Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 38, Number 276, 27 September 1913 — Page 43

CHMOM) P AIX ABIUM tea AND SUN-TELEGRAM VOL. XXXVIII. NO. 273 RICHMOND, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, SEPT. 27, 1913 SINGLE COPY 2 CENTS

Secttan 5 TIDj

OVERLAND TRAIL OF PAST AND PRESENT ,fForty-nmcr,, Tells of a Big Study in Contrasts. V DETAILS OLD TRAIL

(Pioneers.. Made Soup From Rancid Bacon Skins in Emergency

Tea miles a day twelve, fifteen or twenty sometimes, and rarely thirty jorawled wearily a cavalcade of tented Cagons, oxen drawn; mules, with un- ( iely, swaying, slipping packs; Indian ponies and "American" horses, whose riders fretted, mile by mile at ,their snail's pace toward the setting 'eun. ; Not yet had begun the gold rush to (the Pacific coast, for this was in 1846. But already men's hopes and dreams of a little known region were drawing them, invincible to hardship, to Mexican California. The route was the Overland Trail, then and for twenty-three years to come a trail only, for no flight of proiphetlc Imagination dared picture this I rugged trail becoming soon a broad mooth overland highwav of steel. Among the company rode one Edwin Bryant, destined to be the first 'American "alcade" of San Francisco. They were on the edge of the great desert; certain provisions were running low, and Bryant sought to trade 'tobacco for meat with Indians who .visited the caravan. Meat there was none, but the savages produced "what j may be called the "fruit cake' of these poor children of the desert," and their full stock in hand was purchased. "Our prejudice against It," writes Bryant, "soon wore off, and none of ithe delicacy was thrown away or 'lost." And this "fruit cake of the desert," O you who nowadays travels the : same trail at ease in your railway 'drawing room, idling over a ptrfect dinner and quenching heat with a cooling ice as your train of luxury speeds you over that came desert, ; guess, if you please, what that ravishing delicacy was! Let Bryant himiself tell: "A substance which, upon 'examination, we ascertained to be service berries crushed to a jam and mixed with pulverized grasshoppers!" ' Stem Struggle. In the age when miracles of science in industry have become commonplace it Is scarcely to be wondered at that a V! generation surfeited with good things i and wonderful should fall of realizing 'how the fathers struggled for infinitly "less than 1b our free heritage. That 'Overland traveler of 1846 just quoted encountered less of hardship than ' imost of those who followed him, and :yet we read In his dairy: "A soup of the hare killed on our march today constituted our supper and only meal for two days." And again: "Of the soup prepared from the rancid bacon skins remaining in our pro- ' vision sack, a single spoonful to each seemed : to satisfy the desires of the whole party for this kind of food, if it did not satisfy their appetites." But others there were of the intrepid 'Forty-niners" who suffered unbelieveable pangs of thirst, and i famine, 'and cold, and disease, while .many another yielded life itself, as all bore their share in the "winning of the West." Backward glances, then, are found illuminating and likewise chastening to undue pride. Contrasts between the Then thart is not not really so far away and the Now of the marvelous achievement stir one's admiration for the Pioneer no less than one's appreciation of the latter day comforts of ""(which that Pioneer dreamed nothing. The "Forty-niner," starting out with fearless determination on a 2,000 mile "hike" perhaps to fortune, certainly to traveil and possibly to death faced a six' months' struggle and his friends at home a year of silence and apprehension. To say nothing of communicating with civilization, all he could know from day to day even of the terrors ahead must be gleamed from the messages other emigrants had scrawled on the bleaching buffalo skulls strewn along the trail. The transcontinental path followed by the Pioneer, Commerce new has claimed for its own. Today the once dusty trail is paved, as it were, with dustless granite gravel tracked with steel. Where the "Forty-niner's" oxcart crept creakingly along, its occupants in comentary terror of wolf or wolf like Indian, monster locomotives draw long vestibuled trains palace hotels on wheels with an easy glide that belies their swiftness and with automatic electric block safety signals to protect every mile of the Overland Trail against the only perils of modern travel . And communications? Where the Pioneer was marooned, isolated, for for six months en route the Overland traveler of 1913, in his sixty-four and one-half hours, has everything. At terminals a telephone at his elbow for local or long distance conversation, and on his way 'cross continent daily telegraphic market reports, a stenographer to take his dictation, type his letters and telegrams and dis- ', patch them by mail or wire when the train stops. Even more striking becomes the contrast between Then and Now when one considers that this very year, j when floods the country over interupt,ed telegraphic service, forthwith came urgent agitation for extentlon of wireless communications to mitigate the rigors of such disasters in future. In the days of the "Forty-niners" there was current a story yes, and occasionally it found guillible credence of a Californian who lived 250 years and then, willing to test the attractions of a celestial paradise, went abroad that he might die. Returned for burial, such was the power of California's life giving climate that he was restored to mortal immorality, with strength sufficient to burst from coffin and grave. But who of the "Forty-niners would have believed wireless telegraphy possible? Who of them cculd have ( glimpsed a future when an airship should have swept over with supplies

