Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-06-06

Distance Covered to wheeling
$500 Miles "A Child Born En-
Route.
One Of the strangest travelling outfits
which ever struck Wheeling arrived in
the city yesterday about noon. 1t came
from the "far west" indeed-from the
neighborhood of the town Of Port An
geles, on the shores of the Strait Of
San Juan de Fuca, one hundred miles
northwest of Seattle, State of Washing
ton. five thousand. seven hundred and
ninety miles having been Travelled thus
far. The destination is New York
city. The long journey was commenced
at p. m. March %, 1S94-about three
years and nearly three months ago. The
party is family, composed of Mr.. NJ.
E. A. Lasley, his wife and four chill
dren, one child having been born on
the journey, May IS, 1895. In his mar
rative Of the trip Mr.. Lasley says he
has crossed twenty mountain ranges,
eleven large rivers and ferried seven
others, and has passed through three
tornadoes, one of which tore the roof
from his house on wheels. Every
wheel of my wagon has been broken and
reftted. some of them three times. l
have driven 2S5 miles with a broken
tire, wired together, and have broken
out four tongues, four double-trees, all
the single trees and neck-yoke." The
house and wagon combined is curious
thing. The house on wheels was made
by Mr.. Lasley himself, out Of odds and
ends of small boards, and the whole eX-
terror is completely covered with thous-
ands of names and addresses, written
in lead-pencil. The experiences of the
family have been varied and at times
terrible, and Mr.. Lasley contemplates
recording them in an illustrated book,
when the end of his long journey is
reached. The family is in good health,
the interior of their novel habitation
we'll equipped and comfortable, and the
party appears to be enjoying their novel
life. In little book which Mr.. Las
ley sells, after recounting his determin-
alton to leave Washington on account
of i'll health, and his utter absence of
means, except one horse, he says:
THE plan had laid was then talked
over, but condemned by my wife and
her plan substituted. The children
hearing the father say he must leave,
commenced crying and pleaded papa
don't leave us, don't leave your loving
children The baby boy at this june
ture let go one of those cries that only
baby can give. At this display OF
interest the fathers heart was touched.
and the mothers plan was approved.
Having heard of some work he set out
to see about it, Before going, he kissed
the family goodbye. buttoned up his
coat and put out into the rain, for 1t
was winter time.
Upon my return, found my CHEEKY
wife and loving family around a large
wood fireplace the room aglow with
warmth. the children happy, because
she had told them maybe all OF us
could go with papa; if he will consent.
oh, he'll consent | know, and both
children danced around with childish
gee. | was amused and asked my wife
the cause of the glee. She smiled and
said Come. dry yourself; put on these
slippers and this dry jacket; you must
be wet. for its wet and rainy outside.
Now this is my plan, to go with you,
build a house on wheels, get another
horse. and take us all with you
81 can't-don't know how. No mon
ev and only one horse, and then it will
be too heavy Listen; you go down
among the farmers and work to pay for
another horse this winter and next
spring build a house as l suggest and
we can 60
"a muddy ride brought me into the
farming district Next day job OF
work was procured and paid for with
a large. old. fat work horse. In few
weeks l returned, leading two horses.
NV wife was not surprised. l knew
you would succeed.
"T set to. cut down a cedar tree split II
into shakes. and out of it, in a few days,
had built a sure enough house, i feet
long. 6 feet wide and feet high; doors
in two parts. three windows, front clos
ed by double folding curtains, four
thicknesses of cloth cover on top; sldes
very thin, inside lined WIN c!oln' 'hen
papered: walls covered with pictures,
folding table, camp stove fastened
in one corner, high chair Tor our BOY
rocking chair for my little wlte' told-
ing bed. a commode. a medicine cup
board. clothes boxes. Jockey DoX con-
tanning tools. etc. pockets. hooks, etc,
for cooking utensils. Everything be-
ing in readiness, friends gathered and
shook our hands and said goodbye for
the last time The horses given the
word to go and into the street rolled
the house on wheels. Our start from
home was on the 22d day of March,
1894. at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon
ON Thursday. Our house and load
weighed 200 pounds to the ounce.
The party attracted large amount Oh
attention on the streets yesterday.