6-17-35
Left Brookline Junction going south on West Liberty Ave about 9:45
A.M. Down Bower Hill Rd. to Bridgeville - thru little Washington - on
to route 40.
I rode in the Ford with Gil one of the brothers. The Ford is a two
door 1929 model - light green body, black fenders and alum. lights
Penna. license 1935 RN 365. The other two brothers Jim and George rode
in the Pontiac with Tom and Al in the back seat. The Pontiac is a 1929
4 door cabolet - light tan body and dark tan fenders. 1934 Mich
license 91-466. They had a special permit which gave them the right to
use this license until July 1935.
The Pontiac led the way. Going thru Washington we (the Ford) had a
flat. It took us 15 or 20 min. to put the spare on and then we make a
fresh start. A couple of hrs. later caught up to the Pontiac.
Here I found out for the first time that one of the fellows on the
trip was an old friend of mine. Tom Howe . who went to the Epiphany
School with me. We were both surprised. He and his friend Al Succop
are going to the gold fields up in back of Sacramento. Al is a mining
engineer. So that makes six all told. Tom, Al, the three brothers Jim
George and Gil and myself.
We made fairly good time, from then on although the Ford developed a
little radiator trouble.
Al's mother had made up a big lunch box for us so we stopped in the
afternoon and made a meal with the help on a qt. of milk apiece. It
started in to rain in the late afternoon and towards evening got
bad. Called it a day about 10 P.M. and stopped at Greenfield Ind. Here
we got three cabins @ $1.00 each and after eating some cold spagetts
and egg samwiches, turned in.
This is the birth place of James Whitcomb Riley. Route 40 runs right
over "The Old Swimming Hole". This is just about 30 miles east of
Indianopolis, Ind.
6-18-35
Up early to a good start. I rode in the Pontiac and it led the
way. Passed thru Indianapolis and just after going thru this town we
somehow or other lost the Ford. But knowing that route 40 was to be
followed to St. Louis we continued on our way. However, on reaching
Marshall they had not caught up with us yet so we decided to stop and
eat. Waited here an hour and a half, but still no sign of the
Ford. We continued on to Effingham where we waited another hour or
so. But no, the Ford was lost and not knowing for sure whether they
had passed us or not, we kept on agoing in the direction of St. Louis.
Arrangements had been made before starting that in case the cars
became separated to wait on the highway, just outside all big cities.
We were all a little worried for it was unusually slow and
furthermore, the Ford carried all the luggage. When about 20 miles
east of St. Louis we stopped at a dairy for some milk (but got none)
and had just started again when the Ford pulled up in the rear.
Great rejoicing and lots of "What the h- was wrong." it turned out to
be more radiator trouble. They had been stopping every twenty miles or
so for water.
Gil (who was driving the Ford) and his brother had opened a can of
beans for their lunch. And so into St. Louie about 7 P.M. Here I had
my first sight of "Ole Man River", the big Miss. Sent some cards from
here.
The boys tried to get the Ford fixed but the shops were all closed so
we continued on our way. At this point we hit route 66 down thru the
Ozarks. This was the most picturesque part of the trip so far.
A full moon heavy, black, squally clouds and the chill of mountain
air. Stopped about 9 P.M. and had a can of cold beans and a qt of milk
each. And was it cold. Brrr: my new jacket came in handy here.
Drove on later until we found a spot sheltered from the cold wind
which was blowing, got out the blankets and curled up in the cars for
the nite.
6-19-35 Wednesday
Up at daybreak and while the boys went over the cars, Al and I looked
the country over. Mo. is noted for it wild flowers and without hardly
moving I was able to pick ten different flowers. In the meantime, Al
had been looking at rock specimens. we also ate some blue berries
which are plentyful here.
Well we got off at last continuing down thru the mountains. And was it
cold and were we hungry. We wrapped ourselves in blankets and devoured
the wonderful scenery.
