Who was Boyd Gray?
His age is given as 21 or 22 in the articles from 1894, so perhaps he was born in 1873 or 1872.
A Boyd Grey died in Yonkers, NY on 1948/02/20, at age 75, which puts his birth year at 1873. I couldn't find a matching obituary. One article refers to him as "Richard Gray," but I imagine that's a reporter who didn't take good notes, or who heard the story from the person who met Boyd.
One thing that's fascinating about reading his trip was how the newspapers covered it, and the newspaper writers. You'll notice, perhaps, that the local paper in Yonkers, New York keeps a steady report of his progress, sometimes without a local newspaper article to accompany it - in my searches. The other kinds of reports generally come from the local paper, and local reportage. This is the most valuable; someone who witnessed his arrival, spoke to him about his progress, his state, his next steps, and observed and wrote down what they witnessed of him, his bike, his personality and plan. Then there's the repeated, received reports; I didn't share them all, but some of the stories obviously went on a wire, and were repeated 30 or 40 times, in newspapers archived where I could find them, or were slightly re-written versions of the same general story, to fill column inches and interest readers. I think enough Americans knew who he was, and what he was doing, for a year or two, that it was worthwhile for a bicycle company to outfit him, even if he was a member of a class of society for whom recognition and reward were generally unavailable, in 1894. I have put all the articles in date order, and don't make some more important, or guide you to read some first. I encourage you to follow his journey, and I think you'd benefit to read through, as some of the best articles are scattered along the way, just like his experiences were scattered along the way, on his trip.
The signatures, stamps from post offices must have been both an interesting place for souvenirs, but also a passport of sorts, showing that he was not a threat, as he arrived at new places. Of course, I wonder about those books, what happened to them, if they still exist, somewhere.
Americans, and people from around the world have been drawn to California as a land of promise, of gold. San Francisco is emblematic, as the focal point of that journey for many seekers. My family followed a similar geographical path, to San Francisco, and to where I live now, Oakland. I can relate to his journey, and it is something to read of Boyd reaching my town. Who can't relate to a ridiculous quest, well-executed?
I've clipped these articles, transcribed them, done some mild grammar and spelling repair, linked to source material for a few terms. The rest is straight off the printed page, as it were.
Timeline of Articles about Boyd Gray, and His Trip
Yonkers, New York, 1894/05/09
TO 'FRISCO ON A "BICYCLE.
Gray Starts from the Pulitzer Building To-Morrow.
Yonkers, N. Y.. May 9. - Boyd Gray, who for several years has been the bell boy at the Getty House, starts from the Pulitzer Building, New York, to-morrow to wheel to San Francisco. Mr. Gray is an expert bicyclist. He will black boots while on his journey to the Golden Gate. He has a fancy suit given to him by friends.
He will return to Yonkers by the way of the South. He calculates to beat the record heretofore made by all bicyclists to the Pacific coast.
Gray, who is a colored boy from the South, says he is doing this to help his parents. They purchased a farm near Atlanta, Ga., two years ago, paying $1,500 for it. Not long ago a mortgage, of which they had no knowledge, came to light, and he says that if $800 is not paid on it before Jan. 1 next the farm will be lost.
What he wants to do is to earn this $800 and help out his parents by his trip to San Francisco. He calls himself the "Champion Bootblack of the World," and claims that he can black more boots in a given time than any professional on record.
BOYD GRAY STARTS.
"Champion Bootblack" Off on His Bicycling Trip to 'Frisco.
Boyd Gray, the bell-boy of the Getty House, Yonkers, who intends to ride across the continent on a bicycle, started from the Pulitzer Building at 9 o'clock this morning. He was neatly attired in gray corduroy knickerbockers, a crimson jersey und a jockey cap with a huge brim lettered "The Champion Bootblack of the World."
A bootblacking kit was slung across his back, and when he mounted his wheel and rode through City Hall Park into Broadway he was cheered by a large gathering of spectators.
Gray rode straight up Broadway to the Park, and thence to Macomb's Dam for Yonkers. He reached there before noon, and will rest until 3 P. M., when he pushes on to Tarrytown. There he will remain to-night.
Gray is a shrewd young colored fellow, who adopts this plan of making enough money to lift a mortgage from his father's farm in Atlanta, Ga. He requires $800, and Gray will try to get it by shining shoes. He thinks he will reach 'Frisco about Nov. 15 next.
BOYD GRAY STARTS. 10 May 1894, Thu
The Evening World (New York, New York) Newspapers.com
Albany, New York, 1894/06/01
One Way to Pay Off a Mortgage.
A young colored boot black and wheelman, Boyd Gray, arrived in Albany on Wednesday en route from New York to San Francisco and return, Gray carries his boot black kit along with him, and expects to earn money enough to support himself and raise $800 to clear off a mortgage on his father's farm, which, he says, is near Atlanta, Ga. Gray is an intelligent young man, and claims to be the champion boot black of the world. He wears a bicycle suit somewhat the worse for wear and a cap on which is inscribed: "Help the bell boy around the world."
A colored boot black, Boyd Gray, mounted on a wheel and carrying his kit on his back, is passing through New York state en route from the metropolis to the Pacific coast - so he says. He is earning a living shining shoes, on the way.
Rochester, New York, 1894/06/17
HERE'S A NEW "CHAMPION."
Boot Black Gray Riding to Pay Off a Mortgage.
Boyd Gray, a colored man about 21 years old, rode into the city yesterday afternoon on a bicycle on his way to San Francisco. He was attired in a gaudy suit of blue, white shoes, and a black cap on which was embroidered in gilt letters. "Champion Boot Black of New York City."
Gray stopped for the night at the Empire house, on Front street, and then sauntered over to the Columbia house to see John Buckley. He had an interesting story to tell. He has lived with his father in Yonkers part of the time, and has spent the remainder in New York, where he is quite a well-known character. He has blacked boots there for years, earning a wide reputation at the business. He has blacked the shoes of half the celebrities of the city, all the way from "Dick" Croker to " Dry Dollar" Sullivan.
Some time ago it became necessary to put a mortgage on his father's house in Yonkers, and this mortgage is now due. At any rate this is the story he tells. His father was unable to pay the sum of $800 which the mortgage called for, and was on the verge of desperation. Thereupon his son, who had always been full of bright ideas, came forward and swore he would pay off the mortgage or die in the attempt. He started out the next day with the intention of riding his bicycle to San Francisco and return, blacking shoes on the way and collecting money in every possible way.
Gray came on from Waterloo yesterday. He is a fast rider, having beaten the fastest road record from Waterloo to Pittsford, but the roads were bad, and he did not make the trip in the time he expected. He expects to arrive in San Francisco by the last of November. At points on the way he will ride to beat road records. He will stay here until Tuesday seeing the city with his colored friend.
Gray is a muscular young man, black as a coal, and about five feet seven inches in height. He is quite intelligent and has a fair education.
Boyd Gray's Long Journey A-Wheel.
Boyd Gray, a colored lad aged 23, is making a trip a-wheel from New York to San Francisco. From thence he will wheel to New Orleans and northwards to New York. He started on his journey May 10.
Buffalo, New York, 1894/06/29
Boyd Gray's Long Journey A-Wheel.
