Stephen Crane

New York Tribune/July 24, 1892

Summer Dwellers at Asbury Park and Their Doings

The Wheel that Goes Around No More—The Bicycle Champion—Personal and Social

Asbury Park, N.J., July 23 (Special).—The big “Observation Wheel” on Lake Ave. has got into a great lot of trouble, and it is feared that the awe-stricken visitor will be unable to see the “wheel go ‘round” hereafter. Complaints were made by the hotel owners in the neighborhood that the engine connected with the machine distributed ashes and sparks over their counterpanes. Also, residents of Ocean Grove came and said that the steam organ disturbed their pious meditations on the evils of the world. Thereupon the minions of the law violently suppressed the wheel and its attendants. The case comes before Chancellor McGill, of Jersey City.

Captain Minot, the popular proprietor of the Minot House on Third Ave., was, one evening this week, presented by his guests with a large Sevres plaque and two pitchers, on a table of carved oak.

Arthur Zimmerman, the famous American bicycle rider, who has been smashing English records, and who is, incidentally, the idol of Asbury Park wheelers, is to be here on August 5 and 6. He will race here on those days against some of the cracks of the country. It is certain that he will receive a tremendous ovation.

The thousands of summer visitors who have fled from the hot, stifling air of the cities to enjoy the cool sea breezes are not entirely forgetful of the unfortunates who have to stay in their crowded tenements. Jacob Riis, the author of “How the Other Half Lives,” gave an illustrated lecture on the same subject in the Beach Auditorium on Wednesday evening. The proceeds were given to the tenement house work of the King’s Daughters. Over $300 was cleared, which, at $2 each, will give 150 children a two weeks outing in the country.

The first annual convention of the Christian Alliance began today in Educational Hall. The convention will last until August 1, and is presided over by the Rev. A. B. Simpson. The first four days will be devoted to the subject of Christian Holiness, one day to the Lord’s Coming, another to Divine Healing, and the remaining days will be given up to foreign missions.