Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-08-01
HAVE YOU SEEN IT?
Col. R. W. SouIe Owns Augustus
First Locomobi|e.
II Came by Boat. tuesday. and Was Driven
Up from Gardiner.

Although many horseless carriages
have been brought into Maine since last
spring. and one or two have passed
through this section, Augusta has not.
until the present time, been included in
the list of cities where one or more of
them are owned. There has been more
or less rumor that different parties in
town would soon purchase a vehicle of
this kind, but it remained for Col. r. w
Soule to put such an intention into execu-
ton. Mr. Soule has been much interested
in the matter since last winter and con-
fidentally told his friends that he should
have one in the spring, but as time wore
away and no auto appeared, some of
the skeptical ones began to doubt that
the genial colonel intended to have one
at all
Now Mr.. Soule has a way of doing
whatever he sets out to do. That's why
they call him ''rhe Hustler" and he
never forgot for a moment that he was
going to have a locomobile. but owing to
the demand at the factory he had to wait
until he could ~ one. At last, when the
time came. he went TO Boston for the
carriage and brought it down to Gardi-
Previous to going to Boston he invited
a Journal reporter to meet him at Gar
diner on his return. and ride up to Au-
gusta with him, and that individual was
at the wharf in pleasant anticipation,
long before the Kennebec arrived There
We're also Mr.. f. +. Stanley of Newton.
Mass, in his locomobile having with
him Landlord Capen of the Augusta
House.
Mr.. Soule had steam up on his carriage
and as soon as the gang plank was run
out, rode ashore, and after looking over
the machinery to see that all was right,
took in his passenger and the start for
Augusta was made. Mr. Stanley in his
two-seater leading the way
OF course the small boy and his bike
We're in evidence and as the party went
up through Water street. Gardiner the
scene suggested a bicycle parade. This
condition Of affairs continued on Bridge
street, hut on reaching Farmingdale the
locos speeded up a bit. and the bikes
found the pace too hot and dropped out.
Just then along came an electric car,
and naturally bit of burst for the
lead ensued The colonel set his hat
firmly on his head and opened up his
throttle. The car had a slight lead at the
start, but the loco showed a 3-minute
clip and went by that car like a streak.
Mr. Soule did not like to let the carriage
go at full speed, as he was new at the
work. but the gentlemen In the head car
riage went out of sight at speed that
would have driven a trotting horse wild.
At Crescent Park stop was made to
take water. and then the trip was resum
ed. 1t was evident that IIallowell people
were anticipating the arrival, for when
we rolled up Water street that thorough
fare was black with people. There were
several farmers among the number, who
had come into town to do their trading,
and as we sped along he stood on the
sidewalk near the railroad bridge, with
his hands in his pockets, nearly to his
elbows, In open-mouthed wonder. "Well.
I'll he hanged.' said he. "Did YOU"
but the rest was lost, and by the time
he had finished his exclamation we were
speeding across Hallowell plains.
After another stop at the Augusta
House the trip was resumed, through
Water street and across the bridge, after
which we returned to the Soule store and
STONED A crowd soon collected and Mr..
Soule held an informal reception for an
hour or two.
To say that he is pleased with his pur-
chase does not half express 1t. No hoy
in his first long trousers ever felt any
more pride and satisfaction than does the
owner of the first locomobie in Augusta.