May 12, 1870 - CAMBRIA FREEMAN - Cambria Iron to furnish 30 tons of rail for Northern Pacific RR, Foster House being Female School - 6th Ward Issues, Exhibition of Velocipedestrianism (Bikes) and more Scarlet Fever

This was the kind of bikes they had in the 1870's - Penny-farthings.

I don't know how anyone riding those Penny-farthings ever felt safe. I know I would have had trouble getting on and off it - let alone riding the giant death traps!