Ralph Reynolds Batcher
1897-1968
Born: Dysart, Tama, Iowa, USA
Died: Manhasset, Nassau County, New York, USA
1897-1968
Born: Dysart, Tama, Iowa, USA
Died: Manhasset, Nassau County, New York, USA
<span>During the summer of 1919, Will Batcher took his family (wife Olive and children Ralph 22, Irene 20, Theone 16 and Bob 9) on a multiweek trip to New York City in a new Graham Paige, a four-door touring car with cloth top and open sides. There were curtains which could be drawn to keep out rain and cold winds. The route went through Niagara Falls, New York City, and Tennessee. This was before the days of paved roads, motels, maps, etc. The family camped ouut in a tent all the way (usually in school yards) except for every third or fourth night when they'd stop at a hotel to get cleaned up. Some nights were spent with relatives. The travelled about 30 miles an hour and carried on conversations with travellers they met learning who they were, where they were going, and how the roads ahead were. If it rained, they waited for the roads to dry. As chef, Will cooked the m</span>eals <span>on a two-burner </span>gasoline <span>stove. The two daughters kept diaries.</span>