Latest / Nebraska History Podcast / Devil Wagons in Omaha

Transcript

Devil Wagons in Omaha · Nebraska History Podcast

0:00
The following episode features a historic article from the
0:02
Nebraska History magazine. This article may reflect the
0:04
language and attitudes of its time and while it offers
0:06
valuable insight into the past, may content, expressions, or
0:08
viewpoints that are outdated or offensive by today's standards.
0:10
Any outdated terms do not reflect the current views or
0:12
perspectives of the Nebraska State Historical Society.
0:15
Welcome to the Nebraska History podcast.
0:18
I'm your host, Chris Goforth. Each episode we explore articles
0:21
written and published in Nebraska History Magazine.
0:25
In 19 O2 there were only a few automobiles and they were seen
0:28
as toys for the rich, but year after year more vehicles hit the
0:33
road. In this episode we go back to
0:36
the early 20th century in Omaha and discover how well the
0:39
automobile was accepted into society and the expectations
0:43
people had on drivers. Through the 1980 Nebraska
0:47
History Magazine article The Devil Wagon Comes to Omaha, The
0:51
First Decade of the Automobile, written by Tommy R Thompson.
0:55
One of the first automobiles Omahans ever saw was a machine
1:00
brought to the city for the Trans Mississippi Exposition of
1:03
1898, but this auto was a rarity.
1:07
As the 20th century opened, the people of Omaha depended on
1:11
streetcar, carriage and the very popular bicycle for
1:15
transportation. It was an age when local
1:18
citizens worried about proper attire for cycling and the need
1:21
of the city to repair potholed streets to prevent injury to
1:25
riders out for a spin on their wheel.
1:28
For most people, the automobile was more of a dream than a
1:31
reality, a possible luxury if one came upon sudden riches.
1:36
Still, some Omahans began to sense the impact of the auto.
1:41
As the year 19 O2 commenced, the Omaha Daily News declared that
1:45
no one could yet fully understand the significance of
1:49
the automobile at this time. It was only a toy limited to the
1:53
wealthy, but eventually the horseless carriage was bound to
1:57
be recognized as one of the successful means of local
2:01
motion. By 19 O2, the automobile was
2:04
becoming a more permanent fixture in the city.
2:07
Interested citizens could examine the Oldsmobile, which
2:10
was quote inexpensive, elegant, simple and durable End Quote.
2:15
The Waverly Electric, described by dealer JJD Wright as quote
2:19
easily controlled, clean, noiseless, easy riding and
2:22
comfortable End Quote or a wide range of steam, gasoline and
2:27
electric autos at Henry Frederickson's store at 15th and
2:31
Capital. Frederickson offered customers a
2:34
service called the Auto Stable. He would store the owner's
2:38
machine and deliver it to his business or residence when asked
2:41
to do so by a simple phone call. Members of the local smart set
2:46
began to frequent Omaha dealerships in search of the new
2:49
machines, and enough of them made purchases by 19 O2 to
2:54
compose a new interest group in Omaha.
2:57
At that time owners of the horseless carriage organized the
3:00
Omaha Automobile Club to arrange quote a schedule of club runs
3:05
Sundays and evenings. End Quote.
3:08
The first excursions occurred in June when 12 machines the number
3:12
was reduced to strong winds drove through the city.
3:16
It would not be long before members discovered a more
3:19
valuable use for the club, a means of opposing city
3:22
legislation for regulating the automobile.
3:26
In June 19 O2 Councilman Fred H Hoy introduced an ordinance for
3:31
such regulation. It provided that automobiles
3:34
would be limited to a maximum speed within city limits of 12
3:38
mph and required that motorists carry lamps after dark.
3:44
Hoy's proposed law called for Omaha drivers to operate
3:47
vehicles with an obedience to the laws of the road and
3:52
provided a fine of $25 if they failed to do so.
3:57
The council referred this measure to Comptroller John D
4:00
Westberg for study, since he was considered the auto authority in
4:05
the City Hall. Westberg also was a member of
4:08
the automobile Club. Omaha motorists responded
4:12
cautiously to Hoy's ordinance. Many of them met in June at a
4:16
gathering at the automobile club to assess the situation.
4:20
The position of the club reflected that of Omaha
4:23
automobile owners, most of whom were members.
4:26
At the meeting, members agreed that a speed limit was a good
4:30
idea. They felt 12 mph was not
4:33
realistic, especially when compared to existing speed
4:36
limits for the trolley cars at 10 mph in the business district,
4:40
12 in residential areas, and bicycles 8 and 10 mph.
