Was it possible for Tarzan and Canler to have autos in 1893 Rhinelander, Wisconsin?
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| Jane's Run Down Farm House |
| There were no factory produced autos in Rhinelander, Wisconsin in 1893. According to historical records from the Wisconsin Historical Society, Rhinelander saw its first "horseless carriage" in 1903. |
Wisconsin was a hub for early automotive experimentation. By 1893, the "steam car" industry in the state was in a state of transition between legendary prototypes and the first commercial manufacturing attempts.
Here is the steam car makers and inventors in Wisconsin during 1893:
1. J.I. Case Threshing Machine Co. (Racine)
- By 1893, Case was the most dominant steam-power entity in Wisconsin. While they were primarily famous for massive steam traction engines (tractors), they were the foundational "maker" that paved the way for smaller passenger vehicles.
- The 1871 Precedent: In 1871, Case had collaborated with Dr. J.W. Carhart to build "The Spark," one of the first light steam carriages in the world.
- 1893 Status: In 1893, Case was focused on the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, showcasing their steam expertise. Although they weren't mass-producing steam cars yet, their engineers were the ones local inventors turned to for parts and boilers.
2. The "Oshkosh" and "Green Bay" Steamers
- Following the famous Wisconsin Steam Wagon Race of 1878 (the first of its kind in the U.S.), several local workshops in the Fox Valley area continued to tinker with steam road wagons.
- 1893 Context: While no formal "factory" existed in 1893, independent blacksmiths and machinist shops in Oshkosh and Green Bay were still maintaining and iterating on heavy steam-driven wagons used for hauling timber and freight, often referred to as "road locomotives."
3. The Shift to Gasoline: Gottfried Schloemer (Milwaukee)
- The reason you don't see a massive "Steam Car Boom" in Wisconsin in 1893 is that the state’s inventors were pivotally switching to gasoline.
- 1892–1893: Just one year prior, Gottfried Schloemer and Frank Toepfer debuted the first gasoline-powered car in Milwaukee.
- The 1893 Panic: Schloemer had plans to open a factory in Milwaukee in 1893, but the Panic of 1893 (a massive economic crash) wiped out his funding, stalling Wisconsin's car industry for several years.
4. Edward Joel Pennington (Racine/Milwaukee)
- In 1893, the eccentric (and controversial) inventor E.J. Pennington began his engine research in the region.
- While he later became famous for gasoline engines and coining the term "motorcycle," in 1893 he was actively promoting "hot air" and steam-hybrid engines to investors in the Racine and Chicago corridor.
- While the state of Wisconsin was a pioneer in steam technology—having built the first light self-propelled steam vehicle in the U.S. (the "Spark") in 1873 in Racine—the rugged terrain of the Northwoods meant that automobiles arrived much later than in the southern part of the state.
Key Milestones for cars in Rhinelander
- 1903 (First Sightings): Local newspaper archives (specifically the Wausau Herald and Rhinelander New North) confirm that the first "horseless car" was seen in the city this year. These early vehicles were often high-wheeled "auto-buggies" or steam runabouts that could handle the uneven, sandy roads of the logging district.
The Steam Car Connection:
- Early automobiles in Wisconsin were frequently steam-powered because the technology was familiar to the men who worked on locomotives and mill engines.
- Edgar Apperson, a pioneer of the American automobile industry and co-creator of the Apperson Jackrabbit, lived in the Rhinelander (Newbold) area for 35 years. His influence brought an early automotive spirit to the region.
- 1911 (First Dealership): The Dahl family (whose descendants still run dealerships in the area today) received an agency agreement with the Ford Motor Company in 1911. They sold Model Ts for roughly $500, but because there were no highways yet, the cars arrived by train in pieces and had to be assembled by the dealer at the local shop.
The Problem of "Driving North"
- Until about 1915, there were no reliable roads connecting the southern part of the state to the Northwoods. Early drivers often had to resort to extreme measures:
- Driving on RR Ties: Some early car owners actually drove their vehicles on the railroad ties between towns like Harshaw and Minocqua. This was a bumpy, three-hour ordeal that required carefully studying the train schedules to avoid a collision.
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| Tarzan Leaving 1893 Rheinlander |
- The 1871 Precedent: In 1871, Case had collaborated with Dr. J.W. Carhart to build "The Spark," one of the first light steam carriages in the world.
- 1893 Status: In 1893, Case was focused on the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, showcasing their steam expertise. Although they weren't mass-producing steam cars yet, their engineers were the ones local inventors turned to for parts and boilers.
- 1892–1893: Just one year prior, Gottfried Schloemer and Frank Toepfer debuted the first gasoline-powered car in Milwaukee. Schloemer had plans to open a factory in Milwaukee in 1893, but the Panic of 1893 (a massive economic crash) wiped out his funding, stalling Wisconsin's car industry for several years.
