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Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Pullman, WA 99164-5610 USA
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Cage 150
Mordhorst Auto Agency
Records, 1927-1932

The records of the Mordhorst Auto Agency, a part-time dealership for Willys-Knight, Whippet and Overland automobiles at Wilson Creek, Washington, were separated from the records of the Wilson Creek State Bank, Mordhorst's principal employer. The Washington State University Library received the auto agency's records along with those of the bank in 1975. The records were processed in February, 1977, by Lawrence Stark.

Number of Containers: 2
Linear Feet of Shelf Space: 1
Approximate Number of Items 1100

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

In 1927 Detlev F. Mordhorst, b. 1888, Cashier of the Wilson Creek State Bank entered into a contract with the Transport Motor Company of Spokane, a wholesale automobile firm. The contract gave Mordhorst a territory in central Washington in which to sell Willys-Knight, Whippet and Overland automobiles on a retail basis. Mordhorst operated this agency as a parttime concern, often merely taking orders for automobiles and passing them on to the Transport Motor Company. On occasions he bought car-loads of automobiles for retail sale, and he also sold used cars he acquired as "trade-ins."

DESCRIPTION AND ARRANGEMENT

The records consist of correspondence, 1927-1930; invoices, 1927-1932; and enclosed financial and legal documents regarding the sale of automobiles, financing of sales, repair work, and business matters associated with Mordhorst's contract with Transport Motor Company. The records appear to be a fragment of the agency's records, although they apparently document it at its height.

The records are in their original arrangement, an alphabetical ordering by correspondant, with an additional sequence of invoices.

CONTAINER LIST

Box Folder   Description # of
Items
Correspondence, 1927-1930
11   A-B25
2   C30
3   D30
4   E-F45
5   G-H110
6   I-J-K30
7   L50
8   M40
9   N-020
10   P-Q60
11   R60
12   S60
213   T225
14   U-V-W175
15   X-Y-Z5
16Invoices, 1927-19325