The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-01-08
\ NEW WAY.
To Ride over Clatsop County Roads In
Winter.

] At last a good use has been found for
the long talked OF California tlying ma
chine. A shrewd Clatsop county farmer
has solved the question OF utility OF the
new dying machine which has recently
frightened the people ot California,
while on his rounds few days ago,
reporter noticed peculiar looking
craft sliding about upon the streets
OF Astoria, apparently coming nom the
country over the hills from olney. or
the Nehalem. The whole rig was COW
cred with mud, and was drawn by four
horses, which We're also plastored with
Mother Earth. Further examination
revealed a jolly-looking man sitting In
the strange vehicle, and upon being
questioned he said:
Yes, this Is queer but successful
craft. You see the farmers OF Clatsop
county have long tried to fnd a vehicle
that would suit the country. but with.
out success until rigged up this one,
Now come to town with a good-siEed
load In safety and in good time, made
myself one OF those flying machines,
and you can examine IL. as intend 10
let the world know that at last ve-
hicle has been found In which one may
with safety and comfort, travel over
the roads Of Caltsop county in the win
ter time. II IL a sled drawn by four
horses. II is in the shape OF a life
raft, having two canoes decked over,
The canoes, or tanks, are water and air
tight and are constructed OF aluminium.
They are braced together with hollow
pipes and rods such as are used in
making bicycles, The whole is sur
mounted by canvas top which gives
the Vehicle much the appearance ot q
prairie schooner"
When asked the meaning OF this
strange contrivance. the farmer replied
that the double canoe arrangement for
a vehicle was in the nature of a mud
sled. II Is light and easily lifted over
the rough places in the road 1T Is
impossible TO travel by wagon over our
roads, and have simply adapted my
self to the condition OF things as they
are and have succeeded In making a
sled, had been reading in the papers
about the California air
ship and conceived the idea Of making
me sled and filling all the hollow
spaces with the same gas with which |
The air ships are charged. This lifts
he whole machine. and while in addl- |
ion to this put my horses to the |
-lg, the gas tanks make II so light | |
AN haul a large load over the roads, |
wen as they are now. Thus you see,
while my neighbors are sitting at home |
,ver the stove discussing politics, am
iauling produce to town and returning
With my wares and supplies with as
much ease as II my horses were draw
ng a sledge over a frozen ice pond.
Wherever the mud Is the deepest my
lied will carry big load easily because
II the buoyancy OF the gas In the tanks
md pipes, and the more my neighbors
II home are kicking about the roads
he better II suits mel laugh at them"
How can Clatsop farmer afford
such an expensive rig as you have,
'uilt OF aluminium" asked the re-
,orter.
We'll, you see, last summer | carried
! butter making machine on my wagon
,athered up the milk as went along
o town. and the jarring OF the wagon
IN the rough places and corduroy turn
d the milk into butter before reach
d town and at little cost. made so
much money out OF that trick that I
.ept myself going while my less pro-
'ressive brethren were growing at the
ounty commissioners and the road SUI
'ervisors. When winter came had
he means with which 10 try this new
experiment., which has proved most
'rofitable. Some people are hard to
lease and things would be consldera-
'ly better II a person would adapt him
elf to circumstances instead OF growl-
ng at his neighbors and everybody in
No doubt other flying sleds will be
uilt and utilized by Clatsop farmers
d order TO reach town with their pro-
uce and take advantage OF that new
entral market.