The times., 1898-09-12
DOGS FOR HORSES.
A Man Drives Them From Minnesota
to California.

A Man Drives Them From Minnesota
to California.
(From the Chicago Inter-ocean)
Mr.. and Mrs Blandy are a Minnesota
couple who have just made most re-
markable journey. Leaving their home
at Brainerd. Mimi, one year ago, with
their baby boy, then four years old, they
have Travelled by dog team clear to Cali
forn!a, and are now in camp at Sweet
briar, in that far-off State.
I. The BiandyS wanted to make a trip to
the Pacific coast. They wanted to go
leisurely, so as to see the country. Econ
omy was an object, as was also op-
portunity to earn something en- route.
So Mr.. Blandy and his wife decided to
travel by dog team.
Dogs are used in the arctic regions,
argued Mr.. Blandy, why not in the
temperate zone?"
No one advanced conclusive reasons
against his novel project, and Mr.. Blan-
dy proceeded to tit up his conveyance.
This consists of a small spring wagon
with one seat and covered with canvas,
the whole outfit weighing 2l0 pounds with
the baggage of the travellers. Mrs. Blan-
dy and her baby occupy the seat, while
Mr.. Blandy sits in front on a roll of
blankets and a tent, from which perch
he drives his dogs. These are six in
number, huge cross-bred st. Bernard and
Newfoundlands, powerful of muscle, and
kind of disposition. In the rear of the
wagon is rack of shelves, containing
dishes and provisions, while pots, kettles
and an oil stove are hung from hooks
above the rack. The back end of the
wagon Is made to let down and support
ed by stick, serves dining table.
When seen b. u representative of the
San Francisco Call in the camp at Sweet
briar, Mr.. Blandy had a tin can and a
paint brush in hand and was going the
rounds" among his dogs, painting their
feet with tannate of giycerine to pre-
vent sensitiyeness. II learned this at
college, Mr.. Blandy will tell you when
l engaged in athletic sports and my feet
became sensitive" When travelling over
rough roads he makes applications of
this preparation every evening 70 insure
his animals against suffering, and the
faithful creatures seem TO like the opera
ton, for they look at their master with
gratitude and affection.
Those dogs are far ahead of any
horses Mrs. Biandy said, emphatically,
when some one suggested that Shet and
| ponies would be preferable. ''Why, dogs
viii carry you through the snow to a
safe, warm place, and horses would We
out on you. And didn't we trave 10
miles on the railroad? Horses cou d It
walk ties and carry you over long tres
ties mile and three-quarters in le4gth
as our dogs did. ! wouldn't take fifty
horses for one of our dogs Would /,
Bruce?" ard she patted great shaggy
| yellow dog on the head.
When the Blandys set out from Brain
| erd, Mimi. with their queer rig and S25
! il cash to attempt this unusual under
/ taking many people declared IL was m
/ possible. No wagers were made no time
! limits were given. Mr. and Mrs Blandy
J simply started out to do what they ~ ere
ID
to be drawn across the continent by dogs
! Ior the purpose of seeing the country,
| earning their living as they progressed.
! And so they pushed along. following the
/ Northern Pacific Railroad, and not being
! pressed for time they travelled at a speed
that was convenient to the character Of
! the country they crossed-neVer travelling
! less than ten miles a day. reaching
/ daily maximum of ffty-two miles cat
one time covering eighty-six miles in two
! days.. and stopping in towns to sell pic
| lures or pick up a few dollars by paint
! ing advertisements on the canvas of
| their wagon.
The Blandys always leave towns amid
a roar of cheers and laughter. When they
| are about to start Mr.. Blandy walks
| among his dogs, and. STOPPING down, ad-
| justs ali their feet so as 10 prevent the
ENHANCEMENT Of limbs In harness, quickly
| steps into the low wagon, seats himself
on the bedding and tent, and with lins s
in hand, he calls to the dogs, and they
are Off
There is nothing slow about these dogs
they trot off at a good gait raising a
big dust and never walking except when
climbing hills. When asked if he ever
walks, Mr. Blandy replied: "It wop d
take a professional runner to keep up
with my dogs" but. perhaps. ne finds
the speed up hill sometimes convenient
for his walking and his MI
ing. At any rate, all the wonders stricken
villagers give the Blandys screaming
send-off when they are favored with a
visit. You may hear some one In the
crowd remark that "Blandy ought to be
arrested for cruelty to animals" but a
look at the well-fed and well-groomed
dogs bellies these words.