Travel wasn't easy even before gasoline existedhttp://www.thetimesnews.com/articles/gas_16080___article.html/gallon_prices.htmlI recently came across a March 23, 1875, article in The Alamance Gleaner, an old local weekly paper.
In this edition, the editor described a trip he took to from Burlington to Pittsboro.
Today, it's roughly a 35-minute car ride down N.C. 87.
In 1875, it was a several-hour jaunt that included a train to Raleigh and a bone-rattling buggy ride, according to the Gleaner story.
The editor began his journey at daylight on Saturday March 15 and enjoyed good company on the train to Raleigh, even though it brought him no closer to Pittsboro. Unlike so many of us, for him, the journey was as important as the destination.
"While not so conveniently reached, it strikes us that those towns, undisturbed by the arrival and departure of trains, and the bustle incident thereto, afford the sojourner more real pleasure of his stay than those less quiet and retired."
After enjoying a nice day visiting friends and observing legislators at work in the capital, the editor and his party resumed their trip at 4 p.m., taking the Raleigh & August Air-Line train to Lockville (an unincorporated community in southeastern Chatham County near Moncure.)
At Lockville, the unnamed editor and four travelers boarded "one poor hack drawn by two poor horses" bound for Pittsboro.
"Our real trouble began here," the newsman said, as the quintet "packed themselves in this poor hack and off we dashed to Pittsboro at the rate of two miles an hour.
"Not withstanding our speed, we went more than a mile before anything happened. We were going down a hill when we heard something snap."
The snap was a broken spring. Apparently the ride had been none too smooth even before mishap. The discovery that the buggy had springs was "a matter of general surprise," the editor cracked.
After makeshift repairs, the hack crawled on: "We were a little more careful of our speed; the accident taught us a lesson and we restrained the driver. This proved to be an unfortunate, for turning his attention to diminishing speed, he pretty soon stopped stock still."
Some passengers got out and walked a mile or so. The editor waited out the stoppage and other repairs on a fence post. The group got under way again and made it as far as two miles outside of Pittsboro. "Here the body (of the hack) became detached from the running gear and while the wheels were moving perceptible in the direction of Pittsboro, the body remained stationary."
The group "got out and footed it to Pittsboro" were they were treated to the hospitality of someone named Burke.
"We have since been enjoying that quiet rest and serene happiness brought about by contemplating danger and difficulties past and overcome, and the perfect safety and tranquility of our present surroundings."
Indeed.
So, the next time you're filling up your car, or driving down to the beach, remember, taking a trip could be a lot more painful, both to the wallet and the backside.
