Reliving history on bicycle trip
As I charted my bicycle route, I deliberately selected a portion that relived a historical trek. As I travel from Washington to Illinois, I will be backtracking on the footsteps of the infamous Lewis in Clark expedition. This has a certain historical appeal, but I selected it for more personal and pragmatic reasons that it conveniently conveys me from my sister in Washington state to my maternal family's home town, Mount Carmel, Illinois.
The next leg of my trip, from Mount Carmel to my friends in Wisconsin, was selected for similarly pragmatic reasons. But I have discovered that I will be reliving another, far more personal, historical expedition: In September, 1895, my great grandfather and family patriarch, Sereno Schneck, bicycled 286 miles from Mount Carmel to Chicago when he was 20 years old. I have posted the full text his riding companion's amusing journal of this expedition in the comments of this post.
This discovery was an amazing revelation. I have always identified strongly with my maternal grandfather, Robert Jacob Schneck. There is a certain poetry to discover that I will be cycling a route that his father rode 110 years ago. The diary, dated November 12th, 1895, of their trials and tribulations is entertaining, but I quote from the closing paragraph here:
"It is hoped that these lines will not help to discourage our brother wheelmen from country touring because of our many accidents, for the pleasures by far out weighed all of our troubles, and as soon as the opportunity presents, which will be in the Fall of 1896, we intend to try our fortunes again, by going on a much longer tour."I don't know if they ever conducted that subsequent, "much longer tour", but as a "brother wheelman," I am happy to complete that journey for them.
posted by Rob Ryan @ 12:38 AM
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Below, please find the full text of the journal from the bicycle ride conducted by Sereno Schneck (my great grandfather, known as Pappy throughout the family) and C. F. Stein. The text is reproduced as the original, but as the author, C.F. Stein says, "this being my first attempt at History Writing, will offer no apology for poor composition, and bad grammar." Enjoy:
Mt, Carmel, Ill, Nov. 12th, 1895
Dairy of the bycicle trip from Mt. Carmel, by the way of Champaign, to Chicago Ill., by Sereno Schneck and C. F. Steine.
On Sept’ 24th, 1895, two wheelmen began packing their nap-sacks, bidding their loved ones, farewell, borrowing of their friends, all the cash they could command and explaining to all, that they were World Beaters, from the word go, and before this short sketch has been drawn to a close, its readers will know of the hard-ships, pleasures and amusing incidence, encountered during the trip, for there was no lack of hardships, and bad luck was ever with them.
The first question to be settled, was in what were we to carry our few supplies, needed for such a trip. After wrangling on the subject for quite a while, we decided to have canvass bags made; this we proceeded to do. Then began the work of finding room in them, for a thousand and one things, that we had not counted on, when we decided on the bags as just the thing to carry all; but after hard work, everything was ready for the start, bags and contents strapped to the handle bars.
As it mite be of interest, I will numerate a few of the necessities of life, especially to a wheel-man.
Dr. Schneck, being the most trust-worthy one of the party, was allowed the privelege of carrying the lunch, which as a most excellent, prepared by Mrs. Schneck. He also carried his own, Or PROBABLY BORROWED WARD-ROBE, which consisted of handercheifs, night-wrobe, coat, spectacles, and a smile. After getting my knap-sack strapped to the wheel, found that I had a repair-shop, drug store, gents-furnishing store and a photograph gallery, for company on the trip, and after bidding each other a kind and affectionate good night with tears in our eyes, for the separati........as it had been years since we had said those parting ........
Wednesday, Sept’ 25, 1895, was as fine a day as heart could wish, but it was trying on ones feelings, to get up at five thirty o’clock, espe- when in the habit of sleeping until the sun had reached about forty five degrees. After partaking of a light breakfast, and receiving a few words of good advice, I wended my way to the elegant mansion, where the medical wonder of the age, was patiently awaiting my arrival, and receiving a few more words of additional advise, we were ready for the trip, of which will be told in as few words as possible.