Arrived in Smithfield Mo. about 8 a.m. Tom, Al and I went to
breakfast, while the other fellows made arrangements to buy a new
radiator for the Ford, as it was still giving plenty of trouble. For
breakfast we had corn flakes, two eggs, 2 strips of bacon, two cups of
coffee, three pcs of toast with butter and some homemade apple
sauce. Not bad for 20c. It was family style.
After the brothers ate, got on our way again at 11 o'clock AM. Down
thru Mo. and then just cut the corner of Kansas. This section is a
lead and zink mining district. Into Okla and stopped at Miami for
lunch. All thru this section the country is as level as a table. You
can see for miles and miles with no sign of a hill or a tree.
Passed thru Claymore and saw the Will Rodgers Hotel. Nothing but dirt
road now and in some sections it was awful. Thru into Tulsa. This is
oil country and in all directions you see the oil derricks. After
deciding to push on to Okla. City we ran into one of those old
fashioned electrical storms. Sheet lightning, sharp flashes, terrific
thunder, heavy rain and plenty of strong cold wind. We tried to make
it to Okla. City but about 10 bells gave it up. Pulled off the highway
and stretched? out in the car as best we could. The storm cleared at
last and it turned out to be a wonderful nite. The stars shining with
a bright, sparkling light.
Fell asleep at last but woke shortly after. A strange, lonely sound
had woke me. It sounded something like this - yip! yip! then a long
drawn out howl. I had an idea it was a cuyote, and found out in the
morning I was right. From this nite on we heard them pretty regular.
6-20-35 Thursday
Up early and off at 5:30 am. Saved about 80 miles by cutting straight
across country to Reno. Could see Okla. City in the distance but did
not pass thru. Clinton then Sayre and thus into the Lone Star
State. And we started to feel the heat. Nearly all dirt roads thru
here and this with the heat and a very strong hot wind made the going
pretty rough.
On entering Texas the country started to change. No more wheat fields
no more farms but lots of broken country and bad lands and high
buttes. We also encountered a good bit of desert in this region. Long
stretches of 25 or 30 miles with no living thing - no house - no trees
and no vegetation except the desert type such as cactus and sage and
tumbleweed.
Got into Amarillo Texas about 6 PM and found a great spot to
eat. Bonners Dining Room 25c for all you can eat. Family style.
2 breaded veal cutlets
2 Homemade sausage
French fried spuds
Green beans
Boiled cabbage
Lettuce and tomatoes
Bread and Homemade biscuits
2 glasses of iced tea
cake and plums for desert
From here we went on into New Mexico and stopped for the nite at a
little town called Tucumcari. It was named for a high butte which can
be seen from the town. Got two cabins here for $1.75 Took a shower and
lay me down to sleep. Lots of cowboys and Mexicans in all these towns.
Friday 6-21-35
At Sant Rosa left route 66 and cut straight across country thru Palma
and Moriarty climbing all the time. All mountains and between each
mountain a vast stretch of desert land. So into Albuquerque. This is a
beautiful southwest town. Many Indians in evidence there. I purchased
a white linen cap and a pair of sun glasses.
Climbing higher now up to Thoreau - 12,800 feet above sea
level. Getting on towards evening now and real chilly. Speaking to one
of the natives here found they have very cold winters. Running as low
as 30 below for 2 wks at a time. This town is right on the continental
divide.
In the late evening thru Gallop and out of the mountains into
Arizona. Now it was all deserts and mountains. Passed Sanders then
called it quits.
The three brothers slept in the car - Tom - Al and I got blankets and
went to sleep on Old Mother Earth. It was chilly at this hour but we
had plenty of blankets and soon went to sleep. While the cuyotes
howled and the bright shining stars twinkled.
