The story of the Overland automobile reads like a romance.
Mr. John Willys was selling bicycles in Elmira, N. Y.,
when the automobile first made its appearance. He obtained
the sales agency for the car and took deposits from many of
his friends.
But the cars failed to come! Finally, Willys went to Indian-
apolis where he found the firm bankrupt.
Because he was a man of courage and even though he had
very little money he told the owners he would take over
the company including its debts.
Next he borrowed some money from a hotel clerk and
paid the workers who had not been paid for some time. Then
he asked them to put together a car for him.
Willys shipped the first car to a friend who had given him
an order, wiring him that the car was coming and that he
had to pay for it immediately since Willys had already spent
the money.
The friend did!
Using the same plan, Willys soon was able to produce two,
three and thereon an ever-growing number of automobiles.
Begging his creditors to give him time, he gradually paid
them off until he had a growing and profitable business.
Every time I think of Willys' success secret it reminds me
of this story:
In the middle of the night two frogs accidentally jumped
into a jar of cream. Fearing for their life, both were fright-
ened. One gave up immediately and sank to the bottom of the
jar. The other thought that he could paddle his way out. The
next morning there was only one frog left. He was sitting on
a ball of butter.
