County Motor Car

“I have received two anonymous letters about the County Motor Car being used for purposes totally apart from the Engineer's Official Duties - that is joy rides." So began County Council Member Lowry Baskin’s speech at a Stratford City Council Meeting in 1917. “The car was seen out at all hours of the night” Baskin continued, and was “once seen standing by the roadside with the lights out…” Baskin had personally seen Council Engineer William Lopdell drive the car down Kelly Street with the headlights off, only to be seen driving down Denmark Terrace with Mrs May Sefton later that evening. “There is only one inference that can be taken from that” Baskin concluded. In April, Sefton took Baskin to court for slander, claiming his speech had “imputed unchastity or adultery” on her part. Sefton insisted Lopdell had offered her and her son a ride to Midhirst. That was all. The case ended when the jury found Baskin guilty of slander and awarded Sefton £350. One of the anonymous notes sent to Baskin is seen here and was entered as evidence in Sefton’s court case.