Several weeks back, Scott Harvey, who organized the 2010 reenactment, contacted me about his family's 1933 motorcycle adventure.  He was incredibly enthusiastic about his the upcoming run, and had a few questions about what sort of motorcycle his grandfather had used.  Showing me the sole surviving family photograph of the machine, we were able to identify it as a 1928 Harley-Davidson JD. 

When I mentioned that we had two of that exact model on display here at the museum, Scott was thrilled, and decided to add Wheels Through Time to the trip itinerary.  

Just a few weeks later, on their way from Ellijay, GA to Inman, SC (the 180-mile journey which their grandparents made back in 1933) they stopped at the museum for a visit.  We must have spent three hours touring the facility --- fittingly finishing up with the pair of 1928 JD's on display in the "Schaber's Cycle Shop" exhibit.  They were excited to see a real example of their granfather's machine, and we even got a few similar J-models cranked up so they could hear the sound so vital to their family history.

Here's a bit of the Creed Kirkpatrick Family story....

" Rock slides that caused detours before the trip began, soaking rain with dense fog on the third day and one broken motorcycle transmission were not enough to dampen the spirits of eight members of the Creed Kirkpatrick clan and one friend from Maryland as they reenacted the legendary motorcycle run of Creed and Virgie Kirkpatrick that happened in the spring of 1933.  183 miles, from Ellijay, GA to Inman, SC were traveled by Creed and Virgie Kirkpatrick riding on a 1928 Harley Davidson JD motorcycle with a side car.  In the side car were the Kirkpatricks’ five children ranging in age from about 3 to 12 years old.

After trying his hand at farming for a couple years in a hollow ten miles outside of Ellijay, on a farm his friend had won in a poker game, Creed Kirkpatrick headed back to the cotton mills where he found employment as a machinery mechanic once again.  The mill that hired him was probably in Liberty or Inman, SC.  Virgie and

the children stayed on the farm until Creed came back for a visit and when he was ready to head back to S.C., the adult children explain, Virgie told Creed  “If you go, we’re all going”.  Hence began their 180 plus mile journey on a motorcycle designed to deliver packages.  Although no one knows how many days the journey took, experts estimate their average speed to be twenty miles per hour given the capabilities of the motorcycle, the load and the terrain.

Creed’s grandson, Scott Harvey, of western Maryland, organized the three day event.  Scott’s father and mother, Joe and Jo Harvey of McMinnville, TN, solidified the facts as they researched old school and census records, collected vintage road maps and determined when and on what roads the Kirkpatrick family probably traveled and the stops they made along the way.

Eight family members, including Dolly Bishop, now 88 years old, the eldest daughter of Creed and Virgie, who was twelve when she made the journey with her parents, and one friend of the family reenacted the trip March 27th, 2010.  They used three motorcycles (two restored BMWs and a newer model Ducati), two cars and a van hauling a motorcycle trailer.  On the trip were two of Creed and Virgie’s daughters, two of their grandchildren, one great granddaughter and a step great grandson.  Two spouses, a friend and one dog completed the entourage.  To see them off in Ellijay was another granddaughter of Creed and Virgie, Laura Hartert, from Gainesville, GA, a grandson, Frank Bishop, still living in Russellville and a grand nephew in law, W.S. Woodward, of Guntersville.  Many other family members were with them in spirit.

A wonderful and very meaningful trip was enjoyed by all as stops were made at various cotton mills and points of interest along the way.  The trip was made more insightful because of the fervent explanations made by Johnny Whitmire, a retired millworker at Liberty Mills and John Messer of Inman Mills background and now a newspaper reporter in Inman, S.C.  

On the third day an invaluable side trip was made to “Wheels Through Time” Motorcycle Museum where the family’s photo was taken standing by an authentic 1928 JD motorcycle.www.wheelsthroughtime.com  After spending the afternoon savoring the sights (and roaring sounds as engines were started) of this exquisite collection of hundreds of beautifully maintained, restored, and displayed American motorcycles, cars and paraphernalia, the Kirkpatrick entourage said their goodbyes.  Everyone left with a richer understanding of their family’s early challenges and a greater appreciation for their family’s character and American life in the thirties.

Scott Harvey is quick to appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm, positive spirit, patience and energy that made the trip such a wonderful success."

What a fantastic story.  Thank you Scott, and the entire Creed Kirkpatrick Clan for allowing Wheels Through Time to play a part in reliving your family history.