Poem of the Week
June 26, 2006
September 5, 1921
Third Annual Climb
by
Laura S. Duvall
'Twas on September's brightest morn,
September fifth the day
When sounded loud the auto's horn,
The call to Peak's Highway.
Some first the sunrise wished to see
Before the race began ;
At early dawn in merry glee,
Thus came the racing fan.
So indescribable the view,
From Pikes Peak's summit here !
None like it is compared by you,
Be it afar or near.
There some will linger on the top
To witness finished race,
While some at Fourteen Milepost stop,
To view great racing pace.
It's here that's found the finest view,
Of starting point as well,
The race from earth to skies of blue.
Now list to tale I tell !
You'll soon be given greatest thrill
From races of today,
Where thousands gather on the hill,
And cars line auto way.
Ascending summit to the Peak,
They leave a trail of dust.
If one should list, hear what they speak,
It's this: "Pikes Peak or Bust !"
The greatest hill-climb contest now
Has start at Crystal Creek ;
And watch, for here you'll see just how
Cars mount to top of Peak.
Just after halfpast ten o'clock,
The Lexington starts out ;
It spins up side of great walled rock,
Tears around the curves about.
Car number "Seven" is on the list,
First rider leaving here,
Who rode last year in sleet and mist
To victory so dear.
Ott Loesche is now known unto all,
Who Penrose trophy won ;
He heard the nineteen twenty call,
Then raced up toward the sun.
And next to him, close to the line,
Came Lexington, a Six ;
His name's none other than Al Cline,
Time told by stop-watch ticks.
But in this race he dropped behind ;
'Twas engine trouble why,
As other cars of every kind
Sped on a-passing by.
Then next came Rhiley dashing 'long
In Hudson number 'leven
There greeted by a clamorous throng
The while he sped toward heaven.
While Mulford second came,
Who'll be remembered by crowds gay
And ever bear great name.
For in first race, nineteen sixteen,
He bore the Cup away.
So competition now was keen
'Twixt races all this day.
The car in smaller class to win,
Of course, was little Ford !
Around the curve mid cheer and din,
Glen Schultz to heaven soared.
Some eighteen cars took start today,
By bridge at Crystal Creek ;
But four or five dropped out, they say,
While others climbed the Peak.
They all tore up the earth round curve,
And dusted all the crowd ;
Ne'er rider rode who showed more nerve,
Mid acclamations loud !
No one was hampered, no one hurt ;
It was a wondrous race,
Third Annual, when flew the dirt
As Rhiley took first place.
No race has setting just like this,
The race course to Pikes Peak,
Up winding road by great abyss ;
Of this lips fail to speak.
Sometimes the racers ride mid snow,
Through storms of sleet, these men,
Or in the sunlight clear they go
And safe return again.
Oh, greatest race is this on earth---
THE PIKES PEAK AUTO RACE,
Where all's excitement, nerve and mirth,
As racers set the pace.
So come to this famed region grand,
Where autos race each year,
Most beauteous spot in all the land ;
Pikes Peak now calls you here.
From:
Colorado in Verse & Picture by Laura S. Duvall.
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1916-1928.
Copyright 1928 by Laura S. Duvall.
Published September 1928.
Welch-Haffner Printing Company, Printers.
Denver, Colorado.
Fair use. Vintage Colorado Poetry would welcome
hearing from the poet's family.
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