The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-09-03
HIS NOVEL VEHICLE

INVENTION OF LESLIE LAWRENCE
FOR ALASKAN TRANSPORTATION.
1t Can Be Used Either as Sled, Tobosgan,
Cart or Boat-Also Useful as a Wind
lass. a Sluice Box or a Rocker, or Even
= House.
The transportation problem to interi-
or Alaska is one presenting any diff
culties not easy to overcome. Leslie D.
Lawrence, "a Denver man, has been
studying the proposition and seems to
have made Il nearer approach to a solu-
ton than any enc. Mr.. Lawrence has
had years Of experience in the snow
bound numbering districts of Wisconsin
md has al invention that not only pre-
sents an easy mode of transportation
after leaving Dyea, but can be put to
various practical USES afterward.
MI. Lawrence's plan of transportation
consists Of a simply constructed combi-
nation double toboggan or sled, cart and
shelter. In introducing his invention,
for explanation Mr.. Lawrence says:
Beginning at Dyea with the snow
problem up the canyons, the sleds are
brought into practical use. AS a man
can ordinarily haul 600 pounds on a
sled, two or more men can haul a great
er load in proportion. With our sleds
there is practically no limit to the car
rying capacity. The motive power gov
erns. The party is absolutely master Of
the situation at every point. Loading
their supplies on the sleds %(including
the Cart, they proceed up the canyon to
the steep mountain climbing, where the
cart fills its first part on this journey.
The wheels and axle are so constructed
that they both turn, a spool attachment
for the axle and handle attachment for
rim of wheels making a perfect one or
two man windlass. Anchored to a tree,
bowlder or anything solid. the loads are
soon and easily worked to the summit.
Then it is an easy journey down the
mountain and canyon to the lake.
THE lakes and upper rivers are Il
vast sheet of ice. The sleds are coupled
up like a train. all hands climb on,
hoist a sail on the first or lead sled and
glide over the ice at a rate governed by
the velocity of the wind, down through
the lakes to the rivers, having passed
the most dangerous and tedious part OF
our journey with ease and safety.
Arriving at the portage, with open
river and rough water, again the cart
comes in for its part. AS shown, simply
the loaded sleds are balanced and haul
ed over to the open river. Here they are
unloaded and prepared for the water
journey. Coupling up the sleds, the
two long ones furnishing the ends and
bottoms, the two short ones furnish the
ribs for sides, the fat form Of the cart
makes the center coupling, the wheels
come in for the important part of stem
wheel propeller, using the cleats taken
from the short sleds for paddles Of
wheels. The crank shaft is long enough
for three men to work at a time. With
oar on bow to steer again we are mas
tiers of the situation for the rest Of the
water journey. If desired, they also
equip the boats with one to five sets OF
oars and rudder. These boats, with com
bined equipment, are particularly adapt
ed to navigating the small inland rivers.
Arriving at the destination the boat is
readjusted for the inland journey as the
occasion requires, either for snow, ice
or portage. Arriving at the goldfelds,
the contrivance is set up, using part OF
the frame and canvas for a house. The
long sleds form a practical sluice box, the
short ones a rocker. or by reversing the
long ones a most comfortable spring bed
is formed, or may be used as a table.
They are 2R to 3 feet wide, 6 to s feet
long and 2 or 3 feet high. If advisable,
two or three of the party can take the
cart or sled, or both, with supplies for a
couple of weeks or more and prospect
the surrounding country, always pre-
pared to come and go at will.
1.-The cart as a windlass comes in good
turn again if sinking to bedrock and
working on those lines.
with the Lawrence combination the
Klondiker is monarch Of the situation
at every turn. These outfits are made
for parties Of 3 to % men, the runners
and ribs being Of second growth hickory
and the cleats selected white ash. The
canvas for the boat covering is heavy
goods, such as is used for hose, capable Of
standing ten times the strain that it can
possibly receive for this purpose. 1t will
not leak, is made in form and fits the
frame perfectly. There is not a nail or
screw in the whole construction, bolts
being used exclusively, a monkey
wrench being the only necessary tool in
putting together or adjusting in n
form. A frame and other compendiums
constructed to carry five men and their
outfit will not weigh over $50 pounds,
and if a man wants to return from the
diggings he has something to get out of
the country in and can travel anywhere
with no expense. "-Denver News.
Wants q Pension Because He Is So Big.
Representative Acheson Of Pennsyl-