Image title: Nakoaktok Chief and copper. The North American Indian, v. 10, p.146.

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: A Nakoaktok mawihl. The North American Indian, v. 10, p. 176.

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Inage title: A Tluwulahu costume - Qagyuhl. The North American Indian, v. 10, p. 244.

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl--1910-1920; Clothing and dress--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

ca. 1914. The Roof Garden at Rhodes Brothers department store, circa 1914. The Roof Garden was located just off the Sixth Floor Tea Room. The house photographer took this photograph just after the new awning was completed and the tables were set for luncheon. A similar photo was used in an ad in the July 3, 1914 Tacoma Daily Ledger. Lunch was served daily from 11:30 til 2p.m., afternoon tea daily from 2pm to 5:15 p.m. and evening dinner was served on Saturdays from 5:30-7p.m. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

ca. 1914. Frank Verbeck behind the wheel of his Fiat (car # 11) on the track at the Tacoma Speedway for the July 1914 races. His mechanic, who will ride with Mr. Verbeck in the Fiat "70" in the 200-mile and 250-mile races, is the world and Olympic champion hurdler Forrest C. Smithson. Frank Verbeck had come to Tacoma in 1912 to race but not in 1913. His car, the Fiat "70," had been entered in the previous two years and was driven in 1913 by a previous holder of the Montamarathon trophy, "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff. In 1914 Mr. Tetzlaff chose to drive a Maxwell so Mr. Verbeck, a former teammate of Mr. Tetzlaff, decided to drive the Fiat. The News Tribune called Frank Verbeck "one of the nerviest and most sensational drivers of the Pacific Coast aggregation." Despite a valiant effort, Mr. Verbeck had continued problems with his car and was excused by the referee in the 13th lap of the final race when the car was in 10th place. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-2- results)

Verbeck, Frank; Smithson, Forrest C.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. Crowds in stands at Tacoma Speedway July 4th - probably 1914. In 1914, over 35,000 spectators packed the grandstand and lined the field fences at the closing race of the Montamara Festo season. They had paid $1.00 for field admission and from $1.50 to $3.00 for the grandstand. The auto racing was possibly the highlight of the abbreviated July 2-4th week which featured fireworks, shows, spectacles and vaudeville. It cost the city about $100,000 to put on the annual event. There were three sanctioned races at the Tacoma Speedway with a total prize of $10,500 which drew entries from the Pacific Northwest, California and even one Englishman (Hughie Hughes). The speed kings were in town and even their practices drew crowds of over 12,000. Winner of the final race and holder of the Montamarathon trophy was Californian Earl Cooper in his #8 Stutz "Ghost." Mr. Cooper was the reigning champ who successfully defended his title. (TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Sports spectators--Lakewood; Crowds--Lakewood; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1914. Joe Thomas behind the wheel of his Mercer automobile at the Tacoma Speedway circa 1914. His "mechanician" is believed to be named Kindic. Mr. Thomas, from Seattle, was entered solely in the InterCity 100-mile race on July 3rd. He did not place in the top 5. In 1915 Mr. Thomas again entered the InterCity race but his Mercer failed to start. Unlike many of his colleagues, he survived his racing career and by 1939, was the head of the Washington State safety inspection station in Tacoma.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Mercer automobile; Thomas, Joe;

Image title: Twin child healer. The North American Indian, v. 10, p. 94.

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl--1910-1920; Healers--Indians of North America;

ca. 1914. In 1914 Charles Webster Latta of Seattle returned to the Tacoma Speedway for the annual July Montamarathon Festo races. He had competed in the Golden Potlatch 200-mile race in 1913 at the Speedway and finished a very respectable third behind eventual winner Earl Cooper and well-known national star Bob Burman. In 1914 he captured third place in the InterCity 100-mile race with a Lozier, rather than the Interstate he had used in the Potlatch the year before. Jim Parsons repeated as winner of the InterCity with S.F. Brock of Portland in second place. (Local newspapers referred to Mr. Latta as "N." Latta) (TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results) TPL-1646