for later gold seekers, should Bkim over the same Nevada trail they plodded wearily? - Well west of Omaha the other day a little old lady and her white haired husband were Bitting in the observation parlor of the new Overland Limited of the Chicago and NorthwesternUnion Pacific-Southern Pacific line. They sat close up to the wide window, absorbed in eager discussion of whatever It was they were as eagerly pointing out, the one to the other. "No, I tell you, Henry right oyer there it was. Don't you remember? It was right in the lee of that great rock that we made our camp. I know, because it was ther we saw our first mirage, and you rode off ten miles looking for water before you guessed what it was." Here the Overland train crossed the old Overland Trail, and the pair of ninety-year-old "Forty-niners" hurriedly crossed to the other side of the car, trying, with the enthusiasm of two children, to 'pick out" familiar ney. They were returning from the East their home in Vacaville, Cal., and this was the first time since they first trudged westward in the summer and fall of 1850 that they had had opportunity to retrace their steps No detail of epoch marking contrast was lost upon them. Of that you may be sure. When darkness swallowed up the trail Mr. H. grew reminiscent. "I was thinking this morning," he said, "while the train barber was shaving me of that time on the trail when we ran out of soap and I had to use bear's grease for lather. I was contrary-like, and Just because all the other lads let their beards grow I insisted on shaving when I coulfi." "Yes," chipped in his j'ife, and do you remember when you aropped your lookin' glass on a stone just past Salt Lake? And all the rest of the way you had to use the bottom of a milk pan." "I wouldn't have missed that horrible journey for ten years of my life,"

he resumed, "if only so that I'd appreciate the way we can travel now. There weren't any springs you could notice under that old oxcart, an' the seats were upholstered in horse blanket" and be patted the tapestry cushion of his easy chair. 'Everything we've seen today, young man, reminds us of the old days that is, everything outdoors. The things In this train remind us mostly of the things we didn't have. Shower bath! Ha, ha! We were lucky if we could wash our faces. Bubblin' cup! Ours bubbled when we could find a spring, and when we could we were that glad we didn't care if it wasn't silver plated. "Never thought then, did we, Esther, 't we'd ever come over the Plains in this sort of style? Lord! This smooth ridin' fairly makes my legs ache to think of the. oxcart. And a library! And a valet to press your clothes! I UBed to press mine into wrinkles a foot deep. And a ladies' maid to fix your hair and tidy your hands, Esther! H'm! When I think of the belly pinch of those old days, young man, and of how many miles and days one flask had to last, it's all I can do to keep away from the buffet or the dinning car. Why, sitting in the club car this morning I figured up that in that one spell of two hours we went over a piece of the trail that took me and my wife nigh onto five days to cover in "50." The first white man known to have set foot on the Overland Trail was Coronado, in the sixteenth century, but he never traversed it, and the route remained untraveled except by Indians and the "humpbacked oxen" of Coronado's chronicle until the fur traders pushed their way westward. The first historic trek over the California trail that starts from Omaha was that of Brigham Young, Joseph Smith and their Mormon followers in 1847. The very next came the discov-

Own Man-Trap Kills Woman

PARIS. Sept., 27. Mme. Bruffel. a rabit breeder of Langogne, in the Loxere department, who was seventyfour years old. has just been killed by a man-trap which she set herself. Noticing that her rabbits were being stolen, she fixed a gun in such a position that it exploded when the door leading to the rabbit hatches were opened. Yesterday she went to feed the animals, but forgot the trap, and was shot in the heart.

ery of gold in California, and with that the beginning of the gold rush. As early as 1853 General Grenville M. Dodge, the civil engineer, commenced his explorations for a transcontinental line of railway, and it was after consultation with him that President Lincoln, in 1863, fixed the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad at the point on the Missouri River opposite Council Bluffs. Ground was broken at Omaha on December 2, 1863, and meanwhile the Central Pacific was building eastward from Oakland. Only six years later, May 10, 1869, at Promonotory Summit, Utah, the golden spike was driven that joined the two roads.

L, H, k P, ONE OF BIGGEST UTILITIES

Interest Manifest in Company Because of Success in Obtaining Natural Gas

SUBSIDIARY CONCERN

Now Under Management of J. B. Wharton Advance Steady.

The Scriptures. The present arrangement of the Scriptures into chapters originated iu the thirteenth century with Cardinal Hugo, who devised it while making a Latin concordance. The division into verses was Introduced by the celebrated printer, Robert Stephens. In his Greek Testament (1551) and in his Latin Bible (1556-7).

