The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-15
TO TEXAS AND BACK by TRUCK.
Mrs. Hurts 4, OOO- Mile Drive for the BENEFIT
OF Her Husbands Health.

BINoHAMToN, June N.-Mr. and Mrs
Frank Hurl OF this city have just COM
pleted journey which perhaps has not
been matched since the days when prairie
schooners navigated the country east of
the Mississippi. They went to Texas and
returned in truck. The round trip took
just year.
Mrs, Hurl was the prime mover in the enter
prise, as she has been in all the affairs Of her
family since her husband became III several
years ago. 1t was for the benefit Of the
husbands health that the trip was taken.
Mr.. Hurl was cartman in this city until
he had to give up work about three years ago
because Of lung trouble. Mrs. Hurl then
took her husbands place. driving his truck
every day. No work was too heavy for
her to undertake. She shovelled coal and
did heavy moving and similar work
Mr.. Hurl's health continued to grow
advised change Of climate as the only
thing that would save his life Texas was
recommended as good place for him.
Mrs, Hurl quickly conceived the plan Of
driving to Texas. just as many people from
the East travelled to their new Western
homes In the first half Of the last century.
This method Of travel was decided upon
because 1t was cheap. and also because it
was thought that the outdoor life would
benefit Mr.. Hurl.
Mrs. Hurl accordingly fitted the truck
with bows, over which she placed a can
vas cover. and packed In the wagon tent
and other necessary camping articles.
On June 10. 1902, the family consisting of
Mr.. and Mrs Hurl and their little son
started on their journey.
Mrs. Hurl drove most of the time and for
the first part of the trip did most OF the
camp work. The outdoor life was Of benr-
At to Mr.. Hurls health, and he was soon able
to do more work than he had done for
two years.
The family travelled leisurely. usually
making twenty or twenty-five miles a day
They camped wherever night overlook
them, purchasing supplies of the farmers
along the way.
Mr., and Mrs. Hurl are fond Of music,
PLAYING the mandolin, guitar and correct.
Frequently while they were travelling
through country districts people would
gather at their camp in the evening and
they would give concert.
During the last half of the jourr ey they
travelled through country almost ss wild
as any traversed by the early emigrants.
In some places there We're 10 roads. nothing
but rough trails and it was necessary to
ford rivers. Across the Indian Territory
the travelling was particularly bad.
But in spite Of the hardships, Mrs Hurl
kept plucliilv at her task. always thinking
of the health of her husband. They ex-
pect ed to reach Texas in about three months
but it was on Dec. 10. or more than five
months from the time they left Bingham
ton. when they arrived at their journeys
end The frequent stops Of several days
at q time made on Mr.. Hurrs account had
heightened the time
After reaching Texas they were disap-
pointed The climate did not agree with
Hurl after all. Although he had Improved
considerably while on the road he soon
began to fail after reaching the journeys
end.
As soon as she saw that life in the South
west would not bring the desired result.
Mrs Hurl decided to return to her home
in this city, Again the tedious journey
of more than 1000 miles YVES begun, and
just year from the time That they left this
city they returned to their Bnshamton
home.
Mr. Hurl ia still an invalid, although
his health'is better than when the open
air journey was begun.