As this is the 15th day of Nov’ 1895, some of the amusing incidents, have been forgotten, nothing but an out line of the trip having been put on paper at the time. At exactly 6:30 A, M. Wednesday morning, we were given the word to go (and never to return,). The ride Paton station, our first city of any importance, was reached in twenty five, minutes, a distance of five and seven eights miles; Allendale the democratic stronghold, of Wabash County, was our next station. It had taken us one hour and ten minutes to ride the ten and one half miles from Mt. Carmel. Owing to the sandy condition of the roads,. After stopping at the 5th National Bank, long enough to draw our breath, we departed for that french settlement, called St. Francisville, which was reached at 8,21 A.M. Now began our troubles. A savage dog took a fancy to the Drs finely developed calves, and as the Dr’ is of a retiring nature, of course , he objected to having his nether parts, desected for the benefit of a crowd of by-standers, so he proceeded to tease the dog with bricks, rail-road ties. The owner of the dog thot this an unjust proceeding, and his objections, caused a war of words, in which he was invited to share the dog’s troubles. From some cause or other Sereno, became very angry, and said (to be continued).
He afterward told me, confidentially that if he had only had a gun, that dog would have been good of bologna by that time. We had been riding a very good clip, when we thot it time to rest, so I stopped the Machinery, by falling into Sereno’s rear wheel, breaking three spokes out of it. MORE TROUBLE. The accident left us, just eleven miles from Lawrenceville, a good long before breakfast walk, but fortunately for us, the two Charlies, Russell and Oldendorf, whom we had past at Allendale, hove in sight. This was the only good luck that we had , on the entire trip. Sereno and his bike, were loaded in the buggy and hauled safely into Lawrenceville, but as my wheel was not damaged, I worked my way be rideing in; riding time three hours, distance thirty one and a quarter miles from Mt. C. It was impossable to get repairs in that large city, so we had to wait for the train. In trying to fix the wheel with some old spokes, we punctured a tire, MORE TROUBLE. During our stay in Lawrenceville, the time past very pleasantly. As we were spoiling for a chance to test the pocket Kodak, kindly loaned to us by Eastham, with fear and trembling, Schneck pointed the machine at me for a trial test. Oh?, but it was a tester, how it groaned and creaked,; but presume it did its work all right. Schneck, was its next victim; yes, it asked us what was next: as the subjects were getting worse, and worse.
(This is on the quiet, don’t tell Schneck, for we both are very sensative, about having our good looks, discussed, pro and con.
After taking into ourselves, a few crackers as good promise of something better, we boarded the train for Marshall, which is fifty miles north of Lawrenceville; (by the way) Schneck asked me to record in our diary, that we were in good spirits, but mad; but he will explain later.
We at last concluded that it was time to feed, so we diin’nt do a thing to Mrs. Schneck’s lunch, while waiting for Marshall to show up on the map.
We wrote a card home, telling our folks that we were rideing twenty five miles an hour, (pretty good time for a Big 4 train.)
Nothing of interest happened, until, while crossing from the dineing car, into the palace car, the wind carried my twenty cent cap away, which I did not discover in time to hop off and get, for a few moments delay, makes it impossable for one to overtake a Big 4 train.
Finally Marshall was reached, and so ended our first adventure on the train, which was made very pleasant, by genial Kid Wright, the conductor. Just after leaving the train at Marshall, we had a very pleasant episode, in trying to shoot a picture of a crowd of pretty girls, with our Kodak, but we did’nt get it. I first went out to find a cap, as I had come from the Depot, bare-headed, and not being able to find any thing that suited me, took and advertisment tobacco-cap, donated by a big hearted grocer. It worked fine and I wore it until we reached Campaign, two days later, We then retired to the Bycycle Dr., and had the wheel put in good shape. After taking several pictures and calling on the boys, we left for Paris, at three forty fiive P.M. We had a splendid ride, climbing some very steep hills and enjoying our first pike road.
