From Nov. 1916 as reported in the New Hartford Tribune:
“Mr. P.J. van Loben Sels, of Oakland and Vorden Ranch, California arrived in New Hartford on Monday, November 12th, after an automobile journey alone (and he is sixty-five years old) across the continent. It will be remembered that Mr. van Loben Sels’ son married Helen Ellsworth, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Ellsworth of Esperanza Farm on Town Hill….
Automobilists may be interested in the statistics of the trip…The journey was made in a light Buick six, latest model…From Oakland he went north to Seattle for the sake of the scenery, then east over the generally poor roads of Montana, North Dakota, and Idaho, sometimes being obliged to shovel his way through snow a foot deep on the level, with six or seven feet in drifts. And this in October….
The gasoline cost was 2 cents a mile, about 13.5 miles per gallon*…Within ten years, perhaps four or five, a transcontinental journey in an automobile will be a very common experience.
Mr van Loben Sels will sell his car and sail to Holland on the 21st….”
I may say, I would have liked to know P.J. van Loben Sels. Anybody out there who wants to tell me anything?
*What great strides we have made, not.
Acair Fearann 
Me too. I would have liked to have known him as well. He wrote a couple of interesting short memoir pieces…have you seen those? One is a really fascinating account of his immigration to the U.S. I could poke around for them if you’re interested. –Meta
I haven’t seen those, I’d definitely be interested!
Hi– I’ve located one piece of PJ’s writings and can email it to you. Would you send your email to mine? beanzel@yahoo.com
-Meta
Hi again — I’d like to send you a copy of a short piece of writing by P.J. vLS, but not sure where to email you. Did you ever send me an email address? if so, my apologies, I can’ seem to find it. –Meta
Meta,
I sent you an email at the yahoo.com address.
Anne