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Patent number: 4175
Patent filing year: 1874-01-01
Patent title: STEAM MAN OR WALKING MACHINE
Name/City: ROE, CYRENIUS C.: HAMILTON, Ontario, Canada
Year granted: 1874-12-15

Source: Star And Sentinel, 08 Aug 1878, p2.

Letter from Reading.READING, PA., August 5, 1878.
STAR AND SENTINEL,:—The visitors to the sea shore……………..
next column   …………………

This looked rather disheartening to a church goer, but after the middle of the day I concluded it best to do as other people do when the preachers are all away, and, seeing a strong current moving down Sixth Street to the river bank, I floated along. There I found several thousand people waiting to take passage in the Steamboats Eclipse and Gazelle for High's woods, and favorite resort two miles down the Schuylkill -of course you'll understand the woods is not in the river but on the bank adjoining. On every trip the boats were crowded, and I did not succeed in getting passage until the fourth trip after I reached the wharf. But I got to the woods at about 3 oçlock and the "day" was in "full blast." The first thing that attracted my attention was a "side-show" tent and a thousand people around it.
Having got a red ticket with my Steam-boat pass, I soon crowded into the tent. There I found walking around a circle of ten feet diameter Mr. Adam Ironsides.
Now Adam is somewhat of a peculiar "make-up." He consists entirely of steel and iron, and is no less than a Steam Walking Man. This piece of mechanism is the invention of C. C. Roe, of Hamilton, On., is run by two small engines, and can be made go [sic] backward or forward. The legs and feet have the actual motion of a human being. The "Showman" explained all, and said it was his purpose to utilize his invention for road purposes by so improving it that the engine may be carried in the wagon and have the Iron man fastened between the shafts. Adam was dressed in a full suit of clothes, had a fine head of hair, and an attractive face. I think if he were divested of what was put on him to make him look like a man all that would be left would be a small upright steam engine. When in full performing trim Adam weighs 88 pounds.  ………….. H.B.W. ENDS

Note:  Patents database give reference to Cyrenius Chapin Roe, of City of Hamilton, Country of Wentworth, Province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada (See unlelated patent # 169,482 . Signed "C. Chapin Roe".

The Patent shows a double-throw crank and a single cylinder engine, the above description suggests there are two cylinders earlier on in the description, then "a small upright steam engine" near the bottom.

See Section:  History of Industry in Hamilton
http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/205/301/ic/cdc/industrial/history.htm

"During this time period, there was great experimentation with new technology, some of which lead to such idiosyncratic inventions as Adam Ironsides, the Steam Man, by Cyrenius C. Roe who is listed in Hamilton city directories as both a machinist and a showman between 1875 and 1878."

Wellsboro Agitator 24 Sep 1878 p3

An Ohio genius is exhibiting at Columbis, Pa., an iron man that walks by steam The iron man walks on a circle of boards about seven feet in diameter, and is moved by two little engines in the chest, to which steam, is communicated from a boiler by pipes through the hands and arms. In the mouth is a tin tube through which the exhaust steam escapes.

The above article says he is from Ohio. This is incorrect and a bad interpretation of Hamilton, Oh(io)., versus Hamilton, On(tario).

It is interesting the above article mentions Weston, the famous pedestrian of the time. Later in 1893, we know of a walking automation resembling Weston. Are these related?

The articles conclusively linking C. C. Roe to the later Captain Rowe.

Source: Reading Times and Dispatch, Reading, PA., Monday, August 5, 1878.

….
Some Sunday Amusements Down the River-……
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    THE WALKING STEAM MAN.
 The principal attraction, however, was Adam Ironsides, the Steam Walking Man. This ingenious piece of mechanism, the invention of C. C. Roe, of Hamilton, Ont., was exhibited in a tent, into which all who had come to the woods by steamers, were admitted free. Others were charged ten cents admission. The "Walking Man" is run by two small engines, and walks over a circular course about seven feet in diameter. The machine can be made to go backward or forward, and the legs and feet have the actual motion of a human person. The machine is five feet high, and weighs 83 pounds. It will be exhibited in this city, commencing on Wednesday next. Mr. Roe and his family travel with their curiosity, upon a small steamer called the "Experiment," which is stationed at present at High's Woods.