Paris was reached at 4,53 P.M. time one hour and eight minutes; distance 17 and a quarter miles, and so ended the first days riding of our trip. Distance ridden fro Mt. C, 48 ½ miles; time 4 hours and 8 minutes, an average of, nearly 12 miles an hour. As I had some legal business to attend to, we decided to spend the night in gal Paree; we were simply out for fun, and that city offering the greatest inducements in the amusement line, we enquired for the best hotel in the city, (we only wanted to know the name of it for future reference.)
While snapping a picture of the Edgar County Court House, which is an elegant structure, we were met by a former Mt. C, mayor, who introduced us to a number of very pleasant people.
Having numerous other duties to perform, be bad them adue, after which we met a popular rail road goy, called St. Clair, who gave us a kind invitation, to make his boarding house, our head quarters, while in the city, and as neither of us is, of the refusing kind, the invitation wa accepted. After supper, we tried to locate the gentleman, who we had changed our rout, especially to see, but we failed, he having located in a neighboring town.
Disappointment reigned supreme, but to drown our sorrows, we called on several youn ladies, and the evening passed very pleasantly, with music dancing, &c. Just before leaving Sereno, because the proud possessor of an elegant photo, of one of the ladies, who requested that he accept it with her regards; the Dr, took it, as he always takes well, every where he goes. The wee small hours, were rapidly approaching so we retired to the hotel, to bunk for the balance of the night.
Before retireing we indulged in a good rub down, with rattle snake oil and (enjoyed a pipe of peace, or a piece, which we called the little crooked stem, corn-cob pipe that we both smoked.
It was our consoling comforter, in all our trials and tribulations, and was the one thing, that made us stick to each-other like brothers.
Having finished our smke, we retired with great expectations, of what the morrow would bring forth. We were suddenly awaken, about three o’clock, by being roaled out of bed, by several of the boys, who had gotten in our room, some way. They informed us that the weather looked like rain, and rain it did, all the rest of the night, MORE TROUBLE.
We arose at 6,30 in the morn, and took a look at the weather, and were undecided wether to start or not, for everything was swiming in water. But after eating a hearty breakfast, we departed at eight o’clock on our way, rejoicing, (without the rejoice.) Our sailing was all o k , for about 15 miles on the pike road, having ridden that far in one hour.
More trouble; the mud was shoe top deep, and sticky as molasses; it was impossable to ride, walk or any thing else, with comfort; but we would ride along the hedge fences, a short distance, then unclog the wheels and rest a while, or take a few snap shots at (each other, or any other real good subject.) After three hours of hard work, in which was mixed any amount of fun, for we jollied each other about the elegant roads, or think a few thots of home, sweet home, borrow apples from neighboring orchards, told fish stories, in fact done every thing but ride, we reached Chrisman, a town of about one thousand population, at noon, the distance from Paris, is about twenty five miles.
Our first act of any inportance, after reaching a haven of rest, was to find a soup house, which we finally found, and was served with an elegant dinner, consisting of cow meat, greasy taters, store cakes, and tooth-picks on the side. After satisfying the iner man, we drew straws to see, which one of us would smoke the pipe of peace, (Schneck won as usual.) We proceeded to remove, about three hundred pounds of mother earth from our wheels, only to find that Sereno, had punctured a tire in four places, while the front tire on my wheel, had almost fifteen holes in it. More Trouble, all cause by hedge-thorns. There was nothing in sight for us, but to take the train to Danville, about 12 miles from Chrisman, and although, we were treated pleasantly, by the boys who tried to strew our path with roses (which we appreciated after having had it strewn with thorns,). Time hung heavily with us as well as our dinners, which was entirely too elaborate for our delicate constitutions. After several hours of waiting, during which we had figured out our expense account, only to find it balanced on the wrong side of the ledger; we journeyed to the depot, and got aboard for Danville. The car was destitute of pretty girls, so we stationed ourselves in the rear platform, and aroused the natives with our melodious voices, singing all the old familiar songs, and a number of others that we did not know, filling the prairie with melody; Our Sweet Voices. At Ridge Farm, we were met, by a crack bicyle rider, who had been notified of our comeing, (but not via, the train.)
