Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1896 — THE CHICAGO ROAD RACE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CHICAGO ROAD RACE.

Won by O. P. Nelson, a Wheelman I’rUcticaliy Unknown; When the Goths and Huns and Vandals swept down upon Rome, bent upon sacking the mistress off the world, they did not come with more terrific fury than the band of 506 wheelmen who swooped down upon Chicago’s west park system like a flock of hawks upon a swarm of nestlings at the wind-up of the annual Decoration Day road race. It was a great run over a muddy road of a little less than twentyfive miles in length. Over 100,000 men,

women and children, afoot, awheel, ahorse and atallyho, saw the “soft soled' steeds sizz by and paps each other in exciting alternation. O. I*. Nelson, of the Monitor Cycling 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 prizt in 1:09:22. B. F. Faulhaber, of ths Smalley Cycling Club, a 4:30 man, won second time honors in 1:09:57%. Both Nelson and Murphy are practically unknown to the cycling world. Nelson wai given a handicap of 9:00 and Murphy ol 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.