Frank was overwhelmed by his overnight popularity after he defeated, Charles Paddock --  who held the athletic title of "The Fastest Human,"  in both the 100 and 200 meter race at the Olympic tryouts in Los Angeles on June 16, 1928.

He arrived a little too  late at the train station to chat to well-wishes, but in time to board the Southern Pacific train en-route to the Olympic Finals in Massachusetts;  however,  the Glendale Chamber of Commerce who greeted  him upon his  arrival -- assured him that the train wasn't going to leave without  him; and that the city of Glendale merchants wanted to present him a gift for good luck.

Frank looked at the train conductor who nodded it was alright, but then the conductor also pointed to his watch as if to say ... "make it quick!"

When the spokesperson for the Chamber presented Frank with a brand-new suitcase filled with toilet articles, and other track apparel -- Frank was very grateful, and someone assisted him to rapidly transfer his belongings from his old suitcase to his brand-new suitcase.

There were plenty of handshakes and excitement -- however, when the train  whistle blew its' last warning to board -- Frank quickly boarded the Southern Pacific; and absent-mindedly picked up his OLD SUITCASE -- instead of  the new one that had all his clothes, winning track shoes used last month to defeat Paddock, and other personal items.

After the train was out of sight, someone noticed that the NEW SUITCASE that was presented to Frank at the train station with all his personal belongings within it was left behind, and they immediately called the Glendale Police Department for help.

The Glendale Police Department sent their motorcycle Officers -- R. E. Murdy and  W. D. Owen of Glendale to assist.

In the meantime, Frank realized that he had picked up his old suitcase; and remembered that all his personal belongings  were left miles away in his new suitcase.  He calmed down, thinking one of his pals was playing a practical joke,  and he just had to find out where his new suitcase was.  He then realized he was the one who picked up his old suitcase, and his new one wasn't aboard.

Frank was determined that he wasn't going to go the Olympic Finals without his LUCKY TRACK  SHOES that he wore to equal World Records on June 16th, and was about to instruct the train conductor that he had to get off at the next station;  because he planned  to call his friend that had an airplane who could help him later to catch him up with this same train en-route to Massachusetts later.

Dr. T. C. Young of Glendale

and his folding wing monoplane

All of a sudden, someone yelled ..."Hey, did someone rob a bank or something?   Look out the window --  there are two police officers on motorcycles flagging down the train ..."   

Frank ran to the observation plank, and the train slowed down enough for the officers to throw  to him his NEW SUITCASE filled with -- especially his "LUCKY TRACK SHOES."

Note:  The Glendale police officers chased down the train for three miles.