The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-13

would further my designs. My crude wooden
models were brought from Virginia and began
once more to construct q machine in the shop
or y I. Jones in Baltimore. / was i norAnt of
practical mechanics, but Mr.. Jones was able to
grasp my meaning from the crude models, and
assigning skilled artisan to the work, we soon
mad road machine in process of construction.
But new difficulties presented thems Ives. The
workman had q very imperfect knowledge OF
the English language He was mechanic of
enduring patience and skill, but he failed at
many points 70 grasp the meaning Of my plans
And l found out at last that they we're de-
fective. Full success, Of course, was GU OF
the question. and the new machine did not work
well, though it was by no means failure.
Business reverSes shattered my friends for
tune and further experimenting was impossible
for two full years. But the interval gave time
for a revision OF the plans. and brought the
young son of Mr.. Jones out of apprenticeship
into full standing as 8 mechanic in his fathers
shop From the beginniny he had taken deep
interest in my models. He studied them as no
one else did, and finally came to understand
what was seeking for as well as / did myself.
His practical hand also was the one thing need
tul to put the dream into graceful form in wood,
non and steel.
After years effort the machine is now
completed and rrady for proof and trial. 1t is
only a model, neediessly heavy and not yet in
the best form for practical use. But l have
vehicle which will outrun the horse, distance the
bicycle and which am not afraid to exhibit to
the world. Success is achieved, and the ma
chine, which does not cling on the center, and
which supplies continuous force in rotary
motion is ready for inspection The struggle
has been long one, and disappointnents have
been many, but they will vanish in the triumph
which believe is about to concluded, has
come"
The machine which has cost the inventor so
many years of study and disappointment, is a
simple road vehicle, not unlike a miniature
buggy. Its form Is in no wise essential, having
beenlchosen merely as a convenient means to
demonstrate in a practical way the utility OF the
new mechanical principle. IL consists of
a 1-W q rADable a
rider. 1t weighs about 300 pounds, is much
heavier than it need be and appears somewhat
bungling on that account one OF the most
conspicuous things about the vehicle is the curl
Gus lever In front by which the machinery is
driven. Beneath the seat is concealed a series
of slides, operated by ptmsn and connecting
with the cranks in the rear axle The hind
wheels drive the vehicle, the forward pair serv-
ing merely for support and for steering pur-
poses.
The lever works back and forth quite easily,
one stroke forward or backward causing the
vehicle to bound rapidly forward about twenty
five feet. The driving wheels are fitted with
ratchets so as to move freely when the lever
reaches its silent moment and in this way the
vehicle benefits from its momentum, no part of
the force beng lost while the direction of the
impelling force is changing. 1t is easily posi-
bic TO drive the vehicle fifteen miles an hour
with no great sense of weariness, and certainly
with less effort than would be required TO run a
bicycle over the same distance.
Any other motive power could be used as
engine or electrical storage could be easily ap-
Piled with best results. Treadles could take the
p ace of the lever, and the mechanical appli-
ances stored away snugly beneath the seat of
the vehicle is capable of endless application.
The time is perhaps not distant when equi-
pages of every style will be driven, not BY
horses, but by some unseen force in the vehicle
itself II the promise of this wonderful mechAn-
ism is fulfilled, the street traffic Of great cities
will be as greatly changed within g few years as
street car lines have been by the employment
Of chs cable and electricity.
The inventor OF this novel machine, with
such mighty possibilities, is an interesting man.
He is perhaps IS years Of age and typical
southerner 10 appearance Years of struggle
against adverse fate has saddened him and
made him shy and reticent. but when once you
have gained his confidence he talks intelligently
on all subjects, and with irresistible enthusiasm
upon the merits or his new machine People
have called him a crank, and even harsher
namss, but he is certainly a most agreeable en-
thusiast, and it remains to be seen that he has
discovered principle in mechanism that will
require the complete revsn of the Baldwin
locomotive and which will make bicycle trust
entirely superfiuous and unnecessary.
Mr.. Taylor is a religious man, and his life of
rebuffs has softened his spirit into that of a
vertable saint The writer has been over and
over again impressed with the idea that this
struggling inventor believes himself set apart
by divine providence TO develop this machine
and give it to the world. Naturally Mr.. Taylor
desires to profit pscuniariiy from his invention,
but that seems to be secondary in his mind to
the one absorbing thought Of proving a blessing
90 mankind Let IL be hoped that no further
disappointmeutG await the man who has sacri-
fcedleverything for an idea.