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62 


THE  OPTIMIST 


April,  1925 


FRONT  COVER 


The  photograph  shown  on  the  front 
cover  for  April  is  a  No.  5  BIG  ELI 
Wheel,  the  property  of  Messrs.  Fland- 
ders  and  Carlson.  Messrs.  Flanders 
and  Carlson  visited  the  plant  of  ELI 
BRIDGE  COMPANY  in  July  1924, 
when  they  purchased  the  No.  5  BIG 
ELI  Wheel  as  shown  on  the  front  cover. 

Reports  on  this  Wheel  indicate  that 
despite  the  unfavorable  weather  con- 
ditions, this  Wheel  did  a  good  business 
during  the  operating  season  of  1924. 


The  photograph  was  taken  at  Mon- 
dovi,  Wisconsin.     Mr.  Flanders  writes 
us  as  follows: 
ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY 

Jacksonville,  Ilhnois. 
Dear  Sir: 

We  are  enclosing  a  snapshot  of  our 
BIG  ELI  Wheel  in  action.  We  hope 
you  will  be  able  to  use  this  in  the 
OPTIMIST. 

Yours  very  truly, 
C.  G.  FLANDERS 


NEWS  FROM  THE  RIDES 


Oh!  Boy,  here  is  the  kind  we  like  to 
get. 
ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY 

Jacksonville,  Illjinois 
Gentlemen : 

The  car  containing  the  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  and  Calliaphone  arrived  and 
everything  seems  to  be  0.  K.  We 
did  not  set  the  Wheel  up  as  the  weather 
looked  bad.  We  will  start  erecting  as 
soon  as  it  looks  like  spring.  I  am  more 
than  pleased  with  the  Power  Unit. 

Say  boy,  that  was  some  speed  for 
a  box  car.  It  left  your  Station  on 
February  12th  and  arrived  here  at  11:00 
A.  M.,  the  IVth.  Five  days  in  transit. 
That  is  absolutely  service.  Will  write 
you  again  when  we  get  the  Wheel  in 
operation. 

Yours 

Big  A  Amusement  Co. 

C.  Atkins,  Manager. 


We  are  in  receipt  of  the  Johnny  J. 
Jones  Exposition  News,  published  at 
Orlando,  Florida,  Edited  by  Edward 
Russell  Salter.  We  note  one  particular 
news  item  that  is  of  interest  to  ELI 
BRIDGE  COMPANY  and  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  owners. 

"Johnny  J.  Jones'  BIG  ELI  Giant 
Wheel.  The  old  reliable  that  has  stood 
the  test  of  time  and  today  is  more  po- 
pular than  at  its  initial  appearance  of 
over  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.     Built 


expressly  for  Johnny  J.  Jones  Exposi- 
tion by  ELI  Wheel  Company,  Jack- 
sonville, IlHnois." 

We  thank  you  Mr.  Salter.  May 
your  shadow  never  grow  less. 

ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY, 

Jacksonville,  Illinois 
Gentlemen : 

We  have  received  your  letter  of  re- 
cent date  and  also  the  OPTIMIST. 
You  may  inform  the  gentleman  whose 
picture  is  on  the  front  cover,  that  the 
Writer  of  this  letter  is  personally  ac- 
quainted with  him.  Now  that  we  are 
better  acquainted  I  wifeh  to  state  that 
Mr.  Garrett  and  myself  have  read 
every  word  in  the  OPTIMIST  and 
would  greatly  appreciate  it  if  you  would 
send  us  a  copy  every  month. 

Last  fall  we  bought  a  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  from  Mr.  Victor  D.  Levitt.  It 
is  a  10  seated  machine.  We  are  going 
to  set  it  up  in  our  winter  quarters  in  a 
few  weeks  and  wish  you  would  send  us 
a  Price  List  of  repair  parts  at  your 
earliest    convenience. 

Thanking  you  in  advance,  we  re- 
main. 

Yours  very  truly, 
Conklin  &  Garrett. 
(Signed)James  W.  Conklin 

ELI  POWER  UNITS 
ARE  RELIABLE 


THE  OPTIMIST 


63 


The  photograph  shown  on  this  page 
is  a  Parker  Merry-go-round,  the  pro- 
perty of  F.  L.  Flack.     Mr.  Flack  wrote 
us  as  follows: 
F.  M.  Crab  tree,  Editor, 

The  OPTIMIST 

Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
Dear  Friend  Crab  tree: 

The  February  issue  of  the  OPTI- 
MIST came  duly  to  hand  and  I  want 
to  compliment  you  on  having  at  least 
two   real    portraits    therein,    Mr.    Lee 


for  some  owner  of  a  BABY  ELI  Wheel 
to  place  a  Kiddie  Ride  with  my  Show 
for  the  coming  season,  and  I  am  writing 
to  ask  if  you  are  in  touch  with  a  buyer 
who  is  looking  for  a  Show  with  which  he 
might  book  a  Baby  ELI  Wheel. 

We  have  an  excellent  route  nearly 
all  booked  for  the  season,  including 
twelve  of  the  biggest  and  best  Fairs 
in  this  section  of  the  country. 

Trusting  that  you  can  give  us  some 
advice  on  the  above  subject  and  with 


F.  L.  Flack's  Merry-go-round 


Sullivan's  and  Mr.  Ben  Roodhouse's. 
Most  portraits  seem  to  have  an  artifi- 
cial or  posed  effect,  but  these  two  are 
distinctly  natural.  Lee  looks  as  I  im- 
agine he  would  appear,  if  I  were  to  drop 
off  of  the  morning  Wabash  and  come 
over  to  the  Factory.  With  best  wishes 
as  ever  to  all  my  ELI  friends,  I  am 

Sincerely  yours, 
F.  L.  Flack. 


best  wishes,  I  am 

Yours  very  truly, 
Frank  West, 
Greensboro,  North  Carolina. 


ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY 

Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
Gentlemen : 

We   have   an   excellent   opportunity 


ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY 

Jacksonville,  Illinois 
Dear  Sir: 

I  received  all  copies  of  the  OPTI- 
MIST at  my  winter  home  in  Coshocton, 
Ohio.  Thank  you  very  much  for  same 
as  an  operator  can  get  some  very  good 
ideas  from  the  little  magazine.  I  am 
sending  you  a  picture  of  the  Wheel 
taken  at  Batavia,  New  York.     In  this 


64 


THE  OPTIMIST 


April,  1925 


picture  you  will  see  quite  a  few  of  the 
rides  I  have  to  "buck"  yiit  I  have  never 
failed  to  get  my  share  of  the  money 
with  the  BIG  ELL  There  are  nine 
rides  on  the  Dobyns  Shows  but  the 
BIG  ELI  still  gets  the  choice  location, 
as  you  can  see  by  the  picture. 

I  am  leaving  the  10th  of  March  for 
Winter  Quarters  at  York  and  I  will 
appreciate  the  next  OPTIMIST  being 
sent  to  that  address. 

Thanking  you  very  much  for  all 
favors,  I  am 

Yours  truly, 

E.  C.  Hook, 

c  /o  Geo.  L.  Dobyns  Shows 

York,  Pennsylvania. 


Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
Dear  Sir; 

I  think  the  last  time  you  heard  from 
me  was  about  this  time  last  year.  Since 
then  I  have  taken  charge  and  become 
Manager  of  my  Mother's  Company.  I 
am  sending  you  a  photo  of  the  State 
Fair  in  Oregon  at  Salem,  but  it  has  the 
appearance  of  being  a  Fair  for  rides  as 
there  are  thirteen  rides.  We  had  three 
and  Levitt,  Brown  and  Huggins  Shows 
had  ten.  The  Merry-go-round  with  the 
dark  tent  over  it  is  ours  and  the  Wheel 
with  the  white  seats.  Also  you  can  see 
our  new  Whi'p.  The  two  Wheels  were 
just  in  front  and  faced  each  other,  just 
about  25  ft.  of  Midway  between.  I 
cannot  tell  you  which  one  got  the  most 


Midway  at  tiie  Oregon  State  Fair,  1924 


This  unusually  fine  photograph  of  the 
State  Fair  at  Salem,  Oregon  was  fur- 
nished us  by  Mr.  W.  F.  Browning  of  the 
Browning  Amusement  Company.  We 
are  privileged  to  publish  an  excerpt 
from  Mr.  Browning's  letter. 

ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY 


money  as  they  were  full  from  early  in 
the  moaning  until  late  at  night  and  at 
the  same  time  it  was  raining.  I  have 
never  seen  people  ride  Wheels  in  such 
a  hard  and  steady  rain  in  all  my  life.  One 
thing  you  cannot  see  is  the  pit  of  the 
Whip,  we  are  especially  proud  of  this 
because  it  is  neat  and  clean,  and  this  is 


THE  OPTIMIST 


65 


due  to  the  fact  that  it  is  operated  by 
an  ELI  Power  Unit.  You  don't  see 
any  water  buckets  standing  on  the 
platform  or  i'n  the  pit.  We  just  put 
water  in  the  radiator  in  the  morning  for 
the  first  time  and  that  is  the  end  of  the 
water  troubles. 

How  is  W.  E.  Sullivan?     We  never 
hear  from  him  any  more. 
Yours  truly, 
W.  F.  Browning 


The  photograph  of  the  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  in  this  column  was  furnished  us 
by  Sam  Spencer  of  Brookville,  Pennsyl- 


Jack  Raney 

The  photograph  of  the  gentleman 
on  this  page  is  a  very  unique  photo- 
graph of  Mr.  Jack  Raney.  Mr.  Raney 
operated  the  BIG  ELI  Wheel  for  Mr. 
Robert  Work  on  the  Harry  C.  Copping 
Shows  for  the  season  of  1924.  Mr. 
Raney  will  operate  the  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  for  Mr.  .J.  A.  Montgomery  for 
the  season  of  1925.  It  is  very  seldom 
that  we  have  a  good  photograph  of  a 
BIG  ELI  operator  and  this  is  especially 
appreciated. 


Spencer's  BIG  ELI  Wheel 

vania.  Mr.  Spencer  visited  the  Factory 
of  ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY  in  past 
years  and  is  an  old  and  experienced  ride 
man.  It  has  been  some  time  since  we 
heard  from  Mr.  Spencer.  Mr.  Spencer 
wrote  us  recently. 
ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY, 

Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
Dear  Friends: 

Just  a  line  to  inform  you  that  spring 
will  soon  be  here  so  I  will  have  to  get 
a  new  suit  for  BIG  ELI  No.  5.  Please 
send  me  three  gallons  special  ELI 
alummum  enamel.  That  is  all  I  think 
of  this  time.  Thanking  you  for  past 
favors,  I  am 

Yours  truly, 
Sam  E.  Spencer. 

P.  S.  If  you  can  find  room  for  the 
post  card  in  your  OPTIMIST,  I  will 
thank  you  for  same. 


66 


THE  OPTIMIST 


April,  1925 


We  are  pleased  to  publish  a  letter 
from  Mr.  E.  Z.  Reading  of  Nashville, 

ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY 

Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
Dear  Sir: 

The  ELI  Power  Unit  received  and  we 
have  tried  it  out  and  beheve  it  is  going 
to  work  nicely. 

I  think  we  will  play  lots  here  for  a 
while.  We  will  start  the  last  of  March 
or  first  of  April  here  and  we  have  the 
Wheel    all    painted    and     Carousselle 


nearly  completed.  It  sure  looks  like  it 
ought  to  get  the  money.  I  wish  the 
House  a  very  successful  year,  every- 
thing looks  fine  in  this  country.  We 
have  more  Fairs  than  ever  and  are 
building  a  fine  cohseum  in  the  Fair- 
ground here.  You  will  hear  from  me 
as  soon  as  we  open. 

Yours  truly,, 
E.  Z.  Reading, 
General  Delivery, 
Nashville,  Tennessee. 


BIG  ELI  CLOSED  TICKET  OFFICE 

The  ticket  office  contains  electric  wiring  and  sockets,  enough  for  four  lamps. 
It  is  portable,  as  it  is  connected  at  inside  corners  and  to  base  by  loose  pin  butt 
hinges.  When  getting  ready  to  move,  it  will  collapse  into  small  space  for  handl- 
ing. 


Height 6  feet 

Width 3  feet  3  inches 

Depth 3  feet  3  inches 

Door  (not  shown  in  photograph) 

Height 5  feet  3  inches 

Width 2  feet  6  inches 

Floor  base 

Width 3  feet  6  inches 

Depth 3  feet  6  inches 


The  finish  of  the  ticket  office  is  the  same  as  on  BIG  ELI  seats.  First  we 
apply  a  coat  of  lead  primer  and  finish  with  color  varnish  and  clear  varnish.  The 
colors  are  red  on  the  outside  and  stone  grey  on  the  inside. 

This  makes  a  very  attractive  closed  ticket  office  and  provides  comfort  for 
the  ticket  seller  and  protection  to  the  ride  receipts  and  adds  plenty  of  flash 
for  the  Ride. 

Please  write  us  for  prices  on  this  special  closed  ticket  office. 


THE  OPTIMIST 


67 


BOOKING  LIST 


The  following  Parks  and  Amusement  Companies  want  to  book  BIG  ELI 
Wheels  for  the  season  of  1925.  We  do  not  guarantee  these  Parks  and  Companies 
other  than  to  give  their  name  and  address  and  such  data  as  has  been  furnished 
us.  Write  us  asking  for  address  and  information  on  any  individual  Park  or 
Amusement  Company  by  number  as  given  in  this  list.  (Example,  if  you  desire 
information  on  Coreys  Greater  Shows,  just  ask  for  particulars  on  No.  9.) 

Mayflower  Grove  Park 
Monroe  Park 
Malone  Amusement  Park 
Mounds  Park 
Moundbuilder's  Park 
Midland  Beach 
Minerva  Park 
Mad  Cody  Fleming  Shows 
Morasca  Circus  &  Bazaar  Co 
Murphy  Bros.  Shows 
Norumbeta  Park 
Macy's  Exposition  Shows 
Metropolitan  Shows 
Great  Eastern  Shows 
Oak  Grove  Park 
Porters  Bros.  Shows 
Sewaren  Beach 
Sandy  Beach 
Shade  Grove  Park 
Savin  Rock  Park 
Summit  Beach  Park 
Sea  Breeze  Park 
Suburban  Gardens 
Unger's  United  Attractions 
West  Lake  Amusement  Co. 
Willow  Beach  Park 
W^onderland  Exposition  Show 
Broad  Ripple  Park,  Inc. 
Forest  Park 
Seccaium  Park 
Walnut  Gardens 


1. 

