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.