Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 16, 1938

To Salamanca for studies. There was scarcely any trace of snow there, so I did not get the studies I wanted, but I climbed one hill & made a few drawings. Shortly after noon, the skies cleared and the sun came out clear & strong - the sky was a rich blue. Ate my lunch sitting in the car, on a high hill at the edge of Allegheny State Park, contemplating the view out over Salamanca the whole.

On the return, just on the far edge of Dayton, a tire went flat. It was on a hill; so every attempt to jack the car up resulted in the car falling away from it, downhill. Discouraged, I went back and sought the aid of a garage helper, thinking I might borrow a jack-truck. But they had none small enough to move. But another one I approached suggested I get some planks from a pile at the railroad close by & build up a level spot. This I did, taking the precaution of putting some chunks of cordwood (from a pile by the side of a house) in front of the wheels of the car. To turn the jack, (the car being so low) I had to lie on my side and reach in sideways under the trunk; lying partly on one arm hampered me considerably so that was about all I could do to make the turns. I had to desist every few seconds to relieve the pressure on my arteries, which caused my arms to go numb. Finally I had the car high enough, but when I took out the spare tire, I saw with chagrin that it was completely devoid of air. I had to roll & carry it back to the garage for air. By the time I got back the sun was setting, sending its rich golden rays levelly over the landscape. I was still doubtful whether the car would not tip down off the jack, so I took off the wheel with some trepidation; but without mishap. I did not breathe freely until I had the spare wheel on and several of the bolts in securely. Then such a flood of good feeling came over me that caused all my irritation & aches to disappear as if by magic, and I felt like capering. As I started out again, I sung & whistled for sheer good spirits - I was proud that I had accomplished something out of my line of work under fairly difficult circumstances!!

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 16, 1938