The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-05-24
ANDERSON COUNTY AUTO
RUNS WITHOUT GASOLINE
Anderson Mail.

Sylvester Williams, his wife and
daughter created a sensation this
son this mad itr theim the ailll amete
son from their home at Denver in the
first "gasolineless" automobile. The
family are negroes, living near Den
ver, S. c., and the ingenuity display
ed in the makeup showed wonder
full thought.
"Gasless" auto steamed down
North Main street, to stop in front OF
the Confederate monument, immedi-
lately surrounded by a throng of Gu
rious pedestrians. The crowd blocked
the street and packed itself around
the machine. The Daily Mail reporter
pushed under and vainly tried to in
teryiew the "cullud" lady who was
seated in great pomp inst behind the
fire box. In her lap, as thoroughly
hot and uncomfortable as could be
imagined, set the daughter and heir.
THE husband had gone into the court
fhouse on business. The husband soon
arrived and the crowd fell back, in
Difference to such an inventor-an
Inventor who has put one over on
John D. and has steamed to townab-
solutely Independent of that tickle
fluid gasoline.
After seating himself in the ma
chine, the proud husband kicked open
the frebox and chucked in small
piece of coal, turned a little wheel,
land the smoke and steam began to
fly. Another "twist of the wrist" and
the machine glided away-less noise
than "twin-six" and :ecidely more
economically. The happy family tur-
ned their car around and started a.
round the court house square. The
excited throng followed, some run
ming and some hurrying across the
square to get in line to catch sight
of the strange vehicle as it passed the
other street.
Of the remarkable machine, more
anon. 1t looked like combination
of one of the archives of Motordom,
a steam roller and a Ford. To class
the three is regarded secretely as a
sacrilege. but for pure description
that fits it.
Mounted in front was steam boil
er. This had a short stack just high
enough to permit the smoke and Gin
ders to pass harmlessly over the
heads of the occupants. A series of
pipes, coils, putting steam, injectoTs,
valves, etc., covered everything IN
reach, while under the seat, the really
smallest part of the vehicle, was the
engine, -one cylinder, and that run
by steam; simple in its design, but
capable of running and keeping on
running, and not dependent on gaso-
line.
Vainly did the auto owners view
the strang sight in envy. and many
did say in their hearts, Lo, the day
of our anguish and suffering is past,
for surely delivery has come out of
Denver. No more do we scatter our
sheckles before the greed of an un,,
ending rise of gasoline prices, and
veriley we are freed of the bondage OF
the gasoline man. We ride, we re-
joice and are exceedingly glad, for
pure H-2-0, alias aqua pura, combin-
led with coal or wood as we may
gather by the wayside, shall propel
us on our way, and peace rides in our
hearts.
Water and coal were carried in
barrel and box mounted on the rear
of the machine. The very simplicity
of the get-up shows that some other
means of locomotion will soon be en-
ployed when gasoline gets too high.
Sylvester Williams, creator of the
machine. is negro man about 30
years old. He gathered together the
pieces of the machine from various
places and some time ago revealed
his finished product to the world. 1t
ran. Aspiring higher, he came to
Anderson, and anyone who saw the
machine will agree that he is deserv-
ling of considerable praise. The negro
built the machine on his own place,
getting the materials from where he
could, and has put together a ma
chine that will joyfully run along
the road when the fivvers are pack
ed up in the garages with gasoline
I50 cents pint.