I have a family story of which I am trying to prove. Supposedly, my great-Grandfather, Charles J. Smith, a Blacksmith in Bondurant (of C.J. Smith, Blacksmith & Machinist, Electrical Supplies and Gasoline Engines, Bondurant, Iowa--taken from business letterhead) lived there around 1909 (when my great-uncle was born) and on, though they lived in Altoona (1910 Census confirms this) until sometime before 1920 when the family moved to Des Moines in Polk county,

Charles was supposed to have been the first person in Altoona/Bondurant to own a motorized car and on its maiden drive ended up with a flat tire while the whole town turned out to watch.

I actually have both the photos and negatives of the car and flat tire incident. I have posted on my site at:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ourfamilyrealm/page...

If the family story is true about this incident then maybe something would have been in the local paper or an historical tidbit in the local society. I do not live in Iowa. I have tried writing the local libraries there with no response. I'd appreciate it if anyone had suggestions of how to search for this or if anyone is willing to do a quick check. If something is found, I'd be more than happy to pay for copies and postage.