Boyd Gray, a colored lad aged 23, is making a trip a-wheel from New York to San Francisco. From thence he will wheel to New Orleans and northwards to New York, He started on his journey May 10, and arrived in Buffalo yesterday. He makes his living on his journey blacking shoes and carries his shining apparatus along with him. He is making the trip to earn money to help his father pay a mortgage on his farm near Atlanta, Ga. In every city he shines the shoes of the Mayor and the Chief of Police.
Boyd Gray in Buffalo 29 Jun 1894, Fri
Buffalo Evening News (Buffalo, New York) Newspapers.com
Cleveland, Ohio, 1894/07/09
Another Cross-Country Freak.
Cleveland, O., July 9. — Boyd Gray, a pleasant appearing, young colored man, is in town on his way from New York to 'Frisco awheel. He has a two-fold object in view, to polish the shoes of the Mayor and other distinguished officials in each place he stops, and to raise money with which to pay a troublesome mortgage. He rides an old-fashiored. cushion-tired wheel, but is promised a modern one by a cycle firm in Chicago when he reaches there. He has been on the road about fifty days.
The Wheel and cycling trade review, July 13, 1894
South Bend, Indiana, 1894/07/18
SHINED THE, MAYOR'S SHOES.
A New York Boot-black Receives a Quarter for the Job.
The New York - Chicago bicycle route which passes through this city was traveled by another wheelman yesterday. This one was not out for the record but was none the less interesting for that. He was a well appearing colored boy bearing the name of Boyd Gray and carrying a kit of boot-black tools. These latter are the means of livelihood.
This enterprising youth left New York city May 10, bound for San Francisco, where he expects to arrive before July, 1895. He is mounted on a cushion tired Rambler bicycle of the old pattern and presents as his object in making the trip the laudable desire to earn money to lift a mortgage from his father's home in Atlanta, Ga.
Gray, according to his custom, called upon Mayor Leeper and Chief Rose while in the city and gave each of them a patent leather shine in return for the donations they gave him. He carries a book in which he has the autographs of the mayor and chief of police of every city through which he has passed. South Bend's official autographs were added to the list.
Boyd Gray in South Bend 18 Jul 1894, Wed
The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana) Newspapers.com
Chicago, Illinois, 1894/07/21
Boyd Gray in Chicago. - Boyd Gray, the colored bootblack who left Yonkers on his bicycle, on May 11, has arrived in Chicago. His proposed trip, it will be remembered, is to San Francisco, thence to New Orleans, and back again to Yonkers. Gray is earning his living en route with his blacking-box and brush and he hopes to pay off a mortgage of $800 on his father's house with' the' proceeds of his work.
Boyd Gray in Chicago 21 Jul 1894, Sat
Yonkers Statesman (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
Boyd Gray, the New York bootblack who is touring across the country a-wheel, arrived in Chicago yesterday, and to-day will resume his ride to the Pacific Coast.
Boyd Grey in Chicago 24 Jul 1894, Tue
Buffalo Courier (Buffalo, New York) Newspapers.com
ENTERPRISING BOOTBLACK.
ON A BICYCLE TRIP TO EARN HOME FOR HIS PARENTS.
Chicago, July 27. - Boyd Gray, a colored bootblack, of New York, started May 1 on a bicycle to make a trip to San Francisco and earn money enough to buy a home for his parents In Georgia. He thought he could do it by visiting the chief towns en route and blacking the boots of the Mayor and Chief of Police, as an introduction to a considerable income in a short time. He has been making strenuous efforts to see Mayor Hopkins and Chief Brennan, but has not been able to pass the guard at their doors. Gray is dressed in a brilliant cycling suit with knickerbockers and maroon sweater. He says he will stay in Chicago until he gets an audience with the Mayor and Chief of Police, if it takes all summer.
Boyd Gray in Chicago 27 Jul 1894, Fri
The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York) Newspapers.com
At Chicago. - Boyd Grey, the young colored bell hoy of the Getty House, who started on May 11, on a bicycle tour from Yonkers to San Francisco and return, has reached Chicago. Gray has been a faithful servant of proprietor Johnson for many years and last spring he discovered that his aged father and mother were to be dispossessed of their farm in the south, this fall, if the mortgage of $800 was not paid. Boyd decided to help them and started on the trip. Hs will earn the money by blacking boots all the way. He has already sent to a Yonkers Savings bank over $200, to be held for him till his return.
Boyd Gray at Chicago 30 Jul 1894, Mon
The Yonkers Herald (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
A LONG RIDE. - A negro boy, Boyd Gray by name, left New York city one morning last week for a bicycle ride across the continent and back. He expects to shine the boots of the mayor of every town through which he passes and thus to earn enough money to pay off a mortgage on his home which is in the country near Atlanta.
A LONG RIDE. Boyd Gray 31 Jul 1894, Tue
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Newspapers.com
Boyd Gray, the colored bootblack, who is traveling across country on a solid tired safety and raising the mortgage on his father's little farm, down South, with money procured by blacking the shoes of Mayors and other municipal officials, has passed through Chicago. Mayor Hopkins was too busy to tip him. Gray started from New York on May 10 and expects to reach San Francisco in 18 months.
Boyd Gray 05 Aug 1894, Sun
The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Newspapers.com
Rock Island, Illinois, 1894/08/09
A Long Ride.
This morning about 11:30 two young men rode into Rock Island on bicycles. One was Boyd Gray, the colored boot black, who is riding from New York to San Francisco and New Orleans and thence back to New York. It was on May 1 that Boyd left the office cf the New York World on his long ride and if all goes well he expects to reach San Francisco by the middle of October. It is his intention to make $800 on his journey, for the purpose of paying off a mortgage on his father's property near Atlanta. He not only carries a boot black's box, but on the red sweater which he wears are the words: "I ride a Derby." So that between what money he makes at shining shoes, he receives remuneration of the manufacturers of the "Derby" bike which he rides.
Boyd has, on an average, made from 75 to 125 miles a day until the last few days, when he has made but about 60. His companion is Robert Miller, a white lad about 20 years of age, whom Gray met near Chicago, and who is on his way to his home in Omaha.
Gray is a bright young fellow about 21 or 22 years of age, and gentlemanly to a fault, and describes many of his experiences on the way in a highly intelligent manner. In every city, of any importance, where he stops, Gray shimes the boots of the mayor and chief of police and secures their autographs. These he is to produce to the "World," while every few days he reports his progress to the Derby company.
A Long Ride. Boyd Gray in Rock Island 09 Aug 1894, Thu
The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois)
Newspapers.com
Davenport, Iowa, 1894/08/10
Boyd Gray, a colored boot black who is going from New York to San Francisco on his wheel, passed through Davenport yesterday accompanied by Robert Miller, a white boy, who is on his way to his home at Omaha. Gray claims to be making the trip for the purpose of earning $800 to pay off a mortgage on his father's home. He carries the implements of his trade, and in each town passed by him, he polishes tbe shoes of the mayor and chief of police, whose autographs he takes as proof that he has visited the place.
Boyd Gray in Davenport 10 Aug 1894, Fri
The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa) Newspapers.com
A LONG RIDE.
A Colored Bootblack Who is Wheeling it Across the Country and Back Again.
