The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-13

become popular. And American in
genuity would soon suggest improve
ments which would render their use an
agreeable exercise"
The writer had evidently overlooked
the effrontery Of DR.. Edwards and Mr.
Wheeler in frightening horses and
alarming pedestrians with their primi-
tive machines for months previously.
Again, the Chicago Times Of Oct. IS,
1858. has this to say editorially upon the
subject: There has been no practical
result thus far in the movement for the
Introduction Of velocipedes in Chicago.
young men in process Of formation by
whom 1t Is proposed in quiet way to
introduce this instrument. ."
There il some doubt as to whether the
veloce will ever become thoroughly
domesticated in this country. To GER
tain extent 1t may become popular as
n means Of amusement. 1t can never
be utilized among Anglo-Saxous.
It may. however, In time fill por-
ton Of the space now occupied by skat-
ing. There il something in II
which does not harnonize with steady
Yankee character"
Later in the season the same paper
concludes a column velocipede article
as follows: I'm conclusion 1t may be
stated that though the velocipede dis
ease is now raging 30 fearfully as to
make It appear that the epidemic 10
doomed to run eternally, yet favorable
Of circumstances. and as often before
been brought forward under the most
favorable Of circumstances,an and as often
has sunk out Of sight again, We can
only believe that within another twelve
months 1t will once more disappear from
the public gaze. In the meantime give
1t every possible chance. Trundle 1t
around skating Kinks, roll 1t about the
stages of leading theaters, let us 'scoot'
along the smoothest sections Of pave
ment to be found, and still its glories
shall assuredly wave in the end, and,
having finally faded from popular no
tice, the captivating plaything will
eventually be obliged to seek retirement
for another twenty years."
PROPHETIC WORDS.
This writer also seems to have been a
seventh son of the seventh son." for In
a measure his words came true. With
in twelve months Its glories waned
throughout the world. The bone shaker
was relegated to garrett and cellar, and
the pedestrian assumed his wonted nom
chalance and ease upon the city's busy
streets. The instrument of destruction
had disappeared almost as suddenly az
1t had appeared. but not for long was
II doomed to seclusion. In 1873, In a
somewhat different form. 1t came again
on earth under the name Of the bicycle.
OF this new machine nothing much in
praise can be said even by its inventor.
]. X. Starley. However, the flame broke
out afresh and the ordinary" as a d.
rect descendant Of the velocipede, of
which SO much has here been written,
blossomed as rose. and acquire its full
bloom and fragrance in the years span
ming the latter half of the decade 1856.
The evolution was gradual from the
lofty structure upon which one sat In
constant danger to life and limb, to the
real safety with chain and sprocket In.
NGutCu Wy tHC SdIHS OtdIiGyS WIN
was responsible for the 1873 ordinary
1t IL not the province Of this article te
follow the different steps taken by In.
ventors. or trace minutely the various
lines followed by manufacturers in ar.
riving at the mechanical results as W.
see them today. This time It seems the
English took the lead and America
quickly followed with Yankee improve.
ments; stimulated the interest in wheel
ing and fixcd Its status upon such sole
foundations that evidently 1t has com,
| to stay. The.extent to which the wheels
usefulness has grown: the tenaciou,
grip It has taken upon public favor. rnt
Its universal recognition as prime ne
cessity in pursuits Of business ant
pleasure may be well illustrated by tn,
following from the Chicago Tribune O
March 1S, 1890:
Something besides high frames
largo tubing, and barrel hubs distin
guishes the opening Of the spring cycl,
trade. It u q phase Of tho trade tina
was not planned or anticipated by asso
oiations or boards Of trade and comes q,