Major Taylor

by Conrad Kerber

  87. “a runaway African” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: December 6, 1896.

  88. “screaming themselves hoarse” Ibid.

  89. Taylor defeats Eddie Bald: New York Times: December 6, 1896.

  89. “laughed and chaffed at him” Worcester Telegram: December 10, 1896.

  89. “looked as though he had been up all night” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: December 11, 1896.

  90. “The star of the race thus far is Major” Worcester Telegram: December 10, 1896.

  90. Food intake six-day races: Ted Harper; Six Days of Madness p. 40.

  91. “It’s just too easy” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: December 12, 1896.

  91. “The wonder of the race is Major Taylor” New York Times: December 9, 1896.

  92. “peevish and fretful” Unidentified clipping Major Taylor scrapbook: Indianapolis History Museum.

  92. “you fellows want me to stay here until my legs drop off so you can sell it to the doctor.” Ibid.

  92. “I cannot go on safely for there is a man chasing me…” Bearings: The Crackajacks Corner by F. Ed. Spooner December 24, 1896.

  92. “thin and emancipated” Ibid.

  92. “he didn’t care about brick and stones…” Brooklyn Daily Eagle December 13, 1896.

  92. Teddy Roosevelt, New York Police Chief: Colonel Albert Pope and his American Dream Machine Stephan Goddard (MacFarland Press) p. 98.

  92. “it was nonsense. he died prematurely burned out I suppose just a month shy of ninety one.” William A. Brady; Showman p. 228-229.

  93. “Six Days of Madness” Ted Harper: Six Days of Madness Pacesetter Press

  93. $37,000 gate receipts six-day race: Bearings: December 17, 1896.

  93. Hotel Bartholdi meeting: Brooklyn Daily Eagle; December 14, 1896.

  93. Payment in shining double eagles: Ibid.

  94. “I still feel half starved” Ibid.

  94. “swelled knees” Ibid.

  94. “worked hard” Ibid.

  95. “the highlight of the event was flashed in the bicycle world in the form of a veritable black diamond” The Referee: December 10, 1896.

  95. “I feel very well considering” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: December 14, 1896.

  95. “Major Taylor was none the worse for his ride” New York Times; December 14, 1896.

  95. “Men and women who normally did not care for blacks…” Bearings; December 17, 1896.

  95. “Black cyclone,” “Ebony Flyer “Black Whirlwind” “Ebony Flyer” “The Black Zimmerman” Major Taylor Autobiography: p 143.

  96. Photo Taylor alongside several elite white riders: Major Taylor scrapbook; Indianapolis History Museum.

  97. Taylor riding Stearns and Munger bikes: Bearings; December 17, 1896

  98. “He is fairly modest, and not overly proud nor stuck up” Major Taylor autobiography p. 146; quoting Erie Dispatch article date unknown.

  98. Bald slipping on resin: New York, Times, December 6, 1896.

  Chapter 8

  100. “kill his sprint.” Major Taylor Autobiography p. 19.

  100. “The colored boy is already making a stir” Bearings July 1, 1897.

  100. Providence R.I. race: Boston Globe: July 24, 1897.

  100. Taylor’s mother dies: Daily News, July 12, 1901.

  100. “was cheered to the echo by the crowd in the grandstands” Philadelphia Record: May 27, 1897.

  100. 6000 fans Reading Pennsylvania: Bearings: August 12, 1897.

  100. “his coming out will cause a ripple of surprise” Ibid.

  100. “Taylor is one of the pluckiest little fellows of his race” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: August 2, 1897.

  101. Eight million spectators spent $3.6 million to watch 2,916 bicycle races: Lou Dzierzak, The Evolution of American Bicycle Racing, p. 20.

  101. One million paying fans attend bike races: Brooklyn Daily Eagle July 14, 1897.

  102. “around fifty-thousand fans Willow Grove: Ibid: The Baltimore Sun August 10, 1897; Brooklyn Daily Eagle August 8-9, 1897.

  102. Special bicycle excursion trains: Philadelphia Record, August 7, 1897.

  102. “century rides” Ibid.

  102. adding extra railcars to house thousands of bicycles at no additional charge” The North Adams Evening Transcript: July 18, 1897.

  102. Large delegations from Omaha, Indianapolis, and Saratoga: Brooklyn Daily Eagle July 30, 1897; Nebraska State Journal August 1, 1897.

  102. Supreme court justices plead: Bearings August 12, 1897.

  102. “filled to the roof” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: July 28, 1897.

