Run to Columbus - 1909

The powerful story you will find if you click thru the link provided at the end of this story was originally written in June 1909 by journalist Roland L. Mellett about his 180-mile journey along the Old National Road riding shotgun to Barney Oldfield in the latter's recently acquired National Motor Vehicle Company "Six." The colorful driver with a flare for promotion nicknamed his new toy, "Old Glory."

Unveiled in the days leading up to the Independence Day holiday the car boasted a red, white & blue color scheme compete with the stars & stripes blazoned across the hood. The 60 HP car conformed to American Automobile Association (AAA) rules for stock cars, which provided for some modifications.

Mellett reports beautifully about how he and Barney started at the wondrous Claypool Hotel in downtown Indianapolis and traveled the macadam-paved Old National road to Columbus. As the story goes, the Hoosier highway was superior to the Ohio portion because it was better maintained.

They stopped for dinner in Richmond for about 45 minutes and again at another point for 15 minutes to refuel. Greenfield, Knightstown, Eaton and Dayton were among the towns they passed through, reportedly slowing to community limits. Mellett reports that Oldfield was a cautious driver and while at times he hit 80 miles per hour, it was with good judgement. He assessed bridges for safety as they approached them.

A rainstorm showered them briefly about 25 miles outside of Columbus. While the rain did not last long, it left behind a mud and puddles that splashed and drenched them. None of that curbed their enthusiasm.

All along the route they were cheered by farm families clustered along picket fences. The crescendo came as they entered Columbus and headed for their destination, the Southern Hotel. Oldfield reveled in gunning his big, noisy engine for the thousands of cheering faces.

In the end they set a distance for the passage from Indianapolis to Columbus. Oldfield reveled in the adoration of his thousands of admirers and returned their cheers by blipping the throttle of his National engine.

I wouldn't be surprised if you heard it too...if The powerful story you will find if you click thru the link provided here was originally written in June 1909 by journalist Roland L. Mellett about his 180-mile journey along the Old National Road riding shotgun to Barney Oldfield in the latter's recently acquired National Motor Vehicle Company "Six." The colorful driver with a flare for promotion nicknamed his new toy, "Old Glory."

Unveiled in the days leading up to the Independence Day holiday the car boasted a red, white & blue color scheme compete with the stars & stripes blazoned across the hood. The 60 HP car conformed to American Automobile Association (AAA) rules for stock cars, which provided for some modifications.

Mellett reports beautifully about how he and Barney started at the wondrous Claypool Hotel in downtown Indianapolis and traveled the macadam-paved Old National road to Columbus. As the story goes, the Hoosier highway was superior to the Ohio portion because it was better maintained.

They stopped for dinner in Richmond for about 45 minutes and again at another point for 15 minutes to refuel. Greenfield, Knightstown, Eaton and Dayton were among the towns they passed through, reportedly slowing to community limits. Mellett reports that Oldfield was a cautious driver and while at times he hit 80 miles per hour, it was with good judgement. He assessed bridges for safety as they approached them.

A rainstorm showered them briefly about 25 miles outside of Columbus. While the rain did not last long, it left behind a mud and puddles that splashed and drenched them. None of that curbed their enthusiasm.

All along the route they were cheered by farm families clustered along picket fences. The crescendo came as they entered Columbus and headed for their destination, the Southern Hotel. Oldfield reveled in gunning his big, noisy engine for the thousands of cheering faces.

In the end they set a distance for the passage from Indianapolis to Columbus. Oldfield reveled in the adoration of his thousands of admirers and returned their cheers by blipping the throttle of his National engine.

I wouldn't be surprised if you heard it too...if you only click thru!