The Lincoln Highway
National Museum & Archives
102 Old Lincoln Way West
Galion, Ohio 44833

(419) 462-2212 Voice
(419) 462-2214 Fax
(419) 566-0790 Cell



Number 2

The Journey Begins

Dear Friends,

In my last email I set the stage for all that is to follow...

When I left Galion on September 7 th for San Francisco and parts unkown, there was a sense of urgency about it.

I had planned to leave weeks before, but kept being delayed by mechanical problems.

First, the radiator sprung a leak after many trouble free weeks on the road.
Several days later with that taken care of the rectifier burn up;
a rather essential piece of equipment, because without a rectifier the batteries will not charge.

All this seemed rather strange, since things had been relativily trouble free since I bought the truck last year.

The rectifier issue was quite troublesome and took the better part of a week to wrestle through all the variables.

Although a pain at the time, it was actually quite fun working through each problem and becoming more aware of that
which would become my home for what looks like the better part of 4 months.
If they had to happen, sure am glad they happened at home and not on the road.

When I finally did get on the road, it was with some reservation because all these troubles had
pretty much drained the kitty of financial reseoures.

But it was now or never...

So Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead.

As I pulled out of the drive, Mr. Lincoln's farewell speech of 1861 began to run through my mind...

My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting.
To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.
Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man.
Here my children have been born, and one is buried.
I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return,
with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington.

Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed.
With that assistance I cannot fail.
Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good,
let us confidently hope that all will yet be well.
To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

I had the sense that when and if I ever returned that nothing would quite be the same...
And so as we begin The Unfinished Journey, let me once again quote Mr Lincoln.

"I freely confess that I did not control events, events controlled me...
We cannot escape history, we will be remembered in spite of ourselves...
the firey trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation."

Warmest Regards,




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