4:45
The club members decided they might suggest some additions to
4:48
Hoy's ordinance, such as the need to require a horn on all
4:52
vehicles. However, automobilists had
4:55
little to worry about concerning the ordinance.
4:58
Comptroller Westberg would not bother to report on the measure
5:01
until one year later. The reaction of Omaha automobile
5:05
owners was somewhat stronger regarding another issue.
5:09
In late July, the Park Commission amended the rules
5:12
governing parks and streets designated boulevards by banning
5:16
automobiles from these areas temporarily.
5:19
Members of the Park Commission felt this action was necessary
5:22
until horses become accustomed and were unafraid of the autos.
5:26
Accidents had occurred in the parks when horses and autos had
5:29
met. This policy did not meet with
5:33
the approval of the automobile Club.
5:36
Members appeared before the Commission with a conciliatory
5:39
offer for modification of the new rules.
5:42
The motorists agreed, if allowed to drive in the parks not to
5:46
exceed 12 mph, to carry 2 carriage lights after dark, to
5:50
pull towards the right when approaching a horse, and to slow
5:54
down if a team seemed nervous. The members of the automobile
5:58
club acknowledged that there had been some accidents in the parks
6:01
involving horses, but most of these were minor.
6:04
In fact, the most serious accident had occurred when a
6:07
team of horses smashed the auto of George Patterson, a club
6:10
member. In August, the committee
6:13
appointed by the Automobile Club appeared before the Park
6:16
Commission in a peaceable session and successfully
6:20
persuaded the latter to moderate its stand.
6:23
After listening to arguments by the committee for an hour and a
6:26
half, the Park Commission granted Otto's the use of all
6:29
parks and boulevards except Hanscom and Riverview Parks and
6:34
Central Blvd. between 10th and 20th Streets.
6:38
The Commission included the latter because of its sharp
6:41
curves, steep inclines, and narrow roadways.
6:44
In other parks and on remaining boulevards, the speed of
6:47
automobiles would be limited to 10 mph.
6:51
Presumably both sides found this compromise acceptable.
6:55
The Automobile Club agreed that automobilists would endeavor to
6:59
have the rules adopted, lived up to, and would assist the Park
7:02
Board in enforcing them. The Park Commission defended its
7:06
restrictions as a reasonable means of protecting Omaha
7:09
citizens from speeding machines in areas designated for leisure
7:13
and recreation. In addition, the Commission
7:16
intended to recommend that the Omaha City Council adopt an
7:20
ordinance requiring lights, licensing and numbering of
7:23
autos. If the council failed to act,
7:26
the Commission would be considered adopting additional
7:29
regulations itself. While Omaha motorists
7:33
undoubtedly were pleased with this partial reversal by the
7:37
Park Commission, they had even more reason to celebrate.
7:40
A few days later, on August 18th, the Daily News reported
7:44
that Hoy's ordinance for regulation of autos might never
7:48
reach the council floor for a vote.
7:51
Comptroller Westberg had found a general ordinance already in
7:55
existence which regulated speed in Omaha and indicated there was
7:59
no need for additional legislation.
8:01
But Omahans concluded just the opposite.
8:04
As the number of automobiles increased, accompanying problems
8:08
became more evident. Speeding drivers paid little
8:11
heed to citizens, safety and property.
8:14
They speed along Omaha streets, smashing into buggies, wagons
8:18
and pedestrians. In many cases, drivers fled the
8:21
scene rather than face the consequences.
8:24
Even the upper class pro automotive Omaha Excelsior
8:28
declared in the fall of 19-O2 that it was appropriate to call
8:32
automobiles devil wagons, since they dash into trees, into stone
8:37
walls, jump fences, and break over bridge parapets to wreck
8:41
themselves and their occupants on the ground below.
8:45
In 19 O3, the situation grew worse by summer.
8:49
Something had to be done. In June, Chief of Police John J
8:54
Donahue ordered the arrest of all Spitzers traveling quote,
8:58
faster than the ordinary gate of a horse, or more rapidly than
9:01
they could stop their machines at short notice.
9:03
End Quote. Donahue, admiring New York law,
9:07
said, quote, New York limits the progress to 4 miles an hour.
9:12
That speed should be fast enough for Omaha.
9:14
End Quote. He probably did not know
9:17
automobilists in New York City were ignoring the speed limit.
