The Silverheels Riffle Remembers

by Alan Wagoner

A Wild Ride

I married Miss Donna Jean Sprague on September 11, 1953. A few weeks after that great event I felt that it would enhance my standing with her if I demonstrated my expertise in driving by taking her for a ride in a Model T Ford. But where could I find a car of that era?

I remembered that Mr. Edgar Wilson had such a car. He loved that car and took care of it like it was a memberof the family.Though I hadtalked to him at several of the numerous parades we had in McConnelsville when Don Scott and I owned our T, I was not at all sure how he might respond to my request. Back when the automobile was in its infancy it was unheard of to let someone else drive your car. Cars of that period were very finicky and almost everything needed adjustment after an outing -the Model T was no different. But throwing caution to the wind, I took the bull by the horns and went down to his home in lower McConnelsville.

After chatting for several minutes about his car and the fun that we had with ours, he very graciously gave me permission to chauffeur my new bride around town.

Off we went on our tour of Donna’s new home town. I was proud to show her all the sites from behind the wheel of the Model T. It was slow-going as ten miles an hour was fast in a car of that vintage. We were thoroughly enjoying our drive until, headingwest on Main Street, we approached the town's one and only traffic light - a light that turned red just as we were approaching. My heart jumped into my throat as I pressed on the service brake and--nothing! In fact, we seemed to pick up speed and sailed right through the intersection. Luckily, no cars were coming in the opposite direction.

I was so shaken up by this incident that I did not immediately remember the trick practiced by most drivers of the famous Model T:to press gently on the reverse pedal at the same time as you pressed on the brake pedal. (Though the "trick" worked like a charm it carried the chance of destroying the transmission in the process!) Fortunately the trick worked for us without any apparent transmission problem. We finished our tour and returned the car back to its owner unscathed.

I am not sure if I ever told Edgar that story or not -- for very obvious reasons -- and I have not driven a Model T since.