  102. Trainers sleeping on tables and desks: Chicago Daily Tribune: August 6, 1897.

  102. Presses broke down: The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 8, 1897.

  102. Largest crowd for any sporting event in American History: Brooklyn Daily Eagle; August 9, 1897.

  103. “skin covered in perspiration and shining like polished ebony” Brooklyn Daily Eagle; August 7, 1897.

  103. “The most startling feature of the meet” The Baltimore Sun: August 10, 1897.

  104. 100,000 cigars lit: Bearings August 1897.

  104. “The league of the American Wheelman owned the town” New York Times: August 1, 1897.

  104. “little Taylor the colored boy is surprising the whole country with his game riding” Brooklyn Daily Eagle August 2, 1897.

  104. “Wheelman’s night” Philadelphia Press; August 6, 1897; New York Times August 2, 1897.

  104. “yes the wheelman own the town and some of them seem to think they own the earth” Philadelphia Press; August 7, 1897; The Trenton Evening Times August 2, 1897.

  105. Governor’s of every New England State presence: Daily Eastern Argus: August 19, 1897.

  105. Lee Richardson cycling trick rider: Ibid: August 20, 1897.

  105. “Horses and bicycles don’t jibe very well” Portland Evening Press: August 10, 1897.

  105. “The graceful young rider has captured the hearts of the fairer sex” Ibid.

  105. The horseman did not take kindly to the bicycle boys” Ibid.

  105. Twenty thousand fans: Brooklyn Daily Eagle: August 21, 1897.

  106. “Being owned by the horseman who have no love for the wheelman was left in a very rough state” Bearings: August 26, 1897.

  106. “abashedly” Daily Eastern Argus: August 21, 1897.

  106. “Roasted the boys pretty hard” Portland Evening Press: August 10, 1897.

  106. “The position of the Negro is a trying one…” Bearings: September 16, 1897.

  106. “easily the rider of the day” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: September 11, 1897.

  107. “I have a dread of injury”: Worcester Telegram, September 20, 1897.

  107. “A little more exercise might cure you”: UASP.

  107. “I know of no reason the boys should be against me…” Ibid.

  107. “considering the length of time he has been in the game…” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: August 2, 1897.

  108. “It’s a pity that the old fogies” The Massillon Independent: September 10, 1896.

  108. “tough as a pine knot.” The Steubenville Herald; September 7, 1896.

  108. “play to the crowd” Bearings: January 1897.

  109. “The black cloud led the way” Bearings: September 16, 1897.

  108. Twenty-five thousand Springfield crowd attendance: Bearings, September 15, 1897. **Authors believe this estimate may have been exaggerated by Bearings.

  109. “they have threatened to injure me…” Worcester Telegram September 20, 1897.

  109. “Taylor, Taylor” The Daily Eastern Argus: September 11, 1897.

  110. Becker choking incident: Boston Globe: September 24, 1897.

  111. “nearly twenty minutes” New York Times; October 3, 1897.

  111. “I was too badly injured to start” Major Taylor autobiography p. 20.

  111. “Someone ought to give him a sound thrashing”: Cleveland Gazette, October 2, 1897.

  112. “The Negro in Racing.” New York Times; October 3, 1897.
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br />   112. “Recover the manhood he seems to have lost”: The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 3, 1897.

  112. “Becker will undoubtedly be punished with a lengthy suspension…” Bicycling World: October 1, 1897.

  113. “to rule over the riders with a rod of iron” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: May 20, 1897.

  113. “a mere disqualification from a race was too small a punishment…” Naugatuck Daily News: September 7, 1897.

  113. Taylor arriving late Cleveland race: Boston Daily Globe, September 26, 1897; Washington Post, September 26, 1897.

  113. “When racing men begin to kill each other”: Washington Post, September 6, 1897.

  113. Becker no suspension: The News: Frederick Maryland; September 25, 1897.

  113. Paltry $50 fine: Brooklyn Daily Eagle; September 28, 1897.

  113. “They were willing to identify themselves”: Philadelphia Inquirer, October 3, 1897.

  114. “I found that the color prejudice was not confined to the south…” Major Taylor Autobiography p. 20.

  114. “caused more animated discussion than any event this year” New York Times: October 3, 1897.

  114. “the southern meets would never stand his entry” Bearings: September 9, 1897.

  114. Reference to special bicycle excursion trains: Iolanthe and Pickwick” Bearings; September 30, 1897.

  115. “little Pete” Bearings: November 18, 1897.

