Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-03

Before We knew our wheels were clog
ged with this summy mud and We were
delayed fully thirty minutes in q drizzlinG
rain cleaning oar wheels in a ditch. We
aga In started for Ravalli over muddy, hilly
roads, with rain and wind In our faces.
By this time we were drenched to the
and our shoes filled with water. In some
places we walked long distances in mud
two and three inches deep.
This part OF our journey was exceed
ingly dreary and tiresome. In mud and
rain We were plodding along one after an
other, rolling our wheels up hills and with
much caro- riding down slippery hills.
Every once in a while We would strike
an Indian cabin and the dogs barking
would announce our approach, while the
occupants would run to the door and gaze
at us. Our shoes were filled with mud
and 1t was very difficult to keep our feet
on the muddy pedals. At IL am We
reached Mission creek twelve miles from
the lake. We forded the stream in nearly
three feet Of swift water. Every wheel
was carried across by two soldiers The
Wheel was rested on a strong stick, either
end OF which was placed on the shoulder of
soldier. one being on either side of the
wheel. the soldiers steadying the wheels
with their hands. We rolled our wheels
from this point TO Ravall, six and a half
miles. We Travelled over a number of mud
dy hills. reaching Ravau at 1910 nm
having travelled eighteen and a half miles
uere the wheels were Cleaned and oiled
we also had lunch.
we left Ravalli at pm. for Arlee
t.oue d little over mile on the wagon
roao, but had to take the railroad to avoid
thud and fording the Jocko. New ties had
JUST been laid on the tracks and the spaces
between them had not vet been filed mn
Again. here and there old ties hal, h.sn
taken up and had not yet been replaced by
new ones. 1t was impossible to ride our
wheeis except in few places. and rolling
them along such a track was y.rv Iari
N. w ma r... Il 4
ana rode about liz miles in a hay field
"hen we were again compelled to ke the
track Tor short distance. We ihen took
the wagon road and made excellent time
ior aEout D miles. Again followed The
track about l mile and crossed III. Jocko
on Inc railroad bridge. Wei, hungry and
tired, with our blankets anl shelter tents
Wet, we reached Arlee al SO pm. Dis
lance Travelled during day, 81 miles
Had the devil himself coRspircG against
US we would have had but lit.le mere TO
contend with. AT Ravalli l found the rifles
IKE ourselves ana wheels, covered with
mud. and il was very difficult to move he
bolt to and fro. Let Ari-" at 1 M. Roads
good for about miles. Then We followed
the railroad track aoou: ; Iiii es to avoid
long and difficult grade. 1t was dl.ZIiiag
the whole time We were on the Tack Took
wagon road again about / miles west of
EVaro- Road runs through woods and was
very muddy ana SluGtl 5, with many fallen
trees lying ross 1t. Reached EVaro, 1872
4 =
track Tor mics to avoid rocks and mud.
Delayed 80 minutes near Do.Smet station to
Tx pGicture. Reached Alioso:,!e l2:ij q. m.
Just after leaving town We we're delayed
10 minutes liking puDctLrt- From NisS1uia
to post fai to ride a. t.Dst strong wind.
Eeacled For M-sSpGia at - pm. August
y. having ridden ana walked l-G miles in
about II hours of actual travelling under
most adverse circumstances. We we've de-
laye'i quite number OF times N adjusting
ha
it:ttlOa.s carrie / Cn the trip: One jar eX-
tract of beef. Ia ID; cans baked beans,
II i! lcs-; lbs sat, > lbs. prunes, inS.
sugar, :, los. rice. lbs. baking powder.
/ can condensed milk, / h; 20 lbs. bacon;
:; cans devil Il ham. = lbs, > ounces pepper,
= lbs. coffee, 81 lbs. -four. :; cans corn,
) Ia lbs; can si.uP, II lbs; lbs. lard.
Total, III 81 lbs.
Cooking utensils. etc: Two dripping pans
with covers, large tin case to he used as
boiler, ha.chcts. / bottle bicycle oil, /
stick lubricant. l. can rim cement. l two
gallon coffee pot, l patented baker, rub
i,e: blankets to cover bicycles at night, !
screw driver. 3 seat springs, extra tubes
of tire csm5nt.
The Iarsa tin case Capacity about Il
gaions} was attached on front OF bicycles,
resting; on "A frame and strapped to the
handle bars.
We wore the heavy marching uniform.
ard every other soldier armed with
a rife ana thirty pounds of ammunition.
the left side If the bicycles with the bolt
on top. Those not so armed carried re-
volvers on belts and thirty cartridges The
soldiers with revoi."rs carried ration lug
gage cases in the frames of their bicycles.
Rations. especially canned goods, We're also
carried in the knapsGcks.
Every soldier, except the one who car
r;el the cooking utensils and had 40 KNAPP
sack. carried N his knap$ack: One sum
mer uudorSEirt, ! winter untershirt,
pair summer drawers. pair winter draw
ers, > pair summer socks, ] pair winter
socks, l towel, handkerchiefs, ! tooth
brush ana powder. l cake soap. blanket,
toilet paper.
Every other man carried one comb ana
brush. Besides the blanket in the KNAPP
sack, every soldier carried one blanket and
a shelter tent half rolled on the knapsack.
EVERY soldier carried in his hayerSaCk a
knife spoon, fork and meat can.
Complete satisfaction Was the result OF
the experiment. the men agreeing that the
capabilities Of the bicycle had yet been
but little tested.