The automobile has been rather a love-hate relationship.
People found that the car had a lot of the same traits as
the horses and mules they had been working with. A lot
of the same unpleasant traits, unfortunately. This did
not, however, stop progress and it did provide some
interesting reading in the newspapers.
BUMPED INTO A FORD
Last Friday evening something went wrong with the big
Black Six of Joe McNees' when right in front of the
Thompson Merc. Co., on Main Street and refused to start
when given the juice. Mrs. McNees was at the wheel, but
not as a driver, she not claiming to know anything about
the "blamed critter," but just steering it while two or
three men were pushing it. All at once it seemed to regain
its lost power and with a lurch bounded forward, only to
bump into an inoffensive little Ford, casting the same
upon the sidewalk and tearing off a wheel. It was soon
got under control, and after Joe had paid for a new wheel
for the Lizzie, all again went their way rejoicing.
Bedford Times Republican July 18, 1922
FORD TURNS OVER
When coming to town Christmas night after a visit to
his best girl, the Ford driven by Floyd Maley became
unruly on the little hill just north of Roe Shore's
residence and began to skid. Floyd says he doesn't know
how it all happened but almost in the twinkling of an
eye his Ford was in the ditch bottom side up. Floyd
crawled out from under the wreakage without having
received a scratch. The Ford was not so lucky, it being
pretty well stove up. Floyd's father, Jean Maley, traded
it in Monday on a new Ford and the dealer took charge
of the Ford where it lay in the ditch.
New Market Herald Dec 29, 1921
The records of automoliles in this county show that there
are 3,124 automobiles owned in Taylor County at this date,
and of this vast number 2,150 of them are Fords, the
balance of various makes.
Bedford Times Republican Sep 12, 1922
A list of car makes that I noted in the 1926 newspapers
were: Buick, Chalmers, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Chandler,
Dodge, Dort, Durant, Essex, Hudson, Hupmobile, Jewett,
Maxwell, Nash, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Overland, Paige Star,
Studebaker, and Willys-Knight.
DRIVE OVER FROM BLOCKTON
Saturday forenoon Mrs. L. Devault drove over from Blockton
in a brand new Ford Sedan with a set purpose in view of
purchasing a license for the same. She made the trip
over here in first class shape, accompanied by another
lady whose name we did not learn, and when nearing the
courthouse seemingly became confused as to which direction
or side of the street to take. She started out right but
her companion thinking she was wrong, in a thoughtless
manner, reached over and took hold of the steering wheel.
Of course, "Lizzie" got fractious with two drivers trying
to make her go in different directions at the same time,
and decided to climb a tree. After the first attempt,
"Lizzie" could go no further, for she has a broken wheel,
lights gone, windshield smashed and otherwise badly off
for the rash attempt and was forced to go to the garage
for a general fixing over. The ladies, we understand,
received a severe shaking up and somewhat bruised and
considered themselves lucky to get off the way they did.
Bedford Times Republican Jul 18, 1922