6-22-35 Saturday
Up early and drove into Holbrook for breakfast. on again past Winslow
and into higher mts. this time. When about 100 miles from Flagstaff,
we spied a snow-covered mountain peak and had some fun guessing at the
distance. My guess was 50 miles. Later we learned it was 100. It is
named San Francisco Peak and is a beautiful sight and visible the
entire 100 miles straight in front of us.
Passed a small part of the painted desert here. This is within 50
miles of the Grand Canyon.
Into Flagstaff. High up in the mountains and a regular cow town. This
is one of the small town I really like. Big timber here everywhere
else we passed you saw nothing in the line of trees but a few squatty
looking bushes. Going down the other side of the mt. we stopped at a
nice spot and made lunch.
So on thru Williams and getting hotter all the time. From here on it
was very bad. The heat and hot wind on the deserts dried our lips -
parched our throats and even our hair dried out. We had to close the
car windows. This stretch was 250 miles of desert.
At this point there is a very wicked mt. to go over. For the first
time in my life over a winding trail and very narrow. You could open
the car door and drop a couple of thousand feet. Here we found a lady
in distress. She was driving alone and was all in from the heat. So
Tom volunteered to ride with her over the mt. It was plenty bad and I
was kind of shaky myself.
On the other side we saw our first gold mining town, Oatman,
Arizona. Nite found us shooting along across more desert and although
the boys had decided to drive all nite in order to get out of the
heat, they got pretty tired, so we stopped for a few hrs. rest.
The Ford had gone on ahead, so Tom and I just laid down on the hot
ground and slept for 2 hrs. At 2 A.M. you could feel the heat from the
ground. Like lying on a hot plate.
6-23 Sunday
Well we felt refreshed and started on again. Picked up the Ford a few
miles later. Thru Kingman in the down and later over the Colorado
River into Calif with the sun climbing. thru the needles country which
is hot and very bad. Not wasting any time now we plugged ahead via
Ludlow and Barstow and Victorville. So into Los Angeles about 8
A.M. Here we washed - shaved put on fresh clothing. Went to church and
had something to eat.
Al and Tom were going to stop here but they found Al relation had
moved. So, as the boys were going to Long Beach we decided to go
along. At Long Beach we separated. The three brothers stopping at
their sisters house and Al, Tom and I rented a room.
Boy were we tired out that Sunday nite and did we sleep. Al and I
slept in the double bed and Tom stretched out on the floor.
6-24-35 Monday
Al got up early as he had to go to Santa Ana to look up his uncle. Tom
and I slept late, had something to eat and later went to the
beach. Well we overdid it as we found out that evening. Too much
sun. Al got in late that nite having succeeded in locating his people
and he and Tom decided to pull out for Sacramento the next day.
6-25- Tuesday
Up late. overhauled our luggage. I decided to send home from here my
tan coat, grey coat and bathing suit. I don't need the coats and the
bathing suit is out of style out here. All the men wear is trunks. Bot
a new pr. on Monday.
Well it was time for some more good byes as I was leaving for San
Diego on the 2 o'clock bus. Tom and Al intended to hitchhike up the
coast. I promised before leaving that if I got a chance I would pay
them a visit up in El Dorado.
So -- arrived in San Diego after a nice trip along the ocean, about 6
o'clock. Parked my grip in the Greyhound depot and went straight to
the Post Office. Found a letter there from Ed and one from Larry. All
the news from home. From here I went to the Chamber of Commerce on
Broadway and made arrangements for a room. Succeeded in locating a
nice room out at 1532 Cypress Ave. A man by name of Charles
Eckert. Nice place @ $5.00 per week. Unloaded my bag and gathered my
dirty clothes together. Wrote a long letter home telling all about the
trip out to the coast. And so to bed.
