Volume 15 , Issue 22

One Hundred Years Ago - 3 June 1913

One hundred years ago today, June 3 (1913) we found on page 2, The Democratic Banner, "tThe Great Auto Race Is Won By The Frenchman, Jules Goux." Jules Goux captured the prize of $20,000 and everything else in sight. His victory was a popular one.

Thousands cheered lustily when Goux waved the flags of France and the United States -- Merz, Who Finished third, made last lap with his machine on fire.

Indianapolis, May 31, !913 -- Jules Goux in the French car Peugeot, won the 500-mile prize of $20,000 and practically everything else in sight. His winnings would aggregate more than $35,000.

The order of the finish was:

1. Jules Goux (Peugeot) - 6:31:43
2. Spencer Wishart (Mercer) - 9:46:06
3. Charles Merz (Stutz) 6:50:35
4. Albert Guyot (Sunbeam) - 7:05:08
5. Theo. Piette (Knight) - 7:19:35
6. Howard Wilcox (Grayfox) - 7:23:38
7. Ralph Mulford (Mercedes) - 7:27:17
8. Louis Disbrow (Caz) - 7:30:50
9. G. H. Clark (Tulsa) - 7:49:21
10. W. Haupt (Mason) - 7:53:31

A great cheer arose from the grandstand when Goux flashed across the wire, the winner of the big race. He went on and a second ovation was given him when he stopped at the pits.

When Goux stopped the winning car at the French pit his manager leaped on the track, and before the driver moved from his seat embraced and kissed him. Goux stepped to the track, waved the stars and stripes, then the French flag, to the grandstand.

Goux changed tires eight times during the race. He cried as tire after tire burned upon his machine in the last 160 miles. His victory was a popular one, and when he drew up at his pit and waved the flags o France and the United States, the crowds went wild.

Spencer Wishart, in Mercer special No. 22, also received a cheer when he raced under the checkered flag, the winner of second place.

A broken magneto in the 188th lap robbed Gil Anderson and his Stutz of the second prize when, after heavy driving, it appeared to be safely in his grasp.

With third place sure, Martin Merz's mechanician, coming down the back stretch, crawled out on the hood and had it unbuckled so the pitmen could extinguish the fire which has started.

In the last lap he gave the crowd one of the greatest thrillers of the big race. Martin fought the flames during the entire lap, Merz sticking grimly to the wheel. They jumped front he car before it fairly stopped at the pit, and hand grenades were used in putting out the fire. Merz was acclaimed the winner of third place.

One accident marred the race. Jack Tower suffered a broken leg and Mechanician Lee Gunning had three ribs broken. Their Mason car was upset on the fifty-first lap.

Goux led at the finish of the 200, 300 and 400 mile marks and each century mark gave him, respectively, the Remy Grand Brassard trophy, valued at $2,500.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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