Jacksonville, Florida's Early Motorcycle Racing - Episode #14

June 1, 2013

Updated - July 19, 2019

By: David L. Morrill
@Deadly Dave's Blog

Sylacauga, Alabama

My readers are absolutely great! Recently Lexie Perry shared for of a piece of Jacksonville's early racing history. She rescued an old trunk that had been discarded to the curb. When she got it home, and began to look through it, she found this 1909 winner's medal.

Lexie Perry Collection

Lexie contacted me seeking information on her rare find, and I was able to share the story behind the medal with her, which raises as many questions, as it answers.  Thank you so very much Lexie, for saving this rare piece of Jacksonville Racing History!

Jacksonville Florida's Early Motorcycle Racers - Episode #14

It appears the first motorcycle race in Jacksonville, Florida was held by the Jacksonville Motorcycle Club on the beach course at Pablo Beach on September 16, 1909. It listed the winner of the 50 Mile race as J. McGraw of Jacksonville on a Thor Motorcycle.

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - September 23, 1909

This is interesting, as the winner's medal Lexie Perry found lists A. L. Terry was the winner. The medal appears to be authentic, and it maybe that the motorcycling press got it wrong. This was not uncommon in their coverage of early local racing.

Lexie Perry Collection

By the closing months of 1909, Jacksonville, Florida had a burgeoning motorcycle community supported by several motorcycle dealers.

Harley-Davidson Racing Team - Jonathan Yerkes (second from left)
 1914 Savannah 300 - Chris Price@ArchiveMoto

Jonathan Yerkes was a member of a prominent Jacksonville family. His grandfather owned the Florida Hardware Store in Jacksonville, and Jonathan worked there. Young Yerkes developed a keen interest in motorcycles and racing.  By 1910, he had been elected President of the Jacksonville Motorcycle Club. In December 1910, an announcement appeared Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review stating Yerkes and his club secretary, Francis Engle, were leaving for an extended motorcycle tour of Europe.

Motorcycle Illustrated - December 1910

Motorcycle racing had become very popular in Jacksonville. A. Stoddard, the new President of the motorcycle club, lobbied hard for the inclusion of motorcycle classes in Jacksonville Speed Carnival held on Pablo Beach. The annual April race was similar to speed runs held at Daytona Beach and was run along the beach at low tide.

The officials of the Speed Carnival at first stated, "there would be no motorcycle classes" in the Speed Carnival. They changed their minds just a month before the event, requiring the Jacksonville Motorcycle Club to get a Federation of American Motorcyclists (F.A.M.) sanction for the event, and handle all the necessary arrangements for the motorcycle classes. The sanction was obtained, and motorcycle classes were added to the event.

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - January 28, 1911

Yerkes, on a Thor motorcycle, won the 5 Mile Race for private owners riding single cylinder motorcycles. He followed up his win with second, and third place finishes in the days remaining motorcycle events.

Pablo Beach, Florida Beach Course

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - April 8, 1911

Yerkes next event was in the motorcycle class of the Atlantic Beach, Florida Automobile Meet. He finished second in the 5 Mile Private Owners Race.

Frank Herbert "Bert" Camplejohn grew up with his brother Charles in Jacksonville, Florida. By 1911, Bert was a motorcycle mechanic, and had developed an interest in tuning and racing his motorcycles.

Savannah 300 Road Race 
Motorcycle Illustrated - December 3, 1914

Camplejohn first appeared in the national racing press competing at Atlantic Beach , Florida. Motorcycle races of the time often took place on holidays to attract more racers and large crowds of spectators. Camplejohn, riding an Indian, took second in the Independence Day Ten Mile twin cylinder race.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Jacksonville Motorcycle Club held races at Montcrief Park. Camplejohn rode a Reading Standard motorcycle to a win in the 5-mile private owners' race.