Al  Fresco  Park 

32. 

2. 

Arnolds  Park 

33. 

3. 

Clason  Point  Park 

34. 

4. 

Conomac  Park 

35. 

5. 

Crystal  Lake  Park 

36. 

6. 

Chutes  at  the  Beach 

37. 

7. 

Chicago  Lake  Park 

38. 

8. 

Celoron  Park 

39. 

9. 

Coreys  Greater  Shows 

40. 

10. 

All  Canadian  Shows 

41. 

11. 

Dayton's  Amusement  Park 

42. 

12. 

Geauga  Lake  Park 

43. 

13. 

High  Cliff  Park 

44. 

14. 

Healy's  Park 

45. 

15. 

Holloween  Park 

46. 

16. 

Hague  Park 

47. 

17. 

Highland  Park 

48. 

18. 

Herman's  Mighty  Exposition 

49. 

19. 

Hamwey  Amusement  Co. 

50. 

20. 

Interlaken  Park 

51. 

21. 

mini  Beach  Park 

52. 

22. 

Joyland  Amusement  Park 

53. 

23. 

Joyland  Park 

54. 

24. 

Joyland  Park 

55. 

25. 

Klinkert  Park 

56. 

26. 

Lenape    Park 

57. 

27. 

Lakewood  Park 

58. 

28. 

Luna  Park  Amusement  Co. 

59. 

29. 

Lakeview  Park 

60. 

30. 

Lake  James  Beach 

61. 

31. 

Lester  Park 

62. 

68 


THE  OPTIMIST 

PARKS 


April,  1925 


The  photograph  shown  on  this  page 
shows  the  BIG  ELI  Wheel  No.  16  owned 
by  Hugh  W.  Hill  of  Birmingham,  Ala- 
bama. We  recently  published  a  photo- 
graph of  Mr.  Hill's  Caterpillar  and  also 
his  Aeroplane  Swing.  Since  that  time 
we  have  secured  a  photograph  of  his 
No.  16,  which  we  are  using  this  month 
in  the  Park  Department  of  the  OPTI- 


Hugh  W.  Hill's  BIG  ELI  No.  16 

MIST.     Mr.  Hill  wrote  us  recently. 
ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY 

Jacksonville,  Illinois 
Gentlemen : 

Just  had  the  pleasure  of  reading  the 
OPTIMIST  which  was  thoroughly  en- 
joyed. Give  my  regards  to  Mr.  Crab- 
tree. 


I  am  now  in  Winter  Quarters  and 
work  is  progressing  nicely.  Winter 
Quarters  are  established  in  an  aband- 
doned  Church  and  I  will  send  you  a 
photograph  as  I  think  this  is  quite  out 
of  the  ordinary  for  a  Show  to  be  winter- 
ing in  such  a  place. 

In  the  event  Mr.  Sullivan  passes  thru 
Birmingham  please  entend  an  invitation 
to  him  and  his  party  to  visit  me.  With 
kindest  regards,  I  am 

Yours  very  truly, 

Hugh  W.  Hill 


Mr.   Latimer  of   Garrett   Mountain 
Amusement  Park  writes  us  under  date 
of  March  2nd. 
ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY, 

Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
Gentlemen : 

Have  your  letter  of  February  26th 
and  have  noted  contents.  In  reply 
wish  to  state  that  I  am  very  much 
interested  in  your  BIG  ELI  Wheels  and 
it  is  our  intention  to  have  one  of  them 
put  in  on  a  percentage  basis. 

I  have  all  of  your  correspondence  be- 
fore me  and  should  I  have  anyone  in- 
terested in  placing  a  Wheel,  I  will  give 
them  the  information  regarding  same 
and  mail  you  their  address. 

Thanking  you  for  your  courtesy  in 
the  matter,  I  am 

Very  truly  yours, 

Garrett  Mountain  Amusement 

Park  Co., 
George  Latimer. 


Dear  Sir: 

I  would  like  to  communicate  with 
one  of  your  customers  in  regard  to 
placing  a  Wheel  in  this  Park  on  the 
percentage  basis. 

Thanking  you  for  past  information 
and  for  your  future  copies  of  the 
OPTIMIST,  I  remain 

Yours  very  truly, 
John  J.  Bennett 


THE  OPTIMIST 


69 


BIG  ELI  TALKS 

By  the  Associate  Editor 


Just  a  few  days  ago  a 
1925  Model  Calliope 
reached  the  BIG  ELI 
Factory  and  in  look- 
ing over  this  for  out- 
stand  i  n  g  improve- 
ments the  thought  oc- 
curred to  me  that  a 
description  of  these 
improvements     would 

no  doubt  be  interesting  to  OPTIMIST 

readers. 
The  accompanying  photograph  will 

give  you  an  idea  of  the  appearance  of 

this  outfit  but  cannot  do  justice  to  the 


flashiness  of  the  fine  walnut  finish  al 
steel  case,  lacquered  brass  whistles 
and  nickel  plated  handles  and  trim- 
mings. 

The  Power  outfit  you  see  in  the  photo- 
graph is  a  Tangley  upright  engine, 
flexibly  coupled  to  the  air  blower,  all 
mounted  on  a  solid  base.  This  is  very 
practical  power  equipment  for  operat- 
ing the  instrument. 

Now  for  just  a  few  of  the  out- 
standing improvements  on  the  1925 
Calliaphone: 

The  new  tracker-bar  (shown  just 
below  the  roll  of  music  in  the  picture) 


is  the  most  up-to-date  tracker-bar  we 
have  ever  seen  on  an  automatic  played 
instrument.  It  is  of  all  brass  and  the 
front  is  readily  removable  so  that  the 
dust  screen  may  be  cleaned  without 
difliculty.  This  new  tracker-bar  is  a 
real  improvement  and  one  that  will  be 
much  appreciated  by  riding  device 
men  who  have  had  experience  with 
organs,  and  who  know  the  desirability 
of  having  the  dust  screen  in  a  handy 
position  where  it  can  be  readily  cleaned 
on  a  busy  day  to  get  maximum  results 
from  the  instrument. 

The  Speed  Regulator  on  the  instru- 
ment is  another  good  improvement. 
This  is  substantially  built  and  very 
accurate.  The  Calliaphone  may  be 
played  fast  or  slow  by  a  slight  variation 
of  this  speed  regulator. 

The  release  and  re-wind  mech- 
anism, also  the  braking  mechanism 
of  the  instrument  have  been  greatly 
improved.  The  action  in  the  Tangley 
Calliaphone  is  a  positive  action  that  has 
been  proven  the  best  for  automatic  or 
hand  playing. 

