Caldwell's first automobile accident

Many people remember Charles Pegram, who operated the Printing House on West Avenue for many years. Prior to that time, he worked for the “Lenoir News-Topic” and he shared items of interest in a column entitled “Mirrors of Caldwell.” The April 7, 1931, edition gives an interesting item of history for those of use who like to know about Caldwell County “firsts.”

“Who was the first victim of the automobile in a mishap in Lenoir? We are definite in our belief that the 10-year-old son of Mr. Bristol Hood first suffered injury from one of “those confounded contraptions” and that the accident occurred just 20 years ago on April 7, 1911, but we quote the Lenoir News as follows:

“Last Monday evening as Mr. O. P. Lutz was returning from the Moore-Stone Chair factory, in his automobile, he had a collision with a ten year old son of Mr. Bristol Hood, in which the lad was painfully hurt. Mr. Lutz saw the boy playing along in the street coming towards him and noted he was smiling and of course thought he would get out of the way. Just before getting to him however, he feared a collision and drove his machine out of the street into a field. The boy unfortunately turned aside at the same time and in the same direction and the collision followed. The boy was knocked down and stunned and a small cut made on his head and one of his legs but no bones were broken. Mr. Lutz regrets it very much, but he was in no way to blame as we learn the particulars of the accident. It is reported that the boy said to some of his playmates that he was going to make the machine stop. Mr. Lutz carried him to the Sanitorium and had his wounds dressed and otherwise cared for.”

“For the information of our dear public, it would be interesting to know what the boy's first name is and other data concerning the auto collision. If he is living today, he is about 30 years of age. This column would appreciate an account of the event by the young man as he remembers the details of that April afternoon.”

I wonder if the future of the little boy who has the dubious distinction of being the first auto victim in Lenoir was ever learned?

According to “Here Will I Dwell,” by Nancy Alexander, O. P Lutz, a Lenoir businessman was the first person in the county to own an automobile. It was a two-cylinder Buick with the steering wheel on the right and a starting crank on the side of the auto.

Also in “Here Will I Dwell,” Nancy Alexander quotes the “Lenoir News’” of April 1, 1910: “Lenoir is going to be quite a city this summer, as far as automobiles go. There are three here already, Mr. O. P. Lutz, Dr. L. G. Reid, and the Lenoir Livery Company each having one. Dr. W. P. Ivey and Mr. G. F. Harper are both building garages and are expecting their new machines within the next ten days or two weeks. Dr. Ivey has bought a Lambert runabout and Mr. Harper has ordered two Maxwells, one for himself and one for Messers. Jay and Richard Harper at Patterson. In addition to these, we understand that Mr. S. F. Puette and Mr. T. J. Stone are each going to buy machines this season.”

In 1911 the automobile was still something of a curiosity only owned by a few. Today they are so common place that we all feel like we have to have at least one.

John O. Hawkins is a native of Caldwell County with an interest in local history.