Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1914 — Four Years of Crop Failures Enough For This Illinois Man. [ARTICLE]

Four Years of Crop Failures Enough For This Illinois Man.

An ox team drawing a prairie schooner passed through Pontiac this morning, the novel sight creating a ripple of excitement In the downtown district. The outfit is en route from Regina, Sask., to Belleville, 111., and is driven by Charles Wasen. Wasen went to Canada four years ago from Belleville and engaged in farming in the western wheat belt, carrying with him visions of sudden riches to be made there. After a time he became disillusioned and longed to return to southern Illinois. Upon learning of the big celebration of the hundredth anniversary of his home town in September he determined to make the return trip ii this unusual way, and started on the back trail 2,100 miles, long, on February 18. When he left Canada the thermometer registered 32 degrees below zero and his schooner was mounted on sled runners and he was enabled to make fast time for an ox team, his best day’s record being thirty-two miles. After the sleds were abandoned for wheels he was compelled to travel on low speed and is now satisfied with an average of ten miles per day. During the recent hot weather he has been taking it easy and plans to arrive in Belleville by September 12.—Pontiac (Illinois) Leader.