The Light, Heat and Power, company, first purchasing the business of the Richmond Gas company and later that of the Richmond Natural Gas company, has grown to be one of the largest public utilities in the city and rivals the city light plant in the distribution of electricity. Much interest is manifested in the company because of the success in obtaining a supply of natural gas for the city. For three years the city has felt the need of this utility and after months of negotiation, the Light, Heat and Power "company has promised to turn the gas into their mains within a month. Backed by $23,000,000. The company is a subsidiary company of the United Gas and Electric company, which controls more than ten other utilities companies throughout the east. The holding company, in turn, is controlled by the United

Gas and Electric corporation of New York. This is a strong company and through the holding companies, the Light. Heat and Power branch of Richmond practically has behind it a capitalization of $23,004,000. The company now has a large patronage of both electricity and artifcial gas. Unrivalled in the field of artificial gas, the company has made this its main service. However, the use of this will diminish and possibly die when the company opens the natural gas into the mains. Granted Franchise in 1889. The omnany entered Richmond by purchasing the business of the Richmond Gas company, which was established in 1SS8 by James Starr, the controlling factor in the company. This company was granted the first gas franchise in 1SS9 and started business on April 20, 1S90. With the business of the Richmond Gas company, the Light. Heat and Power company, with the addition of electricity, at once leaped to the front as one of the chief utilities companies of the state. There was no competition in the dlstr' button of electricity until 1901. although the Richmond Natural Gas company, under Elbert Hibberd. almost controlled the gas field at that time. However, the supply of natural gas failed and this company was finally forced to suspend operations. The mains and other property of the company were sold to the L.. H. and P. company, which now owns all mains in the streets except those of the Water Works company. Under the management of J. B. Wharton the company has advanced steadily and moved from 622 Main street to the fine new offices at Ninth and Main streets. The company has two plants and employs many men.

PROGRESSJSCHEME All-British Exhibition to be Held in 1915.

LONDON. Sept.. 2". Great progress has been made with the scheme for all-British exhibition, to be held in London in 1915, and to be known as the British Dominions Exhibition. The exhibition mill be in the nature of a 'stocktaking" of the natural resources and principal industries of the Dominions, and a gathering together of objects Illustrating the past history and present activities of the British people, whom It is desired to bring together in closer communion from all parts of the Empire. Difficulty has been experienced in

i the selection of a suitable site: but

it is expected that a definite choice will shortly be announced. The first meeting was held as long ago as 1910. at the Roal Colonial Institute, and 1915 was chosen for the exhibition because it Is the vear when

i the next Quadrennial meeting of the i Imperial Conference takes place in

London. It Is the year when the Prince of Wales celebrates the twentyfirst anniversary of his birthday. It is the seventh-hundredth year of the signing of Magna Chart a. It also marks the centenary of the Battle of Watterloo, since when not only has peace reigned between the British and French nations, but they have fought side by side as allies.

i' Belgian government plans to est.ish direct wireless communication between Brussels and its possessions in Africa.

Whin a Jeb Leeks Good. "Brown is bragging about the good job he has now." "Yea, he started yesterday. Yon see. he hasn't been in it long enough to diecover the work that goes with It." Detroit Free Pre.

AN IINVITATION TO ALL VISITORS

To Richmond's Greatest Furniture and House Furnishing Store The incoming season never brought us so much splendid furniture as the present stock displays, and we can truthfully say that the quality of our furniture is the best in the world. This store has always tried to sell honest furniture and house furnishings, the kind that will wear and hold together and that will bring perfect satisfaction to the customer. Handsome styles, highest quality and reasonable prices are the foundations upon which this business is built. We invite you to look through ur big stock during the Festival days Our location is easily found "The Heart of Richmond."

MATTRESSES 45 lb., Special Roll Edge Felt Mattress, Sale price $8.95. 50 lb., Romey's Dreamland Mattress, extra special, only $13.50.

BRASS BEDS Satin Brass Beds on sale at $14.85, $17.75, $24,00 up. Pretty Metal Beds at $2.98, $5.50, . $8.80 up.

DRESSERS Pretty Circassian Walnut Dressers on sale at $27.75, $38.00 up. Birdseye Maple Dressers on sale at $18.50, $24.50 up. Golden Oak Dressers at $9.50, $14.00 up.

DAVENPORTS 39 big Davenports for your selection Reasonably priced at $18.50, $24.75, $35.00 up.

LIBRARY TABLES Select your new Library Table now. See our big $18.00 Magazine Table, Choice Fumed Oak Tables on sale at $12.75, $14.45 up

STOVES Buy a Jewel and save fueL The best heater in the world. $1.00 per week will soon pay for your new stove.

RUGS AND DRAPERIES 9x12 Seamless Rugs $17.00 and $19.00.

Beautiful Wool Fibre Rugs at $9.00 and $11.75. Extra Heavy Velvet Rugs at $19.00 and $23X0. Choice Wilton Rugs at $29.75, $33.00 up. Filet Lace Curtains. Ivory Tint, $4.00 value only $2.95. English Novelty Lace Curtains. $3.50 value, now $1.95.

NINTH AND MAIN STS.

Goods Delivered Promptly by Our New Richmond-Made Auto Truck. Look For It During Festival Days.

NINTH AND MAIN STS.

RICHMOND'S FOREMOST HOUSE FURNISHING STORE

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