The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-08-19
WELL.TO.DO RovERS.
An Entire Family Travelling About the
Country In Wagons.

Country In Wagons.
Recently gypsy-like cavalcade
paused for brief sojourn in Washing
toms suburbs. But the occupants Of
the carriages were not real gypsies.
They were the well-bred family and
attendants of Captain Jack Hayden,
formerly of Cincinnati, on their
northeastward travels away from the
warmer South. From here they moved
on into Pennsylvania. Years ago
Captain Hayden made up his mind to
see this great country in his own way.
So he fitted up caravan of his own
design and plan, and began new life
for health, strength, pleasure and
business. Since then he has travelled
thousands of miles by wagon. The
establishment consists of Captain
Hayden, Mrs. Hayden, two sons, two
attendants and ten horses. Captain
Hayden is the picture of health, a
good talker and ran over his story very
good naturedly. He said to re-
porter:
81 have covered this country, ex-
cepting the New England States, pretty
thoroughly. Winter and summer we
move about, just the same, managing
to get into the extreme Southern
States or Mexico during the coolest
months and working North with the
sun. I have never known what day
of sickness is. 1 absolutely do not
know what it is to feel out of sorts.
At one time my wife suffered con-
siderably from malaria and rheumat-
ism, but this was when she remained
at our home in Cincinnati. A trip to
the woods and fields, large and in
cessant doses of pure air, and she's
now all right again. All our vehicles
are easy running and our horses good,
and we can make many miles in day
if occasion requires.
A big covered wagon is the sleeping
apartment of Mr.. and Mrs. Hayden,
when in camp. 1t contains hand
some bed with the neatest linen and
pillows, with lace and satin shams.
In this wagon there are also hand
some cabinet filed with fine china
ware and the wardrobe of the party.
The arrangement of the doors and side
windows is such that thorough ventila-
tion is secured.
"How about your comfort during
heavy rain storms, Captain?"
eve are never inconvenienced by
even the heavy downpours. Both
wagon and tents are waterproof, and
we rest as dry as punk. AS for light
ming, l feel safer in the wagon or tent
than would in house, and believe
! am so"
"What is the prime object Of your
travels?"
II buy and sell horses as the gyp-
sizes do. I know l could do business
if located in some city, but the health
consideration is an important one in
the manner of life / lead. Our ex-
penses for food for ourselves and horses,
horseshoeing, wear and tear, and re-
pairs, toll, ETC., run about $50 week. "
The two sons and attendants sleep
in the tent used as dining room dur
ing the day. Two large shepherd dogs
guard the camp at night. The Cap
tain is well read on all subjects and
his family is bright one. He was
born in England, but he came to this
country At an early age. He said in
conclusion:
'If more people knew the real pleas
ures of such nomadic life, easy, rest
full life, there would be hundreds liv-
ing in the woods the way we do.
House living is not in it. Iwould not
dwell in cottage if it was given to
me free of charge. Give me life in
the woods with plenty of spring water.
Washington Pathfinder.