  115. “The colored boy thought discretion the better part of valor” Boston Globe: October 13, 1897.

  115. Blacks barred from Fountain Ferry track: Boston Globe: October 17, 1897.

  115. Bearings drawing criticism for including Taylor on thermometer: Bearings: August 19, 1897.

  115. “I shall go to France, for there I can hold my own and will be thought something of maybe.” Boston Globe: October 13, 1897.

  116. Worcester Cycle Manufacturer demise: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 4, 1897, November 2, 1900.

  117. “beautiful Parisian women” Arthur A. Zimmerman: Zimmerman Abroad and Points on Training; The Bicycle Girl in Paris p.40-49.

  117. “Taylor Yearns For France” New York Times; November 17, 1897.

  Chapter 9

  119. “was written up in more newspapers than Teddy Roosevelt” William A Brady, The Fighting Man: p. 152.

  119. “always trying to find a champion” William A. Brady, Showman p. 207.

  119. “Billy Brady has always had plenty of admiration for the colored boy” New York Journal: August 27, 1898.

  120. “the homestead” Brooklyn Daily Eagle May 2, 1898.

  120. “Taylor will not lack proper encouragement to race…” Unidentified clipping; Major Taylor scrapbook, Indianapolis History Museum.

  120. Willis Troy, trainer extraordinaire; Brooklyn Daily Eagle June 28, 1895.

  120. “I’m out to whip the champions this season…” Worcester Telegram undated clipping Major Taylor scrapbook: Indianapolis History Museum.

  121. Best dressed man in the peloton: Newark Daily Advocate July 11, 1898: Clothing description: Linda McShannock Minneapolis Historical Society, December 1, 2006.

  121. Eddie Bald as lavish dresser: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 9, 1899.

  121. “Camp Thunderbolt” Brooklyn Daily Eagle April 21, 1897.

  121. “I think the change to a warmer climate will improve my health”: UASP.

  121. John Street Baptist Church; Reverend Hiram Conway: Melbourne Daily Telegraph, January 7, 1903.

  121. Major Taylor adult baptism: Philadelphia Inquirer, January 1, 1898.

  122. “place where there is no mud on streets because of the high temperature” Robert A. Smith A Social History of the Bicycle p. 72 referencing: J.B. Bishop (editor of New York Evening Post) Article: Social and Economic Influence of the Bicycle, Forum August 1896 pp 680-689 requested HCL 12/22/06.

  122. “all members who have had their teeth filled with gold or who rode bicycles” Ibid-p. 75.

  122. “watchful eye, full brotherhood” Boston Globe: January 2, 1899.

  122. “a closer communion with God” Robert Smith: A Social History of the Bicycle; p. 73.

  123. Reverend John Shaw canonizes the inventor if only he knew his name.” Ibid-p 73.

  123. “I have the satisfaction of believing”: Melbourne Daily Telegraph, January 3, 1903 Interview with Major Taylor.

  123. “I am glad to say I am a Christian” Ibid.

  124. “we have no intention of pacing a nigger,” Savannah Press: March 19, 1898.

  125. “Alright then, if you won’t pace me, I’ll pace you.” Ibid.

  125. “Mister Taylor, if you don’t leave here before 48 hours you will be sorry” Ibid.

  125. “White Cappers, tarred and feathered” The Philadelphia Record: August 8, 1897: New York Times: March 13, 1898: Major Taylor autobiography p. 23.

  126. “Cowardly writer”: UASP.

  126. “Major Taylor de coon rider from de north . . .” Savannah Press: March 19, 1898.

  126. “It is useless for a colored person to attempt to get along in the south” New York Reporter: Unidentified clipping: Major Taylor scrapbook Indianapolis History Museum.

  126. Brady sends telegraph to Taylor: UASP.

  126. Luke 6:27 King James Bible www.mybiblescripture.com DL January 23, 2007.

  127. “He gave the circuit chasers to understand…” New York Journal: August 28, 1898.

  127. “must suffer with the others.” Unidentified clipping Major Taylor Scrapbook; Indianapolis History Museum.

  127. “To step on Brady’s toes intentionally…” New York Times: January 8, 1950.

  127. “unjust discrimination” Major Taylor autobiography p.24 quoting unknown newspaper.

  128. “I beg to assure the gentleman that any time the Major enters a race” Unidentified clipping: Major Taylor scrapbook: Indianapolis History Museum.

