Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: 1917

The Keystone Auto Transit Company used this business card to signal big plans--service to five cities, $1.5 million in authorized capital, a full slate of officers--when it started up in 1917, but it seems to have stayed in business for only a short time. The company placed an advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday, October 21, 1917, offering motor freight services that were intended to compete with the railroads. The ad promised quick delivery of freight by "trackless locomotives," a term that was sometimes used to refer to trucks and cars in the early twentieth century. "Freight in a Day" was the title of an article (though it reads like another advertisement) that appeared in the same newspaper a week later on October 28, 1917, and it also used "trackless locomotives" and other railroad terminology to describe the company's operations: "The Keystone Auto Transit Company have inaugurated a freight and express service between New York, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, [and] Harrisburg, employing a great fleet of tractors and trailers [early versions of today's tractor-trailer trucks] that carry as much as thirty tons to the load. "These big trackless locomotives [ trucks ] and their trailers will leave a specified station in each of the cities at exactly 11 A.M. and will undertake to deliver to the consignee's door on the day of shipment, which, of course, provides for early morning collection. "These collections are made by more than fifty lighter and even faster trucks, which carry the individual shipments to the general depot [which was a truck depot, not a railroad depot] for loading on the overland trains [over-the-road trucks ]. These trains [ trucks! ] are scheduled to meet frequently on each route, so that drivers and supplies are always available should an accident occur." Although it's obvious that the Keystone Auto Transit Company intended to compete with the railroads, the venture apparently failed, and I haven't been able to uncover much besides this business card to document the company's existence. For some interesting details about the challenges facing early trucking companies like this one, take a look at Wikipedia's article on the History of the Trucking Industry in the United States . Keystone Auto Transit Co. (Incorporated) Incorporating with auth. cap. $1,500,000. Large Shipments Especially Solicited. New York. Pittsburgh. Atlantic City. Baltimore. Philadelphia Service Station, 1714-16-18 Callowhill St. Bell Phone, Spruce 3826. Keystone Phone, Race 5090. J. W. White, President. F. T. Finch, 1st Vice President and Traffic Mgr. Pres., Phila. Motor Service Corp. V. E. Kugler, 2d Vice President and Treasurer. Treasurer, Blair Eastern Co. F. H. McNerney, 3d Vice President. Mgr., Western Furniture Mfg. Co. F. J. P. Hildenbrand, Secretary. General Insurance, Philadelphia, Pa. Hon. W. H. Fisher, District Mgr. Oaklyn, N.J. Represented by

Printed on the back of this postcard: "Whitney Made, Worcester, Mass." Postmarked: Alexandria, Va., Oct. 30, 1917. Addressed to: Miss Lillie, 17 Cedar St., Rosemont, Alex., Va. Handwritten message: "Hope to see you Hallowe'en night. Mary Ella."

"Richland and Newmanstown Joint Sunday Schools' excursion to Hershey Park, Saturday, July 7, 1917. Richland, Pa., adult's ticket, 65 cts. Special train leaves Sheridan at 8:00 a.m., Richland at 8:05. Returning, leave Hershey 8:15 p.m."

"Hello! Who is this? You're the one we're after. Missed you last Sunday. Come to Sunday school next Sunday sure! A. B. C. No. 56. Copyright, 1917, the Standard Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O." For other don't-forget-to-attend-Sunday-school postcards, see One Out of Our Sunday-School Class Last Sunday and Sorry You Were Sick Last Sunday .

In days of yore, the paper boy , message delivery boy , milkman , coal man , and even the garbage man might give you their holiday greetings! Compliments from the Garbage Man Christmas comes and Christmas goes, With summer rains and winter snows. The garbage man who always goes, Fighting mankind's every foe. He's poor and humble and knows no wealth, But is ever guarding the public health. He works in cheer and knows no fear, Of the deadly germ that is always near. So don't forget him when Christmas comes, To help him make his loved ones dear, With just a little Christmas cheer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 1917-1918.

Correspondence from "Marion" to "Charles" that 's constructed using words and illustrations cut out from one or more New York City newspapers in the manner of a stereotypical ransom letter. Charles was evidently a soldier in 1917 as World War I raged in Europe, and there are references to "the captain," "pass time," the Quartermaster Corps , and Madison Barracks that may provide clues to where he was stationed (300 miles away at Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor , N.Y., perhaps?). The letter also mentions popular entertainments of the time--Ward's Jazz Band performing at dances, silent film actress Theda Bara appearing in Cleopatra at the Lyric Theatre on 42nd Street, and music playing on the Victrola . -------- Oct. 30, 1917 Dear Soldier, Latest news from New York. Friends and fellow citizens, hear us. Special gossip of a day. Prepare now. Advice free. Every time is pass time--nit. And the captain answered, this way out! The land of joy. Dance awhile, no charge for dancing. Splendid dance floor, Ward's Jazz Band, windows and light on all sides. Business before pleasure. See mummies come to life again when they see Theda Bara in Cleopatra, the William Fox production, Lyric Theatre, 42d St., W. of B'way . . . . Charles, now is the high cost of living so save rice. Don't marry. Oh, boy, take me to motion pictures at Madison Barracks and have lively music on Victrola. Have you fancy groceries and table luxuries at the Quartermaster Corps kamp? The very idea! We specialize in all kinds of sea food. I have a nice can of jam for you, big friend. Yours very truly, Marion

"John S. Keller's sale of fine shoats. Will be sold at public sale on Tuesday evening, August 21, 1917, on the premises, in Millcreek Township, Leb. Co, Pa., on the farm of Thos. L. Becker, on the road leading from Millback to Kleinfeltersville, Pa. 50 head of fine shoats, 7 Chester Whites, the rest are Jersey Reds. This is one of the best lots you ever saw. Sale at 5:30 p.m. Conditions made know by John S. Keller. L. B. Kurtz, Auc. T. L. Becker, Clk."

"Come to the Barn Dance at Oratamin Farm, Tuesday evening, July 3rd, 1917, at 8 o'clock. Given by Blauvelt Equal Suffrage League. Admission, 25 cents."