The following month Bert, and his brother Charles, announced the opening of the Camplejohn Brothers Bicycle and Motorcycle repair shop in Jacksonville.

Both Yerkes and Camplejohn continued honing their racing skills in events around Florida. Yerkes was the more successful and was referred to as "Jacksonville's Champion".

1913 Savannah 300

In mid 1913, the Federation of American Motorcyclists announced the Savannah Motorcycle Club had obtained a sanction for a motorcycle road race to be held on Christmas Day 1913.

Savannah 300 Road Race Course

The course used a shortened 11.25-mile version of the original 26-mile Savannah American Grand Prize Vanderbuilt Cup Course, which hosted automobile races from 1908 until 1911. This course was made up of public roadways in and around Savannah.

The 1913 race, known as the American Classic, was scheduled for Christmas Day and would be 300 miles in length.  The race attracted top riders from around the country, and both Yerkes and  Camplejohn entered. Rain delayed the race until December 27th.

The Automobile Journal

December 1913



Camplejohn rode a Thor, and Yerkes chose to ride an Excelsior. Yerkes arrived in Savannah late, and lined up for the start of the race, after just one hour of practice.  At the end of the grueling 27 lap 5 hour race event, Bob Perry - Excelsior was shown in the lead, Maldwyn Jones - Merkel was second, Bert Camplejohn  - Thor was third, and Jonathan Yerkes - Excelsior was close behind in fourth.

1913 Savannah 300 Road Race Results
Automobile Journal - December 1913

Cincinnati Enquirer - December 28, 1913

A controversy surrounded the race results. Perry was given the trophy and the $500. in prize money. It was then announced the Merkel Factory Representative had filed a protest challenging the results. The protest alleged Jones had been shorted one lap during a pit stop.

Atlanta Constitution - December 28, 1913

A recheck of the scoring revealed Jones was indeed in the lead at the end of the race, but the protest was disallowed because it had not been filed within one hour of the end of the race. The Savannah Motorcycle Club was severely criticized in the press for their sloppy handling of the race.

1914 Savannah 300

For the 1914 race, Bert Camplejohn was one of four riders chosen for the Excelsior Motorcycle Company factory team.

#8 - Bert Camplejohn
Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - December 1, 1914

The Harley-Davidson Factory decided to send a team to Savannah. They would ride the new "Stripped Stock " 11K Racers developed by team engineer Bill Ottaway. This was the first appearance of a full Harley racing team, since their disappointing initial outing in the Dodge City 300 Mile Race in July.

Harley-Davidson Riders - Practice for Savannah 300 Road Race
Motorcycle Illustrated - December 3, 1914

Following the Dodge City race, Harley sent a single rider, Leslie "Red" Parkhurst, to the FAM National Championship Race in Birmingham. Alabama. Parkhurst won the race, surviving post-race protests lodged by Indian, and Excelsior.

Parkhurst was determined to be the winner, and the positive press convinced Harley-Davidson to send a full team of riders to the Savannah 300. Jonathan Yerkes was chosen to be one of the six factory riders riding for Harley Davidson in the 1914 Savannah 300.

Harley-Davidson Racing team - Savannah 300 Road Race
Bicycle World and Motorcycle Review - December 8, 1914

Harley-Davidson 11K Racer

Prior to the running of the 1914 race, F.A.M. officials announced the race would be under their direct control to assure proper rules and scoring. During the practice sessions for the 1914 race, the course was not closed to public vehicle traffic.

There were also packs of stray dogs wondering onto the track.  Rider Mud Gardner struck a stray dog and went down. He was struck by Bill Brier and Al Stratton. Brier was the most seriously injured, having been taken to the hospital, for a crippled hand and a head wound. Both Brier and Gardner were unable to compete in the race. A complaint was made to the Savannah City Fathers, and motorcycle mounted Sheriff's Officers dispatched several of the offending K9s, with pistol fire.

