George M. Norwood (driver) and William B. Thompson just before they left on a cross-country trip to San Francisco in June of 1915. They are parked in front William’s father’s house, which was located at 114 South John Street. Mr. Norwood and Mr. Thompson followed the Lincoln Highway on their long trip. The pair made it all the way to Ogden, Utah (at one point using ropes for tire chains to make it across the Rocky Mountains) where they were stopped due to a broken axle. Instead of waiting for a replacement axle, they decided to finish their journey by train. They returned home in September by way of the Panama Canal. William Berry Thompson, a great nephew of Governor Charles B. Aycock, was born on June 30, 1898 to Berry Gard and Kate Lee Edgerton Thompson. He was a merchant and was married to Gertrude Merrimon of Greensboro. He died on February 1, 1974 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. Mr. Thompson was buried in Willow Dale Cemetery in Goldsboro. George McIntosh Norwood was born in Charleston, South Carolina on February 17, 1896 to George Alexander and Louise Hart Norwood. Mr. Norwood was married to Helen Allen. At one time he was the owner of Norwood Brick Company in Lillington, North Carolina. He died on February 5, 1978 in Kinston, North Carolina. Mr. Norwood was buried at Montlawn Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Transcription: "114 S. John St. 1915 George Norwood and William Thompson. Picture taken in front of B. G. Thompson house day George and Wm left for a cross country trip to California. They completed the trip one way and car broke down. They returned by the Panama Canal on its Grand Opening 1915. The car was a strip down 1912 Cadillac 4 cylinder gas lights"