Yesterday afternoon two young men rode into Davenport on bicycles. One was Boyd Gray, the colored bootblack, who is riding from New York to San Francisco and New Orleans, and thence back to New York. It was on May 1 that Boyd left the office of the New York World on his long ride and if all goes well he expects to reach San Francisco by the middle of October. It is his intention to make $800 on his journey, for the purpose, it is alleged, of paying off a mortgage on his father's property near Atlanta. He not only carries a bootblack's box, but on the red sweater which he wears are the words: "I ride a Derby." So that besides the money he makes at shining shoes, he receives remuneration of the manufacturers of the "Derby" bike which he rides.
Boyd has, on an average, made from 75 to 175 miles a day until the last few days, when he has made but about 60. His companion is Robert Miller, a white lad about 20 years of age, whom Gray met near Chicago, and who is on his way to his home in Omaha.
Gray is a bright young fellow about 21 or 22 years of age, and gentlemanly to a fault, and describes many of his experiences on the way in a highly intelligent manner. In ever city, of any importance, where he stops, Gray shines the boots of the mayor and chief of police and secures their autographs. These he is to produce to the "World," while every few days he reports his progress to the Derby company.
Boyd Gray in Davenport 10 Aug 1894, Fri
The Morning Democrat (Davenport, Iowa) Newspapers.com
BOYD GRAY IN CHICAGO.
The Plucky Yonkers Boy Complains of Uncivil Treatment in the Windy City. His Wheel Wears out and he has to renew it.
The New York Herald yesterday in an article stated that Boyd Gray, the young colored porter of the Getty House, in Yonkers, who started in June to ride to San Francisco on his bicycle, has arrived in Chicago. Gray is to earn his living by blacking boots on the trip.
He has resided in Yonkers for several years and is a favorite with the guests of the Getty House. He was born in the south, where he has a mother and father living on a farm. Gray met his first trouble since he left Yonkers. This unpleasantness occurred in Chicago last week.
In every town he visited, his first duty was to call upon the mayor and chief of police and blacken their shoes, and then get customers about the city. In the hundreds of cities and villages he has visited he never met with a refusal to polish the executive's shoes until he reached the “Windy City.'' There he was blocked.
Upon his arrival in Chicago, he went to the city hall to pay his respects to the mayor and chief of police. He succeeded in entering the building, but when he tried to send his card in to the mayor, the doorkeeper refused to allow Gray to see him. He met with the same rebuff when he tried to get an audience with the chief of police. Boyd says he will remain in Chicago at summer before he shall lose the chance of polishing the shoes of the Mayor of "Porkopolis."
This was not his only trouble. During his trip he encountered very bad roads, and upon arriving in Chicago he discovered that his wheel was pretty well worn out and not fit to use on his journey to the Golden Gate. Last week he telegraphed to Clerk Clum of the Getty House, who is the custodian of Boyd's money, and asked him to send him enough money from his savings to purchase a new wheel. This was done.
Young Gray deserves a great deal of credit and encouragement, as he has undertaken this journey to earn enough money to assist the "old folks at home," who are in needy circumstances. Last spring his father wrote to him, asking him if he could not assist in saving the farm, which was to be sold out by a foreclosure of a mortgage. This would result in his parents being left homeless. Gray did not have very much money, and night after night conjectured about a way to make money to save the farm. He at last hit upon the idea of riding through the country and earning the money by blacking boots. Through friends he purchased a bicycle suit. He had a machine, which he bought from his little earnings at the hotel. He has already sent back to Yonkers quite a sum of money to be placed to his credit in the bank. He expects to return on Christmas Day with enough money to pay off the mortgage on his father's farm and to go South and enjoy a Christmas dinner.
In a letter written to a friend from Chicago last week the globe trotter said that his treatment was uncalled for in that city, Gray is keeping a diary, and when he returns will write a description of his trip.
Boyd Gray in Chicago 13 Aug 1894, Mon
The Yonkers Herald (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
Wilton, Iowa, 1894/08/13
Boyd Gray, a colored boot-black of New York city, passed through Wilton yesterday on his bicycle, bound for San Francisco, Cal. He intends to make the round trip on his wheel. He stops at all towns on his route and makes a specialty of blacking boots for the mayor and town officials. Also collects autographs.
Boyd Gray in Wilton 14 Aug 1894, Tue
Muscatine News-Tribune (Muscatine, Iowa) Newspapers.com
Kearney, Nebraska, 1894/08/29
A COLORED TOURIST.
New York City Bootblack Making a Tour of the Country by Bicycle.
Boyd Gray, a young colored man, who claims to be the champion bootblack of New York city, started from New York about three months ago to make a tour around the United States on a bicycle. At every city in which he stops he blacks the shoes of the mayor, chief of police, and all high officials of that city. He also carries an autograph album, in which he has these officials inscribe something. He is paying the expenses of the trip by shining shoes and he also expects to make enough besides his expenses to pay the mortgage on his father's farm near New York city. He began his journey on an ordinary wheel, which he rode until he reached Chicago, when the Derby Wheel company gave him a pneumatic tire wheel of the latest pattern. Gray arrived in Kearney at eight o'clock last night, coming here from Grand Island, riding the distance of forty-two miles in a little over three hours. The bicycle men of this city took him up to the club rooms and showed him around the city. He left Kearney, going on west, at eight o'clock this morning.
Boyd Gray in Kearney 30 Aug 1894, Thu
The Kearney Daily Hub (Kearney, Nebraska) Newspapers.com
Grand Island, Nebraska, 1894/08/29
NEW YORK - GRAND ISLAND - TO SAN FRANCISCO.
Boyd Gray, a young colored athlete and bicyclist is in the city. He is on his way from New York to San Francisco riding a bicycle, not to break any records but to earn sufficient money to pay off the mortgage on his father’s farm in Georgia. He shines shoes for city and state officials whenever opportunity affords, and seizes every chance to earn an honest penny. He left the World building in New York on May 10th, and expects to reach the coast about the middle of October. He will start back across the continent from there, going by way of New Orleans and the south. He only stops in the principal cities along his route.
He is riding a pneumatic tired wheel of the latest pattern, but has only had it since leaving Chicago. He rode from New York to Chicago on an old fashioned hard tired wheel.
He was around yesterday shining the city officials’ shoes, leaving last night for Denver, his next stop.
FROM NEW YORK TO 'FRISCO.
Boyd Gray, Colored Cyclist, Arrives in Town.
Boyd Gray, a colored bootblack of New York city, who is making a trip across the continent on a bicycle, wheeled into Salt Lake last evening. He left New York on May 10 last and expects tof arrive in San Francisco in the latter part of October. His object in undertaking the trip was to clean up $800 with which to lift a mortgage on his fathers farm in Georgia. He has shined the shoes of the mayors of every city through which he his passed between New York and Salt Lake, and Mayor Baskin will be the next victim. Gray's best day's work was ninety miles, and his average on the road is sixty miles. The latter part of the journey has not been so pleasant as the first part was, owing to the fact that the towns are so far apart. From this city he will go directly to Sacramento. Gray is a sturdily built young fellow, plucky and intelligent, and carries good letters. He rides a Derby cycle, a new wheel in this part of the country.
Boyd Gray, an Afro-American wheelman, is making a tour of the United States on his bicycle. His object is to make enough money shining shoes to raise a mortgage on his father's home in Atlanta, Ga.