9:21
Violations there were so blatant that the city hired 6
9:24
professional bicycle riders, including Mile a Minute Murphy,
9:28
to chase speeding autos. Soon after Chief Donahue handed
9:33
down his ultimatum to Omaha automobilists, the council
9:37
acted. It voted both to revive Hoy's
9:40
ordinance of the previous summer and to introduce a new
9:44
ordinance. The latter of these measures,
9:46
reflecting the prevailing sentiment towards motorists,
9:50
limited the speed of autos to five mph in the business
9:54
district and eight in residential areas.
9:57
One auto owner, disturbed by this ordinance, decided to take
10:01
matters into his own hands. He hoped to convert Harry B
10:05
Zimman, president of the council and chairman of the Judiciary
10:08
Committee, which was considering the restrictive ordinance, to a
10:12
pro automobile position by demonstrating to him the thrill
10:16
of speed. The motorist coaxed Zimman into
10:19
his machine at the ballpark and drove him to 16th and Harney
10:23
streets in 4 1/2 minutes. At the end of the trip, Zimman
10:27
was gasping with fear and rage. Shortly thereafter, he declared
10:32
that the speed ordinance definitely would pass.
10:37
Before the final passage of the speed ordinance, Omaha drivers
10:40
did succeed in gaining A slight modification of the measure.
10:44
When the City Council met to consider the ordinance,
10:47
automobile dealers HE, Frederickson and JJD Wright
10:51
spoke against the proposed speed limits of five and eight mph.
10:57
Probably as a result of these individuals influenced, the
10:59
council voted to change the speeds to 7 and 12 mph, and the
11:05
measure passed in that form. Members of the Omaha Automobile
11:09
Club may have well been surprised to learn a week later
11:12
that Mayor Frank E Moores had vetoed the ordinance.
11:17
He did so, he said, because the speed limit of 12 mph voted by
11:21
the council for residential areas was, quote, too great for
11:25
the safety of the people generally who use the streets.
11:28
End Quote. The mayor expressed concern that
11:31
drivers might lose control of their autos.
11:34
Also, during the summer months, children used the streets as
11:37
playgrounds and quote if automobiles were permitted to go
11:41
tearing through the streets at 12 mph, some terrible accident
11:46
would sure to result. End Quote.
11:48
It was Moore's opinion that if Omaha drivers wanted to travel
11:52
at a high rate of speed or anything over 8 mph, they could
11:57
use the country roads. Immediately following the veto
12:02
by Mayor Moores, the City Council considered the
12:05
possibility of another ordinance, although nothing
12:08
definitive surfaced until late summer.
12:11
At that time, the council called upon City Attorney Carl C Wright
12:15
to prepare the measure. The one he drafted was based on
12:19
one used in Chicago and called for a limit of speed of 6 mph in
12:24
the business district and eight in residential areas.
12:27
Certain equipment would be required on all autos.
12:31
Lights on the front and rear, white for the front, red for the
12:35
rear of the vehicle, a horn or a bell and brakes capable of
12:39
stopping the auto within 10 feet.
12:42
The vehicle had to display a license number in white letters
12:46
5 inches high on the rear, illuminated by a small white
12:50
light. But most disturbing to Omaha
12:53
motorists was a provision that all drivers would have to pass
12:57
an exam as to their qualifications to operating
13:00
machines, but no demonstration of their driving skill.
13:05
The examining board was to be comprised of city electrician,
13:09
boiler inspector and chief of police.
13:12
If the board found an applicant to be mentally, physically, and
13:16
morally competent, then he paid a small fee and received a
13:19
vehicle license number. However, if a citizen filed A
13:23
complaint against a driver charging negligence and the
13:26
examining board sustained the accusation, his license shall be
13:31
forever revoked. Presumably, this included a
13:34
violation of the provision which made it, quote, obligatory for
13:38
every driver to stop and investigate whenever his car
13:41
strikes a person or vehicle in the street.
13:44
End Quote. Omaha automobilists met to
13:47
discuss the proposed ordinance after the council decided that
13:50
the measure should be passed into law.
13:53
Although the motorists at the meeting all spoke with a
13:56
conciliatory spirit, they disliked the examination
13:59
process, the requirement for lights, and the low speed
14:03
limits. The latter they denounced as
14:05
impracticable. It was the consensus of those
14:08
attending the meeting that the motorists should send a
14:11
representative committee to meet with the council in an effort to
14:16
very much modify the provisions of the ordinance, if not to
14:20
carry the whole matter over until next year, this driving
14:23
season being so nearly at an end.