We reached Danville at 4 P.M., and visited the repair shop of Holmes & Bro’ and after they had repaired about ten holes in my tire, it blew up, and I had to purchase a new Parmer tire at a cost ol $2.50.
After leaving the repair shop, Sereno’s wheel having been fixed at Chrisman, we called on Fred Laferty, who introduced us to a number of Danville’s swell young men, and we then made an engagement with the boys to meet them at 8 o’clock at the Aetna house. When we had gone to a butcher shop, and had our countenances, scraped, we were then ready for supper, which was eaten at a place, with the sig, “Café” on the window in large letters. Our engagement at eight o’clock, was promptly filled by all parties, and to say that we had spent a pleasant evening, sounds tame, and when we had taken in the sights of the town, we visited the Club Room, which was an elegant affair, fitted up with billiard and pool tables, library, gymnasium, and all modern appliances &c.
At twelve oclock, being tired, sleepy, and having numerous other ailments, we roled into a bed, loaned to us by Laferty and ended our second days outing. In the morning, I found my new tire, flat, so went again to the repair shop, and had another put on, paying an additional dollar; then we called on several young ladies.
The atmosphere being rather chilly, we purschased for ourselves, each, a pair of heavy wool stockings, and being now 9,45 A.M., we departed for that College town, called Champaign. By changing as pace-makers, we rode at a three minute gate, for twenty miles, making splendid time against a high wind. While going down a long hill at a frightful pace, Sereno slowed down, on account of a bad place in the road, which caused me to run into him, which gave me a bad fall, knocking me senseless for fully five minutes, spraining my wrist very badly, but fortunately, neither of the wheels were hurt. When we had recovered, we again sped away on our record breaking run, though oweing to the pain in my wrist, we had to ride slower, arriving at Champaign at 11,52 A.M., completeing the 37 miles in two hours and seven minutes, just 7 minutes under record, which was made with a strong wind, helping rider along.
We then visited some of Schneck’s old friends, not slighting even the ladies, the college and grounds, saw the cadets drill, the foot ball team practice, and the athletes train. We saw Paul Chipman, and met several of the proffessors. It was again necessary to visit the repair shop, I having got a puncture in my front tire, and when repaired, we went to supper, after which Schneck, called on one of his numerous lade friends, while I visited Paul, at his room, my writ\st paining me, I decided to go to bed early, so did not fill the engagement that Sereno had made for me. At ten oc’lock I went to our hotel, Sereno appearing on the scene of action at 11,30, reported that he had spent a pleasant eve. With a little preliminary cutting up, we locked ourselves in each others arms, and passed away to the land of nod; so ended our third days outing. The next morning we awoke rather early, for I had been sick most of the night and began pulling our wearing apparrel from where it had been doing duty, as window pains, preparatory to an early start.
We went to a cycle store, where I invested a few of my surplus dollars in a pair of bloomers and a cap. We were then ready for another attempt to reach to promise land of Chicago.
At 8,8 A.M., we left Champaign, with a Swede by the name of Fritz, who was a very comical fellow, as pace maker. He was said to be a very fast road rider, and sure enough he was swift, for he made us get over the road at a three minute gate, riding 20 miles the first hour.
Just a half mile from a place called Rantoul, about 24 miles from Champaign, Fritz and Schneck, collided; it was a bad fall throwing Schneck straight up in the air, but fortunately, no one was hurt, however the rim on Sereno’s wheel, was broken. It was a mournful procession, that wended its way into Rantoul, a place of about one thousand population.