- In 1893, the inventor E.J. Pennington began his engine research in the region. While he later became famous for gasoline engines and coining the term "motorcycle," in 1893 he was actively promoting "hot air" and steam-hybrid engines to investors in the Racine and Chicago corridor.
While the state of Wisconsin was a pioneer in steam technology—having built the first light self-propelled steam vehicle in the U.S. (the "Spark") in 1873 in Racine—the rugged terrain of the Northwoods meant that automobiles arrived much later than in the southern part of the state.
Until about 1915, there were no reliable roads connecting the southern part of the state to the Northwoods. Early drivers often had to resort to extreme measures:
The collected data shows that in 1893 autos were not ordenary to the general public but they were still in existence and being sold in the state during Tarzan's visit.
Cars in those days were drove close to home. Rough roads, finding gas, repairs, etc. was quite a change. Any long distance was done by train. Tarzan and Canler railed their cars to Rhinelander. Once unloaded each drove their cars directly to Jane's farm.
Canler was recorded once to drive to get a preacher but it is left unsaid if the preacher was from town or outside of town. The point being is that the visitors were not driving their cars in the town of Rhinelander.
Thay were there for only a short time, and with the forest fires in the area they would hardly be noticed by news media.
- Therefore, Clayton, Tarzan, and Canler all three having a car in Reinlsnder on the same day in 1893 was very exceptional, but not impossible.
- Tarzan driving his car out of Reinlander with such poor road conditions is also extreme. But, if Tarzan can lead the Waziri across the African content he can drive a car from Reinlander to Chicago, or all the way to New York..
- ERB also does not inform us how long Tarzan actually drove the car after leaving Reinlander. As far as we know the jungle lord may have drove a day then decided to board the train, which was the norm, in the next town. I prefer to believe the ape-man drove to Chicago.
The Cars At Rhinelander
Clayton's Car:
The auto Clayton was driving in two instances in Tarzan Of The Apes was not his. It was borrowed from local farmers. ERB does not tell us what brand.
- At her destination they were met by Clayton and Philander in a huge touring car belonging to the farmers, and quickly whirled away through the dense northern woods toward the little farm which the girl had not visited before since childhood. ERB-Tarzan Of The Apes.
- While the state of Wisconsin was a pioneer in steam technology—having built the first light self-propelled steam vehicle in the U.S. (the "Spark") in 1873 in Racine—the rugged terrain of the Northwoods meant that automobiles arrived much later than in the southern part of the state.
- It is very possible the farmers car loaned to Clayton was the locally built Spark steam wagon, rather earlier prototype or the 1893 model.
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| Clayton & Philander Riding A 1893 Spark |
Canler's Car:
Robert Canler pulled up in front of Jane's farm driving a six-cylinder car. ERB does not tell us what brand.
- He did not press the matter further but if ever a man had murder in his heart it was William Cecil Clayton, Lord Greystoke, when,a week later, Robert Canler drew up before the farmhouse in his purring six cylinder. ERB-Tarzan Of The Apes
Canler and Tarzan railed their cars to Rhinelander, unloaded and drove straight to Jane's farm. Canler was recorded driving once more, to fetch the preacher. ERB does not tell us if the preacher lived in town, or outside of town. To be historically correct the minister lived outside of town. This would then agree no cars had driven in the town of Rhinelander until the early 1900s.
When the forest fire flared up the three cars exited Jane's farm to seek refuge at a hostel. When it became threatened the group fled to the train station in Rhinelander. Canler loaded his car onto the train for the ride back to Baltimore, while Tarzan chose to drive his car to New York. Clayton's auto remained in Rheinlander because it was borrowed from local farmers.
Counting Clayton and Philander's early arrival the visitors were in Wisconsin for three weeks, Jane two weeks, Canler one week, and Tarzan one day. Their modest auto activity was not picked up by the media, for they were busy with the forest fire and covering the Hodag sittings.
The undeniable fact is, that it was impossible that the cars ERB described in Tarzan Of The Apes, The Return Of Tarzan, and The Beasts Of Tarzan, could appear in 1893. For more on this subject see the ERB-APA article John And Mike Talk Apes And Cars.
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James Michael Moody is a lifelong fan and collector of Edger Rice Burroughs. Moody has contributed over two hundred articles to various ERB-related fanzines over forty-five years. He also manages an unauthorized Tarzan blog titled, Greystoke Chronologist: James Michael Moody. There the researcher chronologies the Tarzan books starting in May 1872 (known as the pushback theory) instead of the more accepted date, May 1888.
James Michael Moody is also the author of the action-packed Sci-Fi fantasy adventure Unium series. Pioneers On Unium, published December 31, 2019, Exiled On Unium, published August 25, 2022, and Swordsman On Unium, published July 15, 2024.
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