Boyd Gray 01 Sep 1894, Sat
The Appeal (Saint Paul, Minnesota) Newspapers.com
Cheyenne, Wyoming 1894/09/10
BOYD GRAY IN CHEYENNE.-A letter was received at the Getty House, to-day, from Boyd Gray, the bootblack, who left Yonkers some months ago on a trip across the Continent on a bicycle. He is in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He says times are as hard as the pavement . He is homesick, but intends to go through to San Francisco.
Boyd Gray in Cheyenne 10 Sep 1894, Mon
Yonkers Statesman (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
PLUCKY BOYD GRAY. - Boyd Gray, the plucky colored bell boy of the Getty House, who was last heard of at Chicago where he was insulted by not being allowed to black the mayor's shoes has arrived at Cheyenne on his bicycle trip across the continent. He reports all well.
Plucky Boyd Gray 11 Sep 1894, Tue
The Yonkers Herald (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
- Boyd Gray, the colored bootblack who left the Getty House, in Yonkers, for California by bicycle seven months ago, writes in a letter that was received at the hotel yesterday that he is in Cheyenne, and, although lonesome, will not return until he reaches his goal.
Boyd Gray in Cheyenne 11 Sep 1894, Tue
The New York Times (New York, New York) Newspapers.com
Salt Lake City, Utah, 1894/09/18
FROM NEW YORK TO 'FRISCO.
Boyd Gray, a Colored Cyclist, Arrives in Town.
Boyd Gray, a colored bootblack of New York city, who is making a trip across the continent on a bicycle, wheeled into Salt Lake last evening. He left New York on May 10 last and expects to arrive in San Francisco in the latter part of October. His object in undertaking the trip was to clean up $800 with which to lift a mortgage on his father's farm in Georgia. He has shined the shoes of the mayors of every city through which he has passed between New York and Salt Lake, and Mayor Baskin will be the next victim. Gray's best day's work was ninety miles, and his average on the road is sixty miles. The latter part of the journey has not been so pleasant as the first part was, owing to the fact that the towns are so far apart. From this city he will go direct to Sacramento. Gray is a sturdily built young fellow, plucky and intelligent, and carries good letters. He rides a Derby cycle, a new wheel in this part of the country.
As an eye-opener, Boyd Gray, a colored rider who is making the journey from New York to San Francisco on a wheel, was sent after the Utah state record for one mile, but unfortunately did no better than 3:21 4-5. The gentleman worked hard and his efforts were vigorously applauded by the audience.
Boyd Gray in Salt Lake City. - Boyd Gray, the Yonkers bootblack who is wheeling across the Continent, has gone as far as Salt Lake City. A newspaper of that place says he has blackened the boots of the Mayor of every city he has passed through. He expects to arrive in San Francisco the latter part of October.
Boyd Gray in Salt Lake City. 26 Sep 1894, Wed
Yonkers Statesman (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
Sacramento, California, 1894/10/12
A ROAMING CYCLIST.
Boyd Gray Rides Here on a Wheel from New York.
Yesterday afternoon an athletic young colored man rode into the city on his well-worn wheel, having made the journey from New York City, which place he left on the 10th of May last.
The tourist is Boyd Gray, a youth whom the Eastern papers style the champion boot black of New York City. His purpose in making the trip is said to be to pay off an $800 mortgage on his father's farm, and he is to return after reaching San Francisco.
Gray has a book containing the names of Governors, Mayors and other prominent citizens whose shoes he has shined on his trip, also the postmarks of the various postoffices along the route. He made the trip from Colfax yesterday, and has already in his book the signature of Otto Ziegler, the celebrated bicyclist. He will remain here a few days before going to San Francisco.
Boyd Gray in Sacramento 13 Oct 1894, Sat
The Record-Union (Sacramento, California) Newspapers.com
A colored young man named Boyd Gray arrived here yesterday from Colfax on a bicycle. He hails from New York, and is on his way to San Francisco. He makes his living by blacking boots.
Boyd Gray in Sacramento 13 Oct 1894, Sat
The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California)
Newspapers.com
Stockton, California, 1894/10/15
A Long Bicycle Tour.
Last evening a travel-stained darkey wheeled into town on a Derby bicycle on his way to San Francisco. Six months ago the colored lad started out from New York to make a tour of the United States. He was a bootblack in the metropolis of America, and took with him his shoe-shining outfit, with which to earn his bread on his journey. He has wheeled from city to city all over the continent, stopping for a while in each to earn enough money to keep him going. This morning he left for San Francisco, expecting to reach that place to-night, and after spending some time there he will take the southern route to New Orleans.
Oakland, California, 1894/10/16
CYCLED ALL THE WAY.
A Bootblack crosses the Continent in Sixty-One Days.
Boyd Grey, a colored lad, who has been a bootblack for years, reached Oakland last evening on a bicycle trip from New York City. He left the World Building on May 10th and has been on the road sixty-one days. He paid his expenses by blacking boots on the way, having shined the footgear of every Mayor of every city passed through except Chicago. The best day's earnings amounted to $10.
His biggest day's ride was 102 miles and the best half-day seventy-five miles.
San Francisco, California, 1894/10/18
BICYCLED FROM NEW YORK
A Colored Lad Arrives with a Bootblack
Record.
PAYING OFF THE MORTGAGE.
Boyd Grey "Champion
Shiner of New York," Wheels Across the Continent In Sixty-One Riding Days -
Stops Along the Way to Make Money - Narrow Escape at Cape Horn - His Outfit
This riding bicycles long distances is getting common.
A bellboy in a hotel at Yonkers, N. Y., took a notion last spring to do a little of it himself. He was a good bootblack and he had an old bicycle, so he started.
The bellboy's name is Boyd Grey, and his complexion is a good strong coffee color. His first riding was from Yonkers to New York City, where he took the title of "Champion Bootblack of New York."
The New York World Building was chosen as the starting point, and the "Champion Bootblack" began his long ride on May 10th last. As he was to earn his way and save money to pay off a mortgage on his father's farm, nearly a month was taken to cross New York State, and about two months more to reach Chicago. Some days he would earn as high as $10.
At Chicago Grey got rid of his old wheel and became the possessor of a Derby wheel, finished in green. He also dropped his easy gait and tried to make a record for the rest of the way.
A unique autograph album is that carried by this cyclist of color. It contains the signatures of the Mayor of every city passed through between New York city and San Francisco.
The names of world famous men, unknown city officials of a host of cities and wheelmon of more than twenty States are mixed together, while here and there is the great seal of the city of Omaha, the club seal of the Buffalo Ramblers, the private stamp of George M. Pullman and other stamps ad infinitum.
Another book carried by Grey contains the Postoffice stamps of every town passed through this side of Chicago, and a similar one has the stamps of Postoffices east of the "Windy City."
Grey's wheel is a sight. Tool bags, tin canteen, an American flag, bundles, foot-pump for tires, etc., decorate it. And besides lettering on his "kyho" cap and the red sweater, he swings over his shoulder his blacking outfit, labeled "Champion Bootblack of New York,” which was some what injured when coming around Cape Horn.
He reports but one punctured tire this side of Chicago, and says he has steadily gained in flesh. At Cape Horn while riding around that rough promontory he very nearly duplicated the trick of Rudyard Kipling's Tertiam Quad, who while riding above Simla during the rains spoiled a corn field, 900 feet below.
