Salem Wheelmen of the 1890s

As RAGBRAI approaches a look back at our local cycling history seems in order. All Iowans are familiar with the mid-summer cycling event known as the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. Sponsored by the Des Moines Register, the event attracts thousands over the course of a week riding the state between the banks of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

While this event and others are a big deal in the cycling world, nothing matches the excitement and magic of cycling of the late nineteenth century. Invented in 1817 in Germany, an object having two aligned wheels that could be ridden started things off. Known as the Draisine in Germany and the Velocipede, or “boneshaker” in France it was not until many like devices including the expensive high wheeler had seen their day that a bicycle came along that was functional and to many, affordable.

The 1890s became the era of the chain driven “safety bicycle.” Chicago led the way in bicycle manufacture with much industry on “bicycle row” on Wabash Avenue. This safety bicycle had many of the basics of the bike of today, and although crude and cumbersome became popular among men and women.

The riders of the varied machines were known not as cyclists but as “wheelmen” and “wheelwomen.” In 1880 the “League of American Wheelmen” formed and remains active today as the League of American Bicyclists. The League and wheelmen nationwide were organized advocates for roadway improvements.

Bicycle clubs grew across America in small towns and big cities. Salem was no exception. Charles (C.H.) Martin owned a bicycle shop on the north side of the town square. In 1892, John Bicksler built a graded track for wheelmen to ride.

The Salem Weekly News chronicled the adventures of Salem wheelmen and wheelwomen:

Salem Weekly News, September 8, 1892:“John Bicksler deserves the gratitude of bicycle enthusiasts for the track he has constructed on land near the depot. The track has been graded and smoothed down so that when the roads are rough and impassible the man with the wheel can find a place to exercise.”

“A party of six of our wheelmen, J.M. Tyner, H.G. Triplett, O.H. Tyner, J. M. Martin, O.C. Courtright, and C.H. Martin made a very pleasant sixty-mile trip a-wheel to Ft. Madison and return on Sunday last.”

August 20, 1896:“Salem now has quite a number of bicycles, and it would be a nice thing when the roads are in first-class condition to fall in line and take a trip to say Ft. Madison or Keokuk, and enjoy a real good outing. What say you ladies and gentlemen?’

June 10, 1897:“John Grimm, C.L. Brown and Miss Cophine Shriner are riding new wheels. There are now twenty-five good wheels in Salem.”

June 24, 1897:

“John Grimm made a bike trip to Fairfield, a distance of 22 miles, in two hours.”

August, 12, 1897:“Mrs. Walter Shriner is spending her leisure moments enjoying her new wheel that Mr. Shriner brought for her from Chicago.”

“John Grimm started for Unionville, Putnam County, Mo., Monday on his wheel. Jas. Tyner received a postal Tuesday, at noon, stating that John had made the distance between Salem and Bloomfield – sixty miles – in six hours.”“Mrs. R.E. Holt rides a new wheel of the Wabash make.”

August 19, 1897: “ The Salem mail sack was thrown off the train at Houghton by mistake Saturday. John Grimm started for Houghton on his wheel to get the mail, at 11:15 a.m., and rode there and reached Salem again

8 minutes after 12 o’clock. John is a hummer on the wheel.”

“There will be a sheriff’s sale of bicycles in Mt. Pleasant next Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. Five mens and two ladies wheels will be disposed of.”

It appears from Weekly News accounts John Grimm was Salem’s top wheelman. This period is often referred to as the “Gay 90’s.” The presence of the bicycle did indeed bring pleasure, mobility and gaiety.

While the bicycle would forever remain a joy in the lives of nearly everyone, the turn of the next century would bring an even greater fascination – the horseless carriage – or automobile.

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