Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-25
HERBERT S. OWEN
D|ESkT AGE OF IS
Early Promoter of Bicycling
Here Passes Away at
''Linden Hail."

Herbert Sumner Owen, the man who
made bicycling "the thing to do in
washington half q century or so ago,
and VINO himself was the first man TO
cycle down the Capftol steps, is being
buried tfis afternoon at his home, in
stenhneton. Conn. Mr.. Owen. who was
10 yeaEs old. died at Linden Hall, his
home, Sunday.
Born in Hartford Conn. May 7, 1883
Mr. Owen came to Washington when
he was al TO establish himself in the
bicycle business. He imported the first
safety" bicycle-the type now in use,
with two wheels of the same size. Then
he invented the bicycle for women For
a long time he maintained his business
where the Bond Building now STANDS.
on the corner of Fourteenth street and
New York avenue. He had ltTtle
frame building there where he kept his
wares, and behind that he had large
yard where he put his wheels through
their PAGES for the edidcation ri o
large audience and the enticement Of
prospective purchasers.
But while his outstanding business
stroke was in the importation OF the
safety wheel Mr. Owen performed his
great feat Of riding down the Capitol
steps on one of the old fashioned high
bicycles That was one of the variety
with a great wheel In the forward fork
and a tiny wheel trailing along behind.
z. 3. Olds, vice president of the Union
Trust Co., one of the Capitals cycling
enthusiasts in former years, said today
that owen dashed down the steps from
the Senate side OF the building.
Elevated Cycling.
Bicycling was not only business with
Mr., owen, Il was q social accomplish
ment and SO he founded the Capital BIZ
cycle Club Its charter and pioneer
members included young men who later
became leaders in Washington's bust
ness and professional life. Mr.. Odds
Joined the club when 1t was three years
old. The late Rudolph Kaufman.
managing editor of The Star, also was
one of the cycling enthusiasts who held
membership in the club. Max Haus-
mann was another.
The club was famed for its Sunday
morning "Owen rides" Headed by Mr..
Owen, fleet OF cyclists used 10 flash
around the city, Owen setting the pace
only the boldest of his followers would
attempt to emulate. The clubs last
quarters were In one Of the old build
inns which were raxed to make way for
the new Commerce Building, in the
block below where the old Polls Thea
ter stood The club was disbanded in
1910. Some of its former club houses
were at Eighth and r streets and on q
street between Ninth and Tenth streets.
was Ardent Republican.
Politically, Mr.. Owen was an ardent
Republican and he proved 1t when he
went back 20 Hartford to cast his vote
for the Mckinley tariff which, the nrst
year, cost him lust $50. 600 IN his bush
ness. Not only that, but after this
loss he joEzrneyed back to Hartford to
vote for Mckinney
In 1857. he was one Of the first men
20 approve heAxisr-xhan-air Tying ma
chimes. zk 4 believed that only his
serious 4lness preveflfed him from be-
Ing actively 16enti6ed with the develop
n1ent q aviation.
He attained prgminenee by fighting
the entire hleNeie industry In the sue
caszful defsl u IL initial patent gov
erning the pscductiCn Of the modern
bicycle
Mr. Owen was married in 1880 10
Miss EFna Won Hedeustein OF Washing
ton. Mrs. Owen and their daughter,
Elsie, are his only survivors.