Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-25
AUTOMOBILE
VALUE $4,000
There Are Eleven Machines,
And Seven Makes in Grand
Rapids.

AS it grows closer to the real
automobile weather, the people in
this city who own machines, are be-
ginning to talk and act automobiley.
The discussion often turns to part
ocular make of machine land by the
way every body who owns a machine
thinks it is the only make or to the
question of roads, or the establish
ment of garage, or the formation
of an automobile club. Some times it
drifts to the pioneers in the business,
and it was into one of these converse
tions that the writer drifted the
other day. 1t was therein learned
that Geo. W. Davis the genial county
clerk, was not only the first man to
own an automobile in Grand Rapids,
but that he drove the first machine
over the bridge from the ST. Paul
depot to his home. 1t was also learned
that this same Geo. W. Davis was the
first man in Grand Rapids to own and
ride a safety bicycle. Its certain,
that Mr.. Davis is an auto enthusiast
that helps to promote the sport, and
also to agitate the question of good
roads, and there is no question but
what the agitation for good roads
leading to and from this city is due
in no small measure to the growth of
automObiling.
At the present time there are in the
city,-or ordered for parties in this
city,-eleven automobiles. This re-
presents at first cost in round num-
bers $4,000. There are included in
this number, seven different makes of
cars, ranging in price from $3.50 to
$4,000. Some of these machines are
what is considered old machines, but
all are in service and giving good
satisfaction.
The talk that has been INDUCED in
regarding the establishment of a
gyrage, or the formation of an
automobile club is pure talk, and
both are equally, things of the dis
tant future. In the first instance the
outlay of money for the establish
ment of a well equipted gyrage, is con-
siderable, and it is not considered that
there are enough machines in the city
to warrant the outlay. In the case of
the club, it can be said the clubs are
first an expensive luxury which
heightens the pleasure to be derived
from the automobile very little, and
the eleven owners of machines in this
city would not be altogether unit
on this proposition.
One thing is certain, however, and
that is, so long as the autOist uses
good judgment in the running of his
machine, he is not liable to be
hampered by troublesome ordinances
governing speed in Grand Rapids. 1t
is only the wreckless, careless driver
who gets into trouble, and the aim of
each driver should be to guard against
accidents as much as possible. The
state law governing speed permits a
machine to enter and pass through
city at the rate of twelve miles per
hour, while the machine is allowed to
run at a speed of twenty miles per
hour on the country roads.
The REPORTER appends list Of
the machines and their owners in this
city:
Geo. w. Davis-"Buick 1907"
Anton P. Hirzy-"Pope Toledo
1904"
DIR. o. T. Hougen-"Wayne."
T. E. Nash-"Auto Car"
DR.. Chas. Pomainville-"Oriental
Buck Board"
W. A. Drumb-"O "Oldsmobile.
J. H. -'Oldsmobile.
J. III. Kordenat-'OldsmO
G. A. Bender-Two Sylander
Machine.
Jack Arpin-Rambler.
GUY WOod-Cadallac.