The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-02
CHAPEL HILLS FIRST AUTO.
Prof. Howell Took It Out Once and
College settlement Rebelled.
Chapel ELL Special to New York
Tmes)


Local government has been demon
allied, business damaged, and the peace
OF this college town destroyed by a
kissing, shrivering automobile recently
imported by Professor E. Vernon How
ell Of the Department of Pharmacy in
the University OF North Carolina 1t
is the first gas toy on wheels ever
seen hereabouts. II the municipal and
personal wrath against it's owner is not
a~ssuaged, its career promises to be as
short as it a been spectacular.
Professor Howell made his first public
run after bringing the auto over the
country road from Durham. There are
several machines in Durham. but none
had ever braved the hilly o a before.
Give me a license" demanded the
Professor, al'ghtinz in front of Mayor
RoOinsOn's Office, and shouting to the
chief executive who sat on his door
step.
License that thing.' exclaimed his
honor. Not much. I'll have a law
passed TO give you ten days for buying
it."
Professor Howell rode up the main
street as the mayor sent out a messen-
ger to gather the municipal fathers nto
a special meeting. Fortunately the au-
tomobiIist stopped a quarter of a mile
further and the news of the mayors
purpose caught him. Forthwith he coll
lected all the councilmen Ghree) and
subsidized their votes by giving them
a ride before the mayor could get their
ears.
Except for n few terrorized negroes
the afternoons ride was uneventful un-
til the spirited saddle horse of DIR.
Charles 5. Mangum, professor of Ma
terra Medica spied the auto turning
into the college campus. The animal
bottled. and If DR.. Mangum hadn't been
extremely adhesive it would have been
his finish. Being an even-tempered
doctor he was quick to forgive, but the
story of the occurrence circulated, and
the ~automobiiist's troubles Their began
in earnest.
Hello! hello" came a voice over the
telephone just as Professor Howell had
finished Il UEer," lis that you, Howell?
This is Mdnsum. a patient has sent
Ger me at the other end of town, l say,
oil man will you keep that thing of
yours at -tme until 1 get back? All
right. Thanksi Goodbye"
Early the nex day, Professor Howell
was getting on his overcoat for a norm
ing spin. The telephone bell
"Oh HOwell!" began the man at the
other end; this is Mangum. Awfully
sorry to trouble you again, but I've a
hurry call. Can you keep that thing
at heme about half an hour?"
Professor Howell promised. and wait
ed Promptly on time DR.. Mangum
rung up again and released him, but
in mother minute there was a second
ring.
This is Mrs. -" said a voice. "Oh,
Mr.. Howell, will you please please -
keep that automobile off Main street
this morning. I've promised to take
some friends driving, and I'm afraid the
horses will run away
Professor Howell groaned his acquis-
cence. AS Chapel Hill has only one
street smooth enough for an auto, he
decided to walk uptown, and the ma
chine was showed under a she'd erected
for it's shelter. The professor trudged
up Main street, arriving finally at the
business centre of the town, where a
dozen o. so stores face each other
across me eIIIl-SIlducu, plCluI CSduS
roadway. The broad, grass-bordered
sidewalks were not so deserted as usual.
Tied to the trees were many wearied
farm horses which had been hard rid
den into town. The story of the new
auto had spread to the far corners of
orange county. The farmers and towns
people, stood in groups at the store
6oorways, awaiting the appearance of
the devil wagon.
The professor was sighted as he en-
tered the shop of A. Adam kluttZ. Al
ter him entered the crowd.
Il say, Professor" answered Colo
mel Kluttz, this here assemblage is a
gathering of protest-protest, sir. We
object, sir, to this here Internal. noisy,
schreechin' thing of yours, sir"
After much talk. during which the
professor came out second best OF
worse, he fed nome.
Il will ride" he called back to Colo
mel Kluttz.
IF YOU 90, I'll throw bananas at
you retorted the colonel.
The professor hurried home, ate his
luncheon. and once more prepared for a
spin. The phone rang. He lintened.
professor Howell, this is the presi-
dent. I'm sorry to tell you I've receiv-
ed a petition TO ask you not to i d that
vehicle between 10 a. m. and Z p. m.
Can you agree to that?"
Professor Howell didn't even answer.
Since then he has stayed at home. and
the public of Chapel Hill is wondering
whether he is beaten or is matching
some scheme of terrible revenge.
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