Messrs and Mesdames W.O. Smith, William Scrowther, Samuel Tout, H.W. Tern, William Sorenson and Carl Hanson took a trip to Logan on the schooner pulled by a Ford car on Monday night and had dinner at the hotel, returning home late in the evening.
Smithfield News Items, Logan Republican, 9 Feb 1918, Page 8
In the early 20th century, as the age of motor cars was just beginning to dawn, there were many places, particularly in rural or small-town areas like Smithfield, where horse-drawn carriages and wagons were still the primary means of transportation. A “schooner” in this context is likely referring to a type of large, covered wagon, not unlike the Conestoga wagons used by pioneers in the 19th century. These were often referred to as “prairie schooners” due to their boat-like shape.
The mention of a “schooner pulled by a Ford car” paints a vivid picture of this time of transition. The Ford car, likely a Model T given the era, would have been a symbol of the new, exciting world of motorized transportation. At the same time, the schooner represents the old ways, a nod to the pioneer heritage of the area. By combining the two, the residents of Smithfield were able to enjoy the benefits of modern technology without completely abandoning their traditional mode of travel.
This unique combination of old and new might have looked strange to some, but it was a practical solution that allowed these early adopters to take advantage of the speed and reliability of the motor car, while still utilizing the larger capacity and rugged durability of the schooner. It also speaks to the resourcefulness and adaptability of the people of the time, who were willing to embrace new technologies and find innovative ways to incorporate them into their existing way of life.
In a broader sense, the image of a schooner being pulled by a Ford car is a perfect metaphor for this period in history – a time when the old world was giving way to the new, and the lines between the past and the future were being redrawn. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come in terms of transportation, and how quickly those changes occurred once the motor car became a viable option for everyday travel.
