Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1910 — BIG LOAD OF WHEAT. [ARTICLE]

BIG LOAD OF WHEAT.

W. H. Ritchey hands us the following clipping from the Monte Vista, Colo., Journal, with a request that we publish same for the benefit of Jasper county farmers who sometimes haul what they call pretty fair loads of grain: The heaviest load of grain ever hauled to market in this wide world by a single team wagon was delivered to the Monte Vista mill Thursday. The gross weight was *22,460 pounds, wagon. 2,120; net weight of wheat .20,340 pounds which brought, at >1.70 pe/ 100 pounds, $345.78. This load was hauled from A. D. Mathias’ ranch three miles north of town. After crossing the river bridge, one pair of hones drew it to the mill, a distance of two miles*. The team weighed 2,720 pounds, one horse is eighteen yean old and

the other twenty. .Chester Mathias drove the team. If anyone doubts this story, we can verify It by at least 200 people who witnessed the last mile of the draft. This load was on a Studebaker 3% Inch wagon, warranted to stand up under this mountain of wheat sacks piled upon It. The road was mostly a level grade and comparatively Smooth until near the mill and at the railroad crossing there is quite a grade. When the old horses finally crossed the highest point, they were greeted With a demonstration which seemed to be appreciated by the old fel-, lows who had performed the greatest feat of the kind in all ages, and after resting a few hours, they started home on a trot, apparently no worse for the big stunt.