![Our omnibus in storage, without a horse](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/nohorse.jpg) |
Our forlorn omnibus, shackled to a post, literally a
horseless carriage. |
![rear door with identification labels](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/rear-door-with-id.jpg) |
The rear door with once-colorful decoration, Chalybeate
Spring identification, and John Stephenson's maker's label. |
![lower rear door](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/lower-rear-door-a.jpg) |
Another view of the lower part of the door, Stephenson's label,
and the pronounced curved tail of the door, designed to protect
the entrance steps from the weather. |
![Entrance steps](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/entrance-steps.jpg) |
The entrance steps revealed by the opened door. |
![Left Front Wheel](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/left-front-wheel.jpg) |
The left front wheel. |
![Wheel closeup](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/wheel-closeup.jpg) |
A closer view of the wheel, showing the sad physical loss
and decay in desperate need of correction. |
![Obscure decoration detail with trace of red paint](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/obscure-decoration-detail.jpg) |
Stephenson's omnibuses were embellished all over with colorful
decoration, even in obscure parts of the undercarriage. And
the colors were vivid (and patriotic), as witness the bit of
red refusing to be dimmed. |
![Wood trim showing embellishment](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/wood-trim.jpg) |
Here, in a small section of the wood trim below the
cushion of one of the seats, is an additional indication
of the high degree of embellishment--faux graining a la
rosewood. |
![Prominent exterior decoration](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/prominent-exterior-decoration.jpg) |
Decorations in more prominent places on the exterior of the
omnibus were multicolored, rich, and shone with a coat of high
gloss varnish. This, for example, fairly cries out to be
revived to its former glory. |
![Side view showing windows](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/side-view-windows.jpg) |
The perplexing place names above the windows show a mix
of Chalybeate and Sweet Springs Hotel. On top behind the
driver's seat can be seen the round opening for passing
one's fare from within to the driver. |
![Inside view under the roof -- the ceiling](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/roof.jpg) |
This interior view of the ceiling reveals the high degree
of skill and care among Stephenson's craftsmen. In the
front is the opening for passing one's fare to the driver. |
![Round opening for paying fare](../images/omnibus/thumbnails/pay.jpg) |
A closer view of the round opening for passing one's
fare from within to the driver. Beside it is the bell
for signaling a reqest to stop. |