...Upon receiving McKean's message Rodney immediately headed for Philadelphia, even though his doctor said the ride could kill him. Rodney was in a great deal of pain throughout the ride since he was afflicted with a cancer of the face that had disfigured his features so badly that he was forced to wear a silk veil to prevent upsetting anyone who may have seen him.

Rodney had 80 miles to ride and only a half a day to complete a journey which normally took 30 hours. He arrived just as the voting session was about to begin. Read the full story here