The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-07-05

very next year. however, 1t proved
entirely otherwise and the tall wheels
could scarcely be sold at any price.
Soon after the advent OF the Safety
the pneumatic tire, now in universal
use, came into vogue. This made
them much more agreeable to ride
and, by absorbing the shocks, permit
ted a very much lighter style of con-
struction. Improvements came very
rapidly and the Safeties of 1890 were
almost as perfect as the bicycles of
today.
In 1884 Frank Elwell of Portland
organized a two weeks bicycle tour
through Maine. My impression Is
that there were thirty people in the
party, all riding high wheels. They
passed through Skowhegan and were
entertained by the few bicyclists of
that day, the late Herbert Wentworth,
think. taking the lead in the
arrangements for their reception.
was out of town but recall that some
fireworks left over from rainy
Fourth Of July were set OFF In honor
of the visitors.
Mr.. Elwell continued these tours
and | was a member of his party the
succeeding year, joining them at
Boston We went by train to
Edmundston, N. B. From this point,
just across into the Canadian Pro-
vince from the northern part of
Aroostock, we travelled by wheel to
River du Loup on the southern shore
OF the st. Lawrence River. This
distance, about one hundred miles, we
covered in two days. The first day
was to take us to Notre Dame Hu Lac,
81 miles. In the party were boys
from half dozen different states or
more and there was good deal Of
rivalry to see which state would
arrive first at our stopping place. /
can't remember who my most danger
Gus competitors were except that one
Of them rode Star bicycle, rather
odd machine having small wheel
ahead At any rate reached Notre
Dame in the lead of the procession
and felt rather gratifled to have had
this OPPORTUNITY in bringing Maine
out ahead of representatives from
other parts Of the country.
OF course In those early days we
ran across many people who had
never seen bicycle, doubtless some
who had never even heard of one.
In this region just mentioned French
was the only language spoken. l
knew nothing of that tongue then
so only guess what the Inhabitants
were saying about us. They often
talked very excitedly, sometimes ex-
hibiting fear, sometimes anger, and
at other times simply curiosity. The
tour including day at Cacoona, a
famous summer resort, trip up the
Saguena and back by steamer, the
boat finally landing us at the city of
Quebec. We had one day to visit
points OF interest about this famous
old town and then set out for Maine
following the highway now so well
known to autoists between Quebec
and the Kennebec Valley. 1t took
us five days to come from the City of
Quebec to North Arson, little less
than two hundred miles. This jour-
ney Is now considered nothing more
than q good one days ride by auto
mobile.
recall on approaching Bingham
that some girls stood out at the top
of the hill just above the town with
flags and warned us as we came along
that a dangerous descent was just
ahead. Thus notified we approached
1t very carefully. All of us got down
in safety except our manager, Mr..
Elwell, who took a header on this hill
and sustained broken arm, the most
serious casual of the entire Journey.
All the way along we were the re-
olpients of much attention and cour-
tesy While at the City of Quebec
banquet was given in our honor at the
Kent Hotel near Mount Morenci Falls,
the hoseltry taking It's name from the
fact that the Duke of Kent once
passed night there while on tour
of the Canadian provinces. At North
Arson dance was given for our en-
tertainment. The whole tour was
very enjoyable adventure. It was
quite the talk of the summer, in New
English and Canadian, and was very
much commented upon by the news
papers throughout the entire section.