The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-11-05
Ambition of Kenneth 0'Brien Who Has
Spent Time IN Useful Endeavor;
His Work
From Tuesdays Daily.


Kenneth U'Brien. formerly of North
MankatO. where he lived with his
grandmother. Mrs. Johanna O'Brien,
since the removal Of the family tn 81.
Paul has won fame rs youthful
mechanic. The Daily News of Octo-
Der 81 publishing two column write
up and photograph of Kenneth and
q miniature automobile which lie has
made. The car is said TO be perfect
in cvcry detail. Following Is the
article which appeared in The Daily
News.
I'm going Ia be- designer OF
models Of automobiles when | grow
up This is the ambition OF Kenneth
O'Brien. "A fifteen year old orphan,
who lives with his grandmother. Mrs.
Johanna O'Bricn. 232 West Central
avenue And ne was caught with the
goods toward realizing that ambition
Saturday night. when Daily News
reporter found him busy in his work
shop I'm the basement Of his home
tinkerinE' by Eas light with Il model
for an auto truck.
Kenneth has already completed
small one patterned after a Ford,
with wheels made of clock wheels,
and the body out of wood. His third
automobile. the one he is holding in
his hands in the picture, Is the eli
max OF his mechanical achievements.
The car lacks nothing used in the
makeup OF an automobile. II has a
body made from tin taken from a
coffee can and moulded and cut into
shape. The body Is cnameled black.
The doors are made from wood taken
from a peach crate. The chassis of
the model is also made of wood from
peach crate. The mud guards,
running board. gasoline tank. and
tool box are also made from tin taken
from cans. The radiator Is made
from the knob of curtain rod.
pounded fiat. leaving the ridges to
represent the air holes. 4 canopy
which can he raised and lowered Is
made from oil cloth. Tho backs of
the seats are made from the same
material. The ribs In the top of the
canopy and the braces on the sides
are made from grandma's carpet
heater. Even a carpet deCorates the
floor OF this automobile. II is made
from WOODEN pennant taken from a
package OF cigarets furnished by his
uncle. Florence O'Brien, cigar deal
er. 100 East Fourth street. The lap
robes are Of the same material. A
piece of hat pin serves as the
blanket rack on tho rear Of the front
scat of the automobile.
The steering gear is made from y
clock wheel The wind shield was cut
from isinglass, thin pieces of tin
serving as the frame for the glass TO
rest in. The hinges on which the wind
shield operates when raised or
lowered. are made Of ordinary pins
Detachable tires, already made. are
the only things not manufactured by
Kenneth. These were furnished by
The Firestone Tire and Rubber com
Dany of Akron. Ohio, TO whom he
wrote and asked for tires. They are
pneumatic rubber. The wheels. rims.
spokes and hubs are made from wood
taken from a fruit basket.
The very apex of the climax in
kenneth's miniature automobile is
electric lights.-three OF them. two In
front and tail light. A battery. hid
den under the body of the automobile
and wired mp throughout the body,
furnishes light when connection Is
made by pushing button near the
steering gear. Nor did Kenneth forget
TO put license number on his car.
One stands out prominently in front,
and another rests clearly In view un-
der the tan light A pennant OF ST..
Paul floats majestically over the hood
snd radiator and another Is pinned on
the canopy And this miniature auto
mobile can run. -
1t took me two weeks 10 build
my automobile Kenneth said. You
see. ! use only ouch material as can
pick up. coffee cans. wire from old
brooms, hair pins. hat pins. light wood
and enamel, My tools were given to
me by my grandfather. I would rather
tinker with my. tools and make things
than do anything else. spend FIVE and
six hours day In my workshop. Ken