Boyd Grey does not complain about the deserts and mountain chains, as he expected them, and from here he will brave the terrors of the Mojave and cut for old Now Orleans and then seek other hard routes to conquer.
Boyd Gray Across the Continent. - A dispatch was received at the Getty House, this morning, from Boyd Gray, the bootblack who left here some months ago to cross the Continent on a bicycle. He arrived in San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, thus completing his journey westward. He expects to return on bicycle by way of the Southern States.
Boyd Gray in San Francisco 18 Oct 1894, Thu
Yonkers Statesman (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
[This article, below, must have hit the 'wires,' and caused quite a lot of copies to printed around the country. Here's one of very many, printed over about a week. - MF]
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
Colored Bootblack Wheels From New York to Frisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Oct. 18. - A colored bicycle rider has crossed the continent from New York to San Francisco on his wheel and blacked several hundred pair of boots on the way. The wheelman who made the long journey is Boyd Gray, a bootblack whose home is in Yonkers, N. Y. He set out five months ago, and while riding traveled sixty miles a day. Wherever he stopped he blacked boots, and thus earned enough money to pay his traveling expenses. He had few mishaps on the way, and will return as be came.
BOOTBLACK GREY'S LONG RIDE.
Shining the Shoes of Mayors Across the Continent.
ADVENTURES WITH THE COYOTE
Only one rider has crossed the continent by wheel this year, though Alvord and Easton rode here from St. Louis, and Messrs. Coulter, Reynolds and Lawrence started from Toledo, stopping at Denver. Last year Lillie of Lodi reduced the San Francisco to New York record to fifty-nine days, and one-legged Beadleson also went across from here.
All of these transcontinental wheelmen have been heralded while on the road, but young Boyd Grey, the colored lad, rode into Oakland Tuesday, as exclusively published in the EXAMINER, entirely unexpected, having made the trip in sixty-one riding days, though five months have been used upon the road.
Grey is a bright young man, with a good business head. His father lives on a little plantation outside of Atlanta, Ga.
Though Grey left New York with only 25 cents in his pocket, he finished the trip, bought a new wheel, lived well, wore out three suits of clothes and sent money home every week till he reached Omaha.
The only Mayors on the route whose shoes he did not black were Mayor Hopkins of Chicago and the Mayor of Des Moines, Iowa. The former was busy with the strike, and Grey's red cap and sweater caused the police to keep the "Champion Bootblack of New York" from carrying out his intention.
Des Moines' Mayor drew the color line and even refused to ornament Grey's autograph book.
But Salt Lake City has a different kind of Mayor, so says the coffee colored champion, for he gave a dollar for his shine, thus being as liberal as the Mayors in New York State.
Near Carbon, Wyoming, a snowstorm was encountered, and a fall into a ditch was the first real accident of the trip. A thirty-five-mile walk with a buckled wheel was the result.
It was in Wyoming also that Grey got lost. All day he had been following a supposed short cut without meeting a person. Darkness was coming on when he heard a train whistle. Then he cut across the plain in that direction and thus first met the sadly humorous cayote. Both of them were badly scared.
A gray wolf was gnawing away on the carcass of a cow near Carlin, Nevada, when the champion bootblack of New York came riding by. But Grey didn't ride by. The wolf had the field and which was the more scared it is hard to tell. Finally the field was vacated and the transcontinental wheelman went on again.
As already told in the EXAMINER Grey nearly fell over the bluff at Cape Horn, but his bootblacking outfit, though broken, saved him.
The way the greasewood thorns were escaped east of Reno was by riding in the wagon-wheel tracks, for the EXAMINER'S story of Messrs. Alvord's and Easton's many punctures was told to him by the people along the way. He says that he found the tracks left by the St. Louis men's wheels as they rode through that part of the country in the center of the road where it was harder packed ground than in the wheel tracks, but where thorns were the most plentiful.
Boyd Gray's Travels.
The San Francisco Examiner of Oct. 18 gives a half-column account of the travels of Boyd Gray, the Yonkers bootblack, who reached that city last week, having crossed the Continent on a bicycle.
When Gray wheeled into San Francisco he had, among other mementoes of his journey, an autograph album containing the signature of the Mayor of every city through which he passed from New York to 'Frisco; also the signatures of famous men, city officials of a host of cities, and well-known wheelmen of some twenty States, besides the seal of the city of Omaha, the club seal of the Buffalo Ramblers, and the private stamp of George M. Pullman.
Another book contains the Post Office mark of almost every town passed through. He has blacked the boots of the Mayors of all the large cities on the route. Gray left Yonkers on May 10.
Boyd Gray's Travels. 27 Oct 1894, Sat
Yonkers Statesman (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
Boyd Grey, the colored lad who wheeled across the continent, visited the C. C. C.'s last Monday and secured a large number of signatures on his record-book for his return trip.
CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS
Two More Around the World Cyclists Arrive, and Boyd Grey Starts Back East Again.
Boyd Grey, the colored boy who cycled here from New York, started back by bicycle Wednesday afternoon, going via Los Angeles and New Orleans.
BOOTBLACK GREY FAMOUS.
Some of His Adventures on His WheelIng Tour to San Francisco Recorded.
Boyd Grey, who is well-remembered in Yonkers as the colored bell-boy of the Getty House and who started in May last from Getty Square to make a bicycle trip to San Francisco has made, the trip in 61 days and is on his way homeward, returning by way of the South. He expects to arrive in Yonkers about January 1st. The reason for his long ride, to pay off a mortgage on his father's farm, has already been told. Yesterday the New York Herald, in a lengthy article, had the following to say of his adventures:
"Grey's path was not strewn with roses during his six months' tour through the West. He encountered many adventures on his trip, and in some instances be was refused the honor of polishing high official's shoes on account of his color. Notwithstanding this, and as he had only twenty five cents in his pocket when he left Yonkers, he has been able to live well and to buy two bicycles on his trip, as his own had worn out. He has worn out three suits of clothes and purchased necessary wearing apparel.
"Grey has polished the shoes of every Mayor he visited from Yonkers to the Golden Gate, with the exception of two."
"In Chicago he struck the city in the midst of the great strike, and when he appeared in town with a bright red hat and sweater he found Mayor Hopkins busy looking after the strike, and when Grey tried to enter the City Hall in his red garb the police sized him up as a suspicious character and crank and refused to allow him to enter the municipal building. He tried several times to see Mayor Hopkins, but the police kept such a watch on him that he thought best to proceed on his journey.
"When he reached Des Moines, Iowa, the Mayor refused to allow him to polish his boots, as that individual drew the color line, and even refused to subscribe his name in Grey's autograph album.
"At Salt Lake City the Mayor received him cordially, and gave him a bright new dollar for his shine, and also sent him to a restaurant, where he was given a meal, regardless of cost, the Mayor paying the bill.
"While on his way to Carbon, Wyo., and many miles from that city, he encountered a snow storm. As evening approached it was so dark that he could not see the road, and fell into a ditch, buckling his wheel. He had to walk thirty-five miles into Carbon. Here he purchased a new wheel, as the one he rode was so damaged that it was worthless.
[Note, "wheel" in 1894 means bicycle, not one of the wheels of the bicycle. - MF]
"In Wyoming he lost his way while riding through a thickly wooded country. For several hours he rode and walked, trying to find the right road. Finally he heard a railroad engine whistle, and followed the sound, and at last reached the road.
