and John G. Downie, for patents and rights to manufacture 
Keystone Drillers: Robert Patterson, of Beaver, attorney 
at law; Dr. R. J. George, pastor of R. P. Church, Beaver 
Falls; Dr. H. H. George, President of Geneva College; Dr. 
David McAllister, of Walton, N. Y.; John G. Downie, of 
Downieville, Butler County, Penna.; James D. McAnlis, 
jeweler, of Beaver Falls; Robert M. Downie, theological 
intendant, of Beaver Falls. 
At the organization R. M. Downie was elected secretary 
and general manager, positions which he held until his death, 
October 28, 1924, in New Brighton, whither he had been 
taken from his home overlooking the campus of his alma 
mater, in Beaver Falls. 
The manufacture of Portable Water Well Drilling 
Machines was begun in a small stone building, the old 
Thornily Foundry and Machine Shop, at Fallston, Penna., 
in February 1882, with a crew of twelve men. A 10-HP 
water turbine furnished power for the plant. In 1887 the 
company purchased four building lots at Twentieth street 
and Eighth avenue, Beaver Falls, and erected larger frame 
buildings. In 1891 the company re-chartered under the 
name of Keystone Driller Company with a capital stock of 
$150,000, and from time to time the working capital was 
increased by the sale of stock and stock dividends. The 
annual business at this time had approached $100,000. At 
the end of the decade it had doubled—a slow but steady and 
healthy growth. 
The photograph of the Fallston plant is much more in- 
teresting, from a historical standpoint, than the bird’s eye 
view. It shows the original crew of twelve men employed 
by the company, beginning with the second man at the left 
in a white shirt, who is R. M. Downie. The third man is 
J. G. Downie. The man seated on the end of the wagon 
tongue is Robert G. Forbes, who was at that time book- 
keeper, and was later and for many years, treasurer and 
purchasing agent. The machine shown in this picture was 
the principal product and is a No. 2 non-traction Keystone 
Portable Steam Drill. The photograph was taken in April