Ford, Cadillac, Leland, as written in 1905.
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:40 pm
The narrative by a Detroit Free Press writer in 1905 about Henry Ford, Cadillac and Henry Leland and their interactions is a bit different from historians writings decades later.
Black, Bowen, White and Murphy, Detroit financiers, had capitalized a company years before Detroit Automobile Co., and attempted to build an electric auto. Ford was hired as plant superintendent for $150 a month by the men, with a month to month contract, in 1898. After building just over 20 vehicles, the company ceased operations, but Ford stayed on at the factory location (later the Cadillac plant). The investors tried again, reorganized as The Henry Ford Co. (think about it, if Ford caused the previous company to fail, would the same investors keep him on at the same location, and start a new company with the man’s name?) in late 1901. In early 1902 Ford left to pursue other interests (racers 999 and Arrow). His former employer hired another plant superintendent, Patrick Hussey, who remained from the spring of 1902 until August. At that time, the investors contracted with Faulconer and Leland for the now famous Cadillac 1 cyl. motor, and Leland and Cadillac had their start.
Black, Bowen, White and Murphy, Detroit financiers, had capitalized a company years before Detroit Automobile Co., and attempted to build an electric auto. Ford was hired as plant superintendent for $150 a month by the men, with a month to month contract, in 1898. After building just over 20 vehicles, the company ceased operations, but Ford stayed on at the factory location (later the Cadillac plant). The investors tried again, reorganized as The Henry Ford Co. (think about it, if Ford caused the previous company to fail, would the same investors keep him on at the same location, and start a new company with the man’s name?) in late 1901. In early 1902 Ford left to pursue other interests (racers 999 and Arrow). His former employer hired another plant superintendent, Patrick Hussey, who remained from the spring of 1902 until August. At that time, the investors contracted with Faulconer and Leland for the now famous Cadillac 1 cyl. motor, and Leland and Cadillac had their start.