Last
updated; 7/20/2009
THE
CENTER COURIER
TRADES
EDITION.
Center,
CENTER.
One
of the Largest Towns in
As
a
Jefftown-Center
On
the Ralls county branch railroad about equal distant from New London and Perry,
is situated the beautiful and flourishing village which bears the above
appellation, known by some as the former name, others as the latter, but as one
of the names is superfluous it may be to state how they originated.
In
the winter of 1871 and 1872, Mr. Jeff Ellis located near a spot of ground which
was designated as the site fixed upon for the location of the depot and opened
a little grocery store. He was ridiculed by many and told that he would starve
to death; but by close application to business and unceasing toll, being
friendly in his intercourse and honest in his dealing; he was soon enabled to
enlarge his storehouse and increase his stock. The cry was changed to “Uncle
Jeff is making money.” Hence the name Jefftown, in honor of it’s founder.
In
the autumn of 1872, Mr. Landa Whittimore, who had occasionally assisted Uncle
Jeff during busy days, lured by the big rolls of “greenbacks” daily seen in the
money drawer concluded that he too would open a store in town. He did so, made
application for the establishment of a post office; was successful and by some
“Hook and Crook” had the post office called Center. He is now merchant,
postmaster, mail carrier and quite a business man.
The
village, Jefftown, is now in a flourishing condition, several lots have been
procured by men intending to build and only wait the opening of spring to
commence their work. A blacksmith shop is being erected and two stores are
already in fully blast, dealing out their dry goods and wet goods in quantities
and doses to suit the purchasers. Pure brandies, strictly for medical use! are
in good demand and the number of diseases are said to cure is innumerable.
We
are informed that a saddler and harness maker will locate here in the spring,
which will be well patronized by the community. Good openings are here for
shoemakers, chair makers, carpenters and laborers and a good, honest, free
hearted, whole souled, temperate hotel keeper, one that would not mind giving a
follow a “square meal” might do a smashing business.
Now
is the time for those who are looking for homes in a rising city to settle,
while lots may be procured for small sums and on easy terms, Jefftown is the
place. The society is second to none in the country, the soil is rich and
productive, the land is flat and well watered, the ague and fever is vanished
forever and the epizootle no longer prevails. Why this flourishing little
village bids fair to become the metropolis of Ralls and the day is not far
distant when
Felix
In
the Most Central Point in
rie
to the Southward of Salt River, Where is to be
Found
Some of the Finest Agricultural Lands
In
the State of
A BRIEF SKETCH
Of the State of
{BY JO DILL & SON}
Missouri – Grand Old
Missouri – the Kentucky of the West, and the home of the well-fed and
well-clothed, cradled in the lap of the mid-continent, with the never ceasing
flow of the great rivers along either shore, it is the recipient, in a great measure,
of those elements in nature that go to make its valley lands a Nile, its
prairies a garden and its woodlands a bower of beauty. The eighth state in the
Defining the resources of the two
different sections of the state the writer will at first confine himself to the
description of that portion of the state known as
To those readers
living outside the state of Missouri who have never had occasion to investigate
its location, geographical features and topography, it is in order to state
that the local phraseology used to designate the two sections as divided by the
great river of that name are known as North and South Missouri, there being a
vast difference in their surface characteristics. If a map is referred to it will be seen that
the Missouri river after forming the western boundary of the north half of the
state, the general direction of which is a little east of south, until it
reaches the great bend -- where is located Kansas City -- and from there it
takes a course that is easterly, or nearly so, to its mouth, a few miles north
of St. Louis, thus dividing the state nearly in half. All that portion lying south of the river is
known to the Missourian as South Missouri, and that to the north as North
Missouri, the latter of which is acknowledged by all to be the garden spot of
the state; being in the great blue grass, corn, wheat and winter apple belt of
the commonwealth.
North Missouri is
pre-eminently a corn, wheat and blue grass region, the latter being of a
spontaneous growth, even rivaling the famous blue grass belt of Kentucky; and
it is no departure from the truth to state that many of Kentucky’s most
intelligent fine stock breeders – as also many from the Northern states –
taking advantage of this fact and their experience, well knowing that blue
grass and fine stock are inseparable, have found homes in North Missouri and
are among the wealthiest stockmen in America, contributing their share of
brains and labor in bringing Missouri to the front as the greatest mule and
fine stock state in the sisterhood. And
in this respect there is no section in the
Aside from the great
river that forms the western and southern boundary lines of North Missouri
there are many beautiful streams, along whose confines are vast forests of oak,
walnut, hickory, elm linn, sycamore, cottonwood, and hard and soft maple. It will thus be seen that it is not lacking
in timber and water.
South Missouri, with
the exception of a small portion of its northwestern part, is mountainous and
heavily timbered; in this section of the state are the iron, lead and zinc
deposits of Missouri, much of its capital and labor being devoted to lumbering
and the development of its inexhaustible mines, and while North Missouri has
extensive forest lands along its rivers, in area its magnificent prairies will
show up a much larger acreage, and its soil is far superior for agriculture to
South Missouri, and as a result