The news., 1882-10-10
Interesting History of n Member of the
Smith Family and the Village
nf SmifhviIIe

VAO VI ZIG NAAOAnAoei UoAAJ P1POAo Va
a recent date, and is the substance
of an interview with Mr.. A. NJ.
Hall, who represented the H. B.
Smith Machine Company at the Gin
cinnati exposition which closed on
Friday
One of the most interesting exhibits
in Power Hall is made by the FL. B.
Smith Machine Company, of Smith
vile, N. j., which manufactures wood
working machinery and the American
Star bicycle. The commissioners were
very anxious to secure this exhibit,
and sent on special agent Mr.. Stew
art, to negotiate and make necessary
arrangements with the firm. The
very handsome woodworking machines
attract all wood workers, but thous-
ands who cannot appreciate their
merits are also attracted toward them
by the beauty of their finish. But
the bicycle is probably the most inter-
esting article in the exhibit. A. M,
Hall who represents the firm, mounts
one occasionally and rides about in
the little space allotted to him. This
is sufficient to draw great crowds, and
the graceful rider is often rewarded
with compliments as graceful as is his
riding, The "Star" bicycle is differ
ent from any Of the many English and
American makes. It has the little
wheel in front, and is propelled by
treadles instead Of crank. The COM
pany claim for it many superiorities,
among which are speed, strength,
durability, ease of control, &c. The
best outdoor time, mile in ESQ, was
made with the "Star." While a
handsome machine, it did not strike
the reporter as being SO graceful-look-
ing as the small hind-wheel machine.
Joseph e. Kitchell, of 345 Race, who
is President of the Cincinnati bicycle
club, is welded to the "crank" ma
chine, but is willing to test the "Star."
He and Mr.. Hall will have private
test and race with the two machines
on Saturday. This bicycle was paten-
ented in 1880, by G.. W. Pressey, and
gets its name from the peculiar ar
rangement of the wire spokes, which
form star in the center.
Knowing that Fl. B. Smith, the
manufacturer, was one Of the most
noted characters in New Jersey, the
reporter CLEANED the following facts
concerning him from Mr.. Hall, mod
est, unassuming MAI, Of considerable
intelligence and quick perceptions.
He said "Mr. Smith is pre-eminent-
ly self-made man, and rose from
poor cabinet maker in Vermont, with
little education, except what could be
picked up By reading newspapers and
books of travel, to be one of the veal
tibet and most influential men Of New
jersey. He settled at Smithville
about 20 years ago, bought 900 acres,
and owns the entire village as well as
an adjoining one called Birmingham.
He builds cottages and rents them at
reasonable rates to his employees. He
owns a large clearinghouse, erected
for his single men. They have an
Opera House and one of the largest
ball rooms you will find anywhere.
They have their own -four mill, raise
their own beef, and in fact, are wholly
independent of the outside world for
the necessities of life, as Mr.. Smith
supplies all from his farm. He is now
erecting public library building, and
will supply it with books for his work
men. His private residence is very
fine, and he holds receptions every
Saturday. He has billiard hall and
bowling alley connected with his resi-
dence, and also deer park. he was
the first man to build an iron frame
for woodworking machinery, is the
pioneer in the business, and known
everywhere, In politics he is Dem
ocrat, one of the red-hot kind, south
ern sympathizer, great friend of
Alex. Stephens, and was elected to
Congress from the Smithville district,
which has Republican majority Of
5000. He is prominently talked Of
for Governor, but will hardly accept
as he cares little to be in public life,
especially since he lost his wife two
years ago. He is, therefore, left in
his old age alone, without an heir to
his fortune Of nearly $1,OOO,OOO.
1t is likely that his money will be
left to educational institutions. It is
his desire now to quit active work,
and with this view he has given his
business over to younger hands. The
Vice President of the company is W.
S. Kelley, formerly of J. A. Fay & Co.,
Of Cincinnati, and who now manages
with great SUCCESS the entire business.
As the years come on and the gray
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