Shortly after practice resumed, Camplejohn was involved in an accident with a local automobile driver, who pulled onto the course in front of him. In describing the event, The Bicycling and Motorcycle Review stated:

"Then Bert Camplejohn wanted to see if he could cut an automobile in two and nearly did it. Fortunately, he escaped serious injury, but what he did get was sufficient to keep him out."

Getting knocked out of the race may have been a blessing for Camplejohn.

Thirty-two riders pulled numbers and started the 300-mile race on November 25, 1914. Tragedy struck on lap three, when Mooresville, N.C. rider Gray Sloop left the course in a high-speed corner, hit a tree, and was killed instantly. This happened in full view of a large group of spectators, including children.

Motorcycle Illustrated - December 3, 1914

New York Times - November 26, 1914

Later in the race, Savannah rider Zeddie Kelly crashed and was seriously injured. He died of his injuries the next day. 

#3 Zeddie Kelly - 1914 Savannah 300
The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - December 15, 1914

Five hours, after the race started, Indian rider Lee Taylor, crossed the start/finish line as the winner Jonathan Yerkes finished the race in sixth place.

Raleigh, NC. News and Observer - January 14, 1914

When an article concerning the deaths appeared in the New York Times, City Fathers decided the annual event would not take place in 1915. They had received numerous complaints from local citizens about road closures, and the dog massacre.

Jonathan Yerkes 6th place finish was mentioned in a Bosch magneto ad that appeared in the December 1, 1914, edition of The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review.

Bosch Magneto Ad - 1914 Savannah 300

With the demise of the Savannah 300, Bert Camplejohn and Jonathan Yerkes faded from the motorcycle press. Certainly, the loss of such a prestigious nationally sanctioned race just a couple hours travel time from Jacksonville, limited their competition on the national stage.

Camplejohn continued to work on motorcycles, and his 1917 draft registration for World War 1, lists motorcycle mechanic as his occupation.                                                                                            

The Savannah 300 went down in motorcycle racing history as one of the legendary races. Bert Camplejohn, Jonathan Yerkes, and all the other competitors in the two Savannah 300s faced deadly hazards with every lap. The loss of riders Gray Sloop and Zeddie Kelly only reinforces the peril they faced. They should not be forgotten.

Author's Note:

The State of Georgia erected an Historic Marker commemorating the earlier Savannah Automobile Racecourse.

Georgia State Historic Marker - Savannah, GA.

It was erected in the area of the old grandstand section of the course, close to the spot where Gray Sloop was killed. It makes no mention of the two years of the Savannah 300 Motorcycle Road Race, or the deaths of Gray Sloop and Savannah native Zeddie Kelly.

Sources:

Ancestry.com

Atlanta Constitution

Automobile Journal

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review

Chris Price@ ArchiveMoto

Cincinnati Enquirer

Johnny Whitsett Collection

Lexie Perry Collection

Motorcycle Illustrated

State of Georgia

New York Times

Wikipedia.org

Doug Yerkes



Building a 1921 Harley-Davidson Racer - Chassis - Episode #13

May 5, 2013

Updated - April 20, 2015

By: David L. Morrill

@ Deadly Dave's Blog

Sylacauga, Alabama

American board and dirt track motorcycle racing of the teens and twenties was one of the most exciting sports of that period. Large crowds were drawn to racetracks throughout the country to see daring riders cheat death. This early period of racing continues today. The Antique Motorcycle Club of American events at Davenport, Iowa and Wauseon, Ohio feature both period and recreations of these early racers competing on dirt tracks.

Deadly Dave's 1921 Harley-Davidson Racer

In part one of this story, I detailed modifying a 1921 Harley-Davidson Model J V twin engine into a blanked off single cylinder short track motor. When I set out to assemble an early racing chassis for this engine, my intention was not to build an exact replica of a 1921 racer. Some components have been replaced modern pieces for practicality and safety.

