Motorcycles in Murphy Library Audio Files: Home

Arthur “Art” Roth was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1886, and resided there until his death in 1968. Roth delivered packages for the American Railway Express Agency as well as for the US Post Office, often using a motorcycle as his preferred method of transportation. In addition to being an early motorcycling enthusiast in the early 1900s, he was also an accomplished motorcycle mechanic. This photograph collection is unique as it captures Roth’s life as a mail carrier, a motorcycle racer and recreationist, and a cross-country traveler. Some of the images contained within follow Roth’s journey from Wisconsin to Niagara Falls in 1912, with stops in Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto, and Buffalo. This collection is comprised of original acetate negatives, glass plate negatives, photographic prints, and real photo postcards. This exhibit was made possible by the Murphy Library Endowment Fund. 

Arthur Roth on an Indian Motorcycle on a Bluff, date unknown 

Image Description: A black and white print showing Arthur Roth roughly 30 to 40 years of age, wearing a white long sleeve button up shirt with denim pants and leather shin guards. Roth displays an expression of excitement as he rides a 1913 Indian Twin motorcycle up a steep grassy hill with a large tree in the foreground. 

Motorcycle Trip to Buffalo, NY—Unknown Lake, c. 1912  

Image Description: A black and white print featuring two unidentified men wearing dark suit coats with slacks and paper boy hats. Both men are nearly silhouetted, with pensive expressions on their faces as they view the overlook at which they have stopped. Also pictured are two motorcycles parked on a dirt path, the first being a Model 7D Harley-Davidson, while the second motorcycle is an Indian Twin. One of the men leans on the front wheel of the second motorcycle, while the other man is stands behind it. The subjects are in the middle ground near some trees and shrubbery, with a purely white background. 

Arthur Roth on a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, c. 1911 

Image Description: A black and white print showing Arthur Roth, roughly 30 to 40 years of age, wearing a straw boater's hat with a white long sleeve button up shirt and black slacks with leather shin guards. He appears to be concentrating as he rides a Model 7D Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a dirt path with a wooded hill behind him. The tie that he wears around his neck is blowing or has been placed over his right shoulder. 

Racing Motorcycles, date unknown 

Image Description: A black and white print featuring an unidentified man wearing goggles and a leather beanie-styled helmet in the foreground. His face exhibits a sense of focus as he leans over the handlebars of an Indian motorcycle, while racing on a dirt road past a large group of spectators. The audience includes both men and women present, the former being dressed in a variety of hats, suit coats, and slacks, while the latter are pictured with umbrellas, ankle length dresses, and white gloves.  In the background, another motorcycle racer can be seen in a plume of dust left from the first racer. 

Walt, Leona and Cecila on Indian Motorcycles, date unknown 

Image Description: A black and white print showing three individuals identified as Walt, Leona and Cecila, all roughly 20 to 30 years of age, posing on parked motorcycles on a dirt road. The man is wearing a white long sleeve button up shirt with dark slacks and a paper boy hat. He is sitting on the motorcycle with his head turned around to face the camera, exhibiting a slight smirk on his face. A woman who also turns her head to face the camera sits in the side car attached to his motorcycle. She is wearing a white blouse and a hat with flowers around the brim. The second woman is seated sitting side saddle to face the camera on her own motorcycle next to the side car. She smiles and is wearing a white blouse tucked into a plaid patterned skirt and a dark hat with a bow on its back. The road they are parked on is surrounded by trees and shrubbery.