Going to Canada
Submitted by Donnie PickardVan Buren County Democrat, August 31, 1929
Four Thousand Miles without a Puncture
Four thousand miles without a single puncture or car trouble of any sort was the record of Lyle Burnett on his recent trip to Canada. Lyle was acting chauffeur of a new Chevrolet truck for Uncle Bill Sutton, aged 82, of near Dabney, two of his sons and two neighboring boys – the party numbering six in all.
The object of the trip was a visit by Uncle Bill to a son, Geo. Sutton, living at Buffalo Gap, in the Saskachawan county. The trip required exactly fifteen days, two and one-half of which were spent at their destination. The entire expense was approximately $100 and $70 of this, says Lyle, was for gasoline and oil.
Leaving Morrilton route chosen carried the party by way of Tulsa, Okla. Sious City, Iowa, Fargo and Minturn, N. D. The Canadian line was crossed at Portal, N. D., their journey extending some 200 miles beyond.
Lyle says he had often heard Iowa referred to as the place where “the tall corn grows”, but he never knew before just how tall corn could grow. As they proceeded north, the hight of the corn decreased.
The Canadian wheat crop this year, he says, was a failure. Geo. Sutton expected to harvest about 7,000 bushels but instead harvested 700 bushels.
At Minot, N. D., Lyle says he visited a park where he saw large herds of buffalo and elk. Lakes in that country were covered with wild ducks. In fact, they were raising there, it being no trouble to catch all the young ducks wanted.
It was Lyle’s first trip of any distance away from home and he feels he was well repaid for the time expended.