Harley-Davidson 11-K Factory Racer

When Harley-Davidson entered the racing game in 1914, they took their existing F Model V twin bike and modified it to the 11-K racer. The 11-K racer featured a "Short Coupled" racing frame, which was a loop style frame similar to the F Model frame. The racing frame had lower center of gravity, a shorter wheelbase, and was used by factory/privateer riders for several years.

Replica Short Couple Racing Frame

americanmotorcycleracer.com 

In 1916 Harley-Davidson introduced a new "Keystone" racing frame. In building this frame, the engineers removed the frame loop below the engine.

Replica Keystone Racing Frame

americanmotorcycleracer.com

The engine was mounted lower in the frame using two steel plates. This made the engine a stressed member, and the lower engine mounting position allowed for better handing. It also allowed the one-piece cylinder/head to be removed with the engine in the frame.

by the early 20s, enough privateer racers, were using modified Model J engines in their racers, that Harley-Davidson issued a factory Shop Dope Bulletin, which included an explanation on fitting 1920/21 engines to the Keystone racing frame. The factory also produced the special spacers necessary to install a production Model J V twin engine in the Keystone racing frame.

Harley-Davidson Service Shop Dope Bulletin # 81
Harley-Davidson Motor Company - November 1, 1920

1921 Harley-Davidson Keystone Frame Racer

Wheels Through Time Museum Collection

The racers of this period had rigid frames, with no rear suspension. They were built either with, or without, front suspension. Bikes like the one above were built with modified version of the F Model springer front fork. There was also a rigid girder style front end used only on racers. This is the style front end I used.

Replica Girder Style Racing Fork

Many of these early racers are direct drive, meaning the engine, is connected directly to rear wheel by two chains. There is not a clutch, or transmission. There is a compensating jack shaft assembly mounted behind the engine.



Compensator Assembly

The compensator assembly consists of two interlocked sprockets with different tooth counts spinning on a bearing assembly with concentric adjustment. This allows for the primary chain tension to be maintained. It also allows the final drive ratio to be altered by changing the sprocket's tooth counts.

The fuel tanks I used are narrow racing versions built for shorter races. The right tank carries several gallons of fuel, while the left tank features both a several quart oil tank, and a one-gallon fuel tank. The front oil tank section of the tank features a hand operated oil pump mounted on the left front.

Replica Narrow Racing Tank

americanmotorcycleracer.com

The rest of the running gear for the frame consists of a cut down 1914 replica rear fender, a Mesinger racing saddle, and wide board track style handlebars. The bars feature a right-hand throttle, and a left spark advance. When I first built the bike, I used a set of period style 28" wheels with clincher wheels and tires. These period style tires do not feature safety beads and held to the rims by air pressure. Many early racers were injured, or killed, by tires jumping the rim after losing air pressure. They also featured hubs with loose ball bearings, which are difficult to assemble and adjust.

Modern 21" Rear Wheel/Tire

The wheels were replaced with modern sealed bearing flat track racing hubs featuring sealed cage ball bearings, modern 21" rims, and safety bead tires. The 21'' wheels are not as tall as the period wheels and the bike only has about 2" of clearance from the bottom of the engine plates to the ground. The racers of this period did not use brakes. There is however, a compression release operated by a lever on the right handlebar.

Cable Operated Compression Release



Pulling the compression release raises the exhaust valve slightly, reducing compression in the engine, and allowing the bike to slow entering turns. It is also useful when push starting the bike.

When I built the motor detailed in Part 1, I tried to preserve as much of the 92 years of patina as was possible. When it came to finishing the frame and sheet metal is chose not to give it a bright and shiny restored look. I decided to use a simple roughed up black lacquer paint job, that was purposely not rubbed out, to give the bike a well-used look.  A set of gold period Harley-Davidson tank decals are the only accents.

