Valley Girl Views: The Herdic Cab - Invented by Peter Herdic of Williamsport

The Herdic Cab

A Herdic cab is a type of horse-drawn carriage, used as an omnibus, invented by Peter Herdic of Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in 1881.

A predecessor of the taxi, the herdic began as a two wheeled carriage with side seats and an entrance at the back. They were painted bright yellow. Later versions had four wheels, and varied in size. The first four wheeled cabs could carry up to 8 passengers.

Herdic's design differed from others in the way the body was mounted on the springs, and the manner in which the axles, springs, body and shaft were connected. The cabs were designed to make it easy for passengers to enter and exit, with low entry, in the rear of the cab. The cabs were small enough to move freely through the streets, and could leave passengers off at the curb, rather than in the middle of the street.

HERDIC COACHES vs. STREET CARS.

Editor of the Daily News .

For the enlightenment of Mr. Frank M. Swan, of Passaic street, whose vision appears to be somewhat obscure and "foggy" with reference to the "Herdic Coaches," and for the general information of the public, I beg to state in the columns ft the News that the Herdic Coach is a four wheel vehicle, the hind wheels being one foot larger than the hind wheel of an ordinary wagon

. The Herdic Coach is the invention of Hon. Peter Herdic, of Williamsport, Pa., to whom Letters Patent were granted by the U. S. Patent office in 1881. The claims in the patent are that the vehicle being made of Bessemar Steele, except the body of the coach and the wheels, and that by the peculiar construction of the device, one horse can haul 8 persons as easily as two horses can haul four persons in any other kind of a vehicle.

It is for this reason that the "Herdic coach" has proved such a competitor to street cars, for the street car companies wherever they can have always bought them up, notably in Philadelphia, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

The Herdic coaches have been in successful operation in Washington, D. C, in Buffalo, Denver, Portland, Oregon and many other cities. In Washington, D. C , the Herdic runs from the Navy Yard to the Naval Observatory, 4 miles, and in Buffalo they run from Main street 4 miles up Seneca street. In these places the Herdic Personal Transportation Company have at least 25 per cent dividends.

The Herdic coach is similar to a stage car. The seats run lengthwise and are upholstered with plush. Each coach bus in it a money box, a bell and a lamp. The driver sits outside and the passenger enters the coach at the rear end.

These coaches cost $500 each. The writer will furnish five of them at this price and will agree to accept $300 in hand for such coach and will wait for the balance until the coaches will earn 25 per cent, dividends above their cost, which will include the price of the horses, harness, pay of a Superintendent, the keep of the horses and $5 per month, the cost of the United States license or franchise for use of patent. Now if any person will accept these terms and secure me $1500, 1 will furnish 5 Herdic coaches in Passaic or Garfield within ten days. This ought to settle the street car question in Passaic and please everybody. So down with your dust and save Passaic street from obstruction with street cars. The name of the writer will be furnished by the Editor of the News upon application and security given for the performance of bargain if required.

On-Looker. New York, Jan. 31st, 1887."

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A Herdic Cab in front of U.S. Department of Treasury building

A Fast Ride For 5 Cents
[In Washington DC]
January 28 1881

A very amusing incident occurred on the Avenue, last evening, in a hotly contested race between a street car and a Herdic cab.

The spirit of emulation had apparently seized both drivers on Fifteenth street, and without exchanging a word both began to speed their animals. When they had turned the corner of Fifteenth street to the Avenue, coming down the hill, the street car horses were lashed into a run, and the Herdic horse was showing his best steps, and was leading somewhat. The combined rumble of the car and clatter of the cab produced a roar that made all the passers turn and see whether an avalanche was coming down the Avenue. The spectacle of this unusual activity in these leisurely vehicles was exhilarating, when, to the disgust of the driver of the car, the delight of the Herdic man, and the regret of the the spectators, the car was hailed, in front of Willard’s and the horses were stopped to take on a passenger. The Herdic, of course, sailed swiftly on, but the car was soon started again, and the horses, on a full run, started in pursuit. By the time they had reached Thirteenth street they were about a quarter of a block apart, and both doing their level best, when the Herdic was hailed from the sidewalk and was obliged to stop. The car dashed to the front. Then the race was renewed and all that could be seen was the twinkling lights of the of the vehicles as they rapidly disappeared down the Avenue. The Herdic had apparently got to the front again, but it was impossible to see. It is safe to say that the occupants of the two vehicles never before had a faster ride for five cents.

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