6-26-35 Wednesday
Up late. Took my clothes to the laundry and got acquainted with the
up-town section where I am stopping. This is called Hillcrest. So on
into town later and visited all the piers, watching them unload the
fishing boats. These boats put out every evening about 11 or 12
o'clock pm and get back about 11 o'clock the following morning. They
catch mostly yellow-tails and some tuna. This fishing is all done by
line with five or six men to a boat. I understand they work on a share
basis. Later walked out on Fishermans pier and watched the boys
fishing. All small catches here. Still later fished awhile myself -
helping out a man who had two lines going. one for live bait and
another line with a large hook for ? maybe shark. So late in the
evening to a show and then home to catch up on my writing.
6-27-35 Thursday
Slept in till about 10 o'clock. Took a bath put on clean clothes and
sallied forth to the Fair. The Fairgrounds are located in Balboa Park
and the shrubbery tree and flowers are certainly beautiful. The Fair
itself is very large and while not on the same scale as the World Fair
at Chi. nevertheless your dogs soon get tired walking the different
exhibits.
Ripley has the very same show here he had in Chi. I checked the items
advertised and found I had seen them all. One other fellow I saw here
who was at the Worlds Fair. This is a young, round face fellow who was
selling small tin shell like things that you hum into. He did a land
office biz in Chi. due to his comic patter and funny act with an old
broken down violin and horn. Well he puts on the very same act here
and he's knocking them over @ .25 per crack.
Money is not being spent so freely and a great many of the concessions
are having tough sliding. One of the most interesting exhibits I saw
was that of the Wells-Fargo Co. Another was the U.S. Post Office
exhibit. Ford has a building here but on a much smaller scale than he
had in Chi.
Naturally it was impossible to take in all the interesting things in
one day so I intend going again about Sunday. Stayed at the Fair the
entire day, until about 9 o'clock. Home and dog tired. Wrote a few
post cards and then into the hay.
6-28-35 Friday
Up about 9:30 am. My face is kind of sore from the sunburn I got at
the Long Beach on Monday. Took my camera along and headed for the
waterfront. Took a few snaps of the fishing boats and just loafed
around watching the sailors loading their supplies. Later in the
afternoon took a ride in a small boat all over the harbor. Distance 25
miles and lasting 2 hrs. Price $1.00. This was a very interesting trip
as the guide explains everything as we go along. Passed all the Navy
ships in the harbor destroyers, sub-chases, supply ships, airplane
carriers and subs. Rode way out to the breakwater where we saw many
gulls, pelicans and a few sea lions. Also saw a few porpoise. From
this point you can see the Coronada Hotel and the famous Silver
Strand. Passed Loma point which is fortified and then back again on
the other side of the bay. Took a few snaps of some Navy ships as we
went by but not certain they will come out as it was the first time I
had ever attempted to shoot anything from a moving object.
Loafed around the rest of the afternoon, ate and went to a movie. So
home and wrote letters to Ed and Larry. Put a fiver in Ed letter to
pay for having my suit and topcoat cleaned. Also to take care of the
express package sent home collect from Long Beach. And then I lay me
down to sleep.
6-29-35 Saturday
My Birthday! And do I feel punk. The fever from the sunburn has caused
some blisters to come out on my mouth. Same old trouble! Well I never
learn. Smeared some junk on and started out. Located a good spot to
eat in town and go there for all meals now. Its located in the Plaza
and named Leighton Dairy Lunch. Nice food and very reasonable priced.
Next to the P.O. again but nothing doing, so started out to look up a
Catholic Church. The Chamber of Commerce gave me a map of the city and
a folder containing all the names of Catholic Churches and where they
are located. So with the help of the map I finally found one right in
town. St. Josephs at the corner of 3rd and Beach Ave. Six squared from
Broadway. Made a visit here and got acquainted with the neighborhood
so I could find it tomorrow without any trouble. Decided to go to 11.
Loafed around town window shopping and listening to the band concert
in the Plaza until 2 bells. Went to a two bit show which lasted three
hrs. Later had my dinner and prowled around the book stores. Never saw
so many book shops in one town. But didn't buy a thing.
Home early and wrote some more post cards to friend back home.