"When he was riding into Carlin, Nev., he came across an enormous wolf feeding upon the carcass of a dead cow. Grey saw the animal just in time to dismount and keep a civil distance from the brute. The wolf eyed him savagely, and Grey waited some time for the animal to finish his meal. The wolf after a while turned tail and ran away.
"Grey had a number of narrow escapes from death on his trip. The most wonderful was in the Rocky Mountains, when he fell over the bluff of a mountain at Cape Horn. As he fell over the precipice his boot blacking kit caught on some shrubbery and held him suspended over a valley several hundred feet beneath him. He succeeded in pulling himself up to the top of the cliff.
[There are many "Cape Horns." I think, in this case it refers to the one in the Sierra Nevada, in California. I don't think it's in the Rocky Mountains. - MF]
"Grey is the only bicycle rider who has crossed the continent this year, although Alvord and Easton rode to San Francisco from St. Louis, and Messrs. Lawrence, Reynolds and Coulter wheeled from Toledo to Denver.
"Grey's record is considered good, he having made the trip in sixty-one riding days, as the record for the same distance is held by Lillie, of Lodi, Cal., who wheeled from San Francisco to New York last year in fifty-nine days, or two days less than Grey. Lillie had good weather and good roads, while Grey had bad roads to cover.
"When Grey reaches Yonkers he will be given an ovation by his colored friends in the city."
Santa Cruz, California, 1894/12/31
Rode From New York.
Boyd Gray, the colored bicyclist, who claims to be the champion bicyclist of New York, arrived in this city on his wheel from San Jose Monday evening, after a ride of over six hours, owing to the muddy roads. He left New York on May 10th, arriving in San Francisco on Oct. 17th. Although five months on the way he only had sixty-one riding days. His best record is 102 miles in one day.
He started from New York for the purpose of raising $800 to pay off a mortgage on his father's farm in Georgia. He has blacked boots in every city along his route. With the exception of Chicago and Des Moines he has the autograph of every Mayor and Chief of Police in the places he has been in. He makes it a point to blacken the boots of the Mayor and Chief of Police. One reason is that he considers it an honor to do so, and another that they pay more for a shine than any ordinary citizen.
The largest amount he made in one day in blacking boots was ten dollars. Gray is now on his way to New Orleans. A bicycle firm paid him $300 to distribute catalogues of their wheel.
His entire trip from New York was made on a bicycle.
Boyd Gray in Santa Cruz 01 Jan 1895, Tue
Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, California)
Newspapers.com
The only other long-distance rider to reach the Coast on bicycle besides Messrs. Alvord and Easton was Boyd Grey, the colored bootblack from New York, who was the only wheelman to cross the continent on a bicycle this year. He had plenty of proof that he rode all the way on a bicycle except for a short distance in Montana, where his wheel was smashed and he had to go to Ogden, Utah, before getting it fixed.
From San Francisco Boyd Grey is riding back to the Atlantic coast on his bicycle. He left this city for the south a fortnight ago, and will ride to New Orleans leisurely and up north from there to his home near Atlanta, Georgia, then on to New York next spring.
Salinas, California, 1894/01/14
Boyd Grey, the colored boot-black bicyclist that rode across the continent on bis wheel "shining 'em up" wherever be stopped, arrived in town yesterday.
Boyd Grey in Salinas 15 Jan 1895, Tue
The Californian (Salinas, California) Newspapers.com
San Luis Obispo, California, 1894/02/16
Boyd Grey, the colored bootblack tourist, is at San Luis Obispo on his tour back to the Atlantic coast by wheel.
Santa Barbara, California, 1894/02/27
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
A New York Bootblack On His Return Trip.
This afternoon the INDEPENDENT office was visited by the colored boot black, Boyd Gray of New York city, who recently made a trip across the continent on his bicycle, and who is now on his way home by way of New Orleans.
He is out for a purpose - something more than the notoriety of having crossed the United States on the silent steed. He wants to pay off a mortgage of $800 from his father's little home in the east.
He had many adventures on his westward journey and will probably have many more before he again sees the shores of the Atlantic. He came across the continent in five months leaving New York on the 10th of May last. About three months he put in east of Chicago, seeing an opportunity to make some money at his work. He left Chicago on a Derby wheel and the company wishing him to make time he came along at a better pace. He kept a record of the days be was actually riding, and found he was on the road just 61 days between New York and San Francisco.
He shined the shoes of the mayor of every city through which he passed except those of Mayor Hopkins of Chicago. He says however that he will not "shine" so much on the way back but will try other methods of making money, such as lecturing to the colored people in the southern states. He expects to arrive in New York again October 10th making a journey of just eighteen months.
Los Angeles, California, 1894/03/03
Going Around the Country
Boyd Gray, the champion bootblack of New York, is in the city. He came on a bicycle by way of San Francisco and the Northern towns. Boyd Gray is a colored gentleman, and started out on the 10th day of May to go around the edge of the United States. He has got this far and after a ten days' rest will start for New Orleans.
BOOTBLACK GREY'S RIDE
He Shined the Shoes of Mayors All Across the Continent
He Made the Journey on Bicycle From New York to Oakland in Sixty-five Days. - Now In This City
A number of cyclists have ridden across the continent, with much howling in the papers and many claims of record breaking, which could not always be sustained by the evidence.
A colored boy named Boyd Grey arrived in this city a few days ago who has made the trip from New York without any hurrah, in sixty-one riding days to Oakland, though it is true that he was five months on the road, as he had to earn his living blacking boots.
Grey is a bright young man with a good business head. His father lives on a little plantation outside of Atlanta, Ga.
Though Grey left New York with only 25 cents in his pocket, he finished the trip, bought a new wheel, lived well, wore out three suits of clothes and sent money home every week till he reached Omaha.
The only Mayors on the route whose shoe he did not black were Mayor Hopkins' of Chicago, and the Mayor of Des Moines, Iowa. The former was busy with the strike, and Grey's red cap and sweater caused the police to keep the "champion bootblack of New York" from carrying out his intention.
Des Moines' Mayor drew the color line and even refused to ornament Grey's autograph book.
But Salt Lake City has a different kind of a Mayor, so says the coffee-colored champion, for he gave a dollar for his shine, thus being as liberal as the Mayors in New York.
Near Carbon, Wyoming, a snowstorm was encountered, and a fall into a ditch was the first real accident of the trip. A 35 mile walk with a buckled wheel was the result.
It was in Wyoming also that Grey got lost. All day he had been following a supposed short cut without meeting a person. Darkness was coming on when he heard a train whistle. Then he cut across the plain in that direction, and thus first met the sadly humorous coyote. Both of them were badly scared.
A gray wolf was gnawing away on the carcass of a cow near Carlin, Nev., when the champion bootblack of New York came riding by. But Grey didn't ride by. The wolf had the field, and which was the more scared it is hard to tell. Finally the field was vacated and the transcontinental wheelman went on again.
Grey nearly fell over the bluff at Cape Horn, but his bootblacking outfit, though broken, saved him.
The way the greasewood thorns were escaped east of Reno was by riding in the wagon wheel tracks, for the story of Messrs. Alvord's and Easton's many punctures was told to him by the people along the way. He says that he found the tracks left by the St. Louis men's wheels as they rode through that part of the country in the center of the road, where it was harder packed ground than in the wheel tracks, but where thorns were the most plentiful.
