Wichita eagle., 1888-11-14
THE ELECTRIC MOTOR.
RIVERSIDE WITHIN FIVE MN
UTES' RIDE.
The New Power and Appliances
Work Like a Charm and
Oak Davidson Happy.

Riverside property took a jump yester
day. not only in property values, but a
long jump in the direction Of the business
| center OF the city. In response to invita-
ton and announcement, at 10 o'clock a
large number of persons convened at the
corner of Douglas and Market to see the
new electric motor roll in yesterday morn
ing. Not only were hundreds of people at
the corners named, but along up Market
for two square the sidewalks were lined by
the curious who wanted to see car which
should move off as the Chinaman de-
scribed it with mo hosee, no mulee, allie
same 60 likee hellee." Instead of one, two
cars at the appointed time came rushing
down Market over a track badly OBJ
structed in many places by the mud and
siush- Forty-three gentlemen piled into
one car and thirty odd into the other and
sure enough the Chinaman's description
proved complete. Sidings were made with
celerity, curves vigorously rounded, and
an unvarying gait kept up that would
have been discouraging to mules. Sudden
stops were made, followed by backing up.
and every test possible was made, SO far as
we could see. The cars were lighted with
incandescent burners which were supplied
from the current that drove the cars. A
stop was made at the engine house on Rlv-
erside and dynamos, instruments and
machinery inspected. The engine is of
eighty five horse power and capable OF de-
veloping energy sufficient to run from five
to seven cars loaded to their fullest capac-
ity Four more cars are now in course OF
construction. The cars are large, wide
guaged, very comfortably cushioned and
finely finished throughout. The party OF
officials, members board of trade and city
council were carried to the end of the
present wire construction, which is two
miles and half out from Douglas av
enue.
The Riverside & Suburban railway is
differed by J. o. Davidson, president; L.
G. Fitch, superintendent; T. W. Sweet,
manager The railway is owned by the
Riverside Land company. The works
were constructed and the road is at pres
ent operated by Edmond Verstraete, an
electrician with the Thompson-Houston
Electric company. The engine is Smith,
Beggs g. Rankin. of st. Louis, with eighty
horse power and drives small dynamo
with a current of fve-hundred volts.
The power required to move each
car when empty is about five ampere.
The power house is thoroughly
equipped with lightning arrester and
all the appliances necessary. The
two cars built by the Brownell & Wright
company, of St. Louis, and supplied with
Thompson & Houston trucks and electric
appliances.
The track for the entire distance was
more or less clogged by the mud resulting
from the late great snow storm, but the
movement of the cars was steady and
powerful. The rate of speed maintained
was about that of a lively trot. But, as
for that, when the working parts shall
have adjusted themselves and the track
become clean and smooth any desired
speed can be maintained. The car is IN
der the complete control of one man and
can be stopped Enthusiastically. In short,
the new electric motor line promises to be
a great success as 1t is surely a great sat
isfaction and convenience for the residents
of exclusive and beautiful Riverside, and
for others away beyond, and we congratu-
late Mr.. Davidson and his company on
the triumph of yesterday and most hear
tily