The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-11-03
AUTO MEET A SUCCESS
Weather was Beastly, but Still a Big
Crowd was in Attendance and
Everybody We'll Pleased.

The weather man had 1t in for
the autoists last Thursday, it being
a most disagreeable, cold windy and
snowy day, yet there was a crowd of
several thousand people in Leon to
attend the first annual auto tourna-
ment. There were a number of
cars in attendance from all the
neighboring towns, coming from as
far as Des Moines and Gravity to
attend the meet, and taking into
consideration the beastly weather
it was a decided success, and next
year auto day promises to be one
of the events of southern Iowa. All
forenoon the autos were busy giving
everybody free rides. In the after
noon the big court room was pack
ed with people to hear the talks
by Senator j. H. Jamison, of Osceo-
la and Hon. V. R. McGinnis, of Leon,
and the attendance indicated that
the farmers are taking an interest
both in better roads and in autos,
and next year will see quite a num-
ber of Decatur county farmers driv-
ing cars. After the speaking there
was parade of the autos in at
tendance, there being So cars in the
line, and then everybody went out
north of town where the races were
held, the course being from Ed
Macey's corner to the corner at c.
w. Hotfman's, and there were some
exciting finishes. The following is
the result of the races.
1st race-H. E. Luther, Center
vile, first, Homer Griffin, Grand
River, second. Both contestants
drove Ford cars.
End Race-A. L. Ackerley, first,
with Velie 40, and C. M. Keller,
second, with Jackson 40.
3rd race-A. l.. Ackerley, first,
with Velie 40, Musgrave Fence
Co., Des Moines, second, with a
Maytag.
Mr.. Ackerley surprised everyone
with his skill in handling his car,
the speedometer registering as high
as IS miles an hour during the
race, which is mighty fast for a
country road.
The following special prizes were
awarded:
For car coming the longest dis
tance-.Prize of SO divided between
the Musgrave Fence Co.. and the
Riddle Auto Co., both of Des Moines.
/ For the best decorated car, first
prize OF SO was given to Miss Leah
Teale, Of Davis City. and second
prize to Marion F. Stookey, of
Leon.
For the latest registration num-
ber the prize of 5000 was given to
Frank Dalby, of Lamont, whose
number is 22,89O.
For the car with the Oldest regis
tration number the prize of 81 was
awarded to C. E. Henderson, of Leon
who has number 2,116.
There was also series of prizes
given to all the cars which regis
tered as attending the tournament.
which were awarded under the super
vision of Joe Danielson, Bert Derry
and Frank Dalby, and the following
were the winners: 1st prize $40
to car No. IS. the Corydon Auto
Co.; End prize, IS, to car No. 12,
Frank Manley, of Osceola, 3rd
prize, 81, car No. 2, Frank Stewart,
Alton.
The visiting autoists as we'll as
the town and country people in at
tendance were well pleased with the
meeting, and next year there will
be increased interest taken. It is
proposed to lay out a course of
about ten miles, starting and ending
at this city for cross country race
as one of the features.
Much Of the credit for the success
of the meet is due to Mr.. J.. r.
Bowsher who originated the idea of
the meeting and with his usual push
and energy carried it to success,
being ably assisted by A. L. Acker-
ley and other local autoists.