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Newspaper
Vernon Record
Location
Vernon, Texas, United States of America
Date
Dec 30, 1921
Page
5
In 1906 Vernon Wilbarger County welcomed its first automobiles. Ernest Hampton owned a one cylinder Oldsmobile with kerosene lights and no doors, priced at 750 dollars. Guy Waggoner bought a two cylinder Columbia five passenger and faced frequent breakdowns and stalling battles with mule teams on rough roads.
A reminiscence recalls a county church where ministers denounced automobiles from the pulpit as evil toys while parishioners chased after cars at a May picnic. An early crossing of Red River and a fearsome horseless carriage spark astonishment among residents as the motor age began.
A partial report describes players and a chase scene as Waggoner seeks safety. The text mentions Kit and Beck tying up the team and actions near a gate or wall, with a implied pursuit and rough play in the moment.
Automobile thieves are reported to steal a record number of cars this year totaling about 70 million dollars in value. Carelessness by owners and unlocked vehicles are blamed, with tests showing 66 of 84 locked cars remained unsecured. Insurance firms may tighten rules as thefts surge from 1920 to 1921 across New York and nine eastern states.
Dr Hix of Decatur recounts his Studebaker bought in Fort Worth in 1900. He drove it home with Earl Vernon, covering around 250000 miles in ten years and a month. The durable car, once blue black with leather cushions, eventually served as a runabout before ending in a garage at Odell.
Roads were poor and streets worse in the era described. Citizens hesitated to drive on steep grades until a pioneer car conquered Condon Hill near Crest. Early adopters included Dan mut, Bellam, Smirk, Ford, Bowan, and others, with many families soon using automobiles despite tire and fuel troubles.
The Vernal fire department received its first motor driven apparatus in August 1912, an American 70 horsepower chemical and hose motor. Earlier equipment relied on manpower. Later purchases included a Lange20 chemical engine and a 30 horsepower Dodge. A combined box and pump motor with 750 gallons per minute capacity was also installed.
J W Leak of East Witbarger street battery service station warns that battery gravity falls in extreme cold around 11 56 and cars should run or recharge at a station. He blames overwork and underfeeding when generator output is low, urges regular watering and periodic service visits to prevent larger issues.
The McFall Brothers bought into the Dodge franchise before public specifications were issued and sold 114 cars since opening. Ernest Harpton opened the agency July 1, 1919, with used car sales growing alongside new vehicle sales. The early purchasers include G. J. Tham now with J. Lockett and N. R. Heath, highlighting endurance and innovation in a gray sedan with premium upholstery and engine supplied heat.
YJ Youngblood, owner of a Cit ter car, argues his early auto rivals Dr. Hix's Studebaker in fame. The journey to Colorado featured recurring fibre repairs, a broken screw, and delays totaling about fifty dollars. The venture ended with the car blown up and sold for salvage. the group continues refining the machine at 330 North Main with associates listed.
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