The  Tangley  Calliaphone  like  the 
BIG  ELI  Wheel  has  been  in  existence 
for  many  years.  The  Manufacturers 
have  been  constantly  alert  toward  the 
improvement  of  the  instrument  until 
now  they  have  a  simple,  almost  entire- 
ly weather-proof,  positive  playing  in- 
strument that  can  either  be  used  as  an 
automatic  player  or  for  hand  playing 
purposes.  This  Calliope  is  built  in  a 
real  factory,  ready  to  give  you  service, 
and  the  Company  stand  behind  their 
instruments  with  the  guarantee  of 
satisfaction. 

If  you  are  interested  in  a  real  out- 
door musical  instrument  for  your  ride 
or  Mid-Way  let  us  tell  you  more  about 
the  Tangley  Calliaphone.  Many  ride 
owners  are  now  using  these  with 
splendid  success. 

Yours  very  truly, 
Ben  0.  Roodhouse 


70 


THE  OPTIMIST 


April.  1925 


?^^2fW 

^^^pfegsArii/^^il^Pai^g^^^Ei 

^^m^^  Volume  10                               No.  4 

F.  M.  CRABTREE,  Editor 


A  Monthly  Magazine  for  the  benefit  of 
those  interested  in  the  riding  device  business. 
A  magazine  supporting  clean  amusements  and 
published  in  the  interests  of  ELI  BRIDGE 
COMPANY  of  JACKSONVILLE,  ILLINOIS, 
U.  S.  A.,  builders  of  the  Famous  BIG  ELI 
WHEELS. 

W.  E.  SULLIVAN President 

R.    A.   YOUNG Vice  President 

LEE  A.  SULLIVAN Secretary- Treasurer 

BEN   0.   ROODHOUSE Sales  Manager 


EDITORIAL 

CALAMITY  HOWLERS 

Amid  a  restless  and  changing  world 
there  are  many  things  which  cause  us  to 
pause  and  wonder.  One  thing  is  as 
sure  as  the  rising  of  the  sun  and  that  is 
the  unchanging  certainty,  that  the 
moods  and  temperaments  of  men  re- 
main the  same.  Calamity  howling 
has  become  a  pastime  with  some  folks. 
Men  have  always  found  an  opportun- 
ity to  find  a  "beam  in  their  neighbor's 
eye."  We  do  not  believe  he  has  chang- 
ed perceptibly  during  all  the  centuries. 
In  other  words,  human  nature  is  the 
same  old  "brand"  that  came  out  of  the 
Garden  of  Eden.  We  are  just  as  prone 
to  shift  the  responsibility  as  our  old 
Grandsire,  Adam.  It  doesn't  require 
any  great  amount  of  braihs  to  criticize 
and  howl  about  the  glaring  transgres- 
sions of  our  neighbors.  When  we  look 
closely  into  history,  we  find  that 
every  period  has  had  its  calamity 
howlers.     But  in  most  cases  their  pre- 


dictions have  come  to  naught,  the 
world  has  gone  on  doing  business  at  the 
old  stand.  Civilization  has  advanced 
and  will  advance  and  there  will  be  im- 
provement in  all  human  affairs. 

"We  view  with  alarm"  is  a  stale  old 
bromide  that  politicians  have  used  when 
they  didn't  have  much  of  anything  to 
say.  Whenever  you  hear  a  man  howl- 
ling  about  business  and  the  general 
condition  of  the  country  you  can  mark 
it  down  that  he  is  a  calamity  howler  and 
belongs  to  that  breed  of  pessimists  who 
never  see  anything  in  the  sky  but  a 
cloud  of  doubt  and  perplexity  and 
have  never  seen  the  rainbow  of  hope. 

It  does  not  require  a  great  amount  of 
intellect  or  keen  observation  to  note 
that  the  world  is  on  the  up-grade,  that 
we  are  a  progressive  nation  and  that 
business  is  going  on  just  the  same, 
regardless  of  all  the  calamity  howlers 
this  side  of  perdition. 

A  look  backward  across  the  sands  of 
time  is  enough  to  convince  one  that  the 
cause  of  all  the  chaos  and  discord  in 
the  world  is  caused  by  people  who  never 
see  good  in  anything.  Like  that 
gaunt  old  buzzard  which  flies  high  over 
our  heads,  they  are  always  looking  for 
something  rotten.  There  is  a  specter 
of  gloom  which  over-shadows  the  souls 
of  calamity  hoWlers  like  the  lice  in  the 
plagues  of  Egypt.  This  is  a  pretty 
good  old  world,  a  dandy  place  in  which 
to  live,  and  we  have  no  desire  to  leave  it. 
We  are  not  going  to  draw  the  cloak  of 
misery  around  about  us  and  like  some 
ancient  monk  withdraw  ourselves  to  a 
monastery  and  live  the  rest  of  our  lives 
in  gloom  and  woe.  The  world  is 
growing  better  and  busiiiess  conditions 
are  growing  better.  We  are  very 
thankful  today  that  we  are  not  com- 
pelled to  live  in  log  houses  and  travel 
on  horse  back.  There  is  an  inscription 
written  by  an  inspired  man  of  old  which 
reads  thusly,  "Say  not  that  other  days 
are  better  than  these."  Let  the  in- 
flexibility of  this  commandment  with 
its  stern  implication  bring  us  back  to 
soberness  of  thought. 


THE  OPTIMIST 


71 


ELI  POWER  UNIT 


THE  RELIABLE  POWER 


The  ELI  Power  Unit  has  achieved 
a  remarkable  reputation  among  BIG 
ELI  Wheel  owners  for  complete  relia- 
bility, great  power,  smoothness  and  al- 
most unbelievable  economy.  It  is  the 
ELI  Power  Unit  mounted  on  ELI 
Steel  Truck.  The  truck  is  a  BIG  ELI 
product,  is  covered  by  patent  and  used 
by  ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY  for 
mounting  various  styles  of  engines 
during  the  past  several  years.  It  is 
the  Power  Unit  that  was  especially 
designed  for  operating  BIG  ELI  Wheels, 
Merry-go-rounds,  Whips,  in  fact  any 
make  of  riding  device  that  is  in  opera- 
tion to-day.  The  cut  under  truck 
feature  is  made  so  that  the  Power  LTnit 
may  be  turned  around  in  its  own 
length.  When  it  is  loaded  in  a  car 
the  front  Wheels  may  be  turned  around 
and  the  tongue  placed  under  the  truck 
to  save  space. 

The  ELI  Power  Unit  is  the  most 
practical  power  outfit  for  any  use,  not 
exceeding  its  horse  power  capacity.  It 
was  especially  designed  for  operating 


riding  devices.  It  is  a  combination  of 
real  power,  rigid  construction  and  light 
weight.  It  is  ideal  for  any  one  needing 
a  portable  Power  Unit. 

As  to  its  reliability  we  only  have  to 
refer  to  the  many  owners  of  ELI  Power 
Units  who  from  time  to  time  have  been 
writing  us  voluntarily  and  telling  us 
what  a  wonderful  Power  Unit  this  is 
for  reliability. 

POWER 

Under  this  heading  we  want  to  em- 
phasize the  importance  of  power.  The 
ELI  Power  Unit  developes  16.3  h.  p. 
on  the  pulley,  which  is  sufficient  for 
operating  any  portable  riding  device 
in  use  to-day. 

