Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 89, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1901 — Uncle Sam and the American Express Collide. [ARTICLE]

Uncle Sam and the American Express Collide.

The United States post office department and the American Express Company were in front and rear end collision the other day, at least in a figurative sense. It happened when Uncle Charley Fox, mail carrier on the Pleasant Grove and Valma route, ran into N. W. Reeve local agent of the express oompany. Uncle Charley was taking some first “hard lessons for beginners” on the bicycle, and after the custom of the community, using the broad sidewalk in the business district for the purpose; and Mr. Reeve was hurrying to the bank with $lO in silver in his hand to exchange for a $lO bill. Uncle Charley ran into Mr. Reeve, from the rear, hitting him on the elbow of the arm that held the change. This flew into the air so high that 25 cents of it hasn’t come down yet, so far as known, and Uncle Char’ey had to make it good out of his own pooket. He resumed his lessons however, this time in the street, and a few minutes later while delivering an objurgation to some man on the side walk who advised him to raise his head higher, he fell off and so seriously ruptured the amplest part of his trousers, that the purchase of a new pair was at once necessary So far as observed, Uncle Charley has given up bicycle riding.