Arizona republican., 1896-12-20
ON A WHEEL.
J. Harry Brown Tells What He Saw
 on His Trip.

turned from an interesting trip awheel, has kindly offered to give The Republi cans readers a detailed account of his experiences and of the country through which he passed. The first install ment is herewith printed:
 q conceived the idea of a transcon- tinental trip during the spring of 1896, but at that time thought nothing seri- ous of it. Shortly after this the Anti Puncture Manufacturing company was formed for the manufacture and sale of self-healing compound for pneumatic tires, this being at that time new feature in repairs of tires, and being personally acquainted with all parties interested in the concern and my brother holding considerable interests, 1 knew it would be a good thing and something that would place me in touch with the wheelmen over the country wherever I might decide to heart is through some vital part of his wheel, which in use becomes a part and portion of his makeup.
 Being of a slightly romantic dispo- sition, I chose a wheel instead of more convenient mode of transporta- tion, so that the goods represented might be shown in practical way, and having closed contract with the above for the season on such terms that all my expenses were guaranteed and an opportunity offered to take in the country along my route to what ever extent I might find myself in clined and a chance to make my trip a lucrative one if chose to devote my whole time and attention to the intro duction of 'Du-SOck," the venture was undertaken
 "The original plan was to make a round trip to New York, going first to San Francisco, but on account of cold weather and muddy roads Kansas City was the terminus of the eastern ride.
 Having secured a new Hartford bi- cycle with the necessary appurte- nances, and securing the companion ship of MT. A. l.. Hendricks, we bade goodbye to our homes and friends on the morning of April 27, going by wagon road to Buckeye, a distance of thirty-five miles, where we spent the night with friend, 'Cookey" Wilcox, the days travel being a very ele- mentary one; we were compelled to face strong wind from the start, which in time developed into a regular sand storm and resulted in a pouring rain, drenching us thoroughly.
 ''The condition of the wagon road rendered it advisable to seek some thing better or walk at least a portion of the time, so we turned southward, crossing the wild desert until the road bed of the Southern Pacific was reached, and the days travel was end ed at Gila Bend, small station, where we transacted the first business of the trip.
 "Resuming our journey westward we encountered nothing to relieve the monotony of our surroundings until near Yuma, when we were able only by extreme effort to get out of the way of a pay car which came upon up around curve. The bridge spanning the Colorado river was safely crossed on the following morning and we pushed forward into California Be- fore noon we were overtaken by se- ries of misfortunes caused by our wheels breaking through the crust and letting us into holes burrowed by badgers We met with several head CTS and finally my front forks were broken short off by the front wheel dropping into an unusually large hole, and after passing the night on the bare floor of a nearby section house Jagged freight train in the early morning, which conveyed me to the next station, where breakfast and re- pairs for my crippled wheel were se- cured, MT Hendricks having proceeded the previous day to this place on his wheel.
 Tn due time we reached Volcano Springs on the eastern border of the famous Salton sea- These springs arc 115 feet below sea level and are con tinually forcing up quantities of black mud, which gives off a very offensive odOr. Foul gases also escape iron them. Large numbers of small bird! succumb to the effects of these gase: and give bodily assistance to tht growth of the mounds of mud. Sev eral kodak views were secured of thi! natural wonder and after a comfort able nights rest at an adjacent house the journey across the Salton sea wa undertaken in the early morning. NJ true conception of this wonderful bash can be formed without actually cross ing it, and the hotter the weather tn more vivid the realization of it's great ness. For miles and miles the earth surface is crusted with thin coatin of salt, which glistens in the sunligh and actually reminds one of snow. Tn greatest depression of this basil touched by us was 26S feet below SC level, and although the shedwater c an immense territory is poured int it no water is ever in sight, but in lo