This first article refers to  "Mr. Roe and his family travel with their curiosity, upon a small steamer called the "Experiment," which is stationed at present at High's Woods".

The second article extends this description further: Source – Lebanon Daily News, Tues Sep 21 1880.

A Steam Man.
C. C. Roe, of Hamilton, Ont., who is traveling on the Pennsylvania and Union canals in a steam yacht yesterday afternoon arrived at this place and anchored at the Ninth street wharf. Mr Roe has on board the figure of a man made of iron, which is run by steam and imitates the perfect actions of a human being. The engine also runs a music box, and can make 2,000 revolutions per minute,
The Experiment is a wooden vessel, about 60 feet long, and draws one foot of water. Mr. Roe was in this city several years ago with the same vessel. He then had his family with him. The wife has since died in Washington. On the trip he was accompanied by to men and his children. In this way they travel from place to place and enjoy the scenes in the towns they visit. The steam man was patented in 1874. Ha walks on a circle of boards about seven [feet] in diameter, in the middle of the circle are four rods holding the iron pipe which leads from the boiler of the engine and conveys the steam to the man's hand, and through his arms to his chest, in which are placed two small engines. The legs of the man consist of two iron rods, one fixed and the the other movable, which cross at the knees and join at the ankles. The movable rods in each leg are worked by their respective engines, and give natural motion to the legs. The exhausted steam escapes through a tin tube, about ten inches long, placed in the mouth. The man walks as if he was rather stiff in the joints, but the motion is similar to that of an ordinary man. The heel comes down first and then the toe. The whole apparatus weighs about eighty pounds.

See all the Steam Men listed here.

I have not been able to locate an image of Rowe's Steam Man, or should I say Steam Men as he made at least two of them.  There is a possibility that Rowe's second Steam Man was re-incarnated as Prof.  Moore's Steam Man in 1891. More on that in a later post.

At one time I had articles included here that refered to C.Chapin Roe. Because of their similar names, and an incorrect press article giving Roe's address as Ohio, not Ontario, I thought they were the same. I've now found the patent (Canadian) for C. C. Roe's Steam Man (see here), so they appear to be two separate people.

**Update: 24 Oct 2013 – A new article published in  1874 – C.C. Roe's Steam Man "Adam Ironsides" about C. C. Roe and his steam boat "Experiment" and his children confirms that, in fact, Roe and Rowe are the same person, just different spellings of his name at different times.

At least being from Schuylkill, I'm quite confident the article is refering to the same Capt. Rowe from the other articles.

Bangor Daily Whig And Courier 19 Jan,1883 p3

In his home built upon the hull of a superannuated steamer which lies in the Schuylkill river near the Wissahickon landing, Captain Rowe is still at work upon his iron man. This mechanical biped, of which a crude model was exhibited at Manayunk several years ago, is to be operated by steam, and the Inventor who is said to have devoted a fortune to his whim, expects to live to see It running faster than any horse and performing many useful services.

 Chester Times 22 Jan,1883 p3  

Rowe a Humane Man.

Captain Rowe, the inventor of the steam man, who has been occupying quarters afloat with his two young daughters in a craft improvised from the hull of an old river steamboat, on the Schuylkill, near the Wissahickon landing, had an agent of the Society to Protect Children from Cruelty as a visitor on Saturday. A part of the hull was found to be fixed up as a workshop for the steam man and the other part as a lodging room. Although the strange domicile was dilapidated the children seemed to be well-cared for and sheltered.
It had been alleged that Rowe had been cruel to the little ones and had not half fed or clothed them. The inventor was asked to visit Secretary Crew, of the society, and speak for himself.

