may

6. The First Car in Palmer Road

Alphy remembers the first time he ever rode in a car. It was 1915 and he was eight years old.

The day had started out like any ordinary day. He and Josephine had gone to school. The children were doing schoolwork and waiting for lunchtime to come. It was relatively quiet in the one-room schoolhouse. Then the children heard a ‘honk’ outside and everyone rushed to the window including the teacher. They saw a spectacular sight— a sleek, black automobile with lots of chrome.

The driver quickly got out of the car and came into the school. Alphy later learned that the driver was Charles Dalton.* The man spoke with the teacher and it was agreed that he would take the children for a drive, one group at a time. Several children ran out, among them Alphy. Alphy raced out to the car, as fast as his legs could go. He was lucky enough to make it to the front seat first. He sat very proudly during the drive. It was incredible - faster than any horse he had ever seen. Alphy was sure this was the first car to come to Palmer Road, and he got to ride in the front seat!**

* Charles Dalton was a rich entrepreneur who had made a fortune on foxes (the fox pelts were sold to European Markets for the fashion industry).

**Alphy remembers seeing other cars in the St. Louis area, but he doesn’t recall seeing any in Palmer Road until the day that Charles Dalton drove to school.

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