  128. “the promoter who could debar a good drawing card like Major Taylor” Ibid.

  128. “I am not in favor of barring Taylor…” Philadelphia Press; April 12, 1898.

  129. “He rides so low”: UASP.

  129. “They can’t outride me anyway”: New York American, July 22, 1898.

  129. Seven thousand fans: Ibid. Philadelphia Press; July 17, 1898.

  129. “the idol of the meet” Ibid.

  129. “Taylor, Taylor” Ibid.

  130. Chairman Mott double-barreled opera glasses: Cycle Age July 21,1898.

  130. “The nerve of the men in doing teamwork right under the eye of the chairman” Ibid.

  130. “Leave the boy alone and he will land a winner every time.” Unidentified clipping Major Taylor scrapbook Indianapolis History Museum.

  131. “He can beat any of them in a match race” Cycle Age July 21, 1901.

  131. “the hero of all boyhood” Major Taylor autobiography p. 51.

  131. Zimmerman near deadly case of Mexican Fever: Cycle Age: June 9, 1901.

  131. Lack of racial prejudice Arthur Zimmerman: Major Taylor autobiography p. 12.

  132. “I am very anxious to see you win the event…” Arthur Zimmerman quote; Major Taylor autobiography p. 52.

  132. Jim Corbett starter for race: Cycle Age: July 28, 1901.

  132. Papa Zimmie at race: UASP.

  132. “No group of racing horse ever faced.” Major Taylor autobiography p.52.

  132. “crossed the tape fully ten lengths ahead of Bald, three time winner of the Championship of America” Philadelphia Press: July 17, 1898.

  133. “Our friend Birdie Munger was right about you” Major Taylor autobiography p.53.

  133. “he shared the honors with Major Taylor”: Boston Globe: July 28, 1898.

  133. “I have never seen a more happy man in my life than Arthur A. Zimmerman” Ibid.

  Chapter 10

  135. Brady cabled lucrative offers-of $1000 or more-to the “big four”, Bald, Gardiner, McFarland and Kiser.” Worcester Telegram Sept 20, 1897.

  135. “I will match Major Taylor with any man…” Cycle Age: July 28, 1898.


  136. “I want to race these men but they chose to ignore me entirely”: Boston Globe: July 31, 1898.

  136. “would affect him socially” Major Taylor Autobiography p. 42.

  136. “race of truth” Bicycle Racing Terminology: www.amgentourofcalifornia.com DL January 27, 2007.

  136. Description Brady as fighting man: The Fighting Man; William A. Brady p.45.

  136. “Midget” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: February 20, 1897.

  136. “the athletic marvel of the century” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: September 28, 1898.

  136. “minors” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: April 21, 1897: The Trenton Evening Times: August 2, 1897.

  136. “Michaels opponents laughed out loud…” William Brady: Showman p. 225.

  137. “invincible” New York Times: December 25, 1897.

  137. “guaranteed minimum of $22,500” Cycle Age: April 28, 1898.

  137. “Take a spill off a speeding bicycle on a hardwood track…” William A. Brady Showman p. 224.

  137. Taylor receives Brady’s telegraph ordering him to New Jersey: UASP.

  137. Jim Corbett training grounds: UASP; New York Times, September 1898.

  138. President McKinley receives Jimmy Michaels at White House: Cycle Age: January 1897.

  138. “I dare say, no bicycle race that was ever conducted in this country…” Major Taylor autobiography p. 43.

  138. “was the cutest thing they ever saw” William A Brady: Showman p. 225.

  138. “made so much money and received so much adoration from the ladies his head was badly turned” Ibid.

  138. Brady makes side bet with Michaels manager Dave Shafer: The Sun: August 28, 1898; Brooklyn Daily Eagle: August 30, 1898.

  138. Picture bicycle accordion fans: Major Taylor autobiography p.53.

  139. “I have seen enthusiast gatherings at bike tracks” Major Taylor autobiography p. 47.

  139. “bounding about like a rubber ball.” The Sun: August 28th, 1898.

  139. “Taylor cried out to his pace men for more speed; but the pace was too much-all five men completely spent.” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: August 28, 1898.

  140. Michaels was hissed by the crowd: The Decatur Review: August 28, 1898.

  140. Jersey thirteen: New York American, July 22, 1898.

  140. “I am announcing a sweeping challenge for another match race between these two men for a purse of $10,000 . . .” Brooklyn Daily Eagle: August 28, 1898; The Sun: August 28, 1898.