Evening Observer 24 Jan, 1883 

The Steam Driven Contrivance Made by a Floating Philadelphian.

A machine made of iron in the shape of a man, which is intended to walk and to haul, has been constructed by an individual named Captain Rowe, who lives on the Schuylkill river near Wissahicken Landing. Like the residences of Xing Po, Captain Rowe’s house floats upon the water.
This weird abode has been constructed upon the hull of an old Schuylkill river steamer, and in it, snug and comfortable, live the Captain’s children, who find plenty of room in one-half of the aquatic structure, leaving the other half as a workshop, where their father has been for many years- hammering and beating away upon his great man of iron. Captain Rowe says he has once or twice tested his invention, and that it has actually been seen by many witnesses to walk and run just like a human being. It resembles a short, thick-set man in ancient armor, the head being unusually large and the chest full and broad. The thing is run by steam, the boiler and furnace being located where ordinary mortals sit, the spiral tubes in which steam is generated ending in the shoulders. The smoke passes out through the top of the head. The machinery, which is of the most complicated character, is below the chest. Two cylinders of ingenious construction furnish power to a series of strong rods and cranks extending downward into the legs and feet. Like the engine of a sternwheel steamboat, these cylinders work with alternate motions and form the foundation for the forward and backward steps. The motion of the arms are regulated by cogs and cams connected with the pitman crank. The forearms and hands are provided with strong rubber cushions, and springs. Some years ago, when the iron man's machinery was not as satisfactory to the inventor as it is now, the arrangement was exhibited in Manayunk. Since then several changes in the springs regulating the action of the ankles and insteps have been determined upon. At the suggestion of an intelligent machinist it was decided to substitute strong Para rubbers for brass in two of the ankle springs, thus securing a much easier step when the machine is in motion. Twelve years ago Captain Rowe constructed a steam man from crude and imperfect ideas, which walked, so he says, although in a feeble and uncertain manner. After that he spent a fortune which was left him, in perfecting his machine; but for some years he had not given the matter much attention. He says he expects to see his steam man running on the street faster than the swiftest horse, before he dies. He thinks, also, that it can be put to many valuable and practical uses. Philidelplia Record.

Although the above article mentions "Twelve years ago Captain Rowe constructed a steam man…" , as Rowe is the same as Roe (see above), his first Steam Man was built probably at the time of his patent, being 1874, not 1871 that 12 years from the published article would make it.

Daily Advocate 6 Feb, 1883 p3 

THE STEAM MAN,
Extraordinary and Indecorous Conduct of this Stalwart Citizen.-

His Enraged Inventor Knocks Him Into Smithereens.

