The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-07
HONOR PAID FIRST
MEN TO BUILD
COMMERCIAL CARS
Indiana Press Club Presents
Elmer and Edgar Apperson
With Tablet Commemorate
ina Successful Automobile.

This tablet presented by the Press
club of Indiana to the Apperson proth-
ers in recognition Of their Achievement
in building the first practical, CONNER,
cially successful American automooile,
The Press club OF ndian has OIL
cially presented to the Apperson broth
ers--Eimer and Edgar-of Kokomo,
Ind, a memorial tablet bearing the
above inscription. So official recognl-
ton has come to those W Hoosier mo
tor car engineers who, in at the birth,
have also had so much to do with
the development of the American mo-
tor car.
The memorial tablet is a handsome
piece of work don in green and
bronze, the whole being mounted on
Italian marble. At either end OF the
tablet stand figures representative or
industry and science. These uphold
laurel wreaths in which are reproduced
likenesses Of the two Apperson broth
ers. Then in the center is the inscrip-
ton reproduced above. ,
The tablet was formally unveiled and
presented to the Apperson brothers by
President S. c. Garrison of the Press
club of Indiana on Thursday, Dec. s.
The presentation took place at a ban
quet rendered to these two motor car
manufacturers by the Apperson Bros.
Automobile company in Kokomo,
In making the presentation President
Garrison said:
"Our only thought in presenting this
tablet to the Apperson brothers is
found in our desire to perpetuate those
Of Indiana should be famous. The Press
club of Indiana, representing as II does
public sentiment, feels that II should
be the prime factor in handing down
to posterity the many good things for
which Hoosiers are justly famous,
In line with this policy, which has
been adopted by the Press club, was
the recognition Of Caleb Mills, of Terre
Haute, founder Of our present public
school system.
Already a memorial tablet has been
presented to him.
Naturally our next thought was OF
Kokomo, the birthplace OF the first
tomobile. We knew that there was
some dispute as to the origin Of this
car, but, upon investigation, we found
that the first so-called 'horseless ear
riage' was actually built by the APP
person brothers back in 1898, So to-
night recognition is given to them.
"This beautiful tablet Is something
which will establish the Apperson
brothers, Kokomo and Indiana, as be-
ing associated with the building OF the
first commercially successful American
automobile for all time to come. 1t
gives to the Apperson brothers the
niche in the hall OF fame to which they
are so justly entitled"
Back 90 years ago, In a little shop
in Kokomo, took place the event which
Is commemorated by the action Of the
Press club of Indiana now. At that
time, after s%urmounting many difficult
ties and at the end of months OF un-
RENTING work, the Apperson brothers
completed the building of the first COM
mercially successful American automo-
bile. Upon being taken from the little
shop the motor was started and the
car ran. 1t was a success from the
very beginning.
Today the output OF the factory of
the Apperson Bros Automobile com
pany consists entirely of the Anniver-
sary model, which Is built in two types
the touring for seven passengers and
tourster for four.