FORD VISIT: In previous columns, we’ve shared some of the local
lore “busted” by the Bradford Landmark Society in its recent
newsletter. One of the myths “set straight” was that Henry Ford
never did visit Bradford, as often assumed.

Jim Herzog, one of our Smethport readers, writes to tell us that
Ford, however, had been in the area.

“Although Henry Ford may never have visited Bradford he did
visit Smethport, but not for business – just on his way from New
Jersey to Michigan.”

As proof, Jim sent along a copy of an article from the Aug. 2,
1928, edition of the McKean County Democrat.

Jim continues: “Since (the article) states Ford was on his way
to Warren, he might have traveled through Bradford, but not likely,
as at that time the … route would have been through Kane.”

The article reads: “A signature was inscribed on a page of the
register of the New Grand Central Hotel, Smethport, Saturday noon
which is reputed to be one of the few in the history of the world
which would cause a check for one billion dollars to be
honored.

“The signature was none other than that of Henry Ford, motor
magnate, of Dearborn, Mich., who stopped for lunch at the local
hostelry and fortunately did not tender a billion dollar check in
payment and expect change.

“The automobile manufacturer, accompanied by his chauffeur and
traveling in a new model standard 2-door Ford sedan, was en route
home over the beautiful Roosevelt Highway from a visit with his
friend, Thomas Edison, who has been stopping at the Delaware Water
Gap and had covered 316 miles Saturday morning, starting at 6:00
o’clock a.m. It was his intention to reach Detroit Saturday night,
a fact which places the great industrial leader in the endurance
driver class. Mr. Ford’s Ford speedometer showed a mileage of
7,000.

“While Mr. Ford did not register until after lunch, his identity
was discovered as soon as he entered the hotel.

“The genius of the automobile world is a fine, handsome figure
of a man, obviously in the pink of physical condition, wearing a
healthy coat of summer tan, bespeaking a partiality on his part for
outdoors life and was not wearing a hat.”

More tomorrow.