Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-11-19
Carriages Used in Ancient and Moderh
Times 70 be Seen at the Worlds
Fair.
Singular Mode Of Carrying Baggage
or War Implements, Copied from
Bas Reliefs.
Rude ChariOtS Discovered i'm the
Ruins of PomDeii. and the Eng
liSh Sedan.

| A unique collection of sketches. models
| and specimens OF wheeled vehicles as used
IN different countries in ancient and mod
ern times, will constitute one of the most
interesting features of the display to be
made by the department of transportation
at the exposition. They will form a strik
ing II not ludlcrous contrast with the
models and specimens displayed by the
leading carriage builders Of to-day.
VehIcular development broadens as it is
approached, for it comprehends compar-
itively authentic and complete record of
human pros ress. Homer gives Anthems
the goddess of wisdom-the credit of IL
venting vehicles. She" he says, first
taught earth inhabiting articles to frame
wagons and curiousIy wrought chariots of
war in brass" Ovid, however, who is an
authority equal to Homer probably
neither of them had as comprehensive an
idea of vehicles as Chief Smith-ascribes
the discovery. of vehicles to Vulcan
Meanwhile, Egypt claimed the honor for
one OF her tutelarY deities.
It is the intention of the department to
follow the vehicular science from the
earliest date known to history, down
through the centuries to the pres
ent 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 conveying bagga re
or war impedlments-the precursor of the
knapsack-is suggested by sketch of a
soldier, front and rear view, copied from
bas relief on bronzes found in Sardinia In
his left hand he holds 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 yh the
prongs of a basket tilted above his close
fitting headgear and held in place by two
horns, shaft fastened to his back
extends upwards, surmounted by 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 Thebes was acknowledged by 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 Ethiopian
princess, elegantly attired and panoplied,
to be seen with attendant and
charioteer driving along the bouInvards of
that city in a magnificent chariot en-
blazoned 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 to their followers at boom prices
| the honest Roman farmer who knew naught
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 it was
called ''planstrum majus." The inven-
ton of the latter was attributed to the
Pnrygians. The ''carpentum" like the
''planstrum' was commonly a rectan
two-wheeled cart, but differed from it in
being enclosed with an arched or sleeping
cover. 1t was also much more preten-
| ton 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 axles. 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 soul ptures and
paintings in Egyptian tombs show how
commonly chariots 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-
| forts Of travelling were not lessened by the
! style of the vehicle then in fashion. In
deed, it Is said that young lady who re-
| sided in the Inflated city at the time of its
| destruction, accepted death as preferable
alternative to rapid ride in the heavy,
springless, two-wheeled Chariot.
| Not long ago there was discovered in the
ruins of Pompeil chariot containing
stone figures, the entire g"oup supposed to
represent Love driving the chariot of
| Venus On the side Of the vehicle is
carved: ''Jungit Amor, laetemque vehans
per nubila, matrem Genwato temone
sedet" Literally construed: Love
bitches up the car and seating himself on
its jewelled shaft drives his delighted
mother through the Clouds" Chief Smith
will endeavor to bring the group to the
exposition.
With the Normans the sedan was intro
duced into England, and was for many
centuries the fashion. 1t was a product
of Bythinian invention, and was about the
| time of the Norman invasion OF England
| introduced into Rome, Sicily, Spain, and
| Portugal. The sedan used by the English
people of quality is described as of green
color, Widowed before and behind with
isinglass. The attendants were handsome.
athletic fellows, in laced jackets and
sleeves.
For several successive reigns up to the
time of Charles |. the sedan was tie chief
means of conveyance for persons OF dis
tinction in England. Meanwhile vehicu-
lar Improvements in France were slow,
though in an old manuscript of l347 is
found an interesting picture illustrating
the historical flight of Emergard, wife Of
LORD Rousillow. She was driven in
covered cart, accompanied by her court
fool and female attendant.
With the introduction of coaches into
England spirited competition sprang up
between these innovations and the popular
sedan, which lasted a considerable time.
The first carriage, it is claimed, was
brought from France by the Earl of Arun-
del. who, presented it to Queen Elizabeth.
The Queens patronage doubtless made
| these vehicles fashionable, as their use mad
been frowned upon as IAN unwarrantable
luxury tending to degeneracy of health
and morals"
These are but few of the vehicles that
will be found in the display in the de
partment presided over by Chief Smith.
The display doubtless will be one of the
! most interesting that will be found at the