Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

August 22, 1993
By Barbara Carney
Vigo County Historical Society

Proprietors proud of early wheels

In her book, “Historically Speaking,” Dorothy Clark writes that in 1903, this city’s Gazette decided to make a survey to see now many automobiles were to be found in Terre Haute. It was then estimated that there were 25 horseless carriages on our streets.

Within a short time, a few local merchants took the concept of motorized transportation one step further. They believed that having a gasoline-powered vehicle would be a business advantage. Thus, delivery trucks came into service. Though they were cumbersome with solid rubber tires and crude springs, they were speedier and more economical than their horse-drawn counterparts.

Also, as said by local car builder, Charles Westerman in a1959 Terre Haute Tribune article, those were the days when the motorist “was not hampered by such things as drivers license, vehicle license, automobile taxes, traffic laws” and such.

In 1906, one of the first local delivery trucks began to travel Terre Haute’s streets. It was E.H. Bindley Co., a wholesale drug business established in 1865. It was an Orient; air cooled, two-cylinder with chain drive. This vehicle was manufactured by the Waltham Watch Co. A photograph of the open truck with canvas top can be found in the basement of the Historical Museum. The can and body were made of wood, very low to the ground with spoke wheels and rubber tires. V.H. Phillips, a Bindley employee, was the driver and Fred Rice, a clerk at Austin’s Drug Store at Seventh and Ohio Streets was the passenger. This photograph was given in 1984 by William Bindley.

A photograph hangs in the Ermisch Cleaning establishment of their very early delivery truck. The Cadillac frame and chassis were identified by Frank Kelptz as 1903 vintage. The C cab and covered wooden body, both with glass windows, were probably added locally. The crank start, one-cylinder, 6 1/2 horse power truck was equipped with a fin tube radiator, wood artillery wheels, pneumatic tires, kerosene side lights and steel fenders.

The vehicle was purchased by Julius F. Ermisch, founder of what was originally called Ermisch Dyeing Co., Dyers and Cleaners. The business was first at 652 Wabash, but by the time delivery service was started, had moved to 106 North Seventh St. At that time, customers preferred dyeing to cover dirt over cleaning. According to John Ermisch, president of the company, the operation of this delivery truck began what was one of the first route services in the United States.

Pictured behind the steering wheel is Robert Ermisch, who, because he was the older brother, was the one designated to be photographed.

In 1912, the P.C. Kintz and Sons Co. became proud owners of a truck which was built locally by Charles Westerman using a Model T Ford Chassis. The Kintz family were general contractors at 321 North 14th St. This truck with an open bed 7 1/2 feet in length was said to be capable to conveying a heavy load. This sleek vehicle had a 20 horse power engine, carbide head lights and kerosene side lights.

Charles Westerman, who moved to Terre Haute with his family in 1899 began working for the American Car and Foundry Co. at 1032 Crawford St. While there, he began his lifetime hobby of building automobiles.

The early 1900s saw other progressive area businessmen make the change from horse-drawn delivery wagons to motorized trucks. The acquisition of such a conveyance was generally a proud moment for a proprietor. To celebrate this event it was common practice to have a photograph taken of the owner sitting at the wheel of the vehicle parked in front of his establishment.

Such photographs, as well as information about other “first” businesses to employ the use of motorized delivery trucks would be welcome additions to the Historical Society’s collections.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

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