We telegraphed to Champaign, for a new rim, it being impossable to get one in Rantoul, and ordered it shiped to our next town, called Paxton, a town of five thousand population, the Dr. , taking the train, while I rode through alone, (Fritz have returned,) giving all the bagage to Sereno. Paxton is situated on the prairie, and after riding quite a while, I enquired the distance to the place, as I could then see the town, and on being told that it was eleven miles farther, was very much surprised. It seemed strange to be so near, yet so far from our destination. On arriving a Paxton, we were both made happy by being united again. As we had two hours of valuable time to kill, we proceeded with our task, by sitting down to as good a dinner, as two hungry wheelmen could wish for. We spent the remaining time, after dinner, in watching it rain; bright prospects, and More Trouble.
We decided to take the train to a place called Gilman, 12 miles from Paxton. But here I have gotten ahead of my story. Sereno was no doubt buisily engaged in conversation, with some fair female, and had gotten off at Paxton, and left our bagage in the coach, having forgotten that we had any clothes, had to telegraph to KanKaKee, to have them returned to Gilman. No harm was done by his forgetfullness, only I had to freeze it out, my coat being a part of the bagage. Here would be a splendid opportunity to mention that we were treated royally in every town that we stopped; the boys doing all in their power to make life as pleasant as possible for us. When the train pulled into Paxton, Schneck made a grand rush to the Express office to get the rin which we had ordered sent there, while I put the bikes and our lugage, that had been return to us from Kankakee, aboard the covered cars. Schneck, succeeded in getting the rim barely in time to grab on to the rear end of the train as it pulled out. While on the train we put the spokes in the rim, only to find that the miserable thing was a size too small. More Trouble.
We dismounted at the large city of Gilman, of about six hundred inhabitants, where we again visited our old friend, the repair shop, only to find that the repairer was just out of new rims, and that he could do nothing but sympathize with us. If that was,nt a pretty state of affairs; two mortals were badly mistaken, as it was 40 miles to Kankakee, our nearest city of any size, where we could get repairs. It was then Saturday eve, so the best and only thing for us to do, was for me to ride through alone to Kankakee, in order to get our broken wheel in the repair shop in time to get it mended in time for an early start on Sunday morning. At five o’clock P.M., I started from Gilman, with Sereno’s front wheel, strapped to my back, to make a long lonesome ride of 40 miles, for nothing but compulsion prompted me to take the ride, but there was no train for Kankakee, until 10,45 P.M., too late to reach the repair shop. It had to be done. I arrived in Danforth Station, making five miles in 20 minutes. My next station was Ashkum, firve miles further north, which was also reached in 20 minutes. It was now ten miles to Clifton, where I had been told, I could ride the Illinois Central double track, and that it would be easy sailing into Kankakee.
But on reaching Clifton, was disappointed, to find that the double tracks, did not commence there, but at a small town called Otto, 12 miles further on. I had then ridden twenty miles, and had been on the road one hour and twenty minutes. It was then Sun down, and very cloudy but I gain started on my journey, with my heart in my feet, and my spirits, clear out of sight, and 6,20 by the regulator, and after as had a ride, as any one would wish to avoid, I arrived in Chebanse, a town of probably three hundred, having covered six miles of sand and rough road from Clifton, in thirty minutes. While searching through the town, to find something to eat, I was finally rewarded by finding a den, which they called a restaurant, in which the only thing they had to eat, was store cakes, and huckel-berry pie. Having selected pie, for my supper, seated myself on a drug goods box, and proceeded to enjoy some of the luxuries, then replenished my tires, and being directed, as to which road to take, by a groups of very inquisitive, open mouthed natives, who seemed to think that I was some quful monster, from the other world. I stated for Otto, at seven o’clock, and to make matters more unpleasant, I got lost. At every house at which I stoped to enquire as to my way, several large, savage, acting dogs, would meet me at the gate, and being of a very timid nature, I decided, that I did not care to inquire about my whereabouts, for the receptions, was always entirely too warm.