Boyd Grey, the celebrated cycle record breaker, sixty-one days from New York to San Francisco, will be glad to give you one of his New York shines at the Globe Shaving Parlor, 202 West Fourth street, Saturday and Sunday. He will leave for New Orleans on Monday.
Redlands, California, 1894/03/20
Across the Continent
A stalwart, smart looking, colored man, about 25 years of age, rode into town this morning on a bicycle, which is evidently equipped to meet all the emergencies of a long journey. Richard Gray started from New York on the 10th of last May for a trip across the country and back. On his breast there is lettered "I ride a Derby,” while a bootblacking outfit hangs behind him. He makes his way with "the shine,” the length of stay in each place being proportioned to the size of the place. He came by way of Chicago, Omaha, Ogden and San Francisco and is now on the return by way of Texas, New Orleans, Mobile, etc. He has been allotted one and a half years to make the round trip.
Arizona, 1894/0?/??
BOYD GRAY, the negro cyclist bootblack, who deadheaded his way across the continent, and is now deadheading it back again, is to cease polishing shoes. He now proposes to mount the lecture platform - that is, after he emerges from the Arizona jail in which, through unforeseen circumstances, he is detained.
The Wheel and cycling trade review, April 12, 1895
El Paso, TX, 1894/04/13
CROSSED THE CONTINENT.
Boyd Gray Makes the Long Trip on the Silent Steed.
Boyd Gray, an enthusiastic colored wheelmen, arrived at the TIMES office last night, having completed a trip across the continent on a bicycle. He left New York on the 10th of May last with the intention of assisting his aged father to raise a mortgage of $800 from his Georgia farm.
"I started from the World building, New York City, May 10th," he said last night, "and stopped at every town where I thought I could make a few shines. I always made for the mayors and shined their boots. I have the honor of having shined the shoes of the mayors of every town or city through which I passed, excepting Mayor Hopkins of Chicago.
"My trip was both enjoyable and profitable until I reached Omaha. From that city westward it was uncomfortable riding and but little money in it. When I got into California, though, I found the people liberal, and I have been treated very cordially there."
Grey has a number of clippings from the newspapers of the cities in which he stopped while making his tour. He proposes to go back home in the spring and he is going to make and break the records. He is a bright young man, and carries letters endorsing him as an honest, trustworthy boy who is determined to assist his aged father. Gray will be at the city hall this afternoon to shine the shoes of the retiring and the incoming mayors and aldermen, and he will no doubt leave the hall several dollars richer.
Tucson, Arizona, 1895/??/??
Boyd Gray Homeward Bound. - The Star, of Tucson, Arizona, published, recently, an account of the travels of Boyd Gray, the colored wheelman, who left Yonkers last May, on a trip across the Continent. Gray had just arrived from Casa Grande, on his homeward tour from San Francisco. Besides blacking boots, it is said that Gray is delivering lectures on his journey.
Boyd Gray in Tucson 15 Apr 1895, Mon
Yonkers Statesman (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
Austin, Texas, 1895/06/13
A BICYCLE CRANK.
Yesterday a negro boy struck the town named Boyd Grey, or in novel phraseology. "the champion boot black of New York." Boyd left New York one year ago and has come the entire distance to Texas on his bicycle. He entered the State at El Paso April 26 and came from there to San Antonio by easy stages. He tarried in San Antonio for a couple of weeks and landed in Austin yesterday. Boyd stated to a Statesman reporter that he had shined the shoes of the mayor of every town he had visited with the exception of the mayor of Chicago. That while here he wanted to shine Governor Culberson's shoes. In view of this statement the governor might as well prepare. Boyd will remain here until Monday when he goes to Houston.
Boyd Grey in Austin 14 Jun 1895, Fri
Austin American-Statesman (Austin, Texas) Newspapers.com
SHINED THE GOVERNOR'S SHOES.
Yesterday morning Boyd Grey, the negro bootblack of New York, who arrived in the city several days axo, called on Governor Culberson and blacked his shoes for him. Boyd has shined the shoes of every governor of all the States he has visited, which has been quite a number.
Boyd Grey, the champion boot black of New York, arrived at Austin, Tex., on a bicycle, Thursday. He left New York one year ago and entered Texas at El Paso, April 26. He has ridden on his bicycle all the way, and has shined shoes for a living en route.
Boyd Grey in Austin 19 Jun 1895, Wed
The Nickerson Record (Nickerson, Kansas) Newspapers.com
BRATTON WON.
Last afternoon down at the Driving Club's park. W. H. Bratton of this city and Boyd Grey the New York bootblack ran a mile bicycle race resulting in favor of Bratton by a lead of nearly 30 feet, Time, 3:30.
Boyd Grey races Bratton 25 Jun 1895, Tue
Austin American-Statesman (Austin, Texas) Newspapers.com
New Orleans, Louisiana, 1895/07/31
A LONG JOURNEY.
Boyd Gray, Negro Cyclist, Passes Through New Orleans on His Way to New York.
After Making a Transcontinental Trip to San Francisco. Wednesday there walked into the office of The Times-Democrat a well-built negro, looking decidedly the worse for wear, who announced that he was on his return to New York, after a transcontinental trip to San Francisco. He gave his name as Boyd Gray. and said that his home was in Yonkers, N. Y., where he was employed as bell boy in a hotel. Last spring he determined to see the world a bit, and incidentally earn more money than he was getting at the hotel for running errands. He planned a bicycle trip to San Francisco and return, and May 10, 1894, he put the first part of his plan into operation by starting from Yonkers with a complete bicycle outfit, to which he had added his bootblacking kit, for he was very anxious to earn some money and thereby be able to pay of a mortgage on his father's house. Gray arrived in Chicago on his Western trip July 25, and remained there until Aug. 6. Thence his route lay through the cities of Des Moines, Omaha, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City, Sacramento and San Francisco, in which last named place he arrived Oct. 17, having made the entire distance in sixty-one actual riding days.
After remaining in 'Frisco until Dec. 25, Gray continued on his way, passing through Los Angeles, San Jose and thence into the great Yuma Desert, where for 240 miles there was no vegetation and everything was a waste of sand. By following the railroad track he was enabled to make the passage in eight days, and he said last night that he did not care to repeat the journey. In Arizona Gray visited Phoenix and Tucson, and in New Mexico the town of Deming. Passing into Texas be stopped at Austin, Houston and Galveston, and for the last few days has been wheeling through Southwestern Louisiana.
Gray is a very intelligent negro, and during his 6000-mile trip he has used his eyes to good advantage. He can relate many interesting experiences, such as having his wheel stolen by Indians in Nevada, and adventures with tramps, but he has come out of them all right, and says he feels first rate. He has done a good bootblacking business, and has polished the mayors' boots of every city be has visited, with the exception of Chicago. Only two pairs of pneumatic tires have been required for his wheel, and the machine has stood the journey without any breakings. Gray will remain in New Orleans for a while and then continue his journey through Mobile, Atlanta, Chattanooga and Richmond. He will make a tour of the summer resorts along the Jersey coast, and expects to arrive at his home in Yonkers Oct. 10, one year and five months from the date of his departure.
