Letter arrives at the road commission 31 years late
Weller Auto Parts, Inc. of Grand Rapids was excited about the prospects of a new year when it sent an introductory letter to the Presque Isle County Road Commission. Little did they know it would take 31 years and two days for the letter to reach its customer. On Monday, when the mail arrived at the road commission headquarters in Rogers City, an unusually thick envelope arrived from the Lost/Damaged Mail Department in Grand Rapids. Inside was the misdirected letter, dated January 3, 1973, from company president Junior Weller. Other than some discoloration at the edges of the envelope, it was in perfect condition.
WHAT?S STRANGE is the envelope was stamped on December 16, 1973 in Grandville, nearly 12 months after it had been sent. The company placed an 11 cent stamp from the 1972 Winter Olympics. There was no explanation provided as to why the letter was three decades tardy. Included with the letter was a Christmas card with Weller family members on a snowmobile, and a company flyer.
The infant company trumpeted its dedication to providing medium and heavy duty truck parts. Fortunately for the Grand Rapids firm, the road commission found out about the new company and has been doing business with it ever since. The letter begins by noting exciting changes in the country, such as the end to the Vietnam War and President Richard Nixon?s visit to China.
?…EVERY DAY there is a new invention that will make life better or at least more fun — my boys can?t get enough of some game called ?Pong? at the local supermarket,? stated Junior Weller. The irony of the letter comes in the final paragraph when Weller throws his final sales pitch. ?I firmly believe that you will appreciate our way of doing business — whether now or 30 years from now,? Weller stated. It?s unclear as to what the road commission will do with the envelope and its contents. While others have been long forgotten, this is one introductory letter which won?t be forgotten soon.