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FROM THE DESKS OF Razumich & Delamater
THE FIRST AUTOMOBILE ROAD TRIP
I’m writing this in what I would refer to as an “in- between week”; I was out of the office most of last week at a business conference, and I’ll be out of the office most of next week with another jury trial. I’m pleased to say that the office continued to run smoothly thanks to our new Intake Specialist, Donnell Duncan. Donnell joined our team at the end of March, so he’s been with us for just over a month (these articles are written nearly a month in advance!) and has done a great job of taking charge of meeting client needs and expectations. If you haven’t needed to contact us recently, consider reaching out and congratulating him on the amazing job that he does. Part of the theme for this month is travel and vacations. By the time I write next month’s article, my hope is that I’ll have managed to hit my first baseball game of the year. The last time I was able to make it to a Cubs game was in 2016, and we all remember what happened then. Clearly, I’m a good luck charm, whether they know it or not.
A n A dventure F rom S an F rancisco to N ew Y ork
The first great American road trip took place in 1903. It was accomplished by automobile enthusiast Horatio Nelson Jackson and former bicycle racer and gasoline engine mechanic Sewall Crocker. They started their trip in San Francisco and intended to finish in New York City; it was a 4,500-mile journey they bet $50 could be accomplished in under 90 days.
See you next month!
HOW IT ALL STARTED
Four days prior to the start of his journey on May 23, Jackson found himself in the middle of an argument in San Francisco’s University Club. The debate was over whether the new automobiles that were steadily appearing in the city were better or worse than horse-drawn carriages. Many of the people involved spoke against the automobile for its unreliability, but Jackson disagreed. Thus the $50 wager was made. Despite the failure of all previous cross- country automobile trips, Jackson was determined to make a successful journey.
-John Razumich and Joe Delamater
With 22-year-old Crocker at his side, Jackson purchased a used 20-horsepower Winton touring car, which he named Vermont in tribute to his home state, for their epic journey.
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They packed the car with camping gear and cooking supplies and were soon on their way.
instance, a cowboy lassoed Vermont and towed the car with his horse to a nearby town in Oregon. After traveling for 19 days, they arrived in Idaho. There, hoping to change their luck, Jackson purchased a bull terrier they named Bud. Bud drove with Jackson and Crocker, and they fitted him with goggles to protect his eyes from the dirt. While he probably didn’t improve their luck, Bud did travel with them for the rest of their journey. On day 46 of their trip, the trio finally found themselves back on the road after having to wait six days for parts and repairs outside of Rawlins, Wyoming. With more than half the country still ahead of them, they nevertheless maintained their optimism, which was largely fueled by the reception they received across America. Word of their trip spread throughout the country and many people from the towns and cities they passed through gathered to see Vermont and THE LAST LEG
the trio of travelers for themselves. Larger cities, such as Chicago, welcomed them with automobile dealers as well as city officials, and a convoy led them through the city of Cleveland. Vermont finally rolled into Manhattan, traveling down an empty Fifth Avenue at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 26. The first cross- country automobile trip had been successful. Despite the delays they faced, their road trip only took them 63 days, 12 hours, and 30 minutes, leaving them with almost a month left of the 90-day bet. Unfortunately, the journey cost Jackson about $8,000. and newspapers across the country. As for Jackson, tried and exhausted after his adventure, he pointed his car toward Vermont on July 30 and began the last part of his journey. The car only had enough life left in it to get Jackson home before its drive chain broke and moved no more. The trio became national celebrities, being featured in many of Winton’s advertisements
THE TRIP
One of the biggest problems the duo faced was the condition of the roads. While carriages were uncomfortable, they could handle the bumpy ride far better than an automobile. However, bumpy roads were far from the only problem they faced. Automobiles at that time were prone to frequent breakdowns, and Vermont was no exception. Fifteen miles outside of San Francisco, Jackson and Crocker experienced their first delay of many: a tire blowout. Making their way through Nevada and up toward Idaho, Jackson and Crocker experienced many more breakdowns and delays, including a clogged oil line, a broken clutch, wrong turns, and a gas tank leak. With every holdup they faced, the pair was forced to wait for supplies to be delivered by stagecoach or, if they were lucky enough, a friendly passerby to help them. In one
There’s more to Idaho than potatoes. Sitting square in the center of the Gem State is one of the largest contiguous areas of protected wilderness in the U.S. While the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area may not roll off the tongue as easy as Yellowstone or Yosemite, this 2 million-acre swath of mountains, gorges, and alpine lakes offers something for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. JOURNEY DOWN A RIVER OF NO RETURN The Unspoiled Beauty of Central Idaho
Those with the right permits will find the rivers and lakes full of fishing opportunities, and the surrounding pine forests are teeming with game. LODGES? I JUST WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL. For those looking for a truly unplugged experience, backpacking to the many campsites scattered throughout the region can be an incredible journey. If you spend a night beside the crystal-clear waters of Langer Lake, hundreds of miles away from any light pollution, you’ll find peace, quiet, and a sky bursting with stars. If you’ve ever wanted to experience a truly untamed part of the United States, Idaho is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.
RIVER OF NOWHAT, NOW? The name of the wilderness may sound a little ominous at first —who wants to travel down a river of no return? — but in truth, it’s a title from times gone by when canoes and small watercraft could travel down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River swiftly but couldn’t fight the current going back up. Today, those same rapids make the Middle Fork a wildly popular whitewater rafting destination, with plenty of local and out-of-state enthusiasts making a return journey every summer.
