The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-30
The father OF The Trolley.
The Claims of an Indiana INVENTOR Benson Bdwel-Says
He Originated the Idea but Got Nothing for 1t.

cams to the rescue. The president Of
the exposition allotted a space of 100
feet for the exhibit. After q number
of experiments a car was constructed
seven feet In length and four feet wide,
and to accommodate fifteen passen-
gera. Mr.. Bidwell had arranged the
apparatus so that the car could be run
back and forth over the 100 feet of
track and so that the same electrical
current would propel, heat and light it.
The Edison company had agreed to
furnish the lamps, but when tho SUI
perintendent of that company learned
the plans of the inventor, he absolutely
refused to allow Bidwell to use the Edi-
son lamps, as the numerous experts or
the ground We're positive that a cur
rent strong enough to propel the car
would Immediately burn out the lamps.
1t was only by persistent persuasion
that Bidwell secured the lamps, and
when they were properly placed and
the current applied, the most sanguine
expectations of the inventor We're real
lied. The lighting and heating ar
rangements of the car We're perfect
and Il was kept busy running back and
forth over the track throughout the
exposition. This was the first car ever
run by the trolley system. In 1SS4-S5
Mr.. Bidwell operated two cars at an
exhibition in Boston on circular track
600 feet in circumference, and his in
vention attracted universal attention
throughout the New England states.
All of the inventions We're patented as
soon as practicable after their discov-
cry, and the inventor claims that there
Is not today a trolley line in operation
in thp ITnitp1 StataS that does NOT in
fringe upon the patents issued to and
owned by him. His patents cover all
the principles involved in propelling,
lighting and heating cars by the troll
ley system, He has no adaptability
for general business transactions, and
| 1t was through his weakness in this re.
| spect that he has never profited finan-
cially from his inventions.
About four years ago he commenced
| q suit in Toledo against the Consol-
| idated Electric Street Railway COM
| pany of Toledo, and the trial has been
repeatedly postponed and a hearing has
| not yet been had. Sufficient testimony
has been taken, however, to satisfy
| unprejudiced persons of the justice of
| Bidwells claims, and the defendant has
Iudut several OllclS VI tulll OlIllSe, dll
! of which have been spurned. In 1887
Mr.. Bidwell ran his cars on the lake
| front at Chicago and had several inter-
| views with Mr.. Yerkes and endeavored
to enlist him in the invention. Finally,
| in 1885, Mr.. Yerkes wrote that he had
| given the matter an exhaustive inves-
| tigation, and had concluded that suffi-
| Cient power could not be generated to
! make an electric street car line prac-
| ticahle for Chicago.
| Ard now the inventor, after a life
| full of trial and hardships, believes
| that ne is in sight OF the goal. He is
| quiet, courteous gentleman of rare So
| cial qualities. He is a leading MEM
bGr of Grace Methodist Episcopal
| church of this city. In 1855 he mar
/ ried Miss Clara ID. Burch of Grand
| Rapids. one Of his daughters is Miss
! Sylvia May Bidweis, a well known act
! ress.