Latta, Charles Webster; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Lozier automobile;

ca. 1914. Herman C. Terrien of Tacoma sits behind the wheel of his small Regal along with his "mechanician" Oscar Soderburg as the duo prepares for their entry in the InterCity 100-mile race scheduled for July 3, 1914 at the Tacoma Speedway. The car, dubbed the "Pacific Car Special," was altered at the Pacific Car Co., hence its name. As with racing cars of the time, the tires and steering wheel seem exceptionally large. The "Pacific Car Special" was one of twelve cars entered in the first race of the 1914 Montamara Festo which was restricted to cars from the Pacific Northwest. The InterCity race was won again by Jim Parsons of Seattle in his Frantz car. TPL-1638 (See Speedway 002 for close up of drivers)

Terrien, Herman C.; Soderburg, Oscar; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Regal automobile;

ca. 1914. Frank Verbeck and his "mechanician," Forrest C. Smithson are pictured in their Fiat "70" which had been entered in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch and 250-mile Montamarathon races at the Tacoma Speedway in early July of 1914. Mr. Verbeck had raced in Tacoma in 1912 but not the following year. He held the 24 hour record on the Los Angeles motordrome. The Fiat had been the car of Mr. Verbeck's former teammate, "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff, who this year would run in a Maxwell. Mr. Verbeck along with several other notable racers showed up about two weeks before the race along with their cars. Forrest C. Smithson, the "mechanician," was a world class hurdler who was making his first appearance in Tacoma. He was an Olympic champion in 1908 and held numerous American records. TPL-10151 (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D-alt. photograph & article)

Verbeck, Frank; Smithson, Forrest C.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. The staff of the Queen City Market lined up in front of the store which had opened in early March of 1914. It was located in a three-story building at 1115 Broadway in downtown Tacoma, adjoining the Horgan-Parker department store. The market had a modern refrigerating system installed with ammonia pipes in all showcases. The Queen City Market offered for sale meats, butter, eggs, cheese, fresh fish, oysters and crabs, and misc. groceries. It was managed by Albert Bruner. (TDL 3-1-1914, p. 3-article)

Queen City Market (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1914. Driver named Billy Taylor behind the wheel of an Alco "six" at the Tacoma Speedway with an unidentified mechanic probably during the July 3 & 4, 1914, races. Racers at that time were accompanied by their mechanics who were able to fit into the streamlined vehicles. Mr. Taylor was from Los Angeles and drove the vehicle owned by A. H. Woolacott, a broker and member of the Los Angeles Stock Exchange. He would end up in fifth place during the final race for the Montamarathon trophy, completing 250 miles without more than one stop for tire change. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-results; Sunday Daily Ledger, 7-5-14, p. 1+-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Alco automobile; Taylor, Billy;

ca. 1914. Driver and his "mechanician" at Tacoma Speedway. The driver behind the wheel is possibly Jack A. Croston, a Tacoma resident who entered the July 3, 1914 InterCity 100-mile race limited to cars from cities in the Pacific Northwest. He had car #1 and was the first entrant. His Chevrolet had a very small motor, one of the smallest of the cars entered. Mr. Croston was the manager of the Chevrolet Motor Sales Co. and had a great deal of experience in Buicks, Nationals and Chevys. The man seated next to him is possibly J.J. Crane, his "mechanician." Mr. Crane, also of Tacoma, was the head of Tacoma Automobile Machine Works. The duo would finish fifth out of twelve cars in the InterCity race which was won by Jim Parsons of Seattle in his Frantz. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D-article; TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

ca. 1914. Car #26, driven by N. Latta, and car #21, believed to be a Studebaker driven by H. Staley, drive past the grandstand of the Tacoma Speedway. This race is believed to be the July 1914 InterCity 100-mile race held at the Tacoma Speedway which featured cars from cities in the Pacific Northwest. Driver Latta, from Seattle, drove the #26 Lozier which came in third place in the race. The News Tribune noted that Latta did not pit or stop on the racetrack before crossing the finish line. Latta won $250 and Staley, the 4th place winner, earned $150 for the race. Jim Parsons, also of Seattle, was the winner among the twelve cars entered. He picked up a prize of $750. (TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results; Sunday Daily Ledger, 7-5-14, p. 1+, p. 16-articles; TDN 7-3-14, p. 1-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Grandstands--Lakewood; Sports spectators--Lakewood; Crowds--Lakewood;

ca. 1914. Driver Billy Taylor from California and his unidentified "mechanician" in A.H. Woolacott's big Alco #12 at the 1914 Tacoma Speedway races. Mr. Taylor had driven the car to a second place finish in the Vanderbilt Cup race at Santa Monica the previous winter, outracing several cars who were really faster. This so impressed car owner A.H. Woolacott that he entered the Alco with Mr. Taylor as driver in the July 3 & 4th races at the Tacoma Speedway. The Alco would come in 5th at the closing race of the Montamara Festo which was won by Earl Cooper of California for the second straight year. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-article on results)

