Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-11-07
FROM ST LOUIS TO CHICAGO IN AN AUTOMOBILE.
81 for the trip. The average speed was

~ for the trip. The average speed was
twelve and a half miles an hour, and
the only accident was the puncturing of
tire. 1t was Mr.. French's first inten-
ton to go only as far us Springfield, but
when he heard of the International race
meet in Chicago he went on to that city,
where he took medals in the three
classes in which he competed.
when left st. Louis l decided to
take the roads as they came" said Mr..
French, when seen after his arrival in
Chicago. "The highways and byways
of Illinois found perfect labyrinth.
The persons whom met on the jour
ney, and from which humbly inquired
the best route to Chicago, SO often mis-
directed me that | lost much time.
Owing to the section divisions, the
to turn corner every ten minutes. AS
the speed of the automobile had to be
decreased in order to make each turn,
I could not cover as great distance as
IL had been on straight road. am
sure that could make trip in much
better time If were to repeat it, as
know the route now. And, by the way,
l think happened on the best roads,
and shall take the same route when
next make the journey.
Fifty Miles on Wrong Roads.
Leaving st. Louis at 8 o'clock in the
morning, spent the night ut Divernon,
eighty-five miles away. ran 125 miles
during the day, but lost fifty miles by
going out Of my way-according to di-
rections given me by persons of whom
asked Information. took luncheon
at Stanton. Near Litchtield one of the
tires was punctured, and l had bad
time until reached Diyernon. The
people had never seen an automobile,
and my machine created great deal
Of excitement. Men, women and chill
dren rushed out Of the houses to look
at the horseless carriage was sur
prised when saw the establishment
with which the automobile was exam
lined. Even the horses We're amazed.
and many times l was compelled to
stop my vehicle In order to prevent run
Always. The dogs parked at me, but
they fled in terror when the machine
whizzed by them.
cat Dirernon patched the punctur-
ed tire with rope and went on to Spring
field. After leaving Divernon the roads
were much improved for a long dis
lance. In Springfield had the tire
mended, and then decided to 60 on to
Chicago. From Middleton to San Jose
the roads were good. At Pekin 1
wheeled into deep sand as far as Chilli
cothe. Near Peoria | was compelled to
get out and push my machine, From
Chillicothe to Henry the roads were
fine. The next morning had SPLEEN
did drive to Seneca. l ran into a
heavy storm at AIinooka, and the trip
for the remainder of the way into Chi
cago was through mud, in some places
six inches deep"
Mr.. French believes that before many
years the automobile will be as common
as the bicycle, and that the summer
trip on the horseless carriage will be
popular and fashionable recreation.
Maps Of the best routes will be indis-
pensable, however, for the amount of
misinformation that he gathered con
corning routes, roads, distances, and
towns was varied. He found sand
more Of an obstacle than mud, and en-.
countered no difficulties in ascending
steep hills. With the general use of
the automobile will come an ideal con
dition for farmers, inasmuch MS the
popularity Of the horseless carriage
will compel more attention being paid
to the smoothness of country roads.