RAFTING ISN’T FOR ME. WHAT ELSE YOU GOT? If crashing down 300 Class III rapids isn’t your speed, the Frank Church Wilderness has plenty of other ways to enjoy the wild mountain country. There are several lodges that were grandfathered in to the wilderness area, most of which are only accessible by jet boat, light aircraft, or good old-fashioned hiking. Some, like the Middle Fork Lodge, offer five-star accommodations, located conveniently close to one of the area’s many natural hot springs.
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Dogs in Ancient Legend Good Boys of Antiquity
Far before humans had written histories, we had dogs. From hunting and shepherding to playing and relaxing, our early ancestors had canine companions by their side, and their appreciation shows. As storytelling developed around the world, our four-legged friends became important characters. Here are a few ancient legends for the historical dog lover. TARASCAN SPIRIT DOGS Many Mesoamerican cultures featured dogs prominently in their myths and legends, especially in regard to the afterlife. One of the most notable of these comes from the Tarascan state, an empire that rivaled the Aztecs. The Tarascans believed canine spirits would search out the souls of lost humans and guide them safely out of the mortal world. Leave it to dogs to create ghost stories with happy endings. TUIREN THE WOLFHOUND In Irish folklore, Tuiren was a beautiful woman to be wed to Iollan Eachtach, but this love made Iollan’s faery sweetheart jealous. In an attempt to ruin the young woman’s wedding, the faery turns Tuiren into
a hound and gives her to Fergus Fionnliath, a renowned dog-hater. This cruel act backfires when the Irish wolfhound wins over Fergus, teaching him to love not just her but all dogs too. In fact, the man is crestfallen when his hound is revealed to be a human. Tuiren’s nephew, the hero Fionn, cheers Fergus up with a new puppy! YUDHISHTHIRA’S STRAY The Indian epic “Mahabharata” is thought to date back to the eighth or ninth century B.C. and tells the story of two warring families. Toward the end of the tale, prince Yudhishthira and his family begin to ascend the Himalayas to reach heaven, and a stray dog joins them on their journey. One by one, Yudhishthira’s companions fall, until only the prince and his furry friend remain. When the god Indra finally appears to offer Yudhishthira passage into heaven, he brings bad news: The dog cannot come with him. But Yudhishthira refuses to abandon his dog, explaining that he could never leave such a loyal, steadfast companion. Anyone who’s turned down a great apartment offer because they don’t allow pets can relate.
Take a Break!
Inspired by Bon Appétit
NO. 1 DAD HASH BROWNS Ingredients
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1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, or 6 tbsp ghee
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Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Pinch of cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
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3 russet potatoes (about 1/2 lb.), peeled 1 tsp Kosher salt, plus more to taste
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Directions
1. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until foamy. Reduce heat if needed to avoid browning. Skim off white milk solids to make clarified butter (ghee). Transfer to a bowl and reserve. (This step won’t be needed if using ghee.) 2. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate potatoes. Transfer to a large bowl of cold water and stir until water becomes cloudy. Rinse potatoes under cold water, then squeeze out liquid using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel,
removing as much moisture as possible. Season potatoes. 3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter (or ghee) to medium-high. Add potatoes and cook until a crust forms underneath, about 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, break up potatoes and continue to cook, adding more butter (or ghee) if potatoes begin to stick. 4. Cook until golden brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste. Serve.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desks of Razumich & Delamater PAGE 1 The First American Road Trip PAGE 1 Exploring the River of No Return PAGE 2 Dogs in Ancient Legend PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 No. 1 Dad Hash Browns PAGE 3 Crazy Lawsuits Surrounding the Dearly Departed PAGE 4 We pride ourselves on being a country where everyone receives a fair trial. And while that’s not always the case, even the craziest claims still have to be heard in some capacity by a court of law. As you can imagine, this can result in plenty of spooky high jinks in the courtroom. Let’s take a look at some of the more baffling court cases in recent memory. DEAD MAN TALKING In something straight out of a Coen brothers movie, a NewYork man had to sue The NewYork Times on three separate occasions to get them to stop reporting that he was dead. In all fairness, it seemed like an honest mistake prolonged by the ineptitude of his public counsel and a whole lot of terrible coincidences all rolled into one. Juan Antonio Arias just so happened to share the same first and last name as one“Juan Arias”who hadmet his untimely demise. After it was reported in a Times article, the living Arias accidentally had his own date of birth and
LAWSUITS FROMBEYOND
Let’s Hope There’s a Courtroom in the Afterlife
Social Security number added to the death certificate of his now deceased namesake in a terrible mix-up from the coroner. As a result, he sued on three occasions after his lawyer missed certain deadlines to turn in proper documents. Thankfully, the issue was resolved, but not before he had his credit cards and Medicaid revoked after appearing to be dead. SOLEMNLY SPOOKED An unnamed NewYork resident — just what on earth is going on in NewYork?—claimed that the house they’d recently purchased was horribly and cripplingly haunted by unseen
forces. The poltergeist was said to disrupt their daily activity, and the plaintiff was suing on the grounds that the home was notorious in the area for being haunted and had a reputation as such, therefore it should have been disclosed to the buyer before closing. They won. That’s right; the court ruled that the seller misled the plaintiff and should have disclosed the nature of this potentially harmful house. Shockingly enough, this type of thing is required to be disclosed when selling a house in NewYork. Well, at least a buyer will have peace of mind knowing that they got a sweet new pad and a ghoul for pennies on the dollar.
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