Trophy winners in 1953 Pirate Treasure Run. Dan Richards, the Pirate Chieftain, is third
from the left in front row admiring high point trophy and chest of "pieces of eight.”
Doug Wilson of Fresno, Calif., was awarded
trophy for rider coming the farthest distance.
ARKANSAS PIRATE RICHARDS
CLAIMS PIECES OF EIGHT
Story By Pat Boatright
Pirate Run Pathfinders Ed Fuqua and Pat Murphy with
appreciation plaques presented them by White Eagle MC.
AT EXACTLY 6:01 Friday morning, November 27th, the Annual
Pirate Treasure Run was underway. Seventy-one starters eager to leave
in search of the Pirate’s Chest filled with the famed pieces-of-eight
awarded the winner at the end of the 500 miler. Dan Richards of Little
Rock, Ark., proved to be the biggest pirate of them all by piloting his
Harley-Davidson KH to a score of 976 points over the tough course to
claim his prized "booty” for one year.
The first three miles of the run was smooth-sailing down the black-
topped highway, then suddenly the turn arrow loomed up out of the
darkness and into the woods they went to receive the first warm-up on
highline right-of-ways. After a bit of this, the arrow pointed the way down
a stretch of rougher pipeline and all entrants by now were aware that the
"Jack Pine of the South” had begun!
The morning course was filled with sandy trails which stretched for
miles and rough cotton fields with no time out for a breather. A few creek
crossings and some wooded sections were scattered along the way to the
noon control located at Atlanta, Texas. A hearty meal was consumed at
this point, as all knew that "more was yet to come” as 138 miles
stretched ahead of them before reaching the White Eagle MC Clubhouse
and the night control.
Heading straight into Arkansas, the territory took on a different aspect
of thick woods with heavy low underbrush and hanging vines which kept
the riders flattened out on the tanks and wishing for more handlebar room
between the trees. Through these sections, the many stickers and thorns
left their marks on many faces which had failed to duck in time. Numerous
up hill and down dale highlines, complete with a few mud holes and
numerous holes of all sizes plus deep-rutted terrain, was added to the course.
One of the tricks which was pulled by the pathfinders was
encountered as the riders approaching upon a gravel road came
in view of a checker a short distance away at a railroad crossing.
They immediately started to 'slow race’ to correct for 'hot-time'—
only to spot at a distance of 20 feet before the checker, a turn
arrow pointing the way to follow a rough, rutted trail beside the
track, under the tressle and back up the other side for a total of
four miles of really rough going—the scores really tumbled at
this point!
Finally, as darkness closed in, the group was routed back to
the clubhouse for the night break. When the scoreboard was
checked, it was found that 27 would-be-pirates had walked the
plank somewhere along the miles, now leaving 44 starters for
the second half of the run.
The White Eagle Club Ladies Auxiliary was on hand to feed
the hungry arrivals a plate of welcomed hot food to close the
activities of the first day. Shortly after, everyone disappeared to
grab their well earned nights sleep.
The course to be followed for the final run was no surprise
to the riders as all had been briefed that the system used this
year was to mark the first day with red arrows and the second
day with black arrows following the approximate same course
except this time it would all be approached in the opposite
direction. Many heads were filled with thoughts of misappre-
hension at tackling some of the obstacles again and from this
O. D. Morgan, left, presents 15 year old David Small his trophy
for being youngest rider to complete the 500 mile enduro.
Sidecar winner Dick Klamfoth and passenger Floyd Nicodemus from
the Buckeye State, share spotlight with Pirate Treasure trophies.
reversed angle! However, all hills which had been descended
previously, were successfully climbed, and much of the brush and
woods had been thinned with the’first tour through. Everyone
managed to hit all of the holes again so they would receive their
full share of body-shaking.
This day’s running found few dropping out, as 38 muscle-
sore and bone-weary finishers were checked in for the completion
of the run.
While each rider and spectator re-hashed the entire enduro,
the scores were figured and within two hours after the last man
checked in, the unofficial scores were posted. Later the trophies
were presented the proud winners and another Pirate Treasure Run
had gone by the wayside.
Engraved plaques of appreciation were presented to pathfinders
Ed Fuqua and Pat Murphy by the White Eagle Club for their
work of laying-out and marking the run. Little David Small of
Hot Springs, Ark., received a trophy for being the youngest rider
to complete the 500 miles. This 15-year-old boy had just ridden
his first enduro and in such a manner that he had gained the re-
spect of all concerned. Doug Wilson of Fresno, Calif., was pre-
sented the trophy for the rider coming the furthest distance.
Doug was also among the 38 finishers.
Dick Klamfoth of Groveport, Ohio, with passenger Floyd
Nicodemus, received the side-car class trophies after covering a
distance of 397 miles before losing the hack wheel. There
they had to leave the course, but came on in "Indian Fash-
ion," using a sapling as the third wheel. Dick was riding just
for fun as all other side-cars were out on the first day’s run.
The White Eagle Club extends a grateful thanks to the
many who helped with this enduro—to the checkers who
worked so hard and to the many dealers who were on hand.
In the Class A, 750cc and above, Cecil Lane of Montgom-
ery, Alabama with his Harley-Davidson KH was tops, finish-
ing with 966 points. Class B, 750cc and above, saw "Stub”
Windle, the Kilgore, Texas Harley-Davidson dealer on the
top of the list with 958 points. Class A, 250 thru 750cc
honors went to Ted Johnson of Detroit, Michigan and his
AJS with 972 points.
Bobb Webb of Texarkana, Texas on a Harley-Davidson K,
with 963 points was best in the Class B, 250 to 750cc Class.
Another Class B winner, up to 250cc, was Tommy Wages of
Columbus, Ohio who brought his Indian home with 944
points. Leroy Winters, the Harley-Davidson dealer of Ft.
Smith, Arkansas had 965 and an emergency check to win the
Class A 250cc class. He tied with Albert Zeitlow of Rock
Island, Ill., but this was broken by using an emergency check.
Pathfinder Ed Fuqua passes out instructions at the riders’ meet-
ing and at the same time tells the boys course will be ’easy.’