Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-24
ROUND ABOUT ON WHEELS
Prominent 0hiOans Booming Punctureles
Tire.
sPEcUlATlNG on CROP AND PRICES
Half n Hundred Millions In Exchangs
for Next Years output-Pn-
thctic Incidents A-whcel-Hnp-
pcnings In Local Circles.

proposes improving his financial condition by
catering TO the wants Of the wheeling multi
tude. Colonel Campbell and another Ohio
colonel are about to launch patent tire
which, II Is claimed, possesses the resident
qualities OF the pneumatic without the latter's
liability TO punctures. 1t Is said TO be a won
der wrought out OF gum, and will stand a
knife or pistol bail being driven into It with
out interfering with its usefulness in the
least. The idea Is to adapt II for bicycles
buggies, and, In fact, all kinds Of light road
vehicles IL Is understood that a company
will be organized Immediately to push the
manufacture of the new tire, in which 1t Is
believed there is fortune for those who are
to take a hand. A punc,ureess tire, pos
sessng the yielding qualities Of the present
pneumatic would I'll mighty want and yield
fortune for the promoters.
PRICES AND OUTPUT.
1t Is interesting TO note that men well in
formed In the AFFAIRS OF the cycling world
are placing the output of wheels next year
at high figures. II. Il. Masin Of Syracuse
puts 1t at 900, and A. G.. Spalding thinks
1t will be 100000 Should this estimate
come true, there must necessarily be decided
boom In cycling as a pastime. And, besides
what factor the sale OF SO many wheels
will be in the commercial world! Sold at an
average price of $50 per wheel, which is a
low estimate, It means that $5i 900, 900 will
CndURe ndUuS, anu tnat tne makers anu nllu-
die men will pocket profit OF close to $25,-
900, 900 above the bare cost OF manufacturing
These figures telT tale OF marvellous
growth in the cycle business
large manufacturer Of tubing for bicycles
said to New York Tribune reporter the
other day that the output OF wheels next year
would be enormous. His factory, he said,
had already made engagements that would
keep 1t busy to its full capacity until May,
1896, and 1t was by no means able to fill all
nrIa hat al H. a. NnI,I
to turn out more tubing. The tubing of next
years bicycles Is to be larger, as rule, than
that used heretofore; an inch and an eighth
will be the diameter generally used. The
manufacturer also said that there would be
some increase in the weight of wheels the
coming year, and he thought that twenty
four or twenty-five pounds would be the most
called for weights, as the craze for lightness
had been carried to an extreme. When
asked II he knew anything about the re-
ported intention OF a large concern to put a
bicycle in large quantities on the market at
$35 he said: mo, l don't know anything
about 1t, and don't believe 1t is going to be
done. 1t is true that bicycle could be sold
for that money, but wouldn't advise any one
to buy 1t. Certainly / wouldn't trus. myself
or any member Of my family OF one. the
actual cost of high grade wheel is ab.ut
$27, and there cannot be much reduction in
the cost to the purchaser below 500 while
the present methods of selling prevail. Ad-
trade Of wheels Of this class is about $40 or
$75. Those who are expecting another cut
In prices next year because there was a cut
of $25 two years ago and another reduction
of the same amount last year are therefore
likely to find that they are mistaken
THE BICYCLE SKATE.
With the advent Of winter comes herald
ing of bicycles that can be used when the
ground is covered with snow and the or
dinary wheel has to be laid aside, The
winter bicycle is intended for on the
ice. and some enthusiasts claim that for zest
and excitement 1t far eclpses the road BIZ
cycle 1t Is said that with 1t a quarter OF d
mile has been made in twenty seconds and
that 1t compares In point Of speed with
other forms of bicycles as the ice yacht does
to the sea-going craft. 1t Is simple mat
ter to convert the ordinary bicycle into an
ice bicycle. A patent attachment has been
invented, consisting of runner to replace
the front VIII. and patent spiked tire,
which encircleA 'Ne rear wheel. These at
tachments are ma. to 1t any style or make
of modern safety bicycle. The rear wheel
attachment fits tightly around the pneu-
matte tire, forming guard against pune
lures which might occur without the pro-
lection from the Jagged edges of ice or
frozen snow. The machine is propelled by
spikes with fanged heads on the inner side,
securely fastened to a strip of canvas,
around which is placed a metallic band
which holds the spikes In place. Before ad
air must be taken from the tube, and the
reinfation is accomplished soon the
attachment is in position. To adjust the
runner or skate the front wheel has to be
removed. The runner Is very sharp and
hollow ground, so that accidents are not liza
BILE to occur in turning or when riding at
full speed. A runner is also made for ex-
elusive use on the snow. This Is secured to
the ice runner by key on the front upper
portion of the blade of the latter. strap
Is fastened between the front Of the runner
and the fork OF the frame, which holds the
runner securely when 1t accidentally strikes
a rock or any obstacle likely to jar the
bicycle. The whole front attachment weighs
only two and one-half pounds, tnd 80 makes
the bicycle no heavier than would the front
wheel. II is said that anybody who can ride
a wheel will have no difficulty in using these
attachments.
A MISSIONARY BICYCLE.
The following is an extract from a letter
recently received by Rev. ii. A. Schauffer
of Cleveland from his daughter, a missionary
in Persia
'Mr. Allen, the superintendent OF the
Industrial department, has gone to America
to learn something more of the iron trade, as
an iron department Is to be added to the
shop. He started on his bicycle and ex-
pected to ride to Batoum, on the Black sea,
stop at SAMSON. and run up to Marsoyan on
his wheel to see the training school there
and take the stamer to Marseilles and run
across France, making ehjourney as cheap
as possible.
I'm August he took tour to the southern
part OF our field on his wheel He would
leave the horsemen who accompanied him
way behind him. and rode most Of the way
alone. Everywhere he was an object of the
greatest wonder and excitement. Some said
that It was the cholera come again.
''He would get to a village and the whole
place would gather to see him. He would
have to give an exhibition and finally end
up in some open place where the native
helper who accompanied him would be ready
to hold a service. The congregation was
there. with no ringing Of bells except the
bicycle bell
''Mr. Allen says that in this way villages
were opened up where never before had the
gospel message been allowed to enter. But
sometimes he got into trouble. and at one
place such a mob surrounded him that he
had to get out Of the village at the earliest
opportunity.
zone day he was riding along alone when
he saw horseman ahead of him, who
stopped and stared with all his might at this
strange apparition. Then the man drew out
a cartridge and slipped II into his gun, at
which Mr.. Allen jumped of his wheel with
the greatest alacrity and called, out: Don't
shoot. I'm man!'
HER FIRST BLOOMERs.
A well known Washington woman who has
become a great bicycle enthusiast intends to
taly haa ri,