Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-12
LIVERY STABLES SURVIVE.
Bicycle, Trolley and Auto Fail to Put
Them Out Of Business.

The Journal readers may be interest
ed to know just how much old customs
have hecn affected by the Introduction
of the bicycle, the trolley car and the
automobile. When the bicycle was
first brought out it was generally con-
coded that the livery stable business
would go to the wall with rush, that
eveiv cid grandfather ana grandmother
would use the wheel when going to
visit their children and children'S chill
t,ran; that men of business would take
to the wheel when occasion demanded
their presence in other towns and
citier and. last of all. the pleasure
party would ne made up of many
wheels and lovers would take to tam
demS. The wheel craze was a stub
born one to contend with for several
years bat the livery men lived through
il all. for not every lover could afford
to hire a wheel on which to make his
three nights each week and he con-
tinu"d to walk while many others
found that being caught at a sweet
hearts hom" by Il rain storm was not
what is considered a most pleasing Incl
dent and still others found that wheel
chains We're always sure To break right
at the most interesting period Of the
journey and long walks resulted.
When the trolley car connected one
town with another the car was sup
posed to take the place Of Il large num-
btr of livery teams and for while it
did But when il came to taking ones
girl out for a trolley ride and not be
afforded the opportunity To squeeze her
hani or hold her on the seat with one
arm without being observed by 4 whole
carload OF people, the phantom shape
of horse and carriage, close top and
snug robes fitted before the mentality
of both the lover and the loved. Bust
ness men who found the car very con-
venient for trips to adjacent villages
found that car most incOnvenient when
he Just missed 1t for the return trip
and was obliged to wait half an hour
for another car. Now an hours time
means much to most business men in
this age of sharp competition. and the
livery man lived on.
The automobile was booked to meet
the great demand Of the travelling pub
lie. the quick party trip to the lakes
and other towns and cities. To date.
very few men can afford to own an auto.
lew more fCel SAFE III tne Rldcnlne. tHe
gearing plays out and the charge for
the hired auto is so steep business men
and SweetheartS can not afford the
luxury. The uncertainty of getting
anywhere and back again when one
must go and get back within q reason
able time. is SO great that old Dobbin
and the top buggy is still very dear
to all.
Here in Waterville. the town of
wheels. trolley cars and autos. with a
thru trolley line building. the livery
men ara doing we'll and have very lit
tie fear for the future. In this con-
nection it may be well to say that the
livery business has improved in that
better rigs are required and can be So
cured. In one stable alone of those
in this city, the business has been the
best in the past two years the estab-
lshment has ever known. The equip
ages have been improved. increased
and frightened up and. with the addi-
ton of now carriages and fixings. all
within the prosperous epoch of wheels.
autos and trolley cars. it don't look as
though there will be mary failures in
TIE livery business this year