Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-06-29
BICYCLEON THEFARM
WHEEL COMES INTO GENERAL
USE IN THE COUNTRY.
Found to Be Great Convenience for
short Errands or Trips to Town
After the Days Work Is Done and
Horses Are in the Barn.


We are not prophesying but directing
attention to simple facts and to
changed conditions. The bicycle is on
the rarm. AS you stand by the door
Of one farmhouse, at the close of
summer day, you see one and another
young man go whizzing past ON his
wheel. They are off for the post office
or the store. The older men use them,
finding this much more expeditions
way of doing a business errand at
neighbor'S, going to look up an addi-
tional hand for to-morrow's work, to
return some borrowed tool, to inquire
about some meadow grass that he
wants to NOW. There are many such
neighborly errands that can be done
promptly on the bicycle; besides the
horses are tired from the days work.
The change for the man or boy makes
the bicycle coasting or sprinting a rec
reation-far more so than taking out
the tired horses or horse for a buggy
ride would be.
The bicycle for the rural districts is
a blessing socially. The young ladies'
use IT. the teacher rides to her school;
parties of young men and women go
out for a moonlight ride. The socia-
bility and social intercourse in the
neighborhood is greatly increased for
the reason already indicated, that the
boys and girls find it play to go off on
the wheel, whereas it would be much
like work to hitch up and drive, even
If the farmer were willing the team
should be used. Most farmers are
thoughtful and considerate of their
horses. Even though the animals
might not have worked during the day
they often want to allow them a full
day off and complete rest.
In many of the families the bicycle
Is used to go to church. There is not
always room enough in the family bug
gy for all There are in every neigh
borhood some who thus go to the mid
week prayer meeting, to the lodge, and
any social gathering that may be plan
ned. The bicycle is thus promoter of
what is best in the social life of rural
districts.
For some years the bicycle was a
kind of city or village fad" Young
people were crazy over it, going out TO
make their Centuries on holiday and
coming home utterly worn out and per-
haps their health impaired for months
If not for life. The country boys and
girls are more sensible and are restrain
ed by their circumstances from such
foolishness. TO them the wheel is an
eminently practical and useful vehicle.
Our personal observations in Western
New York opened our eyes to the fact
that the wheel is not by any means
confined to the prairie or comparatively
level roads. Young men and women
came down the long hills with an aban-
don and an evident sense of enjoyment
that proved that there was something
exciting and out-of- the common in the
use of the bicycle on these roads which
made 1t more truly recreation than in
the other conditions.
How has it come about that the wheel
is now to be found in every country
neighborhood when at first it was n
city luxury? 1t is easy to answer this
question. First of all the bicycle is
much cheaper. A good wheel can be
had as low as $25 or $50 and one of a
high class for $40 to 500. Formerly
prices were from $75 to $780, The
writer several years ago paid $3.50 each
for bicycles for two Of his boys when
they were college students. Mark the
difference in prices with all the differ
ent manufacturers. But second rea-
son why the wheel is now coming to
be so common in rural districts is that
there is more money there to spend for
anything really wanted. We are not
now indicating the reasons or causes
Of the hard times nor even the causes
Of the relief, but it is evident there is
more money to spend in the country re-
gions.
In the third place, as already indi-
Gated, the wheel is ally means of
economy. 1t saves time for the horses
in necessary business trips and they
can be kept at work; 1t saves wear and
tear to the carriage; it saves the
strength of the team and gives the
horses needed rest. A fourth reason
why wheels begin to be seen in so many
out-of- -the-way country places Is that
the people there are learning of their
advantages and that they can really
afford to have them. Wheels have gone
down to as low price as they are like
ly to reach. Every economy has been
sought in their manufacture, every pos
sible invention, not only for their i'm
provement as vehicle, but in faclli-
tating and cheapening their manufac-
ture.
TO summarize: 1t is good economy;
| 1t is healthful recreation; it promotes
social life: IL is n constant convenience.