The times., 1897-05-23
4 HOUSE ON WHEELS.
Curious Vehicle In Which Man
VIII Go Around the World.


An ingenious citizen of Altoona, Pa has
bsalt an elaborate wagon for himself and
family, In which he proposes 10 make
tnp around the world. His name is jon
athan Olson, and be intends to start ON Ills
long journey this spring ana to finish if
possible by the st OF June, l 30
He viii first go To Illinois, and then
strike south to Texas. yoyaging acrU>s
the Gulf OF Mexico to South America, G
will take steamer thence TO Spain From
this point the American travellers viii
start ON their long wagon tIip.
In fitting out his house on wheels Olson
has shown rare taste lie has finished the
inside in polished maple, and has adorned
it with hand carvings of his own design
In the course of an eccentric life he ras
picked up many beautiful pieces of bri2-4-
brac, which he now turns TO the aGornmcnt
OF his wagon house.
The interior OF the house, besides having
three rooms, is well conceived in point 0f
convenience. In one room the family cook,
and in bad weather they dine there also;
but the dlnine-room is out OF doors when
the wagon can be pulled up in a pleasant
place Five days out of the week there
is halt, where the cloth can be spread
under the trees and a good cool drink
obtained from the spring.
The second room has couch and srIall
table The table can be used for a bre Ak
fast tray, orit can be cleared at night and
used for parlor games. IL also does DUTY
as writing table, or for books and
smoking set.
On one side of the room there is a dressing
table that takes up the entire wall 1t
has twenty dra wers, a broad shelf and
mirror with~ shelves overhead. Here the
entire winter and summer wardrobe is
stored
In pleasant weather there is no sleeping
done in the house Hammocks are slung
under trees and the family camps out
Whenever possible, the stop is made under
pine trees, for the piney smell and soft
bough tips serve as bedding. A fire is
kindled to serve for warmth, for cooking
i'll the morning. and to keep away prowIing
animals
The third room is a general storeroom.
Here the hamnocks are kept, and here
chairs are stored and tables piledup Any
thing that is wanted can be brought from
the storeroom at a minutes notice. There
is enc dress devoted to dress goods, calico,
bunting, denim and useful articles for
wear and for fancy work. The wagon can
stop at a town any time TO replenish sup
plies, but the owner plans 1T SO carefully
that, except for food, there need be no
halt for a month at a time.
Provisions are purchased of the farmers,
who. it is expected, will supply butter,
eggs, vegetables and chickens cheap in re-
turn for the privilege of looking through
the novel house
The kitchen is cne Of the best rooms of
all, for it is arranged ship shaped. Cups
are hung from hooks and plates set in lit
tie grooves Pans are on the walls, and
everything is polished bright.
The floors are plain boards, laid nicely
and oiled, so that the rooms look as neat
as those in any house. The 'catin" or
living room has the look of stateroom
on yacht, and this effects heightened by
some very clever wall decorations made
from simple pieces of wood skilfully In
laid
The most ingenious arrangement of all is
Il sliding door, by which the whole side of
the '.house" can be opened. The doors
slide to one side, and finally come COM
pletely off the runners. They can be taken
off and laid under the cart or used for
tables under the trees.
Olson viii travel with three horses, often
resting one by hitching it to the back OF
the cart At other times, when he wishes
to put on speed, he harnesses all three and
goes at a spa hiking pace across the country.
His ordinary gait is about twenty miles
day, but when the weather is fine and the
roads good he will get up to thirty or forty