The first mayor in the U.S. to have an automobile got his new car on this date. St. Louis Mayor Rolla Wells was challenged to a race with the police departments new scorcher wagon.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.