Two Miles Ahead The Story of J.W. Whitlock by dana wolfe hildebrand Foreword written by Q. David Bowers Written, printed and bound by the great granddaughter of J.W. Whitlock This book has a very limited printing run and is only available through the author! The book will be signed by the author.

This spiral bound book measures 5.5" by 8.5" and has lamination on the front and back covers. It was printed in 2003 and it has 229 pages. Included in the book are over 330 photographs, some of which are in color.

Inside, the reader will find the story of J.W. Whitlock, also known as "Row." Born and raised in Rising Sun, Indiana, (just downriver from Lawrenceburg and Cincinnati) Row Whitlock was an early inventor, boat racer and businessman. He raced the Hoosier Boy and Hoosier Girl boats in the first two decades of last century. His U-7 Hoosier Boy set Ohio River records that remain unbroken today. The book fully covers not only the last U-7, but the four of them that came before! The stepped hydroplane of the 1920s (with a Liberty airplane engine) was a three time winner of the MVPBA Webb Trophy. Included are many pictures of the five Hoosier Boys, including rare race photos. Since J.W. Whitlock was a man who kept his competitive edge by disallowing anyone too close to his beloved runabout, there are few pictures of the U-7 available to the public. So, the book has close-up shots of the boat, including two showing the inside of the long bow (see picture, below).

The J.W. Whitlock Company built fine furniture from 1914 to 1966 and was the major employer to the people of Rising Sun (Ohio County), Indiana for as many years. His "Walnut Wonders" have withstood the test of time, as proud owners note in the book. Two interviews from women who worked in the factory are also included.

The forerunner of the modern day jukebox, the Automatic Harp, was another of Row's inventions. The patent was sold to Wurlitzer, but JW retained the right to build the harps and manufacture the music rolls. Chapter three presents a look at the beginning and end of the harp's production. Q. David Bowers, the leading authority on the Automatic Harp, lends his expertise to the book.

Maybe the most special part of the book is the inclusion of letters from JW himself. He gives narrative to his 1924 win over the previously unbeaten hydroplane, the Fore. He comments on his car, his dog, his wife, the events during his 1928 honeymoon trip, his horseracing game and drinking in Cuba during Prohibition! Letters from his son and friends are also included. Some of the other subjects, in both story and photographs:

• The Laughery Club: JW owned and operated this posh club on the banks of the Ohio River in the late 1920s and 1930s
• The Hoosier Girl at President Ulysses S. Grant's 100th birthday celebration
• Mechanized Inventions: Among them, the Skylark Radio (patent sold to Powel Crosley) and the Darby (early slot, horseracing game)
• Other Whitlock boats, including those that were used to aid others during the 1937 Flood
• Legend or Truth questions
• Whitlock family stories
• The Whitlock Machine Shop
• JW's four children: Dean, Mildred, Bud and Stewart
• JW's wives: Alice, Mary Alice and Maude
• A suprisingly expensive 1924 divorce settlement
• Employees, friends and in-laws
• Stories about JW: one about an alley, a loud drunk and a starting pistol!
• The Whitlock House -- Then and Now
• JW's music, band and sheet music company
• ...and SO MUCH more!
• The back cover has an actual imprint from the J.W. Whitlock factory seal.

  
  
  

Just below, please see a sampling of the over 330 photographs that are included in Two Miles Ahead.

If you would like a signed copy of Two Miles Ahead, please contact dana wolfe hildebrand.

The book is $25.00, plus shipping (book rate is cheaper!).