Franklin that was in Alaska
The Franklin was purchased from a Skagway resident for $50 in 1943. My army buddy, Jim McDaniel, and I co-owned it at first, but he was shortly re-assigned and sold his half to me for $25. I operated it almost everyday from 1943 until I was re-assigned to Adak in 1945, and reluctantly had to leave it behind. I turned it over to Fred Erickson, employed by the Broadway Theater, a good friend. I don't know what he finally did with it or where it is now.
The Franklin was very powerful and could go faster than I ever wanted to. It was a very comfortably riding car....one could hardly feel the road bumps. Notice those elegant springs. Also, the high wheels and axels were a definite advantage driving in the snow. And, of course, it had a convertible top!
The only numbers I have, associated with the Franklin, are the Alaska license plates seen in the pictures. I obtained the license in 1943 and renewed it, via mail to Juneau, in 1944-5.
The Franklin ran perfectly all the time I had it. I fueled it from 50 gallon gasoline and oil barrels. I don't know what kind of mileage it got. I had some army help with lube jobs.
As you can see by the photographs it was one of the most popular vehicles in Skagway. Everybody loved the Franklin.....many many people, civilian and US Army, and our outfit's two pet dogs, Panda and Skipper rode in it with me.
A few months after WW2, Fred sent me a heart breaking picture of the Franklin, parked on a side street behind the theater and abandoned to the elements. I have always hoped that someone came to it's rescue.
Glenn Churches
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