered to them after running them. In his testimony, M. H. de Young, with the handle of director-general attached to his name, said that there never was any fair held under the title given above, but that the name was a pretty one which had its origin in the minds of certain newspaper editors, and that he was simply a figure head to the great exposition, and that he was one of the executive committee of fifty who managed the affairs of the exposition. He admitted, however, that the bicycle races were promoted by the fair management. On this showing Judge Dunne gave a verdict to the wheelmen for the amount sued for, $145 and costs. Frank H. Kerrigan, one of San Francisco's brightest young attorneys represented the wheelmen and the L. A. W. His skillful cross-examination of some of the fair officials brought out some queer facts regarding the responsibility of the management in relation to the indebtedness incurred, and to hear them tell the tale one would suppose that they didn't have to pay their just debts unless it so pleased them. In Mr. Kerrigan the L. A. W. has an able representative to look after its rights at the bar of justice.

BICYCLISTS RACE FOR THEIR VERY LIVES - Crack Riders at Mechanics' Pavilion. - San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Feb 1895

BICYCLISTS RACE FOR THEIR VERY LIVES - Crack Riders at Mechanics' Pavilion. 19 Feb 1895, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

BICYCLISTS RACE FOR THEIR VERY LIVES.

Crack Riders at Mechanics' Pavilion.

Osen, Decker and Byrne Are Winners.

Ziegler Got a Fall and Edwards' Friends Take Him From the Track.

Three thousand people and one bulldog saw any number of athletic young men do fancy things with their wheels at the Mechanics' Pavilion last night. The people were about the same as they always are at such exhibitions, but it was different with the bulldog. That animal was grossly misrepresented, and knew it. It was supposed to be the mascot of the Bay City Wheelmen, and was clad in a red and old gold blanket bearing a Maltese cross and the legend "Mike." Despite this masculine tagging, the festive creature has every reason to believe that she is the mother of several canines, who are very Corbetts in the annals of dog fighting. That was what hurt "Mike" and kept her from being as frolicsome as might be, but when things became exciting she barked just as loudly as if she had not been misrepresented at all.