Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-09-15
Automobile Factory.

The JOURNAL made a tour few days
ago of the factory of the Maryland
Automobile Manufacturing company at
WesternpOrt, and was agreeably surpris-
ed TO find an establishment SO extensive
i'll area and deliberately equipped.
The plant is what was formerly known
as the Pagenhardt Bicycle Machine
shops, a series of 2-story buildings now
enlarged by an addition of floor space
amounting to about II 900 feet.
The machinery is new, elegant and
especially adapted to the construction
and finish of the most delicate and in
tricate mechanism comprising the finest
lathes, drills, etc. of the very latest
makes. The JOURNAL was shown
several specimens of ingenious construc-
ton, among them Il roller bearing device
"a combination of easy running with
the least axle-wear known i'll cylindrical
mechanism. This two-fold quality is al
most indispensable in automobile con-
structiOn, and it is due to the master
machinist, Stephen Pagenhardt, to say
that he should be credited with both
design and make of this clever con-
trivance.
With about 30 men employed and a
number of machines nearing
it may be stated that work is actively 60
ing on and that the outlook for IA large
nd ,rrnxx-inCr h1,S &c h,.i ,rht Thn
first delivery will he made to-day-a
racing machine to a New York party for
entry i'll several contests this month
the first at Gutenberg, N. j., on Tues
day next, and second OH Saturday in a
race for the Automobile Club of America,
i'll which the Vanderbilts have entered
a machine. The Maryland company's
machine is also booked for race against
strong competitors on the 25th inst at
Trenton, N. J.
But probably more significant indica-
tions of the company's growth i'll bust
ness are its promised deliveries on the
25th inst. to Siegel & Cooper, the great
department store merchants of New
York, of Il machine for goods delivery
the first steam machine for that purpose
ever made and sold III the United States;
one a few days later to Banks Bros,
big laundry firm i'll Pittsburg, Pa, and
still later three delivery machines to
merchants i'll Atlanta, Ga.
The establishment is conducted under
the oversight of J. Philip Roman, of
Cumberland, president of the company,
an intelligent, enterprising, wealthy
gentleman, with decided turn for the
higher mechanics. The immediate
manager, however-"the adept on the
ground is Stephen Pagenhardt, yet IA
young man, but veteran in the design
and construction of machinery. Indeed,
he is known far and wide us ii mechanical
genius. The JOURNAL found i'll him.
however, IA modest, unassuming gentle
man, accommodating and genial. To
both him and Mr.. Roman it is indebted
for so much information concerning the
company's business and prospects as
this sketch contains.
AS stated in these columns few
weeks ago, the company comprises
Messrs. J. Philip Roman, Charles T.
Lowndes, Howard H. Dickey +. Brooke
Whiting and A. A. Doub, all of Cum
berland and wellknown as aggressive
business men.
In conclusion, the people of the coun-
ty in general and of Westernport i'll
particular are to be congratulated upon
the establishment among them of an en-
terprise that will unquestionably carry
the names of county and town i'll a most
creditable way all over the country.