This was a success absolutely unprecedented—­so marked, in fact, that some persons were inclined to doubt it.  The news flew rapidly from city to city, and across the ocean to foreign lands, and soon wherever a newspaper was printed men were talking of Hoe’s wonderful invention.  Orders came pouring in upon the inventor with such rapidity that he soon had as many on hand as he could fill in several years.  In a comparatively brief period the Herald, Tribune, and Sun, of New York, were boasting of their “Lightning Presses,” and soon the Traveller and Daily Journal, in Boston, followed their example.  Mr. Hoe was now not only a famous man, but possessed of an assured business for the future, which was certain to result in a large fortune.  By the year 1860, besides supplying the principal cities of the Union (fifteen lightning presses being used in the city of New York alone), he had shipped eighteen presses to Great Britain, four to France, and one to Australia.  Two of the presses sent to England were ordered for the London Times.

Mr. Hoe continued to improve his invention, adding additional cylinders as increased, speed was desired, and at length brought it to the degree of perfection exhibited in the splendid ten-cylinder press now in use in the offices of our leading journals, which strikes off twenty-five thousand sheets per hour.  Whether more will be accomplished with this wonderful machine the future alone can determine, but the inventor is said to be still laboring to improve it.

In 1858, Mr. Hoe purchased the patent rights and manufactory of Isaac Adams, in Boston, and since then has carried on the manufacture of the Adams press from that place.  He has also established a manufactory in England, where he conducts a profitable business in both the Adams and the Hoe press.  Over a million and a half of dollars are invested in these establishments in New York, Boston, and London, in land, buildings, and stock.  The firm manufacture presses of all kinds, and all materials used by printers except type and ink.  They also manufacture circular saws, made according to Mr. Hoe’s process.

Mr. Hoe, now fifty-eight years of age, is still as vigorous and active as many a younger man.  Besides being one of the most prominent and distinguished inventors and manufacturers in the country, he is justly esteemed for his many virtues and his commanding business talents.  He is still the active head of the house which he has carried to such a brilliant success, and is the possessor of an ample fortune, which his genius and industry have secured to him.  He is courteous and obliging to all, and very liberal to those whose needs commend them to his benevolence.

The ten-cylinder press costs fifty thousand dollars, and is regarded as cheap at that immense sum.  It is one of the most interesting inventions ever made.  Those who have seen it working in the subterranean press-rooms of the journals of the great metropolis will not soon forget the wonderful sight.  The ear is deafened with the incessant clashing of the machinery; the printed sheets issue from the sides of the huge engine in an unceasing stream; the eye is bewildered with the mass of lines and bands; and it seems hard to realize that one single mind could ever have adjusted all the various parts to work harmoniously.