1914 & 1915 Birmingham Ledger Endurance Races - Episode #12

May 6, 2013

Updated - November 11, 2015

By: David L. Morrill
@ Deadly Dave's Blog

Sylacauga, Alabama

1914 Indian Poster
Scott Bashaw Collection

Several years ago, my friend Johnny Whitsett sent me some early motorcycling photographs taken in Birmingham, Alabama by Oscar V. Hunt. As a professional photographer, Mr. Hunt documented many sporting events in the early years of Birmingham.  He was also a motorcycle enthusiast, and close friend of the Birmingham Indian Motorcycle dealer, Bob Stubbs. Among that group of photos, were several that featured Harley-Davidson and Indian riders that were taken in downtown Birmingham in 1914. They document some type of endurance motorcycle race, but the information about the race had been lost over the last 100 years.

The Birmingham Ledger newspaper sponsored several early motorcycle events in Birmingham, but I had never seen any information on this event. Recently early motorcycle collector Scott Bashaw shared an Indian Motorcycle Company promotional poster that touts Indian's domination of a Birmingham Ledger Speed and Endurance Run. I figured this might just be the race where these photos were taken and set out to see what I could find.


Scott's poster does not list the year, but one of O.V. Hunt's photos taken in 1914 shows a group of riders in front of the Birmingham Ledger Office at 2027 1st Avenue North.


1914 Birmingham Ledger Southern Championship Endurance Race

Motorcycle endurance runs, which were held on public roadways, were popular throughout the South beginning in the early days of motorcycling. They were often runs made between cities, to establish, or break record run times. In 1910, Birmingham Indian Motorcycle dealer Bob Stubbs set a record riding from Birmingham to Atlanta, Georgia in 7 hours and 5 minutes.



1914 Race Contestants at the Birmingham Ledger Office
O.V. Hunt 1914 - Johnny Whitsett Collection

In June 1914, The Federation of American Motorcyclists announced the three-day Southern Championship Endurance Road Race to be held on July 4th, 5th, and 6th. starting in in Birmingham, Alabama. The race was sponsored by the Birmingham Ledger Newspaper, and took place on public roadways between Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia.

Birmingham's Bob Stubbs would lead the Indian team out of his dealership located at 1805 4th Avenue North in Birmingham. Stubbs was joined by his team riders Gail Joyce, and Gene Walker, and John McHale. All three were from Birmingham. Joyce and Walker were making names for themselves riding Indian racers provided by Stubbs on the one-mile dirt oval at the Alabama State Fairgrounds in Birmingham. They were joined by Atlanta Indian rider Ed Wilcox, who had competed in the grueling 5-hour 1913 Savannah 300 Grand Prize Road Race.

The Harley-Davidson Team included Mooresville, NC. rider Gray Sloop, who had also competed in the 1913 Savannah 300 Road Race. He was joined by Atlanta riders Johnny Aiken, and R.B. Parrish. Aikens had been seriously injured during practice for the 1913 Savannah 300, when he crashed into a tree. Aikens had recovered from his injuries and was fit to ride. They were considered three of the best endurance riders in the country.

Atlanta's Johnny Aiken
O.V. Hunt 1914 - Johnny Whitsett Collection

Birmingham's William F. Specht Jr. rounded out the factory team. Specht, an accomplished racer and Harley-Davidson dealer from New Jersey, had recently moved to Birmingham. He opened his Birmingham dealership in Cliff Howells bicycle shop on 3rd Avenue North.

In mid-June 1914, William Specht and Joe Esdale did a test run of the racecourse for the July 4th race. Both riders arrived in Atlanta on time, and without incident. The next morning, they left Atlanta for the return trip to Birmingham.

They were accompanied by Atlanta Harley-Davidson dealer Johnny Aiken. The return runs of Esdale, and Aiken, were slowed by flat tires. Specht arrived back in Birmingham at 4:00pm. repeating the previous day's perfect run. Esdale and Aiken, were delayed slightly by their tire problems, but arrived back in Birmingham without further incident.

