Successful run of new auto club; Ralph Hemingray among the chauffeurs

SUCCESSFUL RUN

OF NEW AUTON CLUB

TEN CHAUFFEURS WENT TO

EATON SUNDAY.

No Accidents to Mar the

Occasion, but Some of the

Parties Got Wet.

But for the rain of yesterday after­noon the endurance run of the Gas Belt Auto club to Eaton, 12 miles north of Muncie, and return, would have been unmarred. Every machine of the ten in line was in perfect order as they spun over the smooth country roads.

Captain Jesse Stephens and two re­porters were drenched to the skin. The captain fell behind the other chauffeurs at a bend in the road, continuing straight by mistake. The three were a sorry looking sight when they arrived in Eaton but they stood the "kidding" as gamely as they stood the rain.

The run to Eaton was made in about 65 minutes. The chauffeurs in line were: Captain Stephens, John Walters, George E. Scott, A. M. Klein, Carey Crozier, Ralph Hemingray, J. M. Long, of Muncie; J. C. Stafford, of Dunkirk; Charles VanBuskirk and B. L. Davis, of Eaton. They were accompanied by members of their families or com­panions. They lined up on Jefferson street. facing Main, and started at 2:25 o’clock.

Threatening clouds appeared in the sky before Shideler was reached. Some of the drivers turned their machines loose and made their objective point before the rain began to fall but others were badly water-soaked, enjoy­ing the trip, nevertheless. The chauffeurs remained at Eaton and enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. VanBuskirk un­til the rain was over and then return­ed, arriving home about 7 o’clock.

A feature of the trip was a free lec­ture by a good old-fashioned country housewife who took occasion to pour advice into Captain Stephens' ears concerning the frightening of horses by the machines. One of her relatives or acquaintances was at the same time frantically endeavoring to control his horse. Captain Stephens replied that the farmers' horses should get used to the machines and this made the woman so angry that she could not find words to express herself.

The chauffeurs intend to run to Mat­thews, 12 miles northwest of Muncie, next Sunday. A meeting will be held Friday night to perfect a permanent organization. "Good roads" is the motto of the club.