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Johnnie Weir - a Caribbean champion before WWI "Whirlwind Weir" was Jamaica's most outstanding cyclist before World War I. |
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I have had little success in finding out
anything about the background of Johnnie Weir. His record of entering
the USA in 1916 via Ellis Island gives his age as 29, suggesting that he
was born in 1887. A Gleaner correspondent, writing from Clarendon in
1914, called Weir a 'Clarendon boy' of whom Clarendonians were proud.
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. . . earliest days
Daily Gleaner, May 1, 1909 Weir began his racing career in 1906 at Sabina Park when he won one race and came second to Valdes in another. In November, 1907, at Spanish Town he won a mile scratch and came second to Hylton over two miles. He next rode at Kensington Park on the 29th April, 1908, when he swept the board and carried off the Rudge-Whitworth Cup for the first time. In June at the cycle sports held at Kensington he did not shine much but still he carried off a couple of prizes. On November 9th he was again in form and came out on top with flying colours. He again won the Rudge-Whltworth championship cup and the Josephs' challenge cup for the champion over five miles. Besides these track events he also did well in some long races - the Meux Endurance race in which he ran third and the Rosebud race at Knutsford. Park. On the 26th December at Kensington he was again seen in good form. He then won the bicycle offered for the five miles scratch and if he wins the five mile race this time the bicycle will be his sole property. |
Daily Gleaner,
May 17, 1906
FINE ATHLETIC SPORTS
Success of the Sabina Park Meeting
WINNERS OF EVENTS
Large Attendance Witnesses Some Keen Contests.
DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.
The Kingston Melbourne Amateur Athletic meeting at Sabina Park yesterday was a brilliant success. There was a very large attendance and the stand was packed to its utmost capacity.
The arrangements were excellent and the weather all that could be desired. Each event brought out a number of competitors and some fine contests were witnessed. The band of the 2nd West India Regiment, under command of Bandmaster Grinter, rendered a select programme throughout the evening, and everything tended to make the meeting one of the most successful of its kind that has been held in Kingston for a long time.
The bicycle races were also very interesting, the one mile being won by Weir and the two miles by Valdes.
ONE MILE BICYCLE RACE (Scratch)
J. Weir …………1
J. B. Valdes ….2
Isaac Davis ……3
Time 2 min. 40 1-5 sec.
2 MILE BICYCLE RACE (Handicap)
J. B. Valdes ….1
J.Weir ………….2
J. Davis ………..3
Time 5 min. 50 secs.
At the conclusion of the programme Mrs. Caulfeild presented the prizes to the successful competitors, and was accorded three hearty cheers.
May 17, 1906
FINE ATHLETIC SPORTS
Success of the Sabina Park Meeting
WINNERS OF EVENTS
Large Attendance Witnesses Some Keen Contests.
DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.
The Kingston Melbourne Amateur Athletic meeting at Sabina Park yesterday was a brilliant success. There was a very large attendance and the stand was packed to its utmost capacity.
The arrangements were excellent and the weather all that could be desired. Each event brought out a number of competitors and some fine contests were witnessed. The band of the 2nd West India Regiment, under command of Bandmaster Grinter, rendered a select programme throughout the evening, and everything tended to make the meeting one of the most successful of its kind that has been held in Kingston for a long time.
The bicycle races were also very interesting, the one mile being won by Weir and the two miles by Valdes.
ONE MILE BICYCLE RACE (Scratch)
J. Weir …………1
J. B. Valdes ….2
Isaac Davis ……3
Time 2 min. 40 1-5 sec.
2 MILE BICYCLE RACE (Handicap)
J. B. Valdes ….1
J.Weir ………….2
J. Davis ………..3
Time 5 min. 50 secs.
At the conclusion of the programme Mrs. Caulfeild presented the prizes to the successful competitors, and was accorded three hearty cheers.
Daily Gleaner,
November 13, 1907
SPANISH TOWN.
Splendid Success of the Athletic Meeting.
LIST OF PRIZE-WINNERS
Keen Contests Witnessed by Large Gathering
One of the finest athletic meetings ever held in Jamaica came off at the Constabulary Barracks, Spanish Town on Monday last under the auspices of the Spanish Town Young Men's Guild and in the presence of nearly 1,000 spectators.
The prizes were in the evening distributed by Mrs. J. V. Leach.
ONE MILE CYCLE RACE - Open.
Jno. Weir ……….1
Isaac Davis …….2
J. E. Baker .…….3
Time 10 1-5 seconds.
TWO MILES CYCLE RACE - Open.
R. Hylton ……….1
Jno. Weir ……….2
Isaac Davis …….3
Time, 6 min. 30 seconds.
November 13, 1907
SPANISH TOWN.
Splendid Success of the Athletic Meeting.
LIST OF PRIZE-WINNERS
Keen Contests Witnessed by Large Gathering
One of the finest athletic meetings ever held in Jamaica came off at the Constabulary Barracks, Spanish Town on Monday last under the auspices of the Spanish Town Young Men's Guild and in the presence of nearly 1,000 spectators.
The prizes were in the evening distributed by Mrs. J. V. Leach.
ONE MILE CYCLE RACE - Open.
Jno. Weir ……….1
Isaac Davis …….2
J. E. Baker .…….3
Time 10 1-5 seconds.
TWO MILES CYCLE RACE - Open.
R. Hylton ……….1
Jno. Weir ……….2
Isaac Davis …….3
Time, 6 min. 30 seconds.
Daily Gleaner,
April 30, 1908
SUCCESSFUL ATHLETIC MEETING
Splendid Sport Seen at Kensington Park
THE VARIOUS COMPETITIONS
The second amateur athletic meeting in connection with the Kensington C.C. came off successfully at Kensington Park yesterday. There was a very large attendance, among those present being His. Excellency the acting Governor and Mrs. Bourne.
The weather was good and keen contests .were the order of the day. Each event brought out a good number of competitors comprising the best athletes of the secondary schools in and around Kingston, as well as others from the local clubs and the Spanish Town Young Men's Guild.
The Rudge Whitworth Challenge cup was carried off by John Weir of the Norman Bakery. Weir was undoubtedly the champion in bicycle events, winning all three in fine style. The one mile bicycle race was very exciting as the contest was rather keen and Weir who, at one time had a large field ahead of him, had to push for all he was worth and won a splendid race a couple lengths ahead of Morals. The two mile bicycle race was an easy walk over for Weir as he won fully half a lap ahead of Davis.
ONE MILE BICYCLE RACE.
John Weir ............1st
A. Louis Evans........2nd
Isaac Davis...........3rd
ONE MILE BICYCLE, HANDICAP.
John Weir ………..1.
Archibald Morais…2.
A. L. Evans ......3.
Time 3 mins.
TWO MILES BICYCLE RACE.
John Weir………..1.
J. Davis…………..2.
H. Hewitt…………3.
Time....6min. 23 sec.
April 30, 1908
SUCCESSFUL ATHLETIC MEETING
Splendid Sport Seen at Kensington Park
THE VARIOUS COMPETITIONS
The second amateur athletic meeting in connection with the Kensington C.C. came off successfully at Kensington Park yesterday. There was a very large attendance, among those present being His. Excellency the acting Governor and Mrs. Bourne.
The weather was good and keen contests .were the order of the day. Each event brought out a good number of competitors comprising the best athletes of the secondary schools in and around Kingston, as well as others from the local clubs and the Spanish Town Young Men's Guild.
The Rudge Whitworth Challenge cup was carried off by John Weir of the Norman Bakery. Weir was undoubtedly the champion in bicycle events, winning all three in fine style. The one mile bicycle race was very exciting as the contest was rather keen and Weir who, at one time had a large field ahead of him, had to push for all he was worth and won a splendid race a couple lengths ahead of Morals. The two mile bicycle race was an easy walk over for Weir as he won fully half a lap ahead of Davis.
ONE MILE BICYCLE RACE.
John Weir ............1st
A. Louis Evans........2nd
Isaac Davis...........3rd
ONE MILE BICYCLE, HANDICAP.
John Weir ………..1.
Archibald Morais…2.
A. L. Evans ......3.
Time 3 mins.
TWO MILES BICYCLE RACE.
John Weir………..1.
J. Davis…………..2.
H. Hewitt…………3.
Time....6min. 23 sec.
1909
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'. . . I think Johnny Weir was the best cyclist that Jamaica ever produced. A sportsman and gentleman, although a non-member [of the Victoria Club], he came to train with us, and he always rode for the sake of the sport. Several times when he was at the Zenith of his racing career, I tried to raise funds to send him away to compete in America, but although my motive was praised I received no backing.' Frank E. Lyons, veteran cyclist, 1927 |
. . . and the last word? John Weir was still interested in cycling in Jamaica, but this letter from 1934 is the latest word from him I have found so far:
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Daily Gleaner, July 19, 1934
The Advice Of A Veteran. THE EDITOR: Sir, - Permit me a space in your most valuable paper: I would like to give a few words of advice to the team of riders leaving for British Guiana in the month of July. It is with regret that after making preparations to join the boys in the cycle sports to be held in British Guiana in the month of August, a recent accident has frustrated my plans. Anyway, not being able to be there I trust my statement will be helpful to them, even though the riders leaving Jamaica I do not know. Presumably Mr. Hayles is about your best rider at the present time, and according to statements I received he can win, providing his partners, if any, will co-operate with him. In this way he ought not to ride a personal race at any time, as I am sure he will not meet a rider to compare with the late Michael Cipriani whom I met on more than one occasion some years ago. Of course, good judgment in your racing has a lot to do with your winning, therefore, if Mr. Hayles and his team companion will ride as a group especially on the track, they will race on. It needs that you should take your position three laps before the bell, otherwise it is very easy for any rider to be closed in, and if these riders will keep in their minds the thought that they are representing the island and not an individual, they are to be successful. In going the riders should keep this motto before their minds' eye that: "United we stand, divided we fall." Having had my experience as a rider in the days gone by, I can speak in authority and not as a scribe. I am, etc., JOHN WEIR. 300 West 153 Street, New York, N.Y., July 8, 1934. |