In  loading  your  BIG  ELI  Wheel  you 
need  not  fear  that  an  overload  on  one 
side  is  going  to  stall  your  engine.  This 
was  taken  care  of  by  engineers,  when 
designing  this  Power  Unit.  There  is 
an  abundance  of  power  for  operating 
any  portable  riding  device. 
SMOOTHNESS 

There  is  no  bump,  jar,  rattle  or  ex- 


72 


THE  OPTIMIST 


April,  1925 


cessive  noise  about  the  ELI  Power 
Unit  in  operation.  It  was  built  to 
operate  smoothly  and  quietly  and  also 
transmit  the  power  from  the  driving 
pulley  to  the  driven  pulley  on  the  rid- 
ing device  without  jerk  or  jar. 
ECONOMY 

It  is  almost  unbelievable  how  little 
expense  you  are  required  to  put  on  the 
ELI  Power  Unit.  It  is  a  four  cylinder, 
heavy  duty  type,  compact  outfit, 
equipped  with  built-in  governor,  high 
tension  magneto,  Zenith  carburetor, 
cast  iron  radiator  and  fan  cooling  system. 

Recently  a  customer  of  ours  wrote  us 
that  he  had  operated  his  ELI  Power 
Unit  for  15  hours  on  that  day  and  that 
his  engine  was  just  as  cool  when  he 
closed  down  as  it  was  when  he  started. 
This  combined  with  the  small  amount 


of  gasoline  and  oil  used  to  keep  this 
Power  Unit  in  operation  is  an  ideal 
engine  and  makes  it  an  ideal  Power 
Unit  for  any  riding  device. 

It  does  not  require  an  expert  mech- 
anician or  engine  man  to  keep  the  ELI 
Power  Unit  in  good  running  order. 
They  are  all  adjusted,  filled  with  oil, 
all  parts  being  properly  lubricated  be- 
fore leaving  the  Factory.  You  simply 
follow  the  instructions  which  we  send 
with  the  Power  Unit,  put  in  water  and 
gasoline  and  you  are  ready  to  go.  Full 
particulars  and  prices  of  ELI  Power 
Units  will  be  furnished  on  request. 
They  are  cheaper  in  the  long  run. 
We  have  ELI  Power  Units  in  stock  and 
can  make  immediate  shipment  at 
least  within  a  few  hours  after  order  has 
been  placed  with  us. 


BAB Y     ELI 


Believing  that  Kiddie  Rides  are  be- 
coming more  and  more  popular  each 
season,  we  respectfully  submit  the 
following  photograph  and  description 
of  our  No.  6  Baby  ELI  Wheel. 

Last  year  we  predicted  that  the 
Kiddie  Rides  would  be  featured  and  our 
prediction  has  been  confirmed.  If  you 
are  contemplating  the  purchase  of  a 
Kiddie  Ride,  you  most  naturally  would 
want  to  know  something  about  its 
mechanical  parts. 

The  Baby  ELI  No.  6,  1925  Model  is 
built  strong  and  rigid  with  lace  base 
and  towers,  double  steel  angle  knee- 
braces,  and  windbraces,  steel  angle 
spokes  and  rims;  stands  15  feet  714 
inches  high  from  baseboards  to  the  top 
of  the  top  seat.  As  is  illustrated  in  the 
photograph,  the  Baby  ELI  Wheel 
carries  six  miniature  ELI  safety  seats, 
with  folding  foot  bottoms  and  hinged 
handlebars. 

The  revolving  steel  wheel  is  12 
feet  23/2  inches  in  diameter;  the  base  is 
11  feet  long  (front  to  back)  and  16  feet 
S}4  inches  wide  to  the  outside  of  wind- 
braces.  Width  between  bases  5  feet 
53^2  inches.  The  weight  of  the  Wheel 
complete,  including  motor,  all  boxes, 


crates,  tools  and  everything  necessary 
for  the  proper  erection  and  operation 
of  the  Wheel,  is  2,594  pounds. 

Another  very  important  feature  which 
the  buyer  ought  not  overlook  when  se- 
curing a  Kiddiie  Ride,  is  the  quahty  of 


materials  used  in  manufacture.  When 
you  buy  a  Wheel  built  by  ELI  BRIDGE 
COMPANY  you  are  insured  against 
every  imperfect  feature,  as  the  BIG 
ELI  guarantee  goes  with  every  product 
we  build.  Baby  ELI  Wheels  are  built 
as  safe  as  good  engineers  and  expert 


THE  OPTIMIST  73 

workmanship  can  build.  The  spokes  just  ready  to  place  on  the  Baby  ELI 
are  of  single  Bessemer  steel  angles  Wheel.  Next  is  the  photograph  of  the 
fitted  into  specially  designed  sockets  in  seat  placed  in  a  shipping  crate.  These 
the  hubs.  The  rims  are  of  STAND-  seats  will  carry  from  2  to  4  kiddies 
ARD  Bessemer  ELI  steel  angle  rims.  each.  The  weight  of  the  seat  as  shown 
The  seat  pins,  seats,  driving  blocks,  is  63  pounds.  With  the  crate  and  10 
cable  and  driving  gear  are  all  duplicates  oz.  double  filled  khaki  cover  the  weight 
of  the  BIG  ELI  Wheel,  only  in  reduced     is  116  pounds. 

size.  The  bases  are  in  one  piece  in-  The  six  miniature  seats  are  built  and 
stead  of  bemg  divided  at  the  tower  like  finished  as  good  as  first  class  material 
the  BIG  ELI  Wheel  and  these  bases  and  workmanship  can  produce.  No 
are  light  enough  and  short  enough  to  be  cost  is  spared  in  building  this  Kiddie 
handled  as  one  piece.  The  towers  are  Rid,e.  The  Baby  ELI  Wheel  is  not  a 
all  m  one  piece,  whereas,  the  towers  cheaply  constructed  ride.  The  seats 
of  BIG  ELI  Wheels  are  hinged  in  the  are  upholstered  with  genuine  pantasote 
middle.  vvith  removable  cushions,  the  same  as 

BIG  ELI  seats.  The  colors,  are  red 
and  green  which  alternate  and  the 
seats  are  properly  numbered  in  rota- 
tion for  convenience  in  loading  and  un- 
^^^^  loading  the  children. 
:j:}AJ»"^'C*-J' WHEEL  in-iJHUiHJK^t^  Another  important  feature  about  the 

Baby  ELI  Wheel  is  that  although  it  is  a 

■   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^V  I     miniature  BIG  ELI  in  appearance,  it 

^Jy^^^BJlBB^HHBBI  .\J     is  built  entirely  interchangeable,  every 

■Ij^-'.  '  .^W      pisce  of  a  kind  alike,  as  there  are  no 

f^  ^      —  '  f '"     ^^      numbered  parts.     The  Wheel  can  be 

quickly  handled  in  both  erection  and 
taken  down  by  two  men,  without  the 
In  order  that  you  may  know  just    aid  of  derrick,  block  or  tackle,  which  is 
how    safe    and    how    comfortable    the    an    important    feature    m    your    over- 
Baby  ELI  seats  are  made,  we  are  this    head  expense. 

month  publishing  a  photograph  which  If  you  are  contemplating  the  pur- 
gives  the  reader  a  definite  idea  of  Baby  chase  of  a  Kiddie  Ride,  we  invite  your 
ELI  seats.  The  picture  on  the  left  is  a  correspondence  as  to  price  and  terms 
picture  of  the  Babj^  ELI    seat    shown     on  this  popular  Kiddie  Ride. 

