The Topeka state journal., 1898-09-22
ODD BOAT TRIP.
g. E. Wilson Starts South
Through Illinois Canal.
Carries Slot Machines, Bibles
and Other Literature.
ANDPROFIT
Are inducements Which Land
Him In House Boat
Which Will Journey From Chi
cagO to New Orleans.

Chicago, Sept. 22.-George E. Wilson
yesterday started out on the oldest of
modern explorations. No jungles have
charms for him, the north pole does
not attract, nor the sources of strange
rivers entice. In fact, the Illinois and
Michigan canal is noble enough
stream for him, and the towns along it,
and ultimately those which line the
Mississippi river south to New Orleans
are to be the scenes of his investiga-
tions.
Mr.. Wilson started yesterday from
Ashland avenue and Twenty-second
street in his queer craft. He intends to
make his trip one of profit as well as
pleasure. A romantic old house boat.
with picturesque dust road and an
expanse dedicated to dump heaps in the
foreground and the turrets of a smoky
factory looming in the distance make
up an interesting picture for the crowd
that congregated to see him off.
Mr.. Wilson came from Cincinnati and
eSta blished a book business at 312
State street eighteen years ago. Dur
ing the past four years he has also had
a branch at Alb Wabash avenue. Re
Gently he decided to close out here and
join a colony in Mississippi, in which
DR.. ]. H. Greer and c. S. White, au-
thor of Populist campaign songs, are
leading spirits.
The bookseller conceived the notion
wharves and boatbuilders until he
found craft which suited his purpose
and purchased it forthwith. In this
latter-day ark he hopes to escape the
deluge of hard times.
The boat is 14xSO feet in dimensions
and was originally built by the Piper
Ice company, but has for four years
been used to transport grain. Onto it
Mr.. Wilson, like his ancient prototype,
moved "all his house, and every liv
ing BEAST that he possessed including
some carrier pigeons, which will be re-
leased if they fail to reach their Ararat,
or an accident makes it necessary to
send for help. In addition Mr.. Wilson
is taking his stock of 10000 volumes,
with which he purposes founding cir
culating library for the enlightenment
Of what he considers an undiscovered
country, as far as literature is con-
cerned.
With the commercial foresight of
business man Mr.. Wilson is also taking
a number of nickel-in-the-slot graphic
phones and monographs, which he ex-
poets to sell to merchants in the small
cities lining the river.
The craft will be towed into the Illi-
nois river and float into the father OF
waters.
leans, crossing Lake POntchartraln TO
Mississippi City, if the route is open,
otherwise being towed 300 miles around
through the gulf of Mexico. The craft
will be run ashore and tied wherever
night overtakes it, pursuing its journey
at break of day. The destination will
be reached about Christmas.
Mr.. Wilson is accompanied by his
aunt. Miss f E Markland; his sister,
Miss Ida Wilson, and Lynn White'
young man; also Charles R1gler, an eA-
perienced sailor.
on deck, near some choice house
plants belonging to the women, is a
cedar and oak s6in valued at $9O,
presented to Mr.. Wilson by the Lake
Petite club.
The boat was towed through the
canal lock early yesterday morning A
large party of friends came to say poh
Hobsoned Hobson in the osculatory
scene which preceded the starting
With books and music, their own
buoyant spirits and the numberless IN m
cfdents they are sure to encounter the
crew expects a jolly journey.