14:26
In the meantime, all present agreed that one of the best
14:29
tactics that they would pursue would be to exercise unusual
14:34
care until automobiles were firmly established and
14:37
understood in Omaha. The representatives of the
14:41
automobilist succeeded in persuading the council to put
14:45
the proposed ordinance on the back burner at least until the
14:48
following spring. They met with the members of the
14:51
council and agreed the vehicles needed identification numbers.
14:55
However, after the meeting, the ordinance remained in an
14:58
unperfected state. A disposition to regulate
15:02
automobiles in Omaha by late 19 O 3 was not dead, but merely
15:07
delayed. The council recognized that the
15:10
horseless carriage was becoming a permanent part of Omaha life.
15:14
Every day more citizens of means were purchasing Ramblers,
15:17
Wintons, waterless Knoxes, Locomobiles, Cadillacs, or even
15:21
Fords. Ladies were taking a seat behind
15:25
the wheel and fashion articles in newspapers instructed them as
15:29
to the proper attire for driving.
15:31
Perhaps some of the women motorists purchased long coats
15:34
of rain proof silks. Fashion for automobile use
15:38
reported as the most captivating of all nineteen O 3 fall styles
15:42
for automobiling. Less expensive but probably
15:45
popular worthy trifles for lady motorists on the market.
15:50
A newspaper article related that chain charms in the shape of
15:53
tiny gold and silver automobiles abound.
15:57
Other signs of the growing acceptance of the automobile
16:00
were more obvious. The Exarben Festival in early
16:03
October featured a parade which included 26 autos decorated with
16:09
poppies, roses and chrysanthemums.
16:12
And in keeping with the spirit of progress, King Exarben and
16:16
his lovely queen rode in the lead vehicle.
16:20
The Christmas season brought with it the use of the
16:22
automobile in ads to attract the reader's attention of miniature
16:27
auto toys for the children, just like the big toys of their
16:30
parents, at least of affluent parents.
16:34
An enterprising business in Connecticut advertised in late
16:37
November that any young girl who sold twenty articles at $0.10
16:43
each supplied by the firm could have for her very own a new
16:48
wonder doll. This magnificent toy could say
16:51
Mama and Papa. It came with a mechanical
16:54
automobile which moved by spring with great speed.
16:59
Locally, JL Brandeis and Sons Department store in an ad
17:03
featured Santa Claus flying over rooftops with innumerable toys,
17:07
not in a sleigh led by dasher and Dancer, but in an
17:11
automobile. Lastly, if anything signaled a
17:14
general acceptance of the horseless carriage in Omaha.
17:17
By late 19 O3, it was its recognition by the tax assessor.
17:23
For the first time, automobiles were taxed as personal property.
17:28
Of course, owners of the autos felt their machines were nothing
17:32
with which the tax assessor should become overly concerned.
17:36
Emil Brandeis, for example, suggested that his $3000
17:40
Peerless should be valued at $100 for the purpose of
17:43
taxation, a figure raised to 1000 by the assessor.
17:49
The inescapable fact remained that regulation of the
17:52
automobile was needed. There was enough sentiment in
17:57
the fall of 19 O3 to prompt the Daily News to editorialize that
18:02
it might be very appropriate to label the auto the Red Devil.
18:07
Unfortunately, said the News, an individual, upon entering an
18:10
auto seemed to be overcome by a satanic spell and developed a
18:15
complete disregard for the life and safety of other people.
18:20
The only means of controlling the reckless driver, it
18:23
appeared, would be to treat the scorcher to a schooling of
18:26
arrests, fines and horse whippings.
18:30
Not everyone took such a harsh position.
18:33
The Omaha Excelsior pointed out that some of the quote
18:36
uninitiated still looked suspiciously at a so-called red
18:40
devil and cannot be induced to get into one.
18:43
End Quote. Yet those same individuals
18:46
enjoyed a ride with a spirited team of horses.
18:49
The Excelsior could have added that everyone noticed an
18:53
automobile involved in an accident, but few paid attention
18:57
to similar accidents perpetrated by carriages.
19:00
Still, the Excelsior supported regulation of the automobile in
19:04
19 O 4. Early that spring, as some young
19:08
men's fancy turn to love, others opted for a fast automobile.
19:14
Once again, speedsters became a nuisance.
19:17
In March, Chief Donahue announced, quote, that the fast
19:20
and reckless driving of automobiles in the city must
19:24
stop once and for all. End Quote.
19:27
Citizens complain to him daily that autos had come dangerously
19:31
close to hitting them. Donahue, only warning speedsters
19:35
at first, now began arresting them.