Boyd Gray in New Orleans. - One of the New Orleans papers contains an account of the arrival in that city of Boyd Gray, the colored boy who left Yonkers over a year ago. He has made the trip across the Continent on a bicycle, and is now returning from the Pacific Coast through the Southern States. Gray expects to arrive in Yonkers about the middle of October.
Boyd Grey in New Orleans. 08 Aug 1895, Thu
Yonkers Statesman (Yonkers, New York) Newspapers.com
Mobile, Alabama, 1895/08/13
Boyd Gray, the negro bootblack bicyclist who made a tour across the continent on a bicycle, arrived in this city to-night from New Orleans, which place be left last Friday morning. He will journey from here to Montgomery. Ala., and back to his home in Yonkers, N. Y. which he left over a year ago. He was in good condition when he arrived here.
Boyd Gray in Mobile. 13 Aug 1895, Tue
The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Newspapers.com
Selma, Alabama, 1895/08/15
Boyd Grey, who rode from San Francisco to New York, 5000 miles without a scratch, rode a Tribune wheel. This wheel is for sale by Love & Co. You should get one at once.
Boyd Grey rode a Tribune 15 Aug 1895, Thu
The Selma Times (Selma, Alabama) Newspapers.com
Montgomery, Alabama, 1895/08/17
ON HIS WHEEL.
Boyd Gray, a Negro Cyclist, Making the Tour of the Country.
Last night a negro by the name of Boyd Gray came into The Advertiser office. He was almost covered with mud, and looked pretty well worn out. He is making a tour of the country on his wheel, and, as the following from The Times-Union will show is having an interesting time of it. He left Mobile at 9 o'clock Thursday morning, and this morning about 5 o'clock left Letohatchie. He says the rains have been terrible, and the roads are in a horrible condition. Though he follows the railroad tracks all the timē, even then he has occasionally to carry his wheel on his shoulders. He has a book of signatures of the Governors and prominent men of nearly every State between New York and 'Frisco, besides the postmarks of every principal town he has been through. The story from The Times Democrat shows what pluck, perseverance and sweet oil can do, and will be read with a great deal of interest. It is as follows:
"Wednesday there walked into the office of The Times-Democrat a well-built negro, looking decidedly the worse for wear, who announced that he was on his return to New York, after a transcontinental trip to San Francisco. He gave his name as Boyd Gray and said that his home was in Yonkers, N. Y., where he was employed as bell boy in a hotel. Last spring he determined to see the world a bit, and incidentally earn more money than he was getting at the hotel for running errands. He planned a bicycle trip to San Francisco and return, and May 10, 1894, be put the first part of his plan into operation by starting from Yonkers with a complete bicycle outfit, to which he had added his bootblacking kit, for he was very anxious to earn some money and thereby be able to pay off a mortgage on his father's house. Gray arrived in Chicago on his Western trip July 25, and remained there until August 6. Thence his route lay through the cities of Des Moines Omaha, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City, Sacramento and San Francisco, in which last named place he arrived October 17 having made the entire distance in sixty-one actual riding days.
Boyd Gray, a negro bicyclist who is traveling all over the United States, advertising a Chicago bicycle company, is now in this state. He was in Mobile last week, and was seen at Flomaton last Friday by an Advocate representative. He carries a bootblack's outfit and with this earns his expenses as he goes, and it is said that he has blacked the shoes of the mayor of every town or city he has visited except Chicago. We don't know, but maybe the Mayor's feet in that city were too large, as that is said to be a Chicago failing.
The bootblack-bicyclist started from the World building, New York, without a cent, and has been across the Rocky Mountains to California, and is now returning, having come by New Orleans, and will return to New York. Montgomery is bis next objective point, so he will doubtless pass through Greenville.
Boyd Gray in Alabama 21 Aug 1895, Wed
The Greenville Advocate (Greenville, Alabama)
Newspapers.com
Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1895/09/13
GRAY IN CHATTANOOGA. - Boyd Gray, the Negro bicycler, has reached Chattanooga.
New York City, New York, 1896/05/18
The Champion Bootblack.
NEW YORK, May 18. - (Special) - Boyd Gray is the name of a young colored man who calls himself the "Champion Bootblack of the World." He lays claim to this distinction because he has blacked the boots of all the Mayors, postmasters and chiefs of police from this city to San Francisco and back, by way of Texas and New Orleans. He has the signatures of the officials of the various towns he passed through on his trip.
He made his journey awheel, starting from this city. His father lives in Bearsville, Ga., and he wrote to the young man asking if he could help him pay off a mortgage on the old farm. Gray had heard of Paul Jones and his trip around the world, and some one advised him to start off on his wheel and shine shoes en route.
Gray seized the idea immediately. His first stop was at Albany, where he shined the mayor's shoes and got a dollar. The chief of police of Schenectady gave him a $10 bill, which was the biggest money he earned en route.
After hard trip across the Arizona desert, which Gray had to walk because his wheel broke down he reached San Francisco. He started back by way of Texas and New Orleans. Gray says he was forced to sleep out of doors many nights. In this way he contracted a fever, which caused him to halt at Knoxville, Tenn., in September of last year. He sold his wheel there and went to Jacksonville by rail, from which place he returned this morning by steamer.
RETURN OF A TRANSCONTINENTAL WHEELMAN. - Boyd Grey, the colored boy who left Yonkers over a year ago to ride to California and back on bicycle, returned on Saturday night. After leaving San Francisco, he went through the Southern States and was taken with the fever, which put an end to his homeward tour by wheel. He is now in good health.
RAISED THE MORTGAGE.
How a Negro Bootblack Assisted his Father to Pay a Debt.
New York, May 18. - Boyd Gray, A diminutive darkey, who is known as the champion bootblack of the United States, completed a unique trip Saturday. In May, 1894, Gray set out from this city on a bicycle. He is a citizen of Yonkers, N. Y., and it was there he conceived the idea of making the trip. Boyd's father lives in Georgia and he wrote to Boyd asking the latter's assistance in raising a mortgage on the Georgia farm. Gray had heard of globe trotters who had come home laden with wealth and when some one advised him to start off on his wheel and shine shoes en route, he seized the idea immediately.
His first stop was at Albany, where he shined the mayor's shoes and got a dollar. The chief of police of Schenectady gave Gray a $10 bill, which was the biggest money he earned en route.
After a hard trip across the Arizona desert, which Gray had to walk because his wheel broke down, he reached San Francisco. He started back by way of Texas and New Orleans. Gray says he was forced to sleep out of doors many nights. In this way he contracted a fever which caused him to halt at Knoxville, Tenn., on September 8 of last year. He sold his wheel there and remained in the hospital a long time. His health is very poor as a result of the trip and Gray says he would not repeat the operation for a small fortune.
But he raised the mortgage.
Recitation - Candy Pulling - Boyd Gray
HIS WHEEL WAS STOLEN.
Boyd Gray, colored, of 32 Morgan street, went into the restaurant of Robert Logan on Dock street, last evening, about 8 o'clock. He remained there about 20 minutes, appeasing his hunger. When he appeared upon the street again, he found that his bicycle, which he had left outside, had been stolen. It was a wheel of Barnes manufacture. Detectives Scheibel and Healy this morning recovered the pilfered bicycle, but the thief has not yet been arrested.
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