Taylor, Billy; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Alco automobile;

Image title: Hamasilahl - Qagyuhl. The North American Indian, v. 10, p.228.

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl--1910-1920; Clothing and dress--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

ca. 1914. Coming for the Bride - Qagyuhl "Wedding Party - Kwakiutl" Photograph by Edward S. Curtis. Scanned from Asahel Curtis, hand tinted lantern slide. Original photo appears in The North American Indian, v.10 Plate # 337. The Kwakiutl is a broad term used to describe the native tribes on the coast of British Columbia; the native word Qagyuhl describes the sub tribe resident at Fort Rupert. Marriage among the poor took place without ceremony, but with people of rank betrothal and marriage was ruled by customs and traditions. On the morning of the wedding day, a war canoe would be sent to the home of the bride. In the forward portion is a wooden effigy of a thunderbird. Behind the man in the bow is seated the human effigy. He wears a headdress representing the creature and a robe of eagle tail feathers and he imitates the bird by gesture and cry. They halt in front of the bride's home to sing, dance and make speeches. Hoping to raise funds for the publishing of his 40 volume North American Indian opus, Edward Curtis made a full length motion picture of the Kwakiutl way of life, "In the Land of the Headhunters." Work on the film ended in 1914 and it was considered a masterpiece. However, it was a financial disaster, only ever shown in New York City's Casino Theater and in Seattle. It gathered dust until 1924, when he sold the uncut master print and negatives to the American Museum of Natural History for $1500 and the resignation of all rights. It was later restored in 1972 and released as "In the Land of the War Canoes."

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl; Indians of North America--Canoes; Indians of North America--Rites & ceremonies;

ca. 1914. S.F. Brock of Portland and his "mechanician" N.E. "Nervy" Green on the track at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1914. His #24 car, a Wright, came in second in the InterCity 100-mile race, and garnered Mr. Brock a $350 prize. It was remarkable that his car raced at all; it had been heavily damaged prior to the race when it flipped after striking and killing R.C. Pollock, an onlooker at the practice races who had attempted to cross the track. The News Tribune reported that it was the second fatal accident in connection with Tacoma racing. In 1912 a rock kicked by a racer's tire struck a boy sitting in a tree who then fell and died from his injuries. TPL-1642 (TNT 7-2-14, p. 1-article; TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results)

Brock, S.F.; Green, N.E.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Wright automobile;

ca. 1914. Californian Billy Taylor and his unidentified "mechanician" aboard the big #12 Alco "six" at the Tacoma Speedway in early July of 1914. Entry was submitted by A.H. Woolacott. The Alco raced in both the Golden Potlatch 200-miler on July 3rd and the grand finale Montamarathon 250-mile race on the 4th on the two-mile oval track. Mr. Taylor came in 5th place of the closing race, trailing winner Earl Cooper's Stutz, G.E. Ruckstell's Mercer, Arthur Klein's King, and Jim Parsons' Frantz. He had been dubbed a "daredevil of the (Billy) Carlson type" by the Tacoma Daily Ledger prior to the race and was, according to the newspaper, quickly becoming famous. (TDL 6-29-14, p. 2-article; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-results)

Taylor, Billy; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Alco automobile;

ca. 1914. This young driver, sitting in his unnumbered race car, is believed to be Walter Grossman of Los Angeles. He and thirteen other racers had brought their "cycle cars," smaller and less powerful than regular race cars, to the Tacoma Speedway for special Labor Day competition in 1914. Mr. Grossman was also photographed in a "Red Devil" car of his own design and construction (see G51.1, image 120) which was far different from the car he is pictured in above. Although the boys were able to get in practice and speed trial times, rains on the actual day of competition cancelled the race. Mr. Grossman, part of a large contingent from Southern California, returned to his home after a second postponement.

Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1914. Rhodes Brothers delivery department employees, circa 1914. The men pose on and around one of the store's delivery automobiles. In 1912, Rhodes Brothers retired their horse and wagons and replaced them with gasoline powered automobiles. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

ca. 1914. H. C. Terrien behind the wheel of the "Pacific Car Special" in Tacoma for race at Tacoma Speedway. Mechanic is Oscar Soderburg (name misspelled on print). Herman C. Terrien, from Tacoma, entered his small Regal in the InterCity race on July 3, 1914. The 100-mile race was restricted to cars from cities in the Pacific Northwest. His Regal, #9, was worked on with Bob Field at the Pacific Car Co. The race was won by Seattle's Jim Parsons in his Frantz car. Mr. Terrien's car was not among the top five finishers. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article, 10-A-alt. photograph; TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results)

Terrien, Herman C.; Soderburg, Oscar; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Regal automobile;

ca. 1914. Frank Verbeck behind the wheel of his Fiat (car # 11) on the track at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1914. Accompanying him was Forrest C. Smithson, his mechanic. Mr. Smithson was a world-class and Olympic hurdler. The Fiat ran in both the 200-mile and 250-mile races which attracted entries from the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Since the Fiat had raced here the past two years, expectations were high for another successful finish. Unfortunately the car did not perform well and Mr. Verbeck won neither race. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D-alt. photograph; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1+-results)

Verbeck, Frank; Smithson, Forrest C.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. This is possibly H. Staley and his unidentified "mechanician" aboard car #21, believed to be a Studebaker, preparing for the Montamara Festo races in early July of 1914. Driver Staley captured 4th place and $150 in the Inter-City Century, a 100-mile race held at the Tacoma Speedway on July 3rd. (TDL 7-4-14, p. 5-list of drivers; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-5-14, p. 16-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers;

On May 31, 1914, a guest was photographed posing in front of the Park Hotel, 802 A St. The Park was built in 1908 from a design by Heath and Twichell, architects. It was built of concrete. The building stood at the intersection of South 8th and A St. for almost 70 years before falling victim to the wrecker's ball. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

Hotels--Tacoma; Park Hotel (Tacoma); Concrete construction;

This photograph was taken May 31, 1914 of the, left to right, Union Motor Co. (808-10 A St.), the I.M. Larsen Awning & Tent Factory (804-06 A St.) and the Park Hotel (802 A St.) The entire block was demolished in 1977 to make way for a parking lot. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

Hotels--Tacoma; Park Hotel (Tacoma); Union Motor Co. (Tacoma); I.M. Larsen Awning & Tent Factory (Tacoma);

Race car driver Grover Ruckstell and his mechanic "Quicksell" after the pair came in second at the July 4, 1914 Montamarathon driving the #16 yellow Mercer. Winner and defending champion Earl Cooper picked up $2500 for his efforts while G.E. Ruckstell (often misspelled Ruckstall in the newspapers) received $1500 for second place. New to Tacoma, he was a teammate of Eddie Pullen and a driver of Californian George R. Bentel's Mercer cars. Mr. Ruckstell was also a mechanic and engineer, having earned his masters degree in automotive engineering from Princeton University. He also served as head of the famous Mercer racing team. He is also credited with developing the basic concept of a two speed rear axle into a popular product, the "Ruckstell Axle" marketed for Ford. The handcrafted Mercer was only manufactured for 15 years, but the Mercer Raceabout is considered the model sportscar of the era, the perfect blend of speed and finesse. The Mercer Auto Co. was incorporated in 1909, backed by the funds of millionaire businessmen Ferdinand Roebling and John Kruser. The automotive designs of Finley Robertson Porter and the business acumen of general manager and society playboy Washington Roebling II made the $1950 sports car the choice of wealthy sportsmen. The company reached its glory in 1914 and due to a series of bad turns was gone in a decade. The last Mercer was made in 1925. (T.Tribune 7/5/1914, pg. 1-results; www.chaffinsgarage.com; www.capitalcentury.com)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Ruckstell, Grover; Mercer automobile; Automobile racing drivers;