Barney Oldfield had Nothing on Him

BYRD, PARR

Posted By: David W Sinclair (email)
Date: 3/2/2008 at 14:27:57

Car Wins Over R. R. Train.
"Curley" Byrd outruns Santa Fe Flyer over mountain road
"Curley" Harl Byrd former Lineville boy, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Byrd of this place was the victor in a race against a fast Santa Fe Express train last Tuesday night. Mrs Frona Parr of Winslow, Arizona an aunt of Mr. Byrd had been summoned by wire to Lineville on account of the serious illness of her mother in this city. As her train stopped in Gallup some seven minutes Harl met her at the depot and prevailed upon her to ride up to his home a few blocks distance to see Mrs. Byrd who was ill. They returned to the depot in good time
or Mrs. Parr to board her train but just as they arrived a freight train switched between them and the flyer and before they could detour the train pulled out. It was then the race between Auto and Express started. At full speed "Curley" drove through the night over the mountain roads to the next town 14 miles distant. But as the depot had recently burned the train did not stop. Again the race was on to the next station 18 miles distant and it was a race first Automobile then Express ahead. The race was finally won by the car and Mrs. Parr restored to her Pullman.. She had been missed by the train crew who had telegraphed back for searching parties, thinking she had fallen from the train. Harl is feeling pretty good over winning over the Crack Santa Fe Flyer.

The Lineville Tribune
Lineville, Wayne Co. Iowa
February 4, 1926
E. C. Varney, Publisher