Learning from Historical Documents for Chapter 17 |
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"Seattle to Boston - 1916: Diary of the Trip," by Margaret Rumsey. Margaret Rumsey Wright diary 1916. Small Collection 703. Montana Historical Society Research Center. Archives. Excerpted in Not In Precious Metals Alone: A Manuscript History of Montana (Helena, 1976): 206-207. Context for "Seattle to Boston - 1916": Automobiles appeared in Montana before the street and highway improvements necessary to accommodate them. Better roads came slowly everywhere, and not until 1913 did the state legislature create a highway department to oversee improvements in Montana's road network. Short trips challenged fledgling motorists; long excursions presented almost insurmountable obstacles. Good highways were lacking, but the sense of adventure was not for widow Frances Rumsey and her three teen-age children. She bought a Model T Ford, which the family dubbed "I Own A," and during the summer of 1916, embarked on a Seattle to Boston vacation. Thirteen-year-old Margaret kept a diary of the motoring adventure. Fifty years later, her cousin transcribed the document to share with other family members.
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