San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-07

Frank z. Beatty, manager and own.
er sof the Yellow Line auto and taxi
service, 231 South Flores street, is
said to be the only one of San An
tonio's original hack drivers" to re-
main in the business. Several years
ago he operated a livery stable, but
today he owns one of the most up
to-date auto and taxi services in San
Antonio. Besides this, he operates a
garage in which automobiles are re-
paired, painted, washed, creased and
stored by the day or by the month.
Robert z. Beatty, Mr.. Beatty's son, is
assistant manager.
Probably many San Antonians will
remember that only several years ago
the old-time hack" and the horse and
buggy were the only means of con-
veyance besides street cars. In those
days it was stylish to rent a horse
and one f those buggies which would
barely hold two people, md take your
best girl riding on Sunday afternoon.
Operated Livery Stable.
The old hacks were used exclusive
ly for taxi service at one time in San
Antonio, Mr.. Beatty says. The plazas
were lined with the hacks during the
days when the ''horseless carriage"
was unknown here and IL one had
crossed Main plaza in those days the
big white horses hitched to the old
hacks would probably have SHE'D and
darted down Commerce street drag
ging the solid rubber tired hack with
them.
Frank E. Beatty, present owner of
the Yellow Line auto and taxi SER
vice, owned a number of those hacks.
He operated livery stable then in
the identical building in which he now
operates the up-to-date auto service.
He says be owned 1876 head of fine
horses at one time and a number Of
buggies and hacks.
Some Peculiar Cabs There.
The Beatty garage is also used for
storing automobiles. The Shelley I'm
dertaking Company stores its hearses
and ambulances there. Among them is
what is said TO be the oldest ambu-
lance in San Antonio, the first horse
less" hearse and an odd sort of cab.
Besides the Ford cabs marked with
yellow line on their sides, the yell
low Line auto and taxi service oper-
ates seven-passenger automobiles. They
are Studebakers, and equipped with
every convenience, including hot air
heaters.
No Joy Riding in These Cars.
This auto service company is said
to have one of the largest trades OF
any company of its kind in San An
tonic. The reason for this, Mr.. Beat
ty says, is that he gives the public
service. In doing this he employs the
best of drivers, keeps his cars in ex-
cellent condition and positively will
not rent a car to anyone who expects
to use it for improper purposes. This
creed has won for him the favor of
the public, he believes.
Mr.. Beatty says he has the business
Of all the girls schools of San An
tonic and many of the boys colleges.
He has hundreds Of patrons in San
Antonio who will not hire cars from
other auto service companies.
He has been doing business in San
Antonio twenty years without clos
ing the doors of his building. His
drivers say they have never missed
train.
There are all sorts Of queer con-
veyapces in the Beatty garage. Besides
the, old carriages mentioned above.
there is a sled on which many San
Antonians have taken sleigh ride
on three different occasions in San
Antonio during the last twenty years.
Will Wake You Mornings.
There is a time-clock in the office
of the garage. When looking at it
from the front one is reminded Of