|
Tom Geraghty for the Geraghty’s Transfer purchased this Reo Speed
Wagon in 1926 from Moore Motors on Aultman in Ely. He was told that
because of the big 6-cylinder engine he only needed only a 3-speed
transmission. This proved to be very unsatisfactory at low speeds and
starting under loads. So Bob’s Shop, Wally Birch father repair shop,
added a three-speed transfer case.
This truck probably replaced a couple of 1915 White Trucks that Mr.
Geraghty brought to Ely to start the Transfer Business. These White
trucks were the first trucks in Ely.
Tom Geraghty had a love for mining, which was probably started when
he starting working the coal mines for England for a reputed twenty five
cents a day before coming to America.
At the time of this death, in August 1941, Mr. Geraghty was returning
from a quicksilver mine he owned near Elko. He was killed in an Auto
Accident north of McGill. At the time of the accident he was driving a
Dodge Sheepherders Special. Wally Birch describes it as a pickup that
sheepherders used. Among other things it had over size tires (21inches).
HR was towing a trailer that probably caused the accident.
His widow Jessie said that the Reo Speed Wagon was to remain in the
garage where Tom had put it. The truck remained in the garage until
Jessie death in 1963. At this is time the garage was in a bad state of
repair and falling in on the truck. Because of this and the worry for
safely the city applied pressure to have the garage torn down. The
family sold the truck to Wally Birch.
Today this truck is in the same condition Tom Geraghty put it in the
garage in 1937. No body repair or new paint. The Reo has less than
25,000 miles and has been in White Pine County since the day of its
purchases. There is however, a very small dent in the hood where the
garage roof fell on the truck.
As member of the Lincoln Highway Association, Tom Geraghty received a
radiator sustaining membership emblem. Placed on the Reo radiator and
has been there ever since. This is very rare for an emblem to be on the
same vehicle this long. This is must be some type of record.
Today, Wally Birch take religious care of the Reo Speed Wagon and is
happy to use it on special events. Wally feels very strongly that this
truck should remain permanently in Ely and under a roof as part of a way
to record the history of the automobile in White Pine County.
The Speed Wagon has been in the Fourth of July Parade contours from
the time that Wally purchased it in 1963.
The material used in this article is from several interviews with
Wally Birch in the morning, at the Senate meeting, Birch Garage, and
research in the Ely Times. Oh, yes, I almost forget, a ride in Wally’s
Speed Wagon. By Rollin Southwell
|
