The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1891-11-21
Carriages Used in Ancient and Modera
Times TO be Seen at the Worlds
Fair.
Singular Mode of Carrying Baggage
or War Implements, Copied from
Bas Reliefs.
Rude Chariots Discovered in tbe
Ruins of POmDeii. and the Eng
lish Sedan.

| unique collection of sketches. mode,
ana specimens OF wheeled vehicles ~ use,
In different countries in ancient and mod
ern times, will constitute one of the mos
interesting features of the display to be
made 10y the department OF Transportation
at me exposition. They will form a strik
ing II not iudicrous contrast with the
models and specimens displayed by the
leading carriage builders Of TO-DAY.
Vehicular development broadens as il is
approached, tor 1t comprehends compar.
i'iVe'y authentic and complete record of
human pros ress. Homer gives Anthems
the goddess of wisdom--the credit of ;r-
venting vehicles. She" he saws. "frs.
taught earth inhabitine artiGces Ia frame
wagons and curiously wrought cbariots OF
war In brass" Ovid, however. who is an
authority equal to Homer probably
aither of them had as comprehensive nm
ldei OF vehicles as Chief Smith--7scrib :
the discovery of vehicles to Vulcpp
Meanwhile. Egypt claimed the honor for
one OF her tutelary deities
It is the intention of the department to
!oilow the vehlcul2r science from the
earliest date known to history. down
throSgh the centuries to the pres
rnt day OF the tandem and the tiger"
Every vehicle of which history or legend
makes mention will be given a place in the
| display.
A singular mode of conv-, ing boeoa %
or war mpediments-the precursor OF the
knapsack-is suggested by sketch of n
soldier, front and rear view. copied from
bas relief on bronzas found in Sardinia In
his lett hand he holds a bunch of arrows
extending above and below a shield His
right hand grasps bow, or what is in
tended for one. His breast and limbs are
protected by armor, while throu gh the
prongs of a basket tilted above hls close
hitting headgear and held in place by two
horns, shaft fastened to his back
extends upwards, surmounted 10y pair of
wheels.
The obvious intent of this primitive
vehicle is to enable the soldier to draw
his weapons and provisions while on the
march.
In the days when the greatness of the
city OF lhebes was acknowledged b, the
entire known world vehicle was in use
that was not altogether unlike the two.
wheeled dog cart of to-day. Then it was
no uncommon sight for an E,hiopean
princess. elegantly attired and panoplie6,
10 he seen with attendant and
charloteer driving along the boulevards of
that city In magnificent chariot EN-
birzoned with precious metals and
sparkling gems drawn by pair of charg-
ing oxen.
When Rominus and his unfortunate
brother were stalking out cornor lots on
the seven hills of ancient Rome and sell |
ing them 10 their followers at boom prices |
the honest X nan farmer who knew naupbt
of the ways of the.wiley real estate dealer. |
drove along the banks of the Tiber in his |
planstrum. The vehicle usually had two |
wheels, but sometimes four, when ii was
called ''planstrum majus." The inyen- |
ton OF the latter was attributed to the |
Pnryglans. The ''carpentum" like the
'planstrum was commonly rectangular |
two wheeled cart, but differed from Il in I
being enclo. ed with an arched or sleeping
cover. 1t was also a much more preten- /
tion affair when mounted on four wheels |
and drawn by as many horses.
The Roman chariot was open overhead,
and closed in front, its most essential part |
being the rim and next the axle made of /
strong wood. The cars of Neptune and
Juno bad metallic axes. The axle was
firmly fixed under the body of the chariot.
which was usually of enclosed wicker work.
The wheels were fastened by pins and re-
volved on the axles, oiled by animal fat or
olive oil. Persopolitan sculptures and
paintings In Egyptian tombs show how
charlots were employed in war
by the Persians, Egyptians, and other
Asiatic nations
The good people of Pompeii, who lived
before the famous eruption of Vesuvius,
had rocky roads to travel, and the discom-
'orts OF travelling were not lessened by the
style OF the vehicle then in fashion. In.
Iced, 1t Is said that young lady who re.
,ided In the Inflated city at the time of it's
destruction, accepted death as preferable
alternative to rapid ride in the heavy,
pringiess, two-wheeied Chariot.
Not long ago there was discovered in the
'uins OF Pnmpeil IA chariot containing
tone hgures, the entire group supposed TO
epresent Love driving the chariot of
Venus. On the side Of the vehicle is ,
arved: "Jungit Amcr. aetemque vehans
'er nubila, matrem Genwato temone
edet. !" Literally construed: Love
Iitches up the ear, and seating himself ON ,
Is jewelIed shaft drives his delighted !
mother through the clouds" Chief Smith !
Fill endeavor to bring the group to the !
xpositlon.
With the Normans the sedan was intro .
uced into England, and was for many i
enturles the fashion Ii was a product
I Bythinian invention. and was about the
lme OF the Norman invasion of England
Introduced into Rome, Sicily, Spain, and a
'ortngal. The sedan used by the English c
eopIe OF quality is described as OF green !,
olor, windowed before and behind with 1
,inglass. The attendants were handsome. b
thletle fellows, in laced jackets and il
leeves. a
For several successive reigns up to the d
lme of Charles |. the sedan was tie chief e
means OF conveyance for persons of dis i,
lnc,ion in England. Meanwhile vehicu- d
ar Improvements in France were slow. @
nough in an old manuscript of l347 is I,
ound an interesting picture illustrating II
he historical flight of Emervard, wife ot a
ord Rousillow. She was driven in G.
overtd cart, accompanied by her court t,
Dol aud female attendant. a
With the introduction of coaches into q
.ngland a spirited competition sprang up a
e,ween these innovations and the popular Ii