Specht Harley-Davidson Dealership Birmingham, Al.
Johnny Aiken - William F. Specht, Jr. - Gray Sloop
O.V. Hunt 1914 - Johnny Whitsett Collection

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

A total of 31 riders paid the $5.00 entry fee, and drew a number, to determine their start time. There was a $500.00 cash prize for the winning rider. There were also two "splendid" cups, one for the individual winner, and one for the winning team. 

The riders lined up at the Start/Finish line in front of the Birmingham Ledger Office at 4:00 AM on July 4th for the start of the race. The riders were sent out individually at two-minute intervals. The 211-mile course would have control points at Gadsden, Al. and Rome, GA. 

Birmingham, AL. Starting Line
O. V. Hunt 1914 - Birmingham, AL. Public Library Archives 

The only serious incident happened just outside Gadsden, Alabama, when William Specht collided with Gadsden rider Will Alford. Initial reports stated Specht had been disemboweled and probably will die. This was reported in the Birmingham News, a competitor with the Birmingham Ledger, and proved to be a gross exaggeration Specht's injury.

Birmingham News - July 7, 1914

It was left to a Harley-Davidson spokesman to squash the rumor of Specht's impending death. In reality, Specht was not badly hurt, but both bikes were destroyed. Specht, and Alford were unable rejoin the race.

There was a one-hour lunch break at the Rome, Ga. control point.  As the rider's left Rome, headed to Atlanta, they had no idea of the challenges they met. There were three mountains to cross on the way into Atlanta. If that wasn't enough of a challenge, torrential rains began falling as the approached the Altoona pass, with it's three hairpin turns. A total of 21 riders, wet and tired riders, crossed the Atlanta start/finish line in front of Atlanta's Piedmont Hotel. Eighteen riders arrived on time, with three others 10 to 20 minutes late.

At the end of the first leg, eight Harley-Davidson riders had perfect scores. These included Gray Sloop, Johnny Aiken, and Red Parrish. Gray Sloop made the run in 6 hours, breaking the 1910 record set by Bob Stubbs' on his Indian, by over an hour.

Atlanta Constitution - July 5, 1914

They were followed by Indian riders Bob Stubbs, Gene Walker, and Gayle Joyce, who also had perfect scores. Their Indian teammate Brown had been forced out near Carterville by mechanical problems.

On July 5th, the race contestants reversed course returning to Birmingham from Atlanta.

Race Competitors
O. V. Hunt 1914 - Birmingham, AL. Public Library Archives

Upon arrival in Birmingham, the Harley-Davidson Team claimed the Indian Team was followed "by an automobile, with spare parts, and skilled mechanics".  They also claimed one of the Indian riders received help from the mechanics following their team in violation of the event's rules. The Harley-Davidson Team filed a protest with the referee, but the referee ruled against them.

The decision was made that the Harley-Davidson team riders would not compete in Sunday's return to run to Atlanta. Harley-Davidson ran several ads in the Atlanta Constitution, which were picked up by newspapers around the country, to explain their position.

Atlanta Constitution - July 5, 1914

Atlanta Constitution - July 8, 1914

Chicago Daily Tribune - July 26, 1914

Wheels Through Time Museum Collection
Photo by Chris Price of Georgia Motorcycle History

With the withdrawal of the Harley-Davidson Team, the remaining two days of the race were dominated by the Indian riders.  At the end of the 860-mile run, the Birmingham Indian team had dominated the race.

Gail Joyce - Birmingham, AL. 1914 - Indian
O.V. Hunt Collection

Gail Joyce won the race, with his teammates Gene Walker in second, and Johnny McHale in third.  Bob Stubbs was among the six Indian riders that finished the race without mechanical problems.

