popes O.H.V.

[c.o.]

Cory,

I think there was a LOT of movie footage made of early races if that's what you mean. I know they filmed the early Dodge City 300-mile races and also some Milwaukee races. That was a big deal. But what happened to them is beyond me. Probably some of them are held in big film archives but not well known.

The closest I got to movies was thru Squibby, H-D test rider, hillclimber, and racer in the 1920s. He tore his basement apart looking for films that Bill Knuth took of hillclimbs, etc. but could not find them. "I know they are here somewhere," he said, but they wouldn't turn up. Otherwise I would have made copies. Too bad.

If nothing else Herb, you've given me hope! I would love to see more early race footage and the Dodge City stuff would be pretty impressive I'm sure! Can you imagine seeing the likes of Don John's literally riding their mounts into the ground?!! Not to mention seeing the Wrecking Crew showing their force! Man, it looks like it's time to do some scrounging for early race footage!

[pem]

Dick,

Can you tell us the names of the guys on the Lake MoCo. incorp papers? Maybe we can identify them or recognize them somehow. You never know.

I take it Perry was not named, eh?

Perry is not named. The names are Henry A. Schmitz, President, Geo J. Schmitz, secretary.
Other names on the paperwork are Eva Kapp, R.E. Corners, H.A. Schmitz, Jr. and Charles Champion. The papers said they were going to be Jobbing, Manufacturing and Selling Motors and Machinery of all kinds and descriptions.

Not too many clues but that's all I could find.

Dick

[pem]

Perry is not named. The names are Henry A. Schmitz, President, Geo J. Schmitz, secretary.
Other names on the paperwork are Eva Kapp, R.E. Corners, H.A. Schmitz, Jr. and Charles Champion. The papers said they were going to be Jobbing, Manufacturing and Selling Motors and Machinery of all kinds and descriptions.

Not too many clues but that's all I could find.

Dick

Herb, I just found some more info. Apparently the main office was in Milwaukee in the Merrill building but the manufacture of the Lake Motor took place in Appleton, Wi. at the Appleton Machine Co. in an old paper mill. Most of the above mentioned people are in/from Appleton. This is interesting! "What will be called the "Lake" Motor was manufactured in a small way in Milwaukee but without much success."

This info is from 1920 and it appears they haven't made any motors yet in Appleton.
In the article they claim "turn out at 50 gasoline engines a day" and "has enough orders to keep it rinning full capacity for the next year." But of course we know that never happened.

The article says "The patents, patterns and other essentials to manufacture were secured" but it doesn't say from whom. The article is just full of wild claims and they finnish the article by saying "Prospects for the future of the company have been exceptionally bright since it's inception and it seems that only the question of productive ability has to be considered in making it one of Appleton's leading enterprises."

I wonder how long it really lasted and how many motors were actually made?

Dick

[HarleyCreation]

Herb, I just found some more info. Apparently the main office was in Milwaukee in the Merrill building but the manufacture of the Lake Motor took place in Appleton, Wi. at the Appleton Machine Co. in an old paper mill. Most of the above mentioned people are in/from Appleton. This is interesting! "What will be called the "Lake" Motor was manufactured in a small way in Milwaukee but without much success."

This info is from 1920 and it appears they haven't made any motors yet in Appleton.
In the article they claim "turn out at 50 gasoline engines a day" and "has enough orders to keep it rinning full capacity for the next year." But of course we know that never happened.

The article says "The patents, patterns and other essentials to manufacture were secured" but it doesn't say from whom. The article is just full of wild claims and they finnish the article by saying "Prospects for the future of the company have been exceptionally bright since it's inception and it seems that only the question of productive ability has to be considered in making it one of Appleton's leading enterprises."

I wonder how long it really lasted and how many motors were actually made?

Dick

Dick,

That's really interesting information!

Those Lake names didn't ring a bell and then the Appleton connection popped up. Wonder if any info exists on Lake or those people in the Appleton Historical Society? Or in other local newspapers? There might have been a big splash at the time and from the sound of it (wild claims) they sought publicity.

Often, when they made the biggest promises and bragged of huge orders, etc. that meant the outfit was about to fold!

[c.o.]

A 1914 Pope Factory Tour. It sounds as though it was a meticulous environment..... (with a little bonus on a mail delivering Yale!)