The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-14
STOPPED SHORT
DIDN'T GO AGAIN
THE TALE OF A FENCE-JUMPING
MOTOR CAR.
How Willard j. Held Became Con
WINGED of the Strenuous Need Of Elk
celsior for Trolley Service-A Story
of Cold and Snow and a Broken Bub-
BILE. .aa

Willard J. Held, general manager of
the Twin City Rapid Transit company,
has become an ardent advocate of inter
urban connections and now believes that
every, portion of Lake Minnetonka
should be connected with his home and
office in the city, by net of cross-coun-
try lines. His last visit to Minneton-
ka won him, and the most rabid lake
dweller must take back seat in advo-
cacy Of a trolley line to Excelsior and
intermediate points. s.
Mr.. HELD, being notified that certain
sections Of the company's domain were
about to be taken from it by the action
haste to the village and in the evening
appeared before that august and sedate
body to spar for time. He was granted
nothing but a severe jolt. When the
meeting adjourned he vowed he would
not remain in the village over night, and
summoned his automobile from the city.
For an hour or two he waited. his pa
message from Hopkins saying that his
machine had been stalled, and it would
be several hours before it could con-
tinue the Journey. Mr.. Held told the
chauffeur to remain at Hopkins and he
would make all haste to join him.
Securing a. horse and buggy Mr..
HELD started to find his machine.
ali r;@bt AND ND fomnJ his We -
hicle, which had been repaired. He
gave his chauffeur orders to proceed, set
tied himself comfortably and began to
dream of the bright freside at home.
The machine tore few miles off the dis
lance and with a swish flashed thru St.
Louis Park.
It was dark night and the snow was
falling, as was the mercury. A freak
80 l, 1ol ,1na chi
in the roadway. Before the occupants
of the auto could prevent it, the cal
gave a lurch, went up in the air, cleared
a four-foot fence, snorted once or twice
and came to dead stop. Mr.: Hielc
leaped out and was lost in six-foot
deep snowdrift. His chauffeur went tt
his assistance and paved him out. Al
examination was made OF the machlne
and it was determined that it woulc
have to be left behind for the night anc
Mr.. Held decided to hike for town.
It was then about $3.50 am, with 8
strong wind blowing out Of the north
east. The snow continued to fall. Sc
did the mercury. The general manager
went ahead bravely, making tor TWen
ty-ninth street, where he believed ne
could catch one of his owl providers
and thus cut off some OF his journey. He
reached the street all right, but to M ms
chagrin he saw the tail-end lights OF the
street car disappearing in the distance
and there was nothing left for him to dc
but walk the remaining distance Wh1cf
he did, reaching home shortly before
4 am.
AS soon as he reached his office few
hours later, he announced that he be
lieved streetcar line to Minnetonks
was an absolute necessity, and consult
ING with Vice President Goodrich, soo1
won his consent, for the latter has
lake home, and he does not care to I'm
dergo the same experience.
The evident lethargy that has charac
terized the company's attitude towa ar
Minnetonka business, is thing OF tint
past, and hustle and hustle has take1
its place ingall departments of the com
pany. !. War was declared against al
competitors and the several surveys, es
Inmates Of costs, etc, were brought ou
from their quiet repose and experts wen
to work. Mr.. HELD went to the Thir
ty-frst street barns and viewed. the biz
doubledeck cars, with admiration, ant
was heard to say that he thought then
much better adapted for lake trave
than any automobile built.