| Friday, June 30, 1899 was a
clear but cool early summer day, perfect. for a bicycle ride. Charles M.
Murphy went for a ride on his Tribune "Blue Streak" bike that afternoon.
When he was finished, Murphy had set a world speed record, and
Farmingdale and the Long Island Rail Road were front-page news around
the nation.
Hal B. Fullerton, a public relations official of the LIRR, had known
Murphy through their mutual interest in regional bicycle organizations.
An idea was jointly developed to have Murphy attempt to set a record
with the help of a train. About three miles of planking was laid between
the rails of the Central Branch eastward from Farmingdale to Maywood
siding. The 29 year-old Murphy trained for two months with dumbbell
weights, a jump rope, a stationary trainer, and light road work, all of
which contributed considerable muscle to his 145 pound body.
 He
and Sam Booth, engineer of locomotive No. 39, had a brief consultation
before the one-car train left the old South Farmingdale Station about
5:10 pm that day. The sole passenger car, crowded with reporters,
carried an improvised hood on the rear to shield Murphy from wind
resistance. Booth accelerated quickly, but Murphy kept pace. The train
briefly pulled ahead, causing Murphy to lose the advantage of the calm
air in the hood, but he pedaled furiously to catch up. He covered the
measured mile in 57.8 seconds, likely hitting 70 miles-per-hour at some
points. He was hauled aboard the pace coach, with his legs still
clutching the bicycle, just before the planked course ended. He had done
it, and for the remaining 51 years of his life, he was Mile-a-Minute
Murphy!
Farmingdale has many memorable
moments of history in its long heritage, and Mile-a-Minute Murphy's ride
is one of them.
© Copy graciously provided by
William J. Johnston, Village Historian Town of Farmingdale. 1899 button
is based on a photograph graciously provided by the Collection of John
Hammond. Photo retouching of this image by Retsambew.com. Any
implication that it was not may well be met with---. Photograph of
Murphy's Bicycle currently on display at the Indian Motorcycle Museum in
Massachusetts is provided courtesy of Nassau County Division of Museum
Services. Copyrights belong to each respective owner. Thanks to Dave
Morrison, LIRR. All rights reserved. |
