A brief history of Peoria - University Library

38 ..PEORIA
ufacturiag- industries increased, Rouse, Hazard ik Co. made arrangements
with some of the now leading- makers, whereby their wheels
were built for thexn to their specifications, and under their name by
contract.
They were frequently urged to establish a factory of their own,
but realizing that it would take a very large capital, and that it
would very largely increase their already heavy responsibilities,
they hesitated to put in their own plant for manufacturing, although
their long experience in designing their bicycles, and inspecting
their manufacture in other jactories rendered them eminently wel^
equipped to do so.
In 1894, however, their business had increased to an extent such
that although they were having three large factories build as many
machines for them as they could procure, still they were far from
able to supply their increasing trade. They, therefore, made arrangements
whereby a complete factory with its superintendents'
employes and machinery was removed to Peoria, and in 1895 something
more than 4,000 machines were turned out from this factory.
In 1895 their present factory with a capacity of 20,000 machines per
annum, equipped with the most modern and expensive machinery,
was put into operation, and is now engaged night and day in supplying
their rapidly increasing trade on Sylphs and Overland Cycles.
This factory employs between 300 and 400 expert mechani:s, the
majority of whom draw the highest salaries.
In the meantime the F. F. Ide Mfg. Co., had taken the old Peo-
ria Watch Factory, and had beg-un manufacturing bic^'cles in 1893
under contract for Rouse, Hazard & Co. After the first year, how-
ever, they began the manufacture of the now famous Ide high art
bicycles, which are now known throughout the United States and in
many foreign countries. This factory during the past year has
doubled its capacity, and now employs 225 men.
In 1895, through the efforts of -Mr. Chas. E- Duryea, the well,
known inventor of the Duryea Motocycle, the Duryea tire, the Dur.
yea bicycle saddle, etc., etc.. .Mr. Monroe Sieberling, then of Kokomo,
Ind., was interested in Peoria, and in that year built and
equipped the Peoria Rubber & Manufacturing Company's plant,
which, together with the Rouse, Hazard & Co. factories, now stand
at Peoria Heights. This factory, which is making the Patee bicycle,
has a capacity of 20,000 bicycles per annum, and in addition thereto,
a capacity of 50,000 pairs of rubber tires. It employs between 400
and 500 men, the majority of whom are expert mechanics drawing
large wages. A large proportion of the employes in this, as in the
other factories, were brought to Peoria with their families from
other cities, and hence have very largely increased the population of
our beautiful city.
Early in the present year Messrs. Euthy & Co., for many years
extensive jobbers of farm machinery and carriages, and jobbers in
a small way of bicycles, became convinced of the permanency of the
bicycle business, and established a factory which is now producing
the " Euthy " bicycle. Their start was so late, however, that they
are turning out but a limited number of machines this year, intending
to largely increase their plant for 1897.
All four of the Peoria factories are turning out strictly first-
class bicycles, and their fame and reputation are now world wide.