6-30-35 Sunday
Up late - washed and caught a car for town. Had a late breakfast at my
favorite spot and strolled around until time for 11 o'clock
Mass. After church went up to the Fair grounds again to take in what I
had missed the first time.
Visited Gold Glutch - all very interesting but was unable to get any
pictures here as it is located in a canyon with a good bit of
shade. Afterwards paid 25c to visit Zoro Gardens. This was supposed to
be the nudist colony. Not a whole lot different than scenes you see
out here at the beaches. Got some good snaps though of the so called
nudists male and female. Lots of people taking pics. here.
Later - went to the Indian village. "The End of the Trail." All
interesting and also got some pics. here. One thing about this Fair
is, they have no spot to eat in like Chi. had. Nothing on the order of
Thompsons. Lots of high priced dining rooms and a good many sandwich
shops. But no place where one could get a good meal at reasonable
prices.
Put in the whole afternoon and evening here visiting these places and
taking in the exhibits. Like all Fairs, you do lots of walking and I
was plenty tired when I got home.
7-1-35 Monday
Up about 9 o'clock. Took a bath and then on to town with my
camera. After eating decided to go to Coronada. Walked to the
Ferry. These ferry boats are large affairs and charge .05c to take you
across the bay. Well I got on the other side and decided to do some
walking and take in the scenery.
The Coronada Hotel is located about a mile or so from the ferry and is
a very pretty affair. Nothing like the big hotels in Pgh. No sir. This
is one of those rambling country hotels. Just three or four stories
high with lots of turrets here and there. Its is located in a
beautiful park like estate and I guess costs a fortune to stop over
one nite.
Well after leaving the hotel and town started walking along the
beach. This is called the Silver Strand and you can see it stretching
for miles ahead of you in a great sweeping curve. So I walked and
walked examining the sea weeds on the beach and the shells, in fact
everything I came across. And not a soul in sight. Later came across a
lone fisherman who was surf fishing.
I at first thought I would walk clear out to the end of the strand but
after many hours and much walking and finding that silver cresent was
still stretching miles ahead of me, I gave it up and started back. All
together I must have hiked 15 or 20 miles with frequent excursions
away from the beach to look out on the other side of the bay. Took
some pics while on the way.
When I got back to the hotel I got me a street car. Before getting on
I had stopped and emptied the sand out of my shoes. Was I tired. Back
in town got something to eat and went to a movie and rested up. So
home to bed.
7-2-35 Tuesday
Slept late. Into town to eat and after a slow meal and reading the
newspaper, got on a street car for La Jolla. Pronounced (Lah Hoy'
ya). This was about a half hrs. ride from downtown and the place
proved to be worth it.
La Jolla is quite different than the rest of the coast around here. It
has a rocky coast with small stretches here and there of pure white
sand. It surely is a beauty. In fact, the name of the town La Jolla
means The Jewel. A rocky coast of course means a rough coast and here
the water dashes and surges against the cliffs and the immense rocks
which lie off shore. Tried to capture some of the wild beauty of the
place but am convinced it can't be done.
The sea gulls and pelicans have a great time of it here. They gather
on these big boulders lying out in the water and no one can disturb
them not even a boat, as it is too rough to sail any way near the
shore line. on the cliffs, down on the beach and in and out among the
rocks.
In the evening got a car and back in to town. Went straight home as I
had some letters to write and get caught up on my notes.
7-3-35 Wednesday
After a late breakfast jumped on a bus and took a ride to National
City and Chula Vista. National City is about three miles from town and
Chula Vista about eight. But this time, I got stung. Both of these
town lie back somewhat from the bay and so there was very little to
see. Just like all small towns in the southwest. The main street is
the only street. Both of these town lie south of San Diego, on the
road to Tia Juana. So just waited around and caught the next bus back.
Well decided to take it easy the rest of the day. Did a little
shopping around. Bot an album for my pictures (if I ever get them in)
and a few other item. And then home early - did a little writing and
to bed.
