During the early 1900s, my father was the agent for the Ford and Lincoln Company in Guadalajara. One of the politically prominent men of the time was the Governor of the State of Jalisco, Guadalupe Zuno. The opposition party was determined to be rid of this man. Zuno was hidden in a cave in the mountains outside the city. After he had been in hiding for several weeks the political situation changed. Some of the Governor´s friends decided he should return.

However the opposition had gunners on the prowl and it would be a dangerous undertaking to bring him across open spaces of the desert. They needed an automobile and it had to be done at night. Some of the Governor´s friends thought of my father, who owned the Ford Agency.

It was arranged that the car would be borrowed in the name of Zuno and would be returned the following day. My father loaned them a brand-new car.

There was a half moon that night which made it a target for snipers out in the hills. The Ford was stocked with gas and oil and a chauffeur, as well as a good friend of Zuno´s, who had more than his share of courage and determination.

They arrived at the cave, got Zuno into the car and started out. They were just nearing where the desert began, when shots rang out. As the little Ford sped along faster and faster, they made the Governor get down on the floor of the back seat.

Then the chauffeur was hit several times on the back and shoulder. The governor´s friend was hit in a vital spot, and fell forward unconscious. Bullets kept hitting the Ford, but it could go no faster.

Just as they reached the outskirts of the city, the chauffeur collapsed and died in his seat. Zuno ran for the place where his friends were waiting with horses to take him to safety.

Next morning Governor Zuno was back in his office in the palace and resumed his duties as though nothing had happened. At daybreak the poor little Ford was hauled into the city with the two dead bodies in it.

When mechanics went over the car they found she had been riddled with 321 bullet holes. The seats and floors were covered with blood. The car was put out in the showroom with a sign on it telling of its adventures and sturdy qualities.

It was very good publicity for the Ford Motor company and many cars were sold as admiring crowds went over it, counting the bullet holes.

The Governor came and inspected the car and declared that my father was a "muy simpatico amigo" who had saved his life. Of course there was no charge for the timely loan of the car and it was later placed in the government palace for all to see.

And then there was the time...Oh, well, you get the idea.