19:39
He also supported an ordinance which set speed limits and
19:41
required identification numbers. The City Council resumed
19:46
discussion of the need for a regulatory ordinance and in
19:50
mid-april Zimmen introduced an ordinance similar to the one
19:53
proposed the previous August. The ordinance set a limit of 6
19:58
mph for the business district, required each automobile to have
20:02
a gong horn, whistle or bell to be sounded at each St.
20:06
intersection, An identification number registered with the city
20:10
and painted in letters 5 inches high.
20:12
A red light for the rear and a white light in the front to
20:16
illuminate the license number after dark and brakes capable of
20:19
stopping the car within 10 feet. Lastly, drivers had to pay a
20:25
license fee of $2.00 and a deposit a bond of $100.
20:31
The News declared the ordinance quote so rigid as to be
20:35
unreasonable. End Quote.
20:37
It would be an injustice to hold vehicles to a speed limit of 6
20:41
mph when carriages could travel at 11:50 and streetcars at 15 to
20:46
20. In reality, said the News, the
20:50
majority of drivers were responsible and safe.
20:53
The situation could be improved if Chief Donahue simply would
20:57
make some of the arrests he talked about.
21:00
If an ordinance was needed, the news favored one which would not
21:05
be oppressive but rigidly enforced.
21:08
Automobile dealer Clark Powell echoed these sentiments when he
21:11
stated that this ordinance was more suited to a backwoods town
21:15
of the South than for a city like Omaha.
21:19
The City Council passed an ordinance basically the same as
21:22
the one proposed, although it provided 8 and 12 mph limits in
21:26
the business and residential areas, lowered the registration
21:30
fee to $1.00, and eliminated the bond.
21:33
The measure passed only after, quote, a great deal of quibbling
21:37
and several passages at arms and much objection by owners of
21:41
automobiles. End Quote.
21:43
The ordinance went into effect May 24th when the mayor did not
21:48
veto the measure. Omaha now had its first
21:51
ordinance regulating automobiles, perhaps as an act
21:55
of defiance. Just two days after passage of
21:58
the ordinance, speeding motorists caused a rash of
22:01
runaways, more than Chief Donahue had seen in weeks.
22:05
Also, automobile owners were slow to obey the registration
22:09
provision. In the first week of his
22:11
existence, only 52 owners complied.
22:15
According to the News, this figure represented 1/3 of Omaha
22:19
autos. However, the total number of
22:21
automobiles in the city probably was much smaller.
22:25
By mid-july, 83 owners had registered their autos.
22:28
Some were trying to use one registration for several
22:31
vehicles. Chief Donahue warned that he
22:34
would arrest any driver who did not have a number on his
22:38
automobile, failed to secure a number for each auto, or refused
22:42
to observe the speed limits. Omaha drivers paid little
22:46
attention to Donahue's warnings, particularly those concerning
22:50
speed. In June 19 O 4 residents of the
22:53
Clifton Hill area complained about speedsters, one of whom
22:57
police timed as he was, quote, scorching down Military Ave. at
23:01
a rate of 40 mph End Quote. The auto carried license number
23:06
46, which was registered to the Rambler Automobile Company.
23:11
Investigation revealed that the driver was a potential purchaser
23:14
from Manning, Iowa, who is out for a test drive.
23:18
Since the number was registered in the name of the Rambler
23:21
Company, the police were reluctant to prosecute the
23:24
dealer or the purchaser. A few days later, an officer
23:28
swore that he saw AI Root, president of the Root Printing
23:32
Company, or at least his auto scorching at about the same rate
23:37
of speed on 28th St. between Farnham and Leavenworth.
23:41
The officer went to the scene after Council Member Zimmon
23:44
called the Police Department, which reiterated A determination
23:48
to arrest the drivers of these whiz carts.
23:52
Complaints were coming to City Hall at such a rapid rate, City
23:56
Clerk William H Elbourne called the automobile ordinance A
24:00
nuisance. Elbourne felt Omahans were too
24:03
jumpy, often telephoning for identification of a car or to
24:07
request that someone be sent to check the car speed.
24:11
Some women called to find out with whom acquaintances were
24:14
riding. Elborn said he intended to ask
24:17
the council to raise the license fee so that he could hire
24:20
another clerk to answer the telephone.
24:23
The real problem in 19 O 4 was whether Omaha Society was
24:27
willing to enforce its new ordinance.
24:31
In June, AI Root had the dubious honor of appearing in Municipal
24:35
Court, typically called police court.
