Major Taylor

by Conrad Kerber

  254. “Taylor literally annihilated”, the world champion Ellegaard: Le Auto-Velo, date unknown.

  255. Jacqueline declines match with Taylor: The Colored American Magazine, September 1902, p. 342.

  255. “He was looked upon as an idol and when he took departure for his native shores it was with universal regret.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 204; quoting Interview with Victor Breyer in unknown New York daily.

  255. “The pastime took on a new lease on life.” Ibid: p. 204.

  255. Taylor turns down offer to race in South America: Boston Globe: September 1, 1901.

  255. Tour de France first prize money $ 20,000: Town & Country Journal: March 18, 1903.

  255. Batchelder sends rep to Grand Central Station: The Colored American Magazine, September 1902, p. 342.

  255. “Taylor rule” Major Taylor autobiography p. 210.

  256. “Is there no way to prevent detestable tricks” New York Sun: July 30, 1902 Reprinted in The Colored American Magazine, September 1902.

  256. Victory on borrowed bike Ottawa: The Ottawa Journal: August 4, 1902; The Citizen Ottawa Canada: August 4, 1902.

  256. “Whether the skin color should be white or black he is entitled to what he is worth…” Major Taylor autobiography p. 224.

  256. “Throughout this season Major Taylor has been harassed to a point of desperation by these cheap fellows…” Ibid: p. 225.

  256. “With anything like a fair show or an equal chance” Ibid: p. 225.

  257. Taylor defending himself from McFarland with 2x4: Major Taylor autobiography p. 228.

  257. “When it is considered that he divides his winnings with no man, nor teams up with anyone, as others do, the reason for his unpopularity by circuit riders is quickly detected.” Naugatuck Daily News: September 28, 1901.

  257. “That was the first time in my career I ever lost my head…” Major Taylor autobiography p. 228.

  258. Taylor Daisy denied meals at three different restaurants on way to Newark’s Vailsburg track: Major Taylor autobiography p. 225-226.

  258. Lithographic displays in windows throughout the city: Cycle Age: September 1902.

  259. “Whetted knives” Naugatuck Daily News: May 14, 1901.

  259. “I was satisfied I could never again regain my American championship title with the entire field of riders…” Major Taylor autobiography p. 232.

  259. “his will be the last black face probably ever seen in the professional cycling ranks in America” Atlanta Constitution: December 28, 1902.

  Chapter 19

  261. “Huge Deal” Frank Van Straten: Huge Deal: The Fortunes and Follies of Hugh McIntosh (Lothian Books 2004).

  261. Never before and never since, anywhere in the world had one man poked his prodigy fingers into so many pies” Ibid; Introduction.

  261. “a distinctive blend of charlatan, genius, dreamer and bandit.” Australians-Nine Profiles and Norman Lindsay, the Embattled Olympians; Writer: John Hetherington; Reference on McIntosh titled; The Unrepentant Buccaneer pp. 43-48.

  261. Bellevue Hill mansion: Frank Van Straten; Huge Deal: The Fortunes and Follies of Hugh McIntosh; p. 113.

  262. It was the nearest approach to hell on earth I’ve ever known” Sporting Globe: July 22, 1939.

  262. “But if there was a case of misapplied strength, it was me on a bicycle” Sporting Globe: August 12, 1939.

  262. McIntosh representing Summer Nights Amusements: I REMEMBER; J.T. Lang McNamara’s Books Katoomba 1956 p. 284.

  262. Numbers were bandied about: The Referee, November 19, 1902.

  262. “McIntosh was not adverse to a good stoush, and he positively bristled with energy” Melbourne Punch: September 12, 1912.

  263. “Offer of $7500 plus share of gate receipts and purses as high as $5000” The Sportsman: January 27 & March 24, 1903: Major Taylor Autobiography p. 240 & 300.

  263. October 1, 1902 cable from Taylor to McIntosh, number of races too many: The Referee: October 28, 1903.

  263. Referee, a newspaper McIntosh would one day own: Frank Van Straten: Huge Deal The Fortunes and Follies of Hugh McIntosh, p. 114.

  263. “All doubts as to the comings of Major Taylor, the wonderful black rider, are now at rest” The Referee: November 19, 1902.

  263 “I somehow figured that race prejudice only flourished in this country.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 233.

  263 “My first thought upon getting this information was to cancel my Australian tour.” Ibid-p. 233.

  264. Reference to seventeen pieces of luggage: Worcester Telegram: September 24, 1903.

  264. “I am assuming the two of you are aware of the rigid color line in Australia.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 232.

