Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 109, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1899 — HAVE A FLOATING ISLAND. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAVE A FLOATING ISLAND.

Michigan Inventor Will Build One While Yon Wait. Frank W. Flanders, of Sturgis, Mich., has Invented a floating island—not the kind that mother used to make —but a real live island, that can be towed from place to place to suit the convenience of its proprietor. He has built one such now, and has it anchored in a little lake near his home, where he can spend day after day upon it, either for the purpose of work or recreation. He proposes to make Islands to order when letters patent are issued at Washington for his Invention, so if you are a millionaire you can have an archipelago of your own, if you choose,

where you may summer or winter free from the vulgar gaze, but still in reach of any water resort in the world. Indeed, this Island is a most accommodating spot. It is constructed so that Its platforms are high and dry above water, where no wave can splash. It has no rocking motion and Is perfectly stable. Though it floats upon air-tight casks, there is no danger of their puncturing. It can be towed upon any water and rolled upon any land. In short, it is possible to use it for any purpose conceivable where a stable and safe float Is demanded. The island that Mr. Flanders has built as an experimental model is twelve feet by sixteen in size. On It nineteen persons have been supported without taxing Its capacity. One man with a rowboat can move it about readily, while two persons can roll it high and dry on the beach. It bears the weight of one tree and a large numbeT of bushes and shrubs, while a goodsized tent erected on it affords protection from the weather for siz persons at night. Of course you will not be limited as to verdure. You can have any number of plants you desire, if you wish to buy an island, or can place any other such restriction upon your order. In short, you will be absolute monarch of all you survey.

THE FLOATING ISLAND.