James G. Budd — Back on the racing circuit

After suffering an injury at the end of the previous season, crack bicycle racer James G. Budd of Glens Falls was back on the competitive circuit in 1895.

“Several bicycle races will be run at Saratoga Casino tonight,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on May 1. “The most important will be a two-mile race between J. G. Budd of this village, Clarence Capron of Schenectady, and W. J. Totten of Saratoga.”

Budd won the race, The Morning Star reported on May 3.

Budd also was active in the bicycle business.

“James G. Budd has accepted a position with A.G. Spalding & Brothers as a traveling salesman,” The Morning Star reported on Jan. 19, 1895.

“Issac Potter, chief consul of the New York state division of the League of American wheelman, has appointed James G. Budd, of this village, a member of the committee on road books,” The Morning Star reported on April 11.

In other 1895 James Budd news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• “James G. Budd has received one of Robinson’s home trainers, a piece of mechanism that can be used indoors for training,” The Morning Star reported on March 11.
• Budd had to make a quick escape after officiating as referee and starter at the bicycle race in Warrensburg.

“All Warrensburg turned out to a bicycle handicap Saturday evening. At half-past six o’clock almost the entire population of village was massed on the plaza in front of The Adirondack House, where the start was made,” The Morning Star reported on May 13, 1895. “The course was about a mile and an eighth long, beginning and ending at The Adirondack House and including the big twin. … The prizes were a sweater, a pair of bicycle stockings and a bicycle cap.”

Hector Barber won first place, Percy Whitby second, and Richard Whitby third.

“At the conclusion of the race there was the usual wrangle between the uptown and downtown factions, and for a time the outlook was somewhat squally for the referee, but he made the escape and came home.”

• Budd was once again racing with the Spalding Co. team.

“The Spalding bicycle team, consisting of A. J. Latham, J. G. Budd, L. H. Austin and Hilbert Parker, have recently received handsome riding suits from the manufacturers of the Spalding wheel,” The Morning Star reported on May 16. “The shirts and trunks are of peacock blue, trimmed with orange-red. On the breast of the shirt are the words ‘Spalding Team’ in orange-red braid. The suits are very natty.”

• “James G. Budd will give an exhibition half-mile run on his bicycle at the Washington County Fair Ground on Thursday,” The Morning Star reported on June 1.
• James G. Budd won the half-mile stock championship at Cohoes on June 1, with a time of 1:241/5, The Morning Star reported on June 3.

Among others from the Glens Falls area, A. J. Latham of Lake George, fourth, and Walter Picaver of Glens Falls fifth.

Latham won the one-mile open, and Harry Elkes of Glens Falls placed third.

Click here to read the most recent previous James G. Budd bicycle racing post.