  264. “White Australian Policy” www.wikipedia.org/White_Australia_policy

  264. Racism San Francisco city policy: www.city-date.com DL June 4, 2007.

  264. Taylor’s being denied food and hotel accommodations: Major Taylor autobiography p. 233.

  264. Boarded R.M.S. Ventura: Ibid-p. 235.

  264. Conversation with Ship’s purser: Ibid-p. 233.

  264. “What church or denomination do you belong to”: New South Wales article titled Thirty Thousand Dollars For Conscience Sake; reprinted in Sydney Daily Telegraph: January 3, 1903.

  265. “It certainly was a distressing outlook” Major Taylor autobiography p. 233.

  265. “Taylor Taylor” Ibid-p. 234.

  265. “The most beautiful in the world” Ibid-p. 234.

  265. McIntosh yacht capsizing: Smith’s Weekly; August 27, 1938.

  265. “There in his yacht Mabel, that famously capsized due to too much champagne on board” Smith’s Weekly: August 27, 1938.

  266. “look, look do you see all those American flags, do you hear those whistles and horns” Major Taylor autobiography p. 234.

  266. “now do you think you will be allowed to land in Australia?” Ibid-p. 234.

  266. “defeated everyone in America and Europe.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 235; quoting speech made by Lord Mayor of Sydney printed in unknown Sydney Daily.

  267. “Majah Taylor” The Bulletin: December 27, 1902.

  267. “No one may smoke in the presence of a cycling chieftain.” Australian Cyclist, February 3, 1904.

  267. “The sole topic of conversation yesterday was the visit of the world champion Major Taylor” Major Taylor Autobiography p. 240.

  267. “THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE”; New South Wales Baptist article reprinted in Sydney Daily Telegraph: January 7, 1903.

  268. “The Major Taylor Carnival” The Referee: Jan 14, 1903.

  268. Sydney Cricket Grounds illuminated by cluster of electric arc lamps: Sports by Keith Dunstan, The Pedaling Passion (Casell, Melbourne 1973) p. 268.

  269. Taylor sets ¼ mile Australian record in .26 seconds: The Bulletin: January 10, 1903.

  269. Women in pinks and greens and heliotropes: The Bulletin: January 24, 1903.

  269. “The scene was almost like fairyland” The Town & Country Journal: January 14, 1903.

  269. “Never before has enthusiasm been so prolonged.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 268; quoting unknown Sydney Daily.

  269. More than one hundred thousand fans: The Sportsman: February 10, 1903.

  269. Quarter million people attending twelve races: The Bulletin: February 7, 1903.

  269. “one of the most fascinating of a fascinating sex”: UASP.

  269. “representatives of the world of fashion” The Town & Country Journal: January 13, 1903; The Bulletin: January 24, 1903.

  269. “Put away the brooms boys here comes Mac, he’s go after anything with hair on it” Frank Van Straten: Huge Deal; The Fortunes and Follies of Hugh McIntosh; Author Interview with Roy Purvers, 1977.

  269. “Sometimes so many women surrounded him that H.D. himself could not be seen” Ibid: Author Interview with Charles Covell, 2004.

  269. “He would have been cheap at half the price.” The Sportsman: January 27, 1903.


  270. “I cannot emphasize too strongly the pressure off my mind upon learning I would have no worry from the color line” Major Taylor autobiography p. 237.

  270. “surging crowd. monster welcome reception…” No one present had heard anything of his ability as a speaker…” Major Taylor autobiography p. 272.

  271. “McIntosh gave away enough champagne to christen every battleship in Europe” Smiths Weekly: August 27th 1938.

  271. “no one present, he felt sure, had heard anything of his ability as a speaker” Major Taylor autobiography p. 272.

  271. Taylor gets fever 104 temperature: The Sportsman: January 27, 1903.

  271. “the newspapers treated me with the utmost respect” Major Taylor autobiography p. 271.

  271. “What Major Taylor is as a record breaker”: The Sportsman: January 27, 1903.

  271. Our cigarettes do not injure one in training.” Clipping Major Taylor scrapbook Indianapolis History Museum.

  271. “It’s no use he’s just to good.” The Sportsman: March 3, 1903.

  272. “Major Taylor is a very cleanly built neatly packed parcel of humanity . . .” Major Taylor autobiography p. 273; quoting unknown Melbourne newspaper.