Robert Stubbs - Gadsden, AL. ca 1914
Robert Scarboro Collection
Gadsden, Alabama Public Library Archives 

Johnny McHale - Birmingham 1914
O.V. Hunt - Birmingham, AL. Public Library Archive
Christine Turner Collection

In response to the ads run by Harley-Davidson in the Atlanta Constitution, the Indian Motocycle Company ran their own ad after the race was completed.

Atlanta Constitution - July 8, 1914

Motorcycle Illustrated - July 9, 1914

The controversy over the race results was settled by a telegram from Birmingham Ledger Editor B. H. Mooney that appeared in the Sports section of the July 8, 1914, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper confirming Indian riders had won the race. Gail Joyce was the winner, followed by Gene Walker in second, and John McHale in third.

Atlanta Constitution - July 9, 1914

1914 Birmingham Ledger Indian Team trophy
T. McClellan Collection

Atlanta Constitution July 12, 1914

1915 Birmingham Ledger Cup Race

Birmingham Ledger - April 3, 1915

Despite the controversy surrounding the results of the 1914 race, another race was scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 4, 1915. The 422 mile Birmingham Ledger Cup Race followed the same route between Birmingham and Atlanta as the 1914 race. Unlike, the 1914 race, that started at 3:00 am, the 1915 race started at the more civilized hour of 10:00 am.  Both Harley-Davidson, and Indian, entered two teams each in the race.

Birmingham Harley-Davidson Team #1:

William Specht, Willard E. DeGroat.

Atlanta Harley-Davidson Team #2:

Johnny Aiken, Wilmer "Tex" Richards, H.P. Buttrick, R. B. Parrish.

Birmingham Indian Team #1:

Bob Stubbs, Ollie Roberts, Robert Horton, John T. McHale.

Atlanta Indian Team #2:

Ed Wilcox, Harry Glenn, Berry Cohen.

On Easter Sunday morning, 24 riders lined up in front of the Birmingham Ledger Office and were again sent out at 2-minute intervals. Remarkably, at the end of the first days run from Birmingham to Atlanta, 22 of the riders arrived in Atlanta with a perfect score.

Atlanta Constitution - April 5, 1915

Atlanta Harley-Davidson rider, Johnny Aiken, was the first rider to arrive at the final check point. Aiken set a new record for the run between Birmingham and Atlanta in 5 hours and 30 minutes. This broke the previous record by half an hour. The only incident was a crash outside Rome, Georgia involving Birmingham Harley-Davidson rider W. E. DeGroat, who was an accomplished local racer, having won the professional sidecar race October held at the Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway on October 7, 1914.

Willard E. "Big Daddy" DeGroat  of Birmingham, AL.
1915 Birmingham Ledger Race - Gadsden, AL. - 1915
Gadsden Alabama Public Library Archives - Robert Scarboro Collection

Birmingham Ledger - April 10, 1915

At the end second days run from Atlanta, back to Birmingham, W.E. DeGroat appeared to have shaken off his crash the day before. When the scores were tallied, DeGroat was tied with Indian rider D. H. Horton for first place. 

Birmingham ledger - April 7, 1915

The Team Prize was awarded Indian Team #1 consisting of Stubbs, Horton, and Roberts. It was decided the individual race winner was to be decided by the run back to Atlanta starting at 5:30 am. on Tuesday April 6th, but this was later changed to 5:30 am Friday April 9th.

Friday morning, DeGroat lined up at the starting line, but Horton failed to show for the return run. DeGroat filed a protest, asking to be awarded the win, due to a forfeit by Horton. After waiting a reasonable amount of time for Horton to arrive, the event referee declared DeGroat the winner.

Bob Stubbs filed a protest for Horton. Stubbs stated Horton had been instructed by the referee not to show up for the return run, due to DeGroat's protest. It was left to the State Referees, who reviewed both protests.

Birmingham Ledger - April 7, 1915

In a meeting at the Ledger Offices on the evening of April 9th, the judges awarded the individual prize, and the Birmingham Ledger Cup to DeGroat. Upon hearing of the judge's ruling, Horton sent a note to them withdrawing the protest filed on his behalf. He also asked that the individual prize be awarded to DeGroat.

