St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-19
( CYCLE SHOW OPENS
RED WHEELS AND WHEELS OF
OTHER COLORS ARE EXHIB-
TIED.
"A SC0RCHER CONVERSATION
\ INDUCED IN BY INTERESTED CYC-
LISTS WHO ATTENDED THE
WHEEL DISPLAY.
aHE ELGIN KING HERE TODAY.
Interesting Gossip About the Differ
@nt Makes and Their Advantages
show a Success.
A SCORCHER CONVERSATION
aHE ELGIN KING HERE TODAY,

capacity of the exhibit rooms, the af-
fair bids we'll to be a great success.
Notwithstanding the climatic inclemen-
cy there was 4 goodly attendance made
up for the most part Of young people in
terested in the various styles and
makes of the popular machine.
When the doors were thrown open
shortly after o'clock, and the orches-
ira struck up lively air, most OF the
: exhibits of the local wheel dealers were
in place, some Of them being shown to
the best advantage in booths artistical-
ly arranged and decorated with bunt-
ing, pictures and trademarks, all of
which served as an excellent back
ground for the brightly polished varl-
colored bikes
Perhaps there were a score of types
represented, from the tiny child's wheel,
with its sure enough inflated tires and
brown cord guards, to the beautifully
finished triplet, which stood in it's place
like racer waiting to let go his ener-
gy. The crowd lost no time upon en-
tering tC examine the fine points of the
various patterns, and the conversation
consisted very largely of references to
gears" and forks and "sprocket
chains etc, While the spectators lis
tened with interest to the seductive
conversation Of the representatives of
the different wheels. as to their several
advantages over all others The gen.
tier sex was we'll represented, and it is
safe to say that the ladies took quite as
much interest in the wheel talk as did
their brothers.
1t was the gossip among the younger
- fellows, who probably constitute the
list Of 'ScOrcherS," than when the
wheels were brought together it was
plain to be seen that the saddles have
been slightly raised above the frame
in most makes for the sake of greater
rigidity.
One unique machine which has been
patented by Minnesota man appears
to entirely eliminate all chance of jolt
ing or even of any vibration by a
strong band spring, which allows the
saddle. handle bars and sprocket wheel
TO give in unison This wheel attracted
considerable attention, as did also the
triplet racing machine, shown by an
: other exhibitor.
During the evening the orchestra
gave programme of numbers which
added not a little to the interest of the
occasion. Some Of the dealers gave
away sheet music. buttons and badges
bearing advertisements of their wares,
and the omnipreSent small boy was very
much in evidence. Included in the eX-
hibit was a booth or two devoted to the
display of bicycle haberdashery, boots,
etc, which was very complete and in
teresting. All manner of attires for
both sexes We're shown, some of them
on dummy figures, while there were
shoes enough to drive the ''scorcher'
mad with confusion. 1t is expected
that during the week the attendance
will continue to increase, and every ef-
fort Will be made to accommodate the
crowds of interested people.
Last night at the entrance the Secre-
nf IA TOl nj Tof I,
ton was stationed, armed with maps,
showing how the new proposed bicycle
paths will look when completed. T.
NJ. Bailey, in whose charge the eXhibi-
tion has been placed, promised last
night visitors to the exhibition today
might have the pleasure of seeing the
great Elgin King wheel, which has been
shipped from Chicago. This wheel is
valued at $1,000, and is studded with
diamonds. and inlaid with gold and
equipped with pearl handle bars, ETC..
A. d. Smiths cycle house had most
elaborate display of ''bikes," with Ma
poleon and Josephine wheels as leaders,
and the Crawford and Telegram for the
less expensive line. To each lady Mr.
Smith gave a bunch of violets as a
souvenir.
Miller Bros. & Wallace made a neat
display with the Munger, convincing
people that it is a strictly high grade
wheel.
The most conspicuous part of the
Bird Bicycle company's exhibit were
the thirty-eight medals won by Burney
Bird during the last two years. Their
line includes the National, Union, Vic
tor and Waverly.
Van Week and the Ben Hur We're also
in evidence in a tastefully arranged
booth.
Schliek & Co occupied a corner with
a complete line of bicycle shoes and
md II
making a speciality of the ball-bearing
shoes for which they have the eXclu-
sive agency in st. Paul.
But for bicycle suits for both gentle
men and ladies, the display made by
the Plymouth is par excellence. They
are the neatest, nobbiest and most
fashionable yet displayed in this city,
and if the most fastidious person can
not be pleased, lie is surely hard to sat
isfy.
Lee Seymour presided over the
Fowler booth, distributing souvenirs
of the Fowler and of the Mesinger sad
die. In the background he had an
electric optical illusion.
The Thistle people have not yet fitted
up their quarters, waiting for the ar
rival of the famous Elgin wheel, as
we'll as some special Thistles which
will arrive this morning and be placed
on exhibition today.
E. NJ Hallowell had Adlake, Gen
dron and Temple wheels in a prominent
place, where they attracted their full
share Of attention. This concern gave
souvenir buttons of the Adlake and
GendrOn to its numerous visitors. NJ.
F. Kennedy and Brothers were repre-
sented by the well-known Columbia
and Hartford bicycles, which are suf-
ficiently popular to need no comment.
Honstain Brothers are q new st. Paul
firm, who will ocate on Robert, and
push their Sylph and Hardy wheels.
Felix Joslyn, proprietor of the Wheel
cry. explained the merits of the Glad
iator to the interested listeners. H.
Smalley. the Minneapolis ladies' tailor
and mOdste. had an attractive display.
Next to him the Twin City Cycle COM
pany doomed the popular faVorite, the
Syracuse Crimson Rim, with the ORR
ent and Remington as close seconds.
w. r. Burkhard had in a prominent
place the Twin City championship
silver cup won by the Dayton. The
only triplet on exhibition, as we'll as the
only drop-bar tandem, together with
a complete line of both gentlemen's
and ladies' wheels, were also in their
booth.