(4/11/05)

The following was published in the South Bend Tribune, 4/10/05

Politics and Studebaker were a flammable combination
DIALOGUE
By RICHARD T. QUINN

Business and politics can be a volatile mix. The Studebaker brothers were very active in political circles, and it was inevitable that their politics would eventually spill over into the wagon-making business. No better illustration of the perils of political endorsement can be made than that of a singular event in 1884 involving the Studebaker brothers and their political affiliation.

Peter Studebaker was an ardent Republican, as was his elder brother, Clement. Clement was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1880 and 1888, and was an oft-rumored candidate for the office of governor of Indiana.

Younger brother John M. Studebaker had always sided with the Democrats, but in 1884, at the urging of Peter, he switched parties.

Peter was by far the most vocal proponent of Republican principles, and he spoke repeatedly during the campaigns of 1880 and '84 on behalf of the Republican candidate.

Not coincidentally, around this time a rumor began that the Studebaker brothers would fire any factory worker known to have voted for the Democratic candidate. This rumor led to an incident known as The Great Studebaker Immolation. It is carried in a history of Dodd City, Texas, and proceeds as follows:

The first important event in Dodd City's history was the Rayburn family's settling nearby, and the most recent happening of significance was a visit by Boraxo's 20 mule team. By far the most memorable occurrence was an angry demonstration against certain policies of the Studebaker Corp., of South Bend. Studebaker -- which was later an automobile manufacturer -- was then a major wagonmaker.

After the news reached Dodd City that the Studebaker brothers had warned their employees of the dire consequences which might be expected by those who voted Democratic in the 1884 presidential election, some 200 citizens sent the following letter:

"Sirs: Since the information that you threatened to disenfranchise your employees who failed to vote as you directed, we have this day made arrangements to purchase one of your wagons, 'coal oil' the same and burn it in the presence of the voters of this precinct ... . The event will be duly advertised that the press of the state (copy the same).

"We burn the 'Studebaker' without knowing who will be president; we burn it in the same spirit that the tea was thrown overboard in Boston harbor in 1776; we burn it to commemorate the infamy you have heaped upon the workmen in your factory; we burn it that it may be emblazoned to Texas that you have placed a bulldozing bulletin on the walls of your factory ... that we may condemn your lying cant and anathematize your hyprocasy (sic) and that we may make your vile names odrous (sic) for all time to come, where liberty is known and freemen exist ... we burn it to let our fellow countrymen of Texas know that we never desire to touch or handle any of your creations or make and that we consider the despicable coercion as treason; we burn it to consume the spokes, hubs, axles, etc., that have been made by the blood and sweat of victims whom you have reduced below the standard of manhood."

The fine people of Dodd City were as good as their word; on the main street, with appropriate ceremony, they reduced a brand new Studebaker wagon to a pile of ashes.

The citizens of Dodd City were wrong on several points, not the least of which was the date of the Boston Tea Party (it was 1773, not 1776). More importantly, they were misled by Democratic newspapers of the south who printed the initial charges. These charges were later proved false by petitions signed by hundreds of Studebaker workers who still held their jobs after admitting they voted Democratic. Studebaker actually offered a $1,000 reward to be paid to a Democratic candidate if anyone could prove the charges. The money was never claimed.

Despite this, several southern cities copied the Dodd City example and burned Studebaker wagons. (I think we can assume they chose the cheaper models!)

The election was one of the closest popular votes in U.S. history, with Democrat Grover Cleveland receiving 50.1 percent of the votes to James G. Blaine's 49.9 percent. After the election, John M. Studebaker traveled to New Orleans for an exposition and to do a little peacemaking.

From Louisiana, he wrote an account of his trip for a South Bend newspaper. It contained this interesting account:

"... You would scarcely believe me were I to tell you how many people I met at the Exposition from all parts of the country who asked me about the troubles in South Bend. A party of Texans passed our wagon exhibit today and I overheard one of the broad-brimmed hat fellows say, 'By God, I helped to burn one of them there wagons, but I tell you, boys, they are the boss wagons in our parts.' I hailed to the boys and set up cigars and got a full report of how they came to burn the Studebaker wagons. Matters were explained satisfactorily and they departed; swearing allegiance to the Studebaker wagons. In conclusion, let me say to the newspapers of South Bend, it is in your power in a great measure to harmonize and bring about the desired prosperity, do not allow your manhood to enter into personalities, it simply brings ridicule from your patrons, injury to many, and good to none."

Richard Quinn is a life trustee of the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend. He lives in Mokena, Illinois.

Webmaster note: Mr. Quinn is also a long-time member of the Studebaker Drivers Club and regular feature article contributor to the SDC's Turning Wheels magazine.