  272. Taylor presence at Benefit Race: The Sportsman: January 27, 1903.

  272. eight-thousand fans in attendance: Ibid: February 7, 1903.

  272. Profit on race $1250: Ibid: March 17, 1903.

  272. “It being nothing short of heroism to venture out at all” Ibid: February 17, 1903.

  272. “Just the fortunes of war.” Ibid.

  272. “I didn’t congratulate and shake Morgan’s hand for show, I meant it.” Ibid.

  272. “Morgan could not suppress his feeling” Ibid.

  272. “It was the proudest moment of my life.” Ibid.

  272. “Although I was a sick man when I reached Melbourne I left that city in a blaze of glory.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 280.

  272. One hundred fifteen riders entered in Sydney Thousand Handicap: The Town & Country Journal: March 7, 1903.

  273. Railroad commissioners emergency meetings: Ibid.

  273. ‘Besieged” Unidentified Australian newspaper clipping Major Taylor scrapbook Indianapolis History Museum.

  273. “I could have bought a place in the final of the Sydney Thousand but I’m here to win races not buy them.” The Sportsman: March 24, 1903.

  273. Fifty-five thousand fans showed up: The Town & Country Journal: January 21-28, 1903.

  273. Taylor leaves Sydney en route to Adelaide: The Referee: March 25, 1903.

  273. “McIntosh turned on the parties as thou there was no future” Frank Van Straten: Huge Deal: The Fortunes and Follies of Hugh D. McIntosh p. 105, quoting Sporting Globe, February 3, 1940.

  274. “Experts here are now satisfied, that he is really the marvel that the continental and American press proclaimed him to be.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 287 quoting unknown Sydney Daily.

  274. “He simply won as he liked.” The Sportsman: March 17, 1903.

  274. “puts the league on velvet.” Ibid: March 31, 1903.

  274. Incapacitation of rider named Wayne: The Referee: January 14, 1904.

  274. Major and Daisy pay sympathy visit to injured rider: The Bulletin: May 2, 1903.

  275. April 16, 1903 Taylor departure from Australia to Europe: The Sportsman: April 15, 1903.

  275. Taylor wins twenty-three first places out of twenty-seven races: Major Taylor autobiography p. 300.

  275. “The events aroused a pitch of enthusiasm that has never been witnessed here before” Major Taylor autobiography p. 241: quoting unknown Sydney Daily.

  275. “Major Taylor who combines cycling with preaching in the Methodist chapels on Sundays is far on his way to making a fortune far more than the best paid editors, university professors, or nine-tenths of the legal profession. New York Times: February 16th, 1903.

  275. “It will be many long years before the Americans phenomenal rides are forgotten.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 279.

  275. 1903 Europe record: Twenty-eight first, twenty-one seconds and nine thirds; Ibid-p. 301.

  275. 85,000 attendance multi-day meet Paris: The Daily Northwestern: February 13, 1901.

  275. People of India present cane: Boston Daily Globe, September 28, 1903.

  275. “Taylor defeats Ellegaard” The Bulletin: Jan 17, 1903.

  275. Taylor sleeping upright: The Colored American Magazine, September 1902.

  276. “up-to-date” raiment Daisy: The Referee: November 4, 1903.

  276. “gentlemanly bow with cap in hand” Ibid.

  276. Babe Ruth earning $20,000: Velo News, January 15, 1996.

  276. “How many today are able to show the bank account”: The Daily Republican, August 2, 1901.

  276. $40,000-$50,000 richer: Major Taylor in Australia, Jim Fitzpatrick, Star Hill Studio.

  276. William Rockefeller and Cardinal James Gibbons on return Ship to America: Worcester Telegram: September 24, 1903.

  276. “I am satisfied I have done enough.” Ibid.

  ** More than 100,000 fans Sydney races: The Sportsman: February 10, 1903.

  ** Taylor visit talked about this day: www.cyclingnews.com March 2005.

  Chapter 20

  279. McIntosh never being taught meaning of no” Punch: September 12, 1912.

  279. Reference to McIntosh: “pedaling pies at racetracks” National Library of Australia DL September 11, 2006 www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100280b.htm

  279. Barrage of cablegrams: The Referee: October 28, 1903.

  279. “retirement” Ibid.

  279. “Renault car. poodle car ride” Worcester Telegram: November 13, 1904.

  279. “if I ever ride again it will be right here in Australia.” The Sportsman: April 20 & 23, 1903.

  279. Taylor renovating his home: The Sun, November 13, 1902.

  279. “a school of sharks” Frank Van Straten: Huge Deal: The Fortunes and Follies of Hugh D McIntosh, p. 12.