Finally, in my roamings, and attempts, to find the rail road, I found a line of poles, that I supposed to be a telephone line. I just followed those poles, and as it was now raining, and so intensely dark, that the only way that I could follow the road, was by keeping the telephone ples to my left. Oh? Those were moments that I wanted to be at home, for the sand was deep and plenty of it. For over an hour I plodded along whistling to keep up courage. When I crossed the railroad, I noticed that it was a double track, and looking back, I could see several lights, which I supposed to be Otto, having missed the town entirely; but, at last I was on those long looked for, double tracks.
It was a wonder that I was able to stay on them, for the wind has risen and was blowing a regular huricane. I felt all alone, in this cold dreary world, but I soon realized that company was near, for I came to a nice warm fire, by which was seated three or four Weary Willies, or, in other words, tramps.;, not careing to stop to inquire after their health, I pressed harder, my pedals, and sped by them before they knew that I was comeing. That little incident, intermingled with numerous, queer, and weird noises, cased by the winds moaning through the telegraph wires made the cold chills, creep up and down my spinal column; But, never say die, ‘till your dead, kept running through my mind. On account of many culberts and cattle gards, I was compelled to ride slowly, as I came very near falling into several of them. After an hours work, (which seemed a month,) I reached the bridge over the Kankakee river. The wind was blowing a perfect gale, I had to crawl the bridge, it being almost impossable to stand up, and to avoid being bloown into the river, had to crawl as the only safe way of getting across. On reaching terre,-firmma once more, I was passed by a long freight train of probably 60 cars, which if I had met on the bridge, would have cause me considerable inconvenience. It was then only a few minutes ride to Kankakee and that was ridden in short order; so ended on of the longest, and I think the most lonesome ride I ever took. After I had ordered a supper built to order, I rode over town to find a repair shop; it was then 9,15P.M, and I had been four hours and fifteen minutes, riding from Gilman.
On finding the repair shop, the lateness of the hour, prevented anyone doing my work, until the next morning, there being only one man who was willing to work on Sunday, and he was the unfortunate that got the job. I then returned to my waiting supper, which soon had the desired effect, and made me feel like a new boy. At almost 12, I went to the train to meet my long lost companion, the Dr. We then sought the secrecy of our room, where we related our experience.
Sereno said, theat Gilman,, would always retain a warm spot in his heart for he had spent the most lonesome five hours, that mortal man could fall heir to, the girls were so shy, that he could not find any one to talk to, except to a pretty girl in a cigar stand, where he spent all of his spare change in buying cigars. She was so very backward, that he had to do all the talking. Just before the train arrived, he started a conversation, with a very nice old gentleman, who was going to Kankakee.
He enjoyed the trip on the train with this old gent, on the train, who proved to be a Methodist minister. Sereno said “I was never more surprised in my like. I nearly fell off my seat, and it was a good thing that I hadn’t found it out sooner, for I would have been scared to death.”
I wondered why. After a good long draw at the pipe of peace, we stroled out to see the town, and on our return, we left a call for 6,30 next morning, and again retired to our room, only to find that we were to roost next door to a gentleman, that had a powerful voice, and who understood the art of snoreing, to perfection. He sawed wood, and said not a word, while we proceeded to investigate the premises. We found that our room had been occupied by one of the gentler sex at some day not long past, judging from the wearing apparrel we found in the closet, which we tried on, for the amusement of ourselve, and to the disturbance of our neighbors, after which we put on a smile and went to bed, to dream of insane asylums and lunatics, of which Kankakee is full. So ended our fourth days outing. We arose at nine oc’lock the next morning, the day being a fine Sabath, but cold as green land, and after a hasty breakfast, we returned to interview the gentleman, that was at work on the wheel; he was evidently an amature in the repair business, and it was eleven o’clock before noble steed was in fit condition to ride, but as beggars can not be choosers we accepted the job without a complaint.
