Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1895 — CANNON ON A BICYCLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CANNON ON A BICYCLE

How the Wheel of Pleasure May Become an Engine of Destruction. Fanciful writers have frequently given descriptions of imaginary battles in the next century, hi which the contending armies were mounted on bicycles Instead of horses. More than one of the scientific romances of Jules Verne have been realized, and it is well known

that the military leaders of Europe and America are studying the utility of the bicycle in warfare, while the adaptability of the wheel for courier service under certain conditions has been proved. A bicycle troop has been organized in Brooklyn, r.nd it is but a question of a short time before the suburban police of all our cities will be mounted upon the silent steel steed. The first bicycle cannon ever built was exhibited in a New York city parade recently. The vehicle was a twin cycle, in appearance much like a tricycle, and known as a duplex. It is especially light and strong. The cannon, a steel rifled affair thirty-four inches in length, eight inches at the butt and four at the muzzle, and weighing about fifty pounds, is swung between the two rear wheels, resting upon the connecting axle and is further supported from above. An ingenious mechanism permits of the piece of ordnance being raised or deflected to any angle. The caisson containing the ammunition is carried on another duplex. Four artillerymen equip a battery. They are at once gun crew and motive power. Two men on the seats can propel the machines with their heavy loads at a faster gait than horses have ever shown in similar service. The work of wheeling the gun into position is the work of an instant.— New York World.

NEW BICYCLR GUN CARRIAGE.