  279. “Cannot leave before Aerangi; will not guarantee to race more than three times weekly for L2000 exclusive of prizes” The Referee: October 28, 1904.

  280. “Taylor had a change of heart.” Worcester Telegram: November 13, 1904.

  280. “To note accept such an offer was like passing up too good a thing.” Ibid.

  280. Leaving Worcester November 13, 1903 for San Francisco: Ibid.

  280. Taylor stop in New Zealand: The Referee: December 23, 1904.

  280. Taylor arrives Australia for second tour: The Bulletin: December 27, 1904.

  280. Floyd McFarland from San Jose: Peter Nye, Hearts of Lions p. 63.

  281. “rioting” reference to Floyd McFarland: New York Times: November 11, 1900, January 8 & February 5, 1902.

  281. Henry Desgrange banned McFarland from Parc des Princes track: Cycle Age and Trade Review: October 25, 1900: December 20, 1900.

  281. “trim the nigger” Major Taylor autobiography p. 188.

  281. “exception rule” Atlanta Constitution: December 8, 1902.

  281. MacFarland as an autocrat: UASP.

  281. “What do you take me for a . . . Kangaroo.” Curley H. Grivel: Australian Cycling in the Golden Days, p. 52 Unknown word not exact, author’s assumed meaning of word.

  282. “Bull Williams” knocked senseless: Peter Nye: Hearts of Lions, p. 82.

  282. “human motor” “warhorse” “handicap king” Australian Cyclist and Motor-Car World February 11,1904; The Referee: January 27th, 1904.

  282. “Floyd McFarland, my arch enemy of many years standing was the kingpin of all the schemes against me.” Major Taylor autobiography p. 337.

  282. “oh that damm nigger” The Referee: March 9, 1904.

  282. “He made hacks out of Australia’s best” The Sportsman: April 17, 1903.

  282. Lawson second place 1902 American Championship: New York Times: July 21, 1902.

  282. “the melancholy dane sober sided-athlete” The Referee: January 6, 1904.

  28
2. “he carries the brand of the track yet” The Referee: March 9, 1904.

  282. Lawson McFarland teaming: The Referee: March 30, 1904.

  283. Taylor was the only rider to receive a large down payment: Australian Cyclist: December 31, 1904: Major Taylor scrapbook Indianapolis History Museum.

  283. “His legs and riding capabilities have been sold to a syndicate that negotiates for him.” Ibid: Australian Cyclist: December 31, 1904 Unidentified newspaper clipping Major Taylor scrapbook.

  283. Iver Lawson on Columbia bicycle, MacFarland on Cleveland: Advertisement; The Australian Cyclist: February 11, 1904.

  283. “The visiting Americans have brought their prejudice with them and want to atone for past defeats by Taylor” The Referee: January 20, 1904.

  284. Taylor on Massey – Harris Ibid.

  284. “No man in the world can have a chance against Iver Lawson when he has McFarland working in his interest.” Major Taylor autobiography; quoting unknown Melbourne paper p. 344.

  284. “It was as plain as a pike staff even to the palest faced laymen.” Ibid:-p. 343.

  284. McFarland out one month suspension, $125 fine for abusive language: The Referee: January 20, 24, 1904 & February 24, 1904; March 2, 1904.

  284. Taylor went on grass on his own accord: Ibid.

  284. MacFarland given option of paying reduced fine: The Referee: February 3, 1904.

  284. “There is no love lost between the two factions here just now and every time Taylor meets his compatriots the curry is very hot” Australian Cyclist and Motorcar World: February 2, 1904.

  284. “dead heat” Punch: February 4, 1904.

  284. Prime minister in attendance: UASP.

  285. “How would a jockey get on if he thought he had won and abused the judge and stewards that way” Major Taylor autobiography p. 353.

  285. “McFarland donning clothes and leaving track” Punch: February 4, 1904.

  285. battalion of police converges on track: The Referee: Feb 17, 1904.

  286. “It was a big event in my life to beat Major Taylor” Ibid.

  286. “Instead of watching the struggles of the world’s champions”: Australian Cyclist & Motor Car World: February 11, 1904.

  286. “If this is your summer”: The Sportsman: April 15 & 21, 1903; Major Taylor scrapbook Indianapolis History Museum.

  286. “He is as fit as a fiddle” Sid Melville trainer: The Referee: February 23, 1904 Sydney Sportsman: February 5, 1904.