We had on the previous day, intended to visit the state insane asylum but on learning that it is located one and a half miles south of the city, and that visitors, were not allowed, only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, we abandoned the trip, and with many regrets, we again turned our faces toward the north, to continue our journey, which was to be completed by six o,clock that evening; at least our skedule had been made for that time. Judging from prospects, and former experience, we would not behold that wonderful city, so soon, as we had yet seventy miles to travel, against a very strong wind, which made it even impossable to coast down the hills; it was all work and no play.
At 11,20 A.M., Kankakee was numbered as one of the past, we having left the city over those much talked of double tracks. And one mile from the city, we dismounted to snap a look likeness of each other, for the benefit of our creditors, and numerous other friends down in Egypt, because if the wind had continued to blow at that rate, we might have still been working, even at the present writing, to reach our goal, but presently it quieted down, and we hastened on. Our progress was very slow, oweing to part of the track, being rock ballast. We were not riding hard enough to keep warm, so we had to role our collars up about our ears, tie our handerchiefs over our faces, and wear our gogles to protect our eyes, for it was frecing cold. To say that we were a pair of hideous looking beings, does not half describe our appearance. We arrived in Manitan, a small village, at 11,50 A.M., just six miles from Kankakee. We were here advised to take the waggon road to our next town called Petone, by a young pride of America, who said “all the fellers that rode them air things, follard the big road, cause the rail road aint a bit good. I am sorry to say, we took the young hopeful’s advise.
After riding about six miles, we decided to indulge in a little foraging, in which we secured some very nice yellow apples, that proved to be hard and sour, and as we had a severe touch of that tired feeling, threw our weary selves on a grassy nole, to enjoy the refreshing atmosphere, and our apples. While chatting about the topics of the day, neither of us having seen a paper for a week, and discussing the great silver question, we noticed coming down the road, an elegant two horse waggon, in which was a gentleman, his wife and probably, five or six young Americans. As it happened, instead, to this magnificent carriage, was hitched a pair of sleepy mules, that looked as though life had been a burthen to them, and just as this turnout passed us, these noble animals, shied, causing the gentleman to vent his anger on us in great style. It was always our rule to treat every one, with courtesy, and we soon realized that we were dealing with what is commonly called, in wheeling parlance, a road hog, and as our bykes were setting almost ten feet from the road, we resented his abusive language, and invited him to step from his vehicle, and we would argue the question further, for we were both mad as hornets, and as the Road Hog, was no doubt, a good man at heart, and not disposed to mar our features, with a hand to hand combat, which we surely would have indulged in, had he decided to convince us, that he was in the right, and he left us the proud victors.
Then the band played that old familiar piece :marching through to Chicago”. We again started for our next town Petone, which we reached at 2,445, just 15 miles from Kankakee. Our riding time one hour and 25 minutes. It was past dinner time, but we found a kindergarden where they served meals at all hours. The family of the hostess, was large, and Schneck counted six youngsters and could hear remarks out in the yard such as, “mary, you quit that, and John I’ll tell ma,” which lead us to beleave that there were others. Our meal was very fancy, and we had pie, napkins, plenty of colored glassware, and pudding on the extra list. After bidding the hostess and a part of the kindergarden, good bye not careing to take a day off, to kiss all the children, we were ready after wrapping some tire-tape around another puncture in my front tire, to start again. A very amusing incident happened while we were eating dinner. It seemed that our hostess was a great admirer of Lord Byron, the poet of pasion, for she did nothing else while we were dineing, but talk of Byron;s works, to some old fellow, who no doubt had been a soldier of the late war, as his quotation, was, “when I was in the army” and was evidently the sweetheart of the hostess, who made love to him in such an affectionate manner, that Schneck and I turned green with envy. She said that she always liked to read Byrons poems, but some people didn’t think they were nice, cause he wrote too much about passion. We didn’t say a word. The track was in very poor condition, and we had to ride on the outside of the track on a narrow foot path, which made it very daingerous riding, for the tracks were built on an embankment, about thirty feet high, and if we had made one little slip, would have landed on a barbed wire fence, below. Not wishing to have so unpleasant a mishap, we walked about two miles over the most daingerous part of the road, but we arrived in our next town, the name of which, was too long for us to pronounce. We had ridden just 27 miles from Kankakee.
