Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1896 — THE CHICAGO ROAD RACE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CHICAGO ROAD RACE.

Won by O. P. Nelson, u Wheelman Practicajly Unknown. When the Goths and Huns nnd Vandals swept down upon Rome, bent upon sacking the ipistresq.of the world, they did not come with more terrific fury than the band of 50(1 wheelmen who swooped down upou Chicago’s west park system like a flock of hawks upon a swarm of nestlings at the wind-up of the annual Decoration Day wad ra<;e. It was a great run over a muddy rand-of a little less than twentyfive tulles in length, Over 100,000 men,

women and children, afoot, awheel, ahorse and atallyho, saw the “soft soled" steeds sizz by uud pass each other in exciting alternation. O. P. Nelson, of the Monitor Cyclini Club, was the first man to cross the patriotic ribbon at the finish. He won in 1:12:53. F. B. Murphy, of the North Shore Cycling Club, won the time prlzi in 1:00:22. B. F. Faulhaber, of ths Smalley Cycling Club, n 4:30 man, won second time honors in 1:09:57%. Both , Nelson and Murphy are practically unknown to the cycling world. Nelson was . given a handicap of 9:00 and Murphy, ot 5:00. The race was excellently managed, accidents were comparatively few, and victories and defeats alike were accepted with good grace by all contestants. ’

O. P. NELSON. Winner of the Chicago Road Race.