7-4-35 Thursday
Up a little earlier than usual. This being the Glorious Fourth thought
best to extend myself a little. After eating a big meal got on a car
marked Mission Beach. There is no town located here - simply an
immence beach and an amusement park. Talk about crowds. I imagine it
was something like Coney Island on a holiday.
Oh, I forgot. Previous to getting on the street car I had visited the
air-craft carrier Ranger which is out in the bay. Small Navy boats
were picking up visitors so I just jumped into one and it happened to
be from the Ranger. This is a new ship, having only been commissioned
about one year ago. It is also the only air-craft carrier built for
that purpose. Well it was all new and instructive to me as I had never
before been on a ship of this kind.
So back to Mission Beach. Well this is a great place, something on the
order of Long Beach, but not as nice. What I mean is the crowds seemed
freer and wilder or maybe it was just the spirit of the Holiday. A
great many sailors and marines here. It is not far from the Marine
Base and the Naval Training Station.
Lots of fun watching them spend their money at the concession. All
kinds of people, Sailor, Marines, Mexicans, Indians, Cowboys in their
high hats and high heeled boots and then the general public. Stayed
here all day and evening up until after 9 o'clock. Drinking lots of
ABC beer and helping to celebrate with the rest. Lots of noise too.
So home in high spirits and to bed. Fell sound asleep the minute I hit
the mattress.
7-5-35 Friday
Up at the usual hour and after eating started out to take in more of
San Diego county. I had purchased a weekly car pass which was good on
street cars and buses to all these small towns and the beaches in and
around the city. First got on a car marked La Playa. This runs out on
what is known as Loma Point. Here is where the Marine Base and Naval
Training Stations are located. Fort Rosecrans is also on this narrow
strip of land which runs out into the bay. Fort rosecrans is on the
order of our forts on the Atlantic. It is kept up to date as it must
defend the entrance to the harbor at this point, in case of war.
Passed the San Diego Yacht Club. In La Playa itself there is very
little to see. But the views along the bay on this side is great.
Back into town later. Ate and decided to pay another visit to Coronada
and Tent City. This time I rode instead of walking. out beyond the
town of Coronada is a section called Tent City. Something like the
camps up on the Allegheny River. But the big difference is, this place
is right on the Silver Strand and what a beach.
So later back into town, ate and strolled around until it was time to
get me home.
7-6-35 Saturday
Got up a little early today. In town got me a bus for Tijuana,
Mexico. $1.25 a round trip and the ticket good for 10 days. Tijuana
lies about 18 miles south of San Diego. Out passed National City and
Chula Vista, then to the international border. The barrier at the
line is a high wire fence or gate like this:
Going south into Tijuana the Mexicans are not very strict. A customs
officer simply looks in the car and waves his hand. But when coming
north and entering the U.S. is an altogether different thing.
Anyway we crossed the border and in a very few mins. were in
Tijuana. A regular Mexican gip town. Mexicans parading up and down the
streets with blankets, cigs, hot tamalies, and all kinds of
trinkets. Lots of soveneer stores with prices jacked up. Many beer,
wine and liquor halls. one bar here is supposed to be the longest in
the world. Well it sure is an immense affair but they only work the
two ends of it. Good Mexican beer.
The main attraction in this town is the Foreign Club. Here you can
play at your favorite gambling game. All kinds of games. Roulette,
Caralis, dice, Chuck-a-Luck, Black Jack and Poker. Its a great
spot. All kinds of drinks! served right to the gambling tables. You
can also play the horses here. Spent the entire day here and home on
the 12:15 bus.