Riding time two hours and thirty minutes. On enquiring our way to our next station, called Blue Island, we decided to finish our trip on the waggon road; though it was nearly five miles farther, than by the rail road, to Blue Island, which was just twenty five miles from the long named city. Nothing of interest happened during the first fifteen miles of that ride; it was such hard work, that silence reigned supreme for we needed all the breath that was at our command, in riding.
We would take our turn at setting pace, changing positions every four miles.
When out about fifteen miles, we passed a town called Homer, and coming to a cross road, we of course took the wrong road; but after riding about a mile, we inquired of a very comical Russian Jew, who talked us weary, being already tired; informed us that we were on the wrong road, so we had to return, and in making a turn, I rode into a ditch about five feet deep, but luckily, no harm was done.
It was only a few moments until we were again under good headway, a pace that we kept to within one mile of Blue Island, where we struck sand, causing us to again indulge in our old vocation of walking.
We reached Blue Island at 4,50 P.M., and counting the two miles that we had h\gone, off the road, had ridden just twenty seven miles, in even two hours; making the entire distance ridden from Kankakee, fifty four miles, riding time four hours and thirty minutes.
We now felt that the victory was ours, Blue Island being a suburb of Chicago, but Sereno requested me not to get too joyous, for out boarding house was still sixteen miles away. While pumping up our tires, we were joined by three other wheelmen, from the city, and we five pushers of the silent steed, started, a race for the city. Sereno and I were very much fatigued from our hard ride, and had half an idea, that the three Scorchers, would run away from us; but the did n’t.
Sereno and I would ride in second and third places and after we had gone about ten miles, two of the Chicago rides had dropped out, and we supped that the pace was too hot for them, waited for them to catch up, then we proceeded more leisurely and Schneck and I were very thankful. It was while going at a fare rate of speed, that the tire on the real wheel of one of the Chicago’s bike, exploded, and as his friends waited to help him repair it, we journyed on alone, and thus ended our first scortch with Chicago riders. But it was not long until we tack on to another one of those fast fellows, but it was no long until he wwas doomed to misforture, for he picked up a tack, puncturing a tire.
We were only three miles from our haven of rest, but it was growing dark and we were in danger of being nabed by a Blue Coat, for riding after dark without a lantern; we hurried on to that elegant supper, which we new was in waiting for us at head quarters, reaching at five fifty oc’lock, and finishing the tiresome ride ten minutes ahead of skedule time, and had ridden, including all stops, the last 16 miles from Blue Island, in one hour, making the distance from Kankakee, 70 miles, in five hours and thirty minutes.
So ended our trip, and when we had become acquainted with our landlady her daughter, and other members of the family, we proceeded to do justice to our long looked for supper, and when we had finished, went to the parlor to compare notes, distances and riding time. We found that we had ridden two hundred and eighty six miles, not including our riding through the different towns, in even twenty two hours. All milage was recorded by two cyclommeters. We know this to be a true report of distance and time. Before closing, I wish to ask, forgiveness of any who have the patience to persue this account of our trip, to forgive the lengthy descriptions of minor incidents, for I promised on the first page to write only a short sketch; but that sketch has grown to such an enormous size, that it forfeits all claim to that name, and must be called a complete history. It is to be hoped that these lines will not help to discourage our brother wheelmen, from country touring, because of our many accidents, for the pleasures, by far out weighed all our troubles, and as soon as the opportunity present, which will be in the Fall of 1896, we intend to try our fortunes again, by going on a much longer tour. This being my first attempt, at History Writing, will offer no apology for poor composition, and bad grammar.
Yours truly
C.F. Steine
The End.
In the interest of time, I reluctantly canceled my expedition down to Illinois. See my August posting for more information.
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