Philadelphia Press.
The steam man is no more. His inventor and master, Captain Rowe, became enraged a few weeks ago because of his pupil's intractability, and struck him a fatal blow in the temple, crushing in his skull, and causing his vapory brains to fill the air for yards around.
He fell on the ground, gave one heart-rending whistle through his iron nose, and then slowly puffed his life away. Various causes are assigned for the steam man's tragic and untimely demise. He had been built by Capt Rowe, at the corner of Marshall and Willow streets, after years of patient thought and persistent labor, and when completed appeared as a wonderful libel on real humanity. His head was large, and the width and depth of his forehead indicated great intelligence. His body was well rounded, symmetrical and powerful, while his arms were exaggerated imitations of the arms of a powerful blacksmith. The legs of the steam man were marvels of inventive genius. They were joined at hip, knee and ankle, and were intended to cause the curious piece of mechanism to walk, and run and trot as naturally as a human being.
Soon after finishing the work of almost half a lifetime Captain Rowe gave a private exhibition at Manayunk. The steam man was generously fed with a diet of wood, coal and water and then to conform with the laws of his peculiar organism, a blaring torch was applied to this seemingly indigestible food.
It took ten minutes or more for the Steam Man to exhibit signs of life after finishing the meal Then his eyes began to glow; his breath came with a long, powerful respiration; his chest heaved, and he stretched his off leg as though proud of his power. Captain Rowe came forward and pressed a lever located on the steam man’s stomach. With a shrill Shriek of delight, the iron pupil stepped out with a firm tread, and after going a few steps, paused and began to breathe very hard.  Captain Rowe became slightly irritated, and gave the lever another turn, whereupon the man lifted his left foot and made a vicious kick at his master. Captain Rowe at once saw that his pupil wanted water and in order not to cool him off too suddenly administered a small drink of twelve gallons. This appeared to please the man for a few moments, and he breathed forth a fiery cloud of thanks. Again was the lever manipulated, again did the curious being start forward this time waving his arms and snorting loudly. Captain Rowe was standing a few feet in advance, and in attempting to get out of the way he stumbled. The next instant the man was on top of him and had given him a stunning blow in the chest with his iron arm. The captain, who is a large, powerful man and somewhat impulsive, got angry and aimed a blow at his pupil's nose. It was countered verv cleverly, and the man struck the captain the chin. Capton Rowe saw that to stand in front would be placing himself at an immense disadvantage, and almost livid with rage he jumped nimbly aside seized a club and struck the steam man in the head, knocking him "silly." The unfortunate creature trembled from head to foot and then went down all in a heap. Not content having felled his intractable pupil Captain Rowe attacked him as he lay prostrate and he broke him into small pieces.
The remains of the defunct steam puglist are now in the queer-looking  boat that the captain calls his home, now lying on the Schuylkill bank, near Wissahickon landing The statorial house was found yesterday afternoon in charge of the captain is children and his eldest boy expressed the opinion that the steam man would never be resurrected.
He added the further information that his father is now confining his attention to the construction of a steam carriage The latter invention is housed beneath a shed on a vacant lot at Ninth street and Girard avenue.

Oshkosh Daily Northwestern  21 Feb, 1883 p2  

Steam Man,
In an old unused steam tag on the Schuylkill River near the Wissahickon landing lives Capt Rowe. The boat is the queer combination of dwelling-house machine shop, nursery and steam tug Capt. Rowe is as queer as his boat. He is possessed of an idea that he can construct a steam man, and asserts with great deal of confidence that in a few weeks he will have one walking about the streets of Philadelphia, strong enough to draw a horse car and swift enough to distance the greatest runner. When the machine is put together it will resemble a short, thick-set man in ancient armor. The head is unusually large and the chest full and broad. The boiler and furnace are in the back of the machine, the spiral tubes in which steam is generated ending in the shoulders The smoke passes out through the top of the head, heating in that manner two small reservoirs of water in the neck and part of the head and back.
The machinery is in front, below the chest. Two cylinders of ingenious construction furnish power to a series of strong rods and cranks extending downward into the legs and feet. Like the engines of a stern-wheel steamboat, these cylinders work with alternate motions and form the foundation for the forward steps. The motions of the arms are regulated by cogs and cams connecting with the pitman cranks. The forearm and hands are provided with strong rubber cushions and springs.
Capt. Rowe has been working on his steam man for many years, and judging from imperfect tests made last November feels confident that his machine is now perfect. Twelve years ago he built a steam man from crude and imperfect ideas, but did not meet with much success. The machine, when tied between the shafts of a wagon, would walk in a feeble and uncertain manner. It would not stand alone, and for this reason was of no value. People laughed at the idea then and ridiculed the invention. For several years Capt. Rowe pondered on the problem of equilibrium, and in his experiments wasted the greater part of a legacy bequeathed to his wife by a cousin, who had made a large amount of money in the Pennsylvania oil regions Failure after failure made Capt. Rowe morose, and he soon became madly insane on the subject of his invention.

For all the Steam Men, see here.