7-7-35 Sunday
Up - ate and to 11 o'clock Mass at St. Josephs. Later got on a bus to
Caliente for the races. Caliente is just about 2 miles beyond Tijuana
(Uncle Gene's journal abruptly ends here)
West Route
------- -----------
Pgh to Springfield, Ind. 40
Springfield to South of St. Louis 66
S. of St Louis to West of Tulsa Okla. 66
W. of Tulsa to Amarillo, Texas 66
Amarillo to Santa Rosa (66) Thru
Palma, Moriarty into Albuquerque
N. Mex. - Thorear - Gallop
into Arizona. - Sanders
Holbrook - Winslow, Flagstaff
Williams - Oatman -
Kingman - Colorado River -
Needles, Cal. - Barstow, Victor-
ville -Los Angeles - Long Beach
San Diego - Tijuanna -
Caliente
The journal has been transcribed using the same abbreviations, punctuation, and spelling Uncle Gene used. It was written in pencil, in a small 2-ring binder, about 4 x 6 inches, with a black leather cover. At the end he wrote:
Please return to E. P. Voith
809 Bellaire Ave.
(BrookLine) Pgh. Pa
Lehigh 7203 M
In addition, he copied several poems into the book. They are transcribed below.
"Seeing The Elephant"
(Tune of "Boatman Dance")
"Off I started, Yankee-like,
I soon fell in with a lot from Pike:
The next was 'Damn You, Back, Whoa, Haw,'
A right smart chance from Arkansaw.
"On the Platte we couldn't agree
Because I had the mis-i-ree.
We there split up, I made a break
With one old mule for Great Salt Lake.
"The Mormon girls were fat as hogs,
The chief production cats and dogs;
Some had ten wifes, others none,
Thirty-six had Brigham Young.
"The Damned Old Fool, like all the rest,
Supposed his thirty-six the best;
He soon found out his virgin dears
Had all been Mormons thirteen years.
"On I traveled through the pines,
At last I found the northern mines.
I stole a dog, got whipped like hell,
then away I went to Maryville.
"Because I would not pay a bill,
They kicked me out of Downieville;
I stole a mule and lost the trail
And fetched up in the Hangtown Jail.
"Canvas roof and paper walls,
Twenty horse thieves in the stlls;
I did just like I done before
Coyoted out from 'neath the floor."
Lame Jesse
"Lame Jesse was a hard old case;
He never would repent.
He ne'er was known to miss a meal
He never paid a cent!
"Lame Jesse, too, like all the rest,
He did to Death resign;
And in his bloom went up the flume
In the days of Forty-nine."
0h, Susannah"
"I soon shall be in mining camps,
And then I'll look around,
And when I see the gold-dust there,
I'll pick it off the ground."
"I'll scrape the mountains clean, old girl,
I'll drain the rivers dry;
I'm off for California.
Susannah, don't you cry!"
0h, Susannah! Don't you cry for me!
I'm off to California with my washbowl on my knee!"
Crossing the Plains
"How do you like it overland?"
His mother she will say;
"All right, excepting cooking,
Then the devil is to pay.
For some won't and others can't,
. And then it's curse and damn,
The coffeepot's begun to leak
And so's the frying-pan.
"It's always jaw about the teams,
And how we ought to do;
All hands get mad and each one says;
'I own as much as you.'
one of them says, "I'll buy or sell.
I care not what may come;
Another says, "let's buy him out,
The lousy son-of-a-gun."
I'd rather ride a raft at sea,
Wish I'd gone around the Horn,
Than try to cook with buffalo wood
Take some that's newly born.
The desert's nearly death on corns
While walking in the sand,
And drive a jackass by the tail
God damn this overland."
"I never changed my fancy shirt,
The one I wore away,
Until it got so rotten
I finally had to say:
Farewell old standin' collar
In all your pride ol starch,
I've worn you from December
To the seventeenth ol March."
"No matter whether rich or poor,
I'm happy as a clam;
I wish my friends could look
And see me as I am.
With woolen shirt and rubber boots
In sand up to my knees;
And lice as big as chile beans
A-fightin' with the fleas."
6/17/1935Trip to California