Willard E. DeGroat - 1915
Specht's Harley-Davidson - Birmingham, AL.
Jessica DeGroat Hayes Collection

Birmingham Ledger - April 10, 1915

Atlanta Constitution - April 10, 1915

DeGroat's win  appeared in a Harley-Davidson ad in the Atlanta Constitution.

Atlanta Constitution - April 11, 1915

Stubb's Indian Ad
Birmingham Ledger - April 1915

Atlanta Constitution - April 25, 1915

With the results of the 1915 race decided, the score between Harley-Davidson, and Indian, stood at one individual win, and two team wins for Indian. Harley-Davidson claimed one individual win. The results of both the 1914, and 1915 races were a point of contention between Indian and Harley-Davidson riders, for years to come, as each claimed to have been cheated. As America's involvement in World War 1 approached, the 1915 race was the final running of the Birmingham Ledger Cup Race.

The 1914 and 1915 Birmingham Ledger Cup Races were just two small skirmishes in the ongoing competition between the Indian, and Harley-Davidson companies, for sales dominance in the American motorcycle market. This competition continued on roads, racetracks, and dealerships for years to come. It finally came to an end when Indian closed its doors in 1953.

Epilogue: 

Gray Sloop, was one of two riders, killed in separate accidents during the Savannah 300 Road Race on November 25, 1914.  

Bob Stubbs, closed his Birmingham Indian dealership in 1918, and taking a job in Montgomery, AL. He died of cancer in 1922.

William F. Specht Jr. closed his Birmingham Harley-Davidson dealership, and returned to Atlantic City, NJ. He became a successful hill climb competitor for Harley-Davidson. 

Gail Joyce, the 1914 race winner, continued his successful racing career.  Joyce opened the Joyce Motor Company in Birmingham in 1918. He owned the Birmingham Harley-Davidson dealer until his death in 1934.

Gene Walker , who finished 2nd in the 1914 race, was hired as an Indian factory rider in 1915. Walker became one of the top motorcycle racers in the country. He was killed in a racing accident in 1924.

Johnny Aiken, who competed in both the 1914 and 1915 races, continued to work in Atlanta Harley-Davidson dealer Gus Castle, until he enlisted in the Army at the start of World War 1. He served overseas as a 1st Lieutenant in a Motorcycle Dispatch Company and remained in the Army until 1920. Upon his return to Atlanta after the war, he made the switch to automobile racing, and became one of the top drivers at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway.

Ed Wilcox, who competed in both the 1914 and 1915 races, was killed in a racing accident at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway in 1917. He was attempting to take the lead from Gene Walker on the first lap of the race. He lost control and crashed into the fence on the outside of the track.

Willard E. "Big Daddy" DeGroat, winner of the 1915 race, later joined the Birmingham Police Department He attained the rank of Detective and served in the Homicide until he retired in 1945. He passed away in Birmingham in 1965 at age 75.

The Birmingham Ledger was purchased by their competitor The Birmingham News in 1920 and ceased publication later that year. The Birmingham News is Birmingham's newspaper.

Charlotte, NC. Observer - April 18, 1920

Sources:

Ancestry.com

Atlanta Constitution

Birmingham Public Library Archive - O. V. Hunt Collection

Birmingham News

Charlotte, NC. Observer

Chicago Daily Tribune

Chris Price

Gadsden Alabama Public Library Archive - Robert (Bobby) Scarboro Collection

Georgia Motorcycle History

Jessica DeGroat Hayes

Johnny Whitsett Collection

Indianapolis Star

Motorcycle Illustrated

Newspapers.com

Robert (Bobby) Scarboro Collection - Gadsden Public Library Archives

Scott Bashaw Collection

Wheels Through Time Museum Collection