The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-09-07
Some Sidelights on the Visit
of Henry Ford in MinOt

The manner which Mr.. Ford takes
to make himself known to dealers who
handle his cars is quite characteristic
of the man. Strolling up on Central
avenue he in company with his Euro
pean manager, Mr.. Perry, paused OPP
posite the Moore garage and together
the two stood in conference for few
minutes, when they crossed the street
and entering the garage asked for the
manager. Charlie Moore turned from
a customer and said that he was the
proprietor. Mr. Ford then asked if
they might be privileged to inspect the
building. Mr.. Moore took them all
through the building meanwhile con-
versing on such details as happened to
interest them, and when they had made
the rounds Charlie said, "Well, Mr..
Ford, how does it suit you?" rs Mr..
Ford, surprised that he should be rec
ognized, asked, "Howe do you know /
am Ford?" Then Of course Charlie
had to confess that he had attended
several conventions of the Ford az
ents at Detroit and consequently had
seen him at that time. After chatting
for few minutes Mr.. Ford expressed
wish to see some Of the country ad-
joining the city. Immediately car
was gotten in readiness and in COM
pany with few newspaper friends
| the party proceeded to the farm of
| Frank Linha, where threshing opera
tions were in progress. Jumping from
the car Mr.. Ford grabbed a pitchfork
and stepping up to the machine pitch
ed bundles into the machine and as
sisted the men clean up about the ma
chine in a manner showing his IA
miliarity with this phase Of the work.
| Mr. Linha showed his distinguished
visitor through his farm buildings. He
was especially interested in the fine
drove of hogs which Linha owns, and
was surprised to find such splendid
stock grown in section where he
supposed people raised nothing but
wheat. In taking leave of his host
Mr.. Ford expressed his delight at
meeting a genuine North Dakota
farmer, saying he would see him again
as he intended to come back this way.
probably this fall. In the course Of
their conversation Mr.. Linha stated
that this was the first year since tax
ing up his homestead some twenty
years ago when he could say he was
out of debt, incidentally mentioning
the fact that he had paid all the way
from eight to ten per cent on his OBJ
legations. "You deserve great credit
for the success you have achieved,
Mr.. Linha, in the face of such stag
gering interest. rate" said Mr.. Ford.
AS they drove along, said Mr.. Moore,
the Detroit capitalist commented upon
the shameless waste farmers mani
tested in leaving their agricultural i'm
plements lying scattered around on
their farms.
Asked about his new tractor. Mr..
Ford at once became enthusiastic. He
said that 300 machines had already
been manufactured and force of 200
men were continually employed in try
ing them out under every possible
condition, in order that when the Ford
| tractor is once placed upon the mar
ket it will be right.
He thought that in all probability
the tractor would be ready by July
next. Asked about the price, Mr.
Ford stated the price would be around
} $500 to start with and the price grad
ually lowered as conditions warranted
just as the price of the Ford cars was
reduced. Dealers now handling the
Ford cars will handle the Ford trac-
tors. In driving about the city Mr.
Ford inquired what so many people
find to do, there being no factories
being unable to account for the hustle
and enterprise evident on every hand
He stated to Mr.. Moore that the Ford
company intends to keep on making