MORE FORD: We continue today recounting Henry Ford’s visit to
Smethport as published in the Aug. 2, 1928, edition of the McKean
County Democrat, sent in by Jim Herzog of Smethport.

“At lunch (in Smethport’s New Grand Central Hotel), Mr. Ford …
displayed a fondness for the pastry for which the local hotel is
famous by ordering a second piece of pie. The waitress who served
the motor magnate was substantially tipped by the distinguished
guest.

“As Mr. Ford emerged form the dining room, he was greeted by
H.S. Rubin, a local businessman, who said, ‘Mr. Ford, I want to
shake hands with you.’ The great manufacturer beamed a happy smile
and returned a warm handclasp, saying, ‘I’m glad to meet all you
boys.’

“The manufacturer sustained his reputation for being a commoner
by chatting affably with the group of hotel guests and citizens who
surrounded him.

“C. Hammond of St. Marys, owner of a new Ford coupe which
figured in a collision with a big McFarland sedan near Smethport
Friday night, told the car’s builder how the lighter vehicle had
withstood the shock of collision as well as the heavy car, and Ford
was visibly interested.

” ‘Where is your car?’ he asked Hammond.

” ‘At the Quirk garage, a block down the street,’ the owner
replied.

” ‘I believe I’ll go down and take a look at it,’ said Ford.

“But after talking with the group a few moments, the motor king,
suddenly looking at his watch, stated, ‘I guess I won’t be able to
look at that wrecked car. I am in a hurry to get to Warren.’

“Entering his car, the great industrial genius waved farewell to
the group on the curb and was on his way.

“Incidentally, the chauffeur made a ‘U’ turn when he turned
around in the center of the block in front of the hotel, which is
against the stringent new traffic law in force in Smethport.

“However, the Democrat will not tell on the town’s distinguished
visitor, so nothing will mar the mutual pleasure his visit
occasioned in this beautiful town, charming glimpses of which he
undoubtedly secured between those closely erected Main Street
traffic signboards. In fact, Mr. Ford commented on Smethport’s
beauty.

“News dispatches stated that the motor king reached his home in
Dearborn about midnight Saturday night. The total distance covered
during the day was 710 miles.”