Romeo Padgett, Charlotte Motorcylist, Earns $50 For Delivering Motion Picture Film to Asheville, July 2, 1921

Cyclist Is Back After Long Trip. . . Romeo Padgett Makes 300 Miles and Gets Thrown, but Delivers Film

Romeo Padgett, motorcyclist, was back on his job at Kendricks Drug store at opening time Saturday morning, following a 300-mile trip to Asheville and return, made after 11 o’clock Friday morning. Padgett was $50 richer for the trip, having carried a motion picture film to Asheville for the Realart Company of Charlotte.

Padgett reached Charlotte about 2 o’clock Saturday morning, returning from Asheville by way of Spartanburg, spending several hours at towns along the way and making the trip from Spartanburg with an ordinary flashlight to guide him in his course. When he departed from Charlotte Friday it was an agreement that he should reach the Asheville motion picture house by 5 o’clock and deliver the film. At 5 o’clock Padgett was in Asheville.

“But the trip was not without its incidents,” said Padgett. “It had been raining up in the mountains, and the roads were almost impassable in spots. I went by Chimney Rock on my trip up and got stuck in the mud two or three times. By reason of the weight of the film and its container which were fastened to the rear of my motorcycle, I was thrown one time. My motorcycle and I skidded a considerable distance. Heavy leather puttees which I wore I think saved me from getting a broken leg in that spill.

“When I got ready to come back, I decided to make the journey by Spartanburg. I found this way much better, though longer. I loafed along on my return, spending about four hours in Hendersonville, Spartanburg and other towns. After it got dark, I was pretty badly hampered by not having a light on my motorcycle. I had to come on into Charlotte by the aid of a flashlight.”

Padgett said he didn’t feel any worse for the wear except that his hands were stiff from constant steering of the motorcycle. He said he would be glad to make the 30-mile trip at any time for $50, but would rather get an earlier start from Charlotte, allowing him to get back by night.

From The Charlotte News, Saturday, July 2, 1921. According to dollartimes.com, $50 in 1921 would be worth $751.32 in July, 2021.