Nomads

In 1890 Fred Dankowske, a footloose youngster from Chicago, drifted to booming Salt Lake City. There he made a real-estate killing, fell in love with pretty Mary Alice Robins, who shared his passion for travel and scenery. On their honeymoon Mr. & Mrs. Dankowske clopped north to Yellowstone Park in a horse and wagon.

Twenty-two years later, still on the move (whenever Realtor Dankowske could leave his business), they had worn out some six horses and wagons, bought their first car. Then Fred Dankowske had an inspiration. He designed a motor caravan, paid International Harvester Co. $800 to build it. A two-cylinder high-wheeler, it contained a stove and a folding bed. When the Dankowskes wanted a bath, they dunked themselves in a creek.

Six months later, come boom, come depression, the Dankowskes chugged through all 48 States, Canada, parts of Mexico.

Their only objectives were nice views, an occasional mountain climb. Bronzed, lean Fred Dankowske finally dropped the pretense of attending to business, called no city his home.

Soon the Dankowskes outgrew their caravan, got one bigger, better equipped. In 1923 they bought a $4,200 super-caravan, the Nomad. They never had to replace this one.

In their early seventies, the Dankowskes claimed to be the U. S.'s oldest caravanners; their "palace on wheels" was known from coast to coast. They had covered 300,000 miles, never had an accident. Three weeks ago, still heading for the horizon, still happy as newlyweds, the Dankowskes nosed the 1 6-year-old Nomad out of Chicago toward California. Fondly beaming on Wife Mary, Fred Dankowske announced that they would keep on to the end of the trail. Said he: "This is the finest kind of life. It costs only $160 a month and you see the dreams you carry in your heart."

In Omaha, Neb. the Dankowskes' trail ended. In the first accident it had ever had, the Nomad collided with a policeman's car. Mrs. Dankowske, both legs fractured, was rushed to the hospital. Last week she was dead.

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