The diamond drill., 1921-12-24
A LETTER FROM n. II. WEBB

the Rotary Club may be wondering
why ] have not given an account OF
myself and my trip acass to the coast
Well had a most delightful trip.
AS you know Sam Bridges and John
Tufts accompanied me as far as Ken
osha where l left them to branch of
TO Antioch. my old home, where |
was to meet and pick up Rob for the
! regular and real start for California.
; got there Sunday evening. Rob
came Monday and Tuesday morning
; we were all packed and started of in
a good brisk snow storm. IL showed
hailed or rained most OF the time till
we reached st. Louis, where we were
met and welcomed by Mr. Holbrook
(the shoe last man. He took us 10 the
club where we were entertained all
the evening. We went 10 his home
where we were entertained for the
night. He has an elegant home and a
most charming family | think you
met them at Crystal Falls last SUM
mer.
Next day he showed us the city and
his very extensive shoe last factory
We came through mud as we ap-
preached st. Louis that was very deep
and my car was covered good and
plenty | got 1t washed and we left
st. Louis with clean car we saw no
more mud dry all the rest OF the
trip. They have been SO long without
rain clear through Missouri, ansas,
Arizona and New Mexico that IL look
ed to me that all stock through that
territory would starve We followed
the Santa Fe trail all the way. My
speedometer registered 1900 miles
from c. F. to Los Angeles made an
average of about 20 miles on gallon
OF gas and used 4 gallons OF oil on
the trip. There were many places
where the road was very rough:
big stone and clay holes. broke two
springs getting over the mountains.
Also broke housing but was very
fortunate In getting fixed up all right
and was not hung up very long.
drove through in fifteen days actual
driving averaging better than 200
4 -
ing outfit once, we made for good
place TO eat and sleep every night
and made II with one exception. Com |
ing through Mexico, night overlook |
us the roads were very bad and the |
temperature was about zero; we stay
OF DOLBY clay and let the car stand out. |
we drained the radiator and the |
next morning we were up at s O'Clock |
but could get no water TO fill our
radiator with so We had TO stick
around till we could thaw out a water
pipe that the Mexicans had for get
ting water from the mountain side.
We had plenty of blankets and we
took turns at keeping a fire in an old
fire place that was in the hut We
paid $500 for those accommodations
there are plenty OF places all along
the trail TO get supplies l started
with reserve OF oil. gas and water
but never had occasion to use any OF |
them. We were up TO as high an al
titude as $500 feet did not feel the |
effect OF il but once. In Flagstaff. |
Arizona We spent part or two days |
and one night to get my housing
welded and reinforced by inserting a
sleeve inside OF t. While walking
around the city was forced TO make
for the hotel and lie down but next
day was all right again. Take IL all
in all We had a yer y interesting trip |
and was not as tiresome as l had an
ticipated. What was most interesting 1
To me was the many Mexican villages
hundreds OF years old, all built OF
DOLBY clay with streets not over 2t
feet wide. We saw at Santa Fe the
Oldest Mission Building in the U. s
built OF this native clay well we push
cd along till we finally reached l.. A.
Thanksgiving eve. and have been busy
since arriving here driving and see
ing all OF the Crystal Falls people
that are living here.
Last week Rob and wife, Marguerite,
Mrs. Webb and myself drove to San
Daigo, 15O miles, we were gone two
days, most OF the way on the ocea,
beach and II was as delightful a drive
os ever experienced, the winter herr
IS ideal and one OF the best climates
on earth for man to winter in. NJ
car is a great comfort to me and J
bclieyeone OF the best cars made 10
service. IL looks like new and / still
have Michigan air In all my tires,
My tires are Goodyear Cords and !
am sure would bring me back 10
Crystal Falls II should decide 1,
drive back next spring. | surely can't
help but think that the Buick car
Is the best that could be selected for
the hard test OF crossing several
mountain ranges and the burning
sands OF the desert.
like it here well but will be glad
10 get back with the robins next
spring Give my best TO all OF our clul
members and with kindest OF regards