Puzzled when it wouldn't start the following day, Smith sought out his friend to help him resolve these technical difficulties. Ratliff then explained that adding some gasoline might be helpful. Rice also established the first auto repair garage in Odessa before World War I. Rice, quite the entrepreneur, also opened a blacksmith shop and a horse shoeing stable, built the first bakery and sold the first bathtub. In April, the city of Chelsea, Mass., is destroyed by fire. William Howard Taft is elected president, defeating Democrat William Jennings Bryan by more than 1.2 million votes.
Information is drawn from news accounts, archives and other historical records.
20th Century Countdown. The Odessa American's daily countdown of the last 100 years, from 1900 through 1999, with a short summary of some news and newsmakers affecting residents of Odessa. Copyright 1999 Odessa American. All rights reserved. Refer comments to Webmaster .