24:38
In the first case prosecuted under the law, he was there to
24:42
answer for his alleged speed on 28th St.
24:46
The officer who witnessed the event testified that he had been
24:49
unable to stop Root's vehicle, but that he did see license
24:53
number 17, which was registered to Root.
24:57
Unfortunately, the officer had not been able to identify Root
25:01
as the driver because of the speed of the auto and because
25:04
the incident occurred in late evening.
25:07
Due to the lack of positive identification, the court
25:10
dismissed the case. Police were unhappy with the
25:13
decision. They wanted to hold the owner of
25:16
the automobile responsible for a speeding incident, regardless of
25:19
the driver. This leniency or confusion
25:24
regarding prosecution under the speed ordinance continued in
25:28
July. Chief Donahue himself witnessed
25:31
A speeding incident as he was going home from work and Otto
25:35
shot by at a high rate of speed. Donahue identified the
25:39
automobile by its number 61. The machine belong to Emil
25:44
Brandeis, who received notice to appear in police court.
25:48
Brandeis appeared but informed Donahue that Frank Decker, his
25:51
chauffeur, was driving the auto at the time of the incident.
25:55
Brandeis did not ask that charges be dropped, but
25:58
requested that the case be postponed in order that Decker
26:02
might Dr. Brandeis's car in a scheduled race at the Sprague
26:06
St. Drive Park.
26:08
Chief Donahue agreed to the postponement.
26:12
The following Monday, Decker appeared in court.
26:15
Chief Donahue testified that he saw Decker flying, quote, like a
26:19
bird at a rate of not less than 40 mph End Quote.
26:23
Donahue, in earlier reports, said Decker was traveling at 60
26:27
to 100 mph. Decker replied that he was
26:31
unfamiliar with the auto and had accidentally opened the throttle
26:35
too far. The judge accepted the story and
26:39
dismissed the charges with the explanation that the auto, not
26:43
the driver, was to blame for the incident.
26:47
Obviously, the police court did not yet consider the automobile
26:51
a serious problem, probably because there were relatively
26:54
few autos in Omaha. The Police Department, despite
26:58
Donahue's protestations, reacted in a similar manner, adopting a
27:03
modest policy by arresting only 9 drivers in 19 O 4 foot.
27:08
Patrol officers, of course, were handicapped.
27:11
A small bicycle squad had trouble catching the speedy whiz
27:15
wagons. Outraged Omahans occasionally
27:18
took matters into their own hands.
27:20
Grain broker Sewell Sluman had his machine showered with eggs
27:24
on Dodge St. Missus.
27:26
HE, Frederickson and a party of five women were bombarded with
27:30
cantaloupe rinds, H Vance Lane, manager of the Nebraska
27:34
Telephone Company, was repeatedly stoned and someone
27:39
shot at Dana C Bradford, president of Bradford Kennedy
27:43
Lumber Company. Although boys were often the
27:47
perpetrators of these activities, much of it
27:50
undoubtedly reflected the citizens concern over speeding
27:53
autos, the scaring of horses and the occasional accident.
27:58
A more mature attitude by Omahans towards the automobile
28:02
developed in 19 O 5. The news commented on the
28:05
increasing feeling that motor vehicles be regulated and
28:09
restricted. The main concern, according to
28:12
the news, was the fool in the auto who should be exterminated.
28:18
This, of course, was hyperbole, but the moderate response did
28:22
develop. The legislature in 19 O 5 passed
28:26
the first state law to regulate the automobile.
28:29
Similar to Omaha's ordinance in 19 O 4.
28:32
It required state registration of all motor vehicles and
28:35
provided for a maximum fine of only $25 versus a city fine of
28:40
up to 100. Locally, the Omaha Automobile
28:44
Club became more involved in the attempt to encourage responsible
28:48
driving. The club recommended that
28:51
members not pay speeding fines levied against their chauffeurs.
28:55
Also, the club began to offer $20 rewards for information
28:59
regarding hit and run accidents. The Daily News strongly endorsed
29:04
this latter move, declaring it would help allay the suspicion
29:08
that every man who owns or drives a car is a speed maniac,
29:11
careless of the lies of all who may chance to cross his path.
29:16
Still, many Omaha automobile owners and drivers maintained A
29:20
defensive and even indifferent attitude towards responsible
29:24
driving. The Automobile Club revealed
29:27
that its members would support one another in unavoidable
29:31
accidents and would resist damage suits, although liability
29:34
insurance became more popular. By 19 O 5 In April 19 O 5, the
29:40
auto of Emil Brandeis, driven by his chauffeur, struck Dr. Rundle
29:45
of Minnesota at 16th and Douglas, and the victim died
29:49
soon thereafter. Brandeis told a coroner's jury
29:52
that he had expected Rundle to move from the vehicle's path.
