Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1917-07-17
In. S. ]. StrideT & Son to Receive New
| Automobile HeaTSe.

this city will soon receive beautiful
automobile hearse picture of which
is shown above Their order was placed
several months ago, but owing to the
fact that the car is being built by a
very reputable concern who insisted
that they have time enough to turn It
out in proper condition and to give it
the very highest.possible finish. the de-
livery has been delayed somewhat.
However. the car will now be here in a
day or two and this popular firm of
Strider & Son can guarantee the people
that they will be fully repaid for their
waiting.
The machine is built in its entirety by
the Rock Falls Mfg. Co, of Sterling.
Illinois, one of the Oldest hearse build
ers in the United States. lin fact, one
of the first concerns to build automobile
hearses. The body is one of the very
newest designs and is in use in every
state in the Union. 1t is very har-
monious in design. complete in the most
minute details and thoroughly efficient
in operation. The body contains much
special equipment that is used exclu-
sively by the builder and is covered
thoroughly by United States patents.
1t is finished in beautiful egg shell
gray, color that is ground especially
for this company and is used only by
them. The interior is finished in Cir
cassin walnut finish and the upholstery,
which is deep and luxurious in the
chauffeur's cab blends in with this finish.
The body is fitted with dome lights in
the hearse compartment, as well as a
dome light in the chauffeur's compart
ment. 1t also has electric side lights
which are wired up with the storage
battery The fore doors are equipped
with mechanical glass lifts which are
very new and very unique. All the
trim innings are nickel plated throughout.
The chassis is manufactured by this
company expressly for hearse work and
is the very highest type of chassis pos
sible to procure. 1t is equipped with
powerful, silent, flexible motor, owe :
size Westinghouse starter and oversize
battery, carrying Westinghouse electric
equipment throughout. 1t has a 1907
wheel base, Firestone tires, eqipped
with bumper, back-up lamp. etc.
There is com partment underneath the
table to carry the extra tire and tools.
This motor is of the approved Il"
head type, being very quiet and very
flexible. The gasoline tank is swung
underneath the frame with filler cap
and gauge under the drivers feet, be
ing very accessible and out of sight and
out of the way. There is nothing to
detract from the appearance of the
body in The rear; neither is it neces-
sary to get out of the cab and take out
the seat in order to fill the tank.
The firm is certainly to be commend
ed for their up to dateness in procuring
this type of vehicle for their patrons.
1t is possible for them to procure many
hearses of chea per grade from unknown
builders which might have done the
work, but in line with their policy of
business in the past the best was none
too good for their patrons and We are
sure that they will be amply repaid for
the outlay, as this equipment cannot
fail to meet with the approval of every
one who sees it.
The day of the horse drawn hearse is
fast fading away. In fact very few
communities in the United States today
are employing them. But in case there
are horse vehicles in the funeral pro-
cession. so powerful and fiexable is this
machine that it can be throttled down
to less than two miles per hour on high
gear and will pull powerfully and evenly
at any speed, whereas if time is an i'm
portant factor it can be speeded up to
80 miles per hour, which gives some
idea of its wonderful range of speed
and fiexibility, Also this slow speed is
very essential in funeral where there
is marching procession of any kind,
and with this idea in view the local con-
Germ has purchased a suitable vehicle
to meet every demand that may be put
upon it.