PAINT 

Now  is  the  time  to  paint  your  BIG  ELI  Wheel. 
It  means  more  gross  receipts  on  the  season. 

Special  ELI  Aluminum  Enamel,  Gallon $5 .  00 

Special  ELI  Aluminum  Enamel,  14  Gallon 2 .  60 

Orange  Yellow  Color  Varnish,  Gallon 3 .  20 

Orange  Yellow  Color  Varnish,  3^  Gallon 1 .85 

Green  Color  and  Varnish  Quart 2 .  00 

Red  Color  and  Varnish  Quart 2 .  00 

Master  Varnish,  Clear,  Quart 2.00 

Seat  numbers  per  set  for  No.  16— $3.80;  No.  12— $3.00;  No.  5— $3.00;  No. 
10— $2.20. 

Order  shipped  the  same  day  received 

Use  order  blank  and  ask  for  more. 

ELI    BRIDGE    COMPANY 
Jacksonville,  Illinois. 


74  THE  OPTIMIST  April,  1925 

FOUR  MODELS  OF  BIG  ELI  WHEELS 


No.  6 


No.  5 


If  you  are  interested  in  the  riding 
device  business,  there  are  some  im- 
portant details  about  this  business  that 
you  should  be  acquainted  with,  before 
you  finally  decide  on  what  riding  de- 
vice you  are  to  purchase. 

BIG  ELI  Wheels  remain  good  money- 
getters,  when  other  similar  devices  fail. 
Over  twenty-five  years  experience  stands 
behind  these  riding  devices  and  BIG 
ELI  quality  appears  in  every  detail  of 
their  construction.  It  is  not  necessary 
for  you  to  be  a  Master  Mechanic,  in 
order  to  operate  a  BIG  ELI  Wheel.  All 
the  important  details  regarding  the 
mechanical  features  of  BIG  ELI  Wheels 
have  been  worked  out  by  our  Master 
Mechanic  and  Engineers.  All  that  is 
necessary  for  us  to  do  is  to  prove  to 
you  the  money-earning  power  of  BIG 
ELI  Wheels,  their  endurance  or  lasting 
qualities  and  minimum  expense  of 
operation. 


No.  12  No.  16 

EARNING  POWER 


If  you  are  interested  in  the  riding 
device  business,  you  necessarily  want 
to  know  something  about  the  earning 
power  of  the  device.  BIG  ELI  Wheels 
and  especially  the  No.  5,  have  been 
consistent  money-getters  for  manyyears. 
When  it  became  evident,  in  this  busi- 
ness, that  the  trade  demanded  a  small- 
er Wheel,  yet  with  the  same  carrying 
capacity  as  the  No.  12,  we  designed  and 
brought  out  the  No.  5.  Since  that 
time  it  has  proven  to  be  a  popular  size 
for  moving  organizations.  Carnivals, 
etc. 

Many  BIG  ELI  Wheel  owners  tell 
us  that  if  they  had  to  do  away  with  all 
other  devices  and  retain  one  riding 
device  it  would  be  the  BIG  ELI  Wheel. 
Reports  which  constantly  reach  us 
during  the  operating  season,  prove  our 
assertion  when  we  say  that  the  BIG 


THE  OPTIMIST 


75 


ELI  Wheel  No.  5  is  a  consistent  money- 
getter. 

One  owner  last  year  purchased  a 
Wheel  on  the  20th  of  June,  operating 
this  Wheel  thru  the  summer,  and  sent 
us  the  last  payment  on  his  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  the  20th  of  October,  just  four 
months  from  the  time  this  Wheel  was 
shipped  from  the  Factory  in  Jack- 
sonville this  man,  out  of  the  earning  of 
hisBIGELINo.  5,  paidforit.  That 
is  the  best  argument  we  know,  for  the 
earning  power  of  the  No.  5  BIG  ELI 
Wheel. 

ENDURANCE 

If  you  were  purchasing  a  riding  de- 
vice you  would  want  something  that 
would  not  wear  out  the  first  season  and 
cause  a  lot  of  extra  expense  in  repairs. 
Our  repair  bills  prove  that  BIG  ELI 
Wheels  do  not  require  a  great  amount 
of  repairs  and  being  built  of  the  best 
material  and  by  the  best  workmen, 
these  Wheels  are  built  with  that  en- 
during quality  that  bespeaks  credit 
for  any  manufacturer,  and  of  which  we 
are    exceedingly    proud. 

OVERHEAD  EXPENSE 

BIG  ELI  Wheels  and  more  especially 
the  No.  5,  which  is  the  subject  of  this 
article  occupy  less  space  on  the  Mid- 
way than  any  similar  device.  Not 
only  do  they  occupy  less  space  on  the 
Midway,  but  they  have  a  minimum 
of  expense.  It  only  requires  two  men 
to  operate  this  Wheel  after  it  has  been 
erected. 

The  No.  5  BIG  ELI  Wheel  carries  12 
standard  BIG  ELI  seats  and  stands  40 
ft.  3  in.  high,  and  carries  from  24  to 
36  passengers  per  trip,  although  48 
passengers  have  ridden  this  Wheel  at 
one  trip.  There  is  a  reason  for  our 
giving  you  these  dimensions.  It  has 
never  been  the  policy  of  the  officials  of 
ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY  to  mis- 
represent any  product.  We  could  not 
truthfully  say  that  this  Wheel  was  40 
ft.  high  when  it  measures  40  ft.  3  in. 
For  that  reason  we  are  giving  you  the 
exact  measurement  of  the  Wheel. 


BIG  ELI  NO.  5 

The  BIG  ELI  Wheel  No.  5  is  always 
the  first  ride  ready  to  operate  when  a 
Carnival  arrives  in  a  city  and  will  run 
until  all  other  rides  are  in  course  of  be- 
ing dismantled  and  then  the  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  can  be  dismantled  and  loaded 
first.  This  is  caused  by  its  being  built 
interchangeable,  every  piece  alike  and 
will  fit  anywhere  you  choose  to  place  it. 
There  are  no  numbered  parts  about 
BIG  ELI  Wheels  when  you  take  in  con- 
sideration the  matter  of  erection. 

The  ELI  Power  Unit,  described  in 
detail  on  page  71,  is  the  machine  we 
designed  especially  for  operating  BIG 
ELI  Wheels.  It  supplies  an  even  and 
sufficient  power  for  the  operation  of 
BIG  ELI  Wheels  at  a  minimum  of 
expense.  If  the  BIG  ELI  Wheel  is 
equipped  with  an  ELI  Power  Unit, 
you  need  not  fear  that  your  riding  de- 
vice is  going  to  give  you  trouble  when 
the  crowds  are  on  the  Midway  and  ready 
to  spend  their  money. 

