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
