Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 229, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1916 — HOUSE ON WHEELS VISITS RENSSELAER [ARTICLE]

HOUSE ON WHEELS VISITS RENSSELAER

Interesting Description of Home On Ford Chassis—Advance For the Gridley Entertainers.

A “House on Wheels” pulled into Rensselaer Friday afternoon and its novelty, of course, attracted attention. j. Har Basel, who will be remembered as one of the pioneers in the traveling moving picture business, was driving this unique home. He is now “advancing” for the Gridley Entertainers, who will appear at the Christian church here Monday night, Oct. 2. Mr. and Mrs. Basel travel from town to town in their home on a Ford. The car is a Ford chassis lengthened to 130-inch wheel base, and on it is built the house, 13 feet long, 6 feet wide by 6 feet in height, of basswood and cc.nvass and absolutely waterproof. The interior is wonderfully cozy and convenient. A cooking galley is at. the right front of the driver’s seat, and a lavatory at the left front. Cooking utensils and food supplies are carried under seat. At the left side is a combination writing desk and kitchen cabinet. Two air mattresses make a delightful bed. These make up into a davenport in the day time. Two boxes, each 27x6 inches by 6 feet long, form the base of the bed and Contain the bedding and clothing. Extra seats are placed along the right side, and a folding table finds place back of the driver’s seat. The walls are decorated with a mirror and banners, plaques, etc., from New Mexico. . Mr. and Mrs. Basel will work toward the south, with this company, and will spend .the winter in Florida. Mr. Basel says it is now’ delightful to travel in this kind of a home.