Standard  equipment  with  the  No.  5, 
1925  Model  BIG  ELI  Wheel  includes 
the  ELI  Power  Unit;  sixty  23  watt 
Mazda  Lamps  and  necessary  wiring  for 
same;  loading  platform;  ticket-box; 
driving  belt;  necessary  crates  and  boxes; 
ropes  and  tackle  blocks;  all  tools  neces- 
sary for  the  proper  erection  and  opera- 
tion of  the  Wheel,  including  a  sub- 
stantial tool  box.  ALL  BIG  ELI 
Wheels  are  shipped  complete.  All  that 
is  necessary  is  to  pay  particular  at- 
tention to  erecting  directions  which  we 
send  and  these  are  accompanied  by 
photographs  which  give  the  process 
of  erecting  the  BIG  ELI  Wheel  in 
rotation. 

The  weight  of  the  No.  5  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  and  all  equipment  including  the 
ELI  Power  Unit  mounted  on  truck  is 
12,375  lbs. 

We  are  more  than  glad  to  go  mto 
detail  concerning  any  part  of  the  BIG 
ELI  Wheel  business.  Write  us  and  let 
us  tell  you  about  our  easy  time  pay- 
ment plan. 


76 


THE  OPTIMIST 

THE  ARISTOCRAT 


April,  1925 


No.  16  BIG  ELI  Wheel 


Several  years  ago  it  became  evident 
that  we  must  build  a  BIG  ELI  Wheel 
suitable  for  Parks.  Our  knowledge  of 
materials  and  the  means  of  using  them 
was  a  great  assistance  to  us  in  design- 


ing and  building  a  larger  and  better 
BIG  ELI  Wheel.  ELI  BRIDGE 
COMPANY  being  prompted  by  a 
spirit  of  service  would  not  be  satisfied 
with  anything  but  the  very  best.     The 


THE  OPTIMIST 


77 


policy  of  the  Company  has  always 
been  to  assume  the  full  responsibility 
of  building  the  very  best  riding  device 
possible  and  giving  the  buyer  the  bene- 
fit of  our  years  of  experience  in  operation 
and  at  a  price  that  would  not  be  boosted 
to  a  height  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
ordinary  outdoor  showman  because  of 
an  expensive  campaign  of  advertising. 

Our  prices  are  based  on  efficient  and 
economical  operations  and  are  con- 
sistent with  the  quality  of  the  work 
produced.  The  Aristocrat  of  riding 
devices  the  No.  16,  1925  Model  BIG 
ELI  Wheel  is  the  largest  portable 
Ferris  Wheel  in  operation;  being  a 
Wheel  designed  for  Piers,  Parks, 
Beaches,  etc.,  yet  at  the  same  time  is 
built  absolutely  interchangeable  and 
portable. 

The  No.  16  BIG  ELI  Wheel,  as  a 
large  profit  earning  riding  device,  has 
proven  itself  a  real  investment  for 
Parks,  Piers  and  Beaches  as  well  as 
with    Carnivals. 

The  next  part  of  the  article  is 
written  that  you  may  have  an  idea  of  the 
specifications  and  equipment  of  this 
popular  Park  Model,  the  No.  16  BIG 
ELI  Wheel. 

The  No.  16,  1925  Model  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  measures  55  ft.  23^4  in.  high 
from  the  bottom  of  the  base  to  the  top 
of  the  top  seat.  This  Wheel  has  a 
carrying  capacity  of  from  32  to  48  pas- 
sengers per  trip. 

At  the  top  of  the  BIG  ELI  Wheel 
the  vision  of  the  rider  is  a  little  higher 
than  the  Wheel  itself  as  the  patented 
BIG  ELI  safety  seats  carry  the  patrons 
to  the  top  of  the  structure.  This  is  not 
true  with  the  enclosed  car  type  of 
Wheels.  Several  years  ago  we  built 
enclosed  car  type  Wheels  but  found 
they  were  not  popular  as  patrons  of 
BIG  ELI  Wheels  do  not  wish  their 
view  obstructed.  The  cars  of  the 
enclosed  type  hang  from  the  top  of  the 
structure  and  the  line  of  vision  is 
several  feet  below  the  top  of  the  Wheel 
itself.  This,  together  with  the  fact 
that  patrons  riding  a  BIG  ELI  Wheel 
want  to  have  a  clear  vision  of  all  sur- 
roundings, is  one  of  the  reasons  for  not 


using  the  enclosed  type  cars. 

Another  important  reason  for  not 
building  the  eticlosed  car  type  Wheel  is 
the  difficulty  in  loading  and  unloading 
passengers;  as  compared  with  the  more 
easy  way  of  loading  and  unloading  with 
the  open  type  seats. 

We  wish  to  call  your  attention  to  two 
things  which  constitute  the  earning 
power  of  any  riding  device.  First — 
its  popularity;  Second — its  trip  load 
capacity.  Experience  has  shown  that 
the  No.  16  BIG  ELI  Wheel  creates 
greater  interest  on  a  Midway  where  a 
trip  capacity  of  16  seats  instead  of  12, 
carrying  48  passengers  instead  of  36. 
The  No.  16  has  the  capacity  to  earn 
more  money  after  the  interest  is 
created.  You  therefore,  have  the  com- 
bination of  drawing  power  and  earning 
capacity,  two  very  essential  points. 

The  most  important  thing  about  a 
riding  device  is  the  earning  power.  The 
No.  16  BIG  ELI  Wheel  is  not  an  ex- 
periment but  a  proven  profit  earner. 

Another  very  distinctive  feature  a- 
bout  BIG  ELI  Wheels  that  must  be 
taken  into  consideration  when  you  are 
comparing  the  BIG  ELI  Wheel  with 
other  riding  devices,  is  the  importance 
of  durability.  One  very  important  and 
very  essential  feature  about  BIG  ELI 
Wheels  is  that  none  of  them  have  ever 
worn  out.  Riding  device  owners  have 
told  us  repeatedly  that  their  BIG  ELI 
Wheel  is  the  one  ride  which  does  not 
require  constant  renewing  of  parts  and 
endless  expense  for  repairs. 

The  No.  16  BIG  ELI  Wheel  is  the 
final  result  of  twenty-five  years  of  close 
attention  to  all  details  in  building  this 
one  particular  riding  device.  We  have 
profited  by  mistakes  in  the  past  and 
endeavored  to  eliminate  every  de- 
fective feature  about  the  riding  device. 
ELI  BRIDGE  COMPANY  stands  ab- 
solutely alone  in  this  particular  field. 
So  far  as  we  know  we  are  the  only 
manufacturing  plant  in  the  world 
building  Ferris  Wheels  exclusively.  Why 
not  take  advantage  of  our  twenty-five 
years  of  experience  in  building  this  real 
practical  riding  device  and  write  us  for 
information,  prices,  terms. 


78 


THE  OPTIMIST 

BIG  ELI  SEATS 


April,  1925 


In  the  February  edition  of  the 
OPTIMIST  our  Mr.  Roodhouse  gave 
a  description  of  the  1925  improve- 
ments on  BIG  ELI  Wheels,  one  of 
which  was  the  seat  decorations.  The 
BIG  ELI  seat  itself  remains  the  same, 
all  malleables,  wood,  upholstering,  etc., 
are  the  same  as  the  regular  standard 
BIG  ELI  seats,  of  which  we  have  been 
writing  heretofore. 


transfer  serial  number  of  the  seat. 

