Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-05-13
PIONEER OF CHUG WAGONS
Mighty Motor Made in New York and
Tested in Nebraska.
IT WAS A FRIGHT IN NATIVE OPINION
Paul Morton Tells of n Machine that
Made Some History when He
Was n BOy-TOO soon
for the Country.

One Of Paul Mortons most interesting
stories is how the first big automobile in
America was invented in New York City
forty years ago, was boycotted by Fer
nando Wood then mayor next taken to
Nebraska and run briefly on one of the
highways of the frontier state; finally it
was stored and later sold for old iron, all
because Of the great Indian massacre at
New Ulm, MINI.
Il we'll remember" said the president Of
the Equitable Life Assurance society, the
famous steam wagon which was stored
under cover for years on my fathers farm.
Many a time l played I spy with the boys
hiding behind it or under its ponderous
machinery. And so when I received a let
ter early last winter from David L. Os-
born the man who was Americas first
chauffeur and had superintendent the con-
struction of the machine, | was naturally
interested. He incidentally remarked that
he was out of a job and would like some
kind of a position I'm New York and added
that he remembered all about the old
steam wagon. Being much interested in
transportation. the statement appealed to
me and I sent him a check for S25, asking
him 10 write a full history Of the machine
and forward IT.
ut is a pretty accurate story" said Mr..
Morton. Here are Mr. Osborn's own
words"
Now, Mr. Morton, you wished me TO
give concise statement of the so-called
steam wagon brought to Nebraska City in
the early days-whO manufactured 1t, its
engineer. its object, purpose, etc. First
Brevet Major General Joseph r. Brown,
Indian agent of the Sioux in Minnesota at
hn Mill IN
Zachary Taylor of the United States Army,
afterward major general and later presi-
dent of the United States of America, went
to Minnesota to build Fort Smelling.
Developing an Idea.
".After Major General ]. r. Brown was
| elected delegate to congress from Mime
sofa he came to New York in 1857 to John
| A. Reeds machine shop, located where
| the Novelty Iron works were, on the East
river. near the big dry dock. Mr.. Reed was
| at that time consulting engineer of New
/ York City. The writer OF this was his
| master mechanic and foreman. We built
/ a line OF marine engines among them the
! engines of the ocean steamer Adriatic OF
! the historic f. X. Collins line, plying be-
! tween New York and Liverpool. They
were oscillating engines, compound duplex
Of 2.5OO-horse power, considered wonders in
| those days.
1 " General Brown conceived the idea OF
building a wagon or road traction vehicle
with oscillating engine to haul Indian sup
| plies from the river towns 10 the agency
and ordered Mr.. J. A. Reed to draw de-
signs and specifications for the said steam
wagon. During the interval of construction
| General Brown went 10 the inaugural OF
President Buchanan, in 1857 While II
Washington the general succeeded in wire
working and manipulating congress, OBJ
tanning an appropriation of 10000 fol
| building school houses, churches, agricul
tural implements and other things ! do moi
| now remember. including a steam wager
to haul the supplies between Mankato and
| New Ulm, the two agencies. This steam
wagon ]. A. Reed built In 1888, and
| learned that II did make several trips be
| tween the agencies. Afterward the engine
was utilized for running a gristmill.
General ]. r. Brown returned TO New
York City in 1850 and ordered Mr.. Reed 4
build the second improved steam wagon
1t was named the Prairie Motor" and cos
$1,000. Eighteen months time was al
lowed for building the wagon.
j. A. Reed gave me the dra wings. will
orders to construct the motor. Genera
Brown had opened correspondence will
your father J, Sterling Morton. who SAID