Original telegram from the legendary Cannon Ball Baker

Erwin George “Cannon Ball” Baker (1882–1960) was an American motorcycle and automobile racing pioneer best known for his long-distance endurance runs. Over his career, he set more than 140 cross-country records, including a famous 1933 New York to Los Angeles drive in 53 hours and 30 minutes. His feats inspired the later “Cannonball Run” races and films, and he later served as NASCAR’s first commissioner. Baker became a folk hero of early motoring, celebrated for his stamina, ingenuity, and adventurous spirit.