The  accompanying  reproduction  of 
the  BIG  ELI  seat  decoration  does  not 
do  justice  to  the  excellent  appearance 
of  the  decoration.  It  is  impossible  for 
us  to  show  in  a  picture  a  copy  in  actual 
colors.  Therefore,  it  is  impossible  for 
us  to  reproduce  the  excellent  beauty 
of  BIG  ELI  seats  finished  with  these 
decorations. 


The  colors  on  regular  standard  BIG 
ELI  seats  are  red  and  green  and  have 
not  been  changed.  The  improvement 
in  decorations  is  made  by  using  the 
decalcomania  in  addition  to  the  gold 
transfer,  red  and  green  figures.  These 
decorations  are  of  special  gold  transfer, 
striping,  with  blue  and  black  shade;  the 
seat  backs,  ends,  and  foot  bottoms  are 
also  decorated.  As  shown  in  the  ac- 
companying photograph,  there  is  in 
the  middle  of  each  seat  back  a  special 
gold  transfer,  blue,  brown  and  black 
shade  scroll  that  nicely  fills  the  back 
of  the  seat,  leaving  an  oval  opening  in 
the  middle  of  the  back  for  the  gold 


These  seats  make  a  neat  and  yet 
flashy  appearance.  The  gold  effect 
predominates  in  the  striping  and 
special  scroll. 

If  you  are  especially  interested  in 
new  seats  for  your  BIG  ELI  Wheel  and 
will  write  us  we  will  quote  you  prices, 
which  are  no  higher  in  actual  invest- 
ment and  value  than  the  quality  of 
these  products  testify. 

BIG  ELI  Wheels 

are 
Money  Getters 


THE  OPTIMIST 

UNDER  THE  CRAB-TREE 


79 


Small    Boy — "Me    Fadder   wants   a 
nickel's  worth  of  ice  cream." 
Druggist — "Cone?" 
Small  Boy — "No,  Rubenstein." 


Well,  the  Editor  of  the  OPTIMIST 
will  soon  be  on  his  feet  again.  His 
shoes  are  about  worn  out. 


A  very  self-satisfied  man  called  at 
the  Pearly  Gates. 

"Where  from,"  said  Peter. 

"Jacksonville,  Illinois." 

"Well!  come  in,  but  you  won't  like 
it  here." 


A  young  Negro  Baptist  Preacher  had 
gone  into  a  strange  country  Church  and 
called  on  an  Old  Baptist  Deacon  to 
pray.  The  old  Deacon  didn't  like  the 
looks  of  the  young  Preacher,  so  he 
prayed  thusly.  "O,  Gawd,  give  thy 
Servant  this  morning  the  eye  of  the 
eagle.  The  wisdom  of  the  owl.  (Amen) 
from  the  Brother.  Connect  his  soul 
with  the  gospel  telephone  in  the  cen- 
tral skies,  luminate  his  brow  with  the 
sun  of  de  Heaven,  pizen  his  mind  with 
de  love  of  the  people,  turpentine  his 
immagination,  grease  his  lips  with  the 
possom  oil,  loosen  his  tongue  wid  the 
lighten  of  the  word.  (Amen)  (Amen) 
Yes,  Lord!  Put  perpetual  motion  in 
his  arm,  fill  him  plum  full  of  the  dyna- 
mite of  thy  glory,  'noint  him  all  over 
wid  the  kerosene  of  thy  salvation  and 
set  him  on  fire." 


We  hadn't  been  feeling  very  well  for 
several  days,  and  a  Big  Boob,  who 
always  has  a  remedy  for  every  ailment, 
told  us  to  drink  hot  water  an  hour 
before  meals.  So  we  tried  it  and  we 
made  it  all  right  for  about  forty  minutes 
and  after  that  we  were  so  full  of  water 
we  couldn't  hold  another  drop  and  we 
felt  worse  than  before. 


SOUNDS  REASONABLE 
The  Editor  of  the  OPTIMIST  saw 

a  gentleman  of  color  trying  to  saddle  a 

mule  that  did  not  prefer  to  be  saddled. 

"Does  that  mule  ever  kick  you  Eph?" 
Eph — "No,   Sur,  but   he  sometimes 

kicks  whar  I  just  bin." 


The  best  after  dinner  speech  we  ever 
heard.  "Waiter,  give  me  the  check." 

Greenstone  —  "Hello!  Goldstone, 
how  is  business?" 

Goldstone — "Even." 

Greenstone — "What  do  you  mean 
even?" 

Goldstone — "Even  worse  than  last 
week." 


An  Optimist  is  a  man  who  believes 
all  the  advertisements  he  reads  and  a 
Pessimist  is  the  fellow  who  writes  them. 


Remember,  Harold,  a  rattling  Fliv- 
ver gathers  no  women. 


A  QUESTION  OF  TIME 
"What  will  you  have,  steak  or  ham- 
burger?" 

"What's  the  difference?" 
"One  day." 


NOW,  LET  THEM  BITE 

"See  here!"  stormed  the  guide.  "You- 
've gone  and  drank  up  all  the  whisky  we 
brought  along  in  case  of  snake  bites!" 

"Thass  right,"  admitted  the  culprit, 
cheerfully,  "but  my  father  always 
taught  me  that  an  ounce  of  prevention 
is  worth  a  pound  of  cure." 


A  PRESSING  MATTER 
"Darhng,"    he    said,    "I    love    you. 

Time  is  short.     I  leave  to-night.     Is 

my  suit  worth  pressing?" 

"I  don't  know,"  she  answered.  "Your 

trousers  are  rather  baggy  at  the  knee, 

but  your  coat  seems  passable." 


3  0112  077849815 


Tke  World's  Best  Literature 


PAUL  AT  MARS  HILL 

Ye  men  of  Athens,  I  perceive  that  in  all  things  ye  are  too 
superstitious. 

For  as  I  passed  by,  and  beheld  your  devotions,  I  found  an 
altar  with  this  inscription,  "To  the  Unknown  God."  Whom 
therefore  ye  ignorantly  worship,  him  declare  I  unto  you. 

God  that  made  the  world  and  all  things  therein,  seeing  that 
he  is  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  dwelleth  not  in  temples  made 
with  hands; 

Neither  is  worshipped  with  men's  hands,  as  though  he 
needed  anything,  seeing  he  giveth  to  all,  life  and  breath,  and 
all  things; 

And  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men  for  to  dwell 
on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  hath  determined  the  times 
before  appointed,  and  the  bounds  of  their  habitation; 

That  they  should  seek  the  Lord,  if  haply  they  might  feel 
after  him,  and  find  him,  though  he  be  not  far  from  every  one 
of  us; 

For  in  him  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being;  as  cer- 
tain also  of  your  own  poets  have  said,  For  we  are  his  offspring. 

Forasmuch  then  as  we  are  the  offspring  of  God,  we  ought 
not  to  think  that  the  godhead  is  like  unto  gold,  or  silver,  or 
stone,  graven  by  art  and  man's  device. 

And  the  times  of  this  ignorance  God  winked  at;  but  now 
commandeth  all  men  everywhere  to  repent ; 

Because  he  hath  appointed  a  day,  in  which  he  will  judge 
the  world  in  righteousness  by  that  man  whom  he  hath  ordained ; 
whereof  he  hath  given  assurance  unto  all  men,  in  that  he  hath 
raised  him  from  the  dead.