The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-29
w. w. Written Cyclic Manufacturing
Company.
i4s, $50, I54 and I5o South Main sts'et.

las. $50. l54 and 1850 South Main sfsret.
Tn = review of the worthy and progress
siye manufacturing and business houses
of Providence, more than passing mention
should be made OF the w. W. whittier
Cycle Mfg Co., the well known and pros
perous bicycle and sporting goods house
with offices, s~alesrooms, and warehouse sit
uaied in the Infantry Building or South
Main st. aud having a branch store at
Newport and factory cor. OF Potters ave.
and MeIrose st. In Elmwood. The founder
OF the business, Mr.. w. w. Written, con-
ceiyed the idea when a student at Brown
University and during his senior year
laid the plans which after his graduation
ne matured and nut into operation. Being
athletically inclined and actively interest
ed in college sports his thoughts naturally
turned I'm this direction and as there was
no distinctive sporting goods house In
Providence at that time and no bicycle
house OF any kind he was quick TO see the
natural advantages such a house would
enjoy a city OF over 120, 900 people
and the nome OF a large and rapidly grow
ing college and numerous preparatory and
technical schools. The wisdom OF lis
choice has been well demonstrated by the
success OF the business he then founded.
B~epinning in q very modest way the bus
mess steadily increased from year 10 year
and from time to time 1t was found
necessary to enlarge, until today they
OCCUPY Ont-ndll vi IA ElOuHu IOoI VI
the Infantry building and in addition
have q large and prosperous branch al
Newport, and a well equipped factory
in Elmwood, and IL Is a worthy compli-
ment to add that the house stanos today
n monument to the honest enterprise and
untiring energy OF It's founder and those
associated with him in the enterprise.
At first only n retail business was carried
on, but i'm 1857 a wholesale depar tment
was established and the firm began to i'm
port bicycle parts and supplies from En-
gland for which they found a ready sale
with the trade, there heing no other sup
ply house in the country at that time and
many large and prosperous manufacturers
of today were greatly assisted in the first
years OF their development by being able
10 get their supplies from this we'll known
ana enterprisiDg Providence house. The
demand for these goods increased go rap
| idly that when at first they represented
but one English house in three years they
were buying from no less than six OF the
largest foreign manufacturers. In 1893
tney began the manufacture OF bicycles
end cycle parts themselves and heve con-
tinued the same till now, increasing their
plant aud facilities from year TO year in
| order to keep up with the growing de-
msnds of their trade. Their factory at
Elmwood is now equipped with the latest
snd best machinery and the goods made
by them are favorably known throughout
the country, and so great is the demand
for their products that their output Is
sold months in advance. Mr.. charles IL.
Weld, a young and energetic Rhode
islander, has charge Of the factory, and
icing a man of experience anu ability IL
Is needless to say that the manufacturing
end will be looked after ana Will keep
pace with the time. The company Is com
posed of W.. W. Written, Chas. III. Weld
and Howard l.. Perkins. the latter not
/ hainu mn aatiya mani her nf he firm hnt
prominent in bicycle and athletic interests
snd for many years was al the head of the
Rhode Island division OF the League OF
American Wheelmen. The bicycle made
by this firm is called the "Whlttep" and
is rapidly growing in favor and will be
manufactured in large numbers in 1896
and pushed well 10 the front, as the max
ers know they have q bicycle when will
stand M, give good services and satisfac.
ton, and while they make no claim TO lis
being the best in the world they do claim
il is superior TO many and equal 10 most
Of the high grade bicycles now on the
market. 1Eey will build a roadster TO sci
for $40, a special to sell for 300 and 9
racer. The iancard dnlsh of these wheel:
will be black enamel. wiki usual parts
nickeled, but their racer viii be enameleo
a bright green and Will be a conspicuou-
object on road or Path. They are also n,
work developing a new motor cycle which
they say " i'll lie in the nature of n revelaf
ton, as IL can not only be applied to eve
les, but 10 all other automobile machines
They expect 10 have it ready for The marke'
early this coming summer. In addition
TO the goods OF their own manufacturt
the firm are large dealers and lobbers of bi
cycles. athletic and sporting goods of ever,
description. They bave held the SOLE
agency for Victor Bicycles since 1856 and
have sold thousands OF these world lead
ers. they will also handle the WarwicL
in 1896, and are to he cnngratulatedEHef
having these two standards and leadinl
bicycles. The bust ess outlook for thi
firm for 1896 is mosr promising. and wit
their ten years prestige VIII easily holC
their own and doubtless add to tho bust
ness and reputation a luired by wears oil
patience and an ener setic and straight
forward business policy and their many
irienos n patrons will be glad To tet
them prosper.