29:57
Instead, he seemed confused and appeared to leap towards the
30:01
car. The coroner's jury decided that
30:03
Rundell had committed suicide since he knew he had cancer of
30:08
the stomach. He was listed as having died
30:11
from cancer, hastened by being run over by an automobile.
30:15
During the next few years, the situation regarding the
30:18
automobile in Omaha changed little.
30:21
In 19 O 7, the Police Department finally began to adjust to a
30:25
changing technology by renting 2 motorcycles to chase speedsters,
30:30
and in the following year purchased two first class
30:34
machines. Motorcycle officers were made
30:37
responsible for arrest of speeding drivers, but two men
30:40
were insufficient for the job and police lobbied for more
30:44
motorcycles. However, some critics felt that
30:47
the department, more precisely Chief Donahue, did not want to
30:51
make arrests and anger influential people.
30:54
The Daily News claimed that Donahue ordered an occasional
30:58
crusade only when the public pressure became too great.
31:02
And in 19 O 9, the Omaha World Herald ran a page One cartoon
31:07
showing the chief with dark glasses and a white cane
31:10
proclaiming, quote, I see nothing particularly alarming in
31:14
the auto speed situation. End Quote.
31:17
The police court also continued to receive its share of
31:20
criticism regarding ineffective enforcement of speed limits.
31:25
It dismissed many cases because an officer wasn't able to stop
31:29
the speeding motorist and make an arrest.
31:32
The judge would not accept a case based only on an officer's
31:35
recording of the license number. A major complaint was that the
31:40
police court did not penalize speeders severely enough.
31:44
The news declared that the judges did little more than tell
31:48
a speeder he was naughty. An examination of fines given
31:52
speeders tended to bear out this charge in 19 O 719 O 8 and in 19
31:58
O 9. The court heard a total of just
32:00
over 60 cases for speeding. In these, the average fine was
32:05
slightly over $10. It was not unusual to assess
32:10
higher penalties, including jail sentences for prostitution,
32:13
vacancy, drunkenness and letting minors play pool.
32:17
It was a constant demand that speeders be sent to jail for a
32:21
few days. But in 19 O 9A judge who said he
32:24
would follow such a policy failed to carry out his threat,
32:28
probably because ordinances did not provide such a penalty or
32:33
because state law allow jail sentences only on the second
32:36
offense regardless of the penalty.
32:39
A few Omahans escaped fines by applying to the mayor for
32:42
pardons. From July 19 O 7 through June of
32:46
1911, Municipal Court records show Mayor James C Dolman
32:51
pardoned 17 drivers convicted of speeding.
32:55
While the mayor was criticized for the use of his pardoning
32:58
power, these cases represented only 6% of speeding cases before
33:03
the court. Throughout nineteen O 7 through
33:06
19 O 9, the Omaha Automobile Club issued statements
33:10
condemning speeding. In 19 O 8, the club encouraged
33:14
members to inform the president and the police when they saw
33:17
members speeding. It is unknown whether members
33:20
turned in offenders, but if they did, speeding still did not
33:25
stop. The club now called for stricter
33:28
but reasonable regulation before a serious accident prompted
33:32
drastic laws. The council did pass a new law
33:36
in 19 O 7, which kept the old speed limits but raised the
33:40
minimum fine to $500. However, as previously noted,
33:46
the police court tended to levy fines much below this sum.
33:51
The only notable accomplishment of the club during this period
33:54
benefited the members by an agreement with Chief Donahue.
33:57
The club gave member cards signed by Donahue to serve as
34:01
bail if the police stopped them for speeding.
34:05
This eliminated the embarrassment of going to the
34:07
police station but guaranteed the offender would appear in
34:10
court. Also, the club promised to
34:13
penalize them a year's dues. One city official condemning the
34:19
special privilege cards declared Donahue was quote in league with
34:22
a band of known persistent violators of the law End Quote
34:26
and stated a club for porch climbing house burglars should
34:30
be formed so that they could have cards too.
34:34
Obviously, by 1910, efforts to regulate automobiles were
34:37
insufficient and owners continued to flaunt the law.
34:42
Some, for example, allowed their children to drive.
