Carl Erick Wickman in 1913 bought a Hupmobile agency in Hibbing, Minnesota. Unable to sell the car, he began carrying miners from Hibbing to Alice for 15 cents. The Northland Bus Lines absorbed several other lines in the late 1920's to become the Greyhound Corporation
Exactly how these vehicles were compared to greyhounds has been related in many ways. Clifford Graves, one of the early bus operators, was having lunch in a Duluth restaurant with a friend. They saw a bus speed by and one of them exclaimed, "Look at that thing. Fast as a greyhound." The word was gladly used by the bus manufacturers
If you ask some of its advertising people to name what made the public aware of the Greyhound Corporation the answer is probably the dog.
Lady Greyhound, accompanied by her trainer, appeared as a public symbol at public events. In 1962 her appearances included 51 television shows in 43 major cities, scores of fashion shows where she wore her crown of jewels and a jeweled necklace. In Mason City, Iowa, Lady Greyhound led the parade of bands before 75,000 onlookers. She was crowned Queen of National Dog Week two years in a row. She won the American Humane Association award and was named America's canine symbol for World Day for Animals. She helped celebrate the 48th year of American Campfire Girls.
She aided the March of Dimes and Easter Sale Campaigns by attending fund raising affairs. She sparked the opening of the Detroit terminal by biting through an official ribbon of dog biscuits.
Eventually, Lady Greyhound was replaced by another dog. Her replacement never exhibited the flair and drawing power of the original. Her heart just was not in it. Nevertheless, she managed to produce and deliver six lively puppies. Greyhound was at that time sponsoring the Art Linkletter Show, and Linkletter was allowed to present the puppies to six Girl Scout Brownies.
I remember so well seeing these buses with the greyhound picture on them when I was young. At that time I never wondered about why the "greyhound" was used. All I knew was it was probably because they were known to be fast! Now all these years later I find that I am very interested in anything GREYHOUND related! Just shows how things change!!
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