Early North Dakota Automobile Adventures
By Bill Vossler,
That day in 1914, Chester P. Hallett of Casselton had to feel pretty good as he entered the dusty last stretch of the two-mile race in his 10 horsepower cyclecar, ahead of the motorcycle. As the Cass County Reporter said, "On the last mile just as Hallett was turning into the home, he pulled his steering post out of its place and his car went over," ending the race.
Frank Jaszkowiak of Bismarck built a gasoline runabout in 1902, and on its maiden voyage promptly smashed into a tree, the state's first auto accident. A doozie too, as the April 7, 1902, Bismarck Daily Tribune said the auto "was capable of making eight to ten miles an hour on good level road."
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