34:45
In 19 O 9, the Daily News did a feature story on the youngest
34:49
driver in Omaha, 12 year old Jack Summers, son of Doctor and
34:54
Missus John E Summers, grandson of pioneer lumberman George A
34:58
Hoagland. The News reported that young
35:01
Summers had driven on Omaha streets at a speed of 55 mph.
35:07
Well, this might horrify some citizens.
35:09
The newspaper concluded that he, quote, is careful and toots his
35:13
horn persistently when he turns corners or passes streetcars or
35:17
even slower autos. End Quote.
35:19
Whoever was driving, accidents continued in large numbers.
35:24
In 1910, some Omahans formed an anti automobile club referred to
35:28
as the Humanity Club, which wanted enforcement of the speed
35:32
limits and prohibition of young drivers.
35:35
The club provided legal advice and assistance when necessary to
35:39
those injured. The Omaha Automobile Club was
35:42
probably accurate when it stated in 1910.
35:45
Quote. We have reached the point where
35:47
the automobile is regarded as a good thing.
35:50
End Quote. Still, changes were needed.
35:54
The club urged that signs and danger signals be placed at
35:57
intersections where accidents might occur and recommended that
36:01
motorcycle officers wear uniforms.
36:04
The sight of uniformed officers, they say, would deter speeding,
36:08
and drivers would not flee from uniformed officers as they did
36:11
others whom they might mistake for bandits.
36:15
Ordinances were passed in June prohibiting children under 16
36:19
from driving and provided that joyriders be sent to jail for
36:24
from 5 to 30 days for each offense.
36:27
One week after the council acted in 19 O 9, young Jack Summers
36:32
was arrested under the first of these ordinances.
36:35
Although the judge dismissed charges after delivering A
36:38
lecture, but all these events were insignificant when compared
36:42
to a devastating accident. On June 21st, an auto driven by
36:47
Alex Schultz, owner of a car rental firm, struck another auto
36:52
at 34th and Leavenworth, killing William Krug of Krug Brewing
36:57
Company. Reaction to this accident was
37:00
immediate and strong. The World Herald called Alex
37:04
Schultz a driver with an unsavory record.
37:07
Schultz had been to court several times and in 19 O 9 was
37:11
fined $100 for reckless driving. The president of the park board
37:15
declared that the police were not doing their job, and the
37:19
Excelsior suggested that offending drivers should be
37:22
thrown in jail. The threat of spending time in
37:26
the black hole, claimed the Excelsior, would make drivers
37:30
more careful. A judge pointed out, though,
37:33
that speeding cases were, quote, one of the most delicate matters
37:37
with which he had to deal. End Quote.
37:40
While the comments flew, Schultz sat in jail and the World Herald
37:44
felt his incarceration accurately reflected public
37:47
sentiment. Schultz was charged with
37:50
manslaughter in the District Court on August 1st.
37:53
A jury found him guilty and the judge sentenced him to three
37:57
years in the penitentiary. The Supreme Court upheld the
38:01
sentence. The death of Krug and
38:05
prosecution of Schultz shocked the community into the
38:08
realization that greater regulation of the automobile was
38:13
necessary. The police court began handing
38:16
out more and stiffer fines. During the first six months of
38:20
1911, the court fined 130 drivers, an average fine of
38:25
about $20. The Legislature in 1911 passed a
38:30
stricter law which provided those under 16 could not drive.
38:35
The law set higher fines, and if a driver caused injuries or
38:39
death while violating provisions of the law, he could be fined
38:43
200 to $500 or be sentenced one to 10 years in jail.
38:48
While these changes would not end problems associated with the
38:52
automobile, as the situation today shows us, they did reflect
38:56
A determination to impose controls for the welfare of
39:00
society. 10 years earlier, the automobile had been only a toy
39:04
for the affluent. The number of machines had
39:07
increased dramatically from year to year, and motor vehicles were
39:11
no longer mere pleasure cars, but delivery trucks, moving
39:15
vans, and taxi cabs. After a decade, Omaha society
39:20
had accepted the automobile in all its forms.
39:23
But Omahaans also expected drivers to use their machines in
39:28
a safe and responsible manner and not as devil wagons.
39:34
Thank you for listening to the Nebraska History Podcast.
39:37
To learn more about the Nebraska History Magazine, to listen to
39:40
more podcasts, or to support our podcast by becoming a member of
39:44
the Nebraska State Historical Society, go to
39:47
history.nebraska.gov/podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to
39:51
the podcast and get notified when we release a new episode on
39:55
your favorite podcast platform. Until next time, I'm Chris
39:59
Goforth.