Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
BOLAND G51.1-144
Date(s)
- 1920-07 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
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Scope and content
Race car driver Eddie O'Donnell is behind the wheel of a Duesenberg in this July of 1920 photograph. His "mechanician" Lyall Jolls is seated next to him. The man standing was not positively identified. Eddie O'Donnell was part of the Duesenberg team which sent four top drivers to the 1920 225-mile July 5th race at the Tacoma Speedway, including eventual winner Tommy Milton, Jimmy Murphy and Eddie Miller. Although the number on the Duesenberg is 29, the Tacoma Daily Ledger had listed Mr. O'Donnell's car as #9. Showing a generous spirit, Mr. O'Donnell gave up his car so that a competitor, Ralph DePalma, could drive it. Mr. DePalma, a popular driver, had a broken connecting rod on his French Ballot which was not repairable in time for the race. Mr. O'Donnell did compete in the race by driving his teammate Eddie Miller's vehicle but came in last of the eight cars remaining. Mr. O'Donnell's fortitude was unquestioned; he had broken an arm in a Kansas City race in 1916 and raced with only one arm for months. He was to die later in 1920 in a collision with Gaston Chevrolet in California. (TDL 6-29-20, p. 1-article; TDL 7-2-20, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-4-20, B-2-list of drivers & cars; TDL 7-6-20, p. 1-results)
O'Donnell, Eddie; Jolls, Lyall; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood;