John W. Wilcox had the first agency in Bemidji for Overland cars. His agency was in Room 1 of the new Troppman Block in May 1916. \u00a0Wilcox attended the convention of Overland salesmen in Toledo, Ohio in Dec 1916. \u00a0There was no further mention of the agency until a new agency opened in Bemidji at the end of WWI in the building formerly occupied by the J. C. Penney store at 209 Third Street. George E Keenan was put in charge. The agency changed hands on March 1, 1920 when Ray Kaliher and J. A. DeLeuil took over the agency. A car load of new model Overland cars were received at the sales station at 116 Third Street in the building formerly occupied by the George T. Baker jewelry store n March 15, 1920. Kaliher was well known in Bemidji. DeLeuil was an expert from the Overland factory. \u00a0The company soon added Willys-Knight automobiles, and Ray Kaliher dropped out of the partnership, The company was doing very well. DeLeuil and the board decided to build a large garage and service station on Eleventh Street between Beltrami and Minnesota Avenues. The concern operated under the name of Northwestern Motors. Mr. DeLeuil was electrocuted while responding to a fire at the Hansen house in April 1922. He saw a loose wire and attempted to cut it off and was instantly killed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Northwestern \u00a0Motors, Inc., agency for Willys-Knight and Overland Automobiles then moved to 109-113 4th<\/sup> Street. The board was composed of C. J. Rygg, president; Newman Hanson, vice-president; A. W. Worth, secretary and treasurer. \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"