Page 40 SOUVENIR-CHARTERS TOWERS, 1872 to JULY,
1950
CYCLING
THE riders in the early days of Charters Towers could, as it was
often proved, hold their own with the best of the cyclists from all
over Australia.
Billy Beasley in his day beat many a southern rider and won many big
events. On the 26th November. 1910, W. Beasley won the Queensland Test
Road. Race of 60 miles from Charters Towers to Liontown and return. C.
Middlin, who still conducts an electrical and second hand business in
Mosman Street, was second and J. Honey was placed third. Forty-eight
riders set off but only nine finished the distance. There were 11
prizes to be won and J. Honey won three of them. Mr. Middlin exhibits a
fine gold medal, his second trophy in this great race. The time for the
60 miles was 3 hours 3 minutes. There was some big wagering and two
bookmakers at least bet W. Beasley £100 to £25 that he
could not break the distance in 3½ hours. Other riders at this
time were J. Holt, Otto Flint, Joe Jacobs, Billy Percy, Freddie Flint
and Pinkie Houston, who in 1907 won the 5 mile Australian Championship
at Adelaide. Southern riders Rolfe, Walter Payne of
Melbourne and Sydney, came to Charters Towers together also an
American rider named Hurst. An Italian champion Porter, came to
Charters Towers to challenge Billy Beasley but was beaten by the local
rider. On one occasion Billy Beasley was riding against at least five
Sydney riders at the saucer track at the old athletic reserve and was
in an unbeatable position when one Sydney
rider came across and put Beasley over the embankment at the Corinda
end and he broke several ribs and was in hospital for two weeks.
One of the most popular road races was out to the old squash shop and
back, along the weir road. After
Beasley
came the two Barrons, Jack and Bob, both riders of high standing. At
this time Sammy Brenton would be coming into the picture and Sam is
still riding, only last year he challenged several much younger riders
during the
many race track meetings held at Charters Towers. But Sammy, I think,
has left all his fast times back on the old "Ruby Ridge" years ago.
Other good solid supporters of the cycling in Charters Towers are the
Russell Brothers, Jack and Ernie. Just before their day though, old
George Stanger had his say when the trophies and prize money were being
distributed.
Following these riders came Frank (Dinty) Stanger and to-day a
professional cycling club is still doing excellent work in
Charters Towers under the Presidency of Mr. Bill Billam. Some of the
best riders of to-day are Phil Schober, Frank Bowen, Don Jarvis, I.
Mann, H. Ryder, and in the Junior Grade, George Barron, Micky Conlan,
Morris McCamley and Young George Stanger hold their own.
THE MOSQUITO AND THE POLITICIAN
(From the "Eagle", 1899.)
There was a big mosquito
With a most tremendous sting;
And he was very vicious
An extremely wicked! thing.
He would puncture all the people
That he ever came across,
He had killed an alligator
And had paralysed a hoss.
He could sting a knight in armour
He could drill a stucco wall,
He could pierce a Cornish boiler
Was the daddy of 'em all.
He has lengthy list of glories
He had never known a rest
Till he met a politician
And he had to give him best.
He atacked the sleeping statesman
Started borinlg at his cheek,
But he wore his sting to nothing
After working for a week.
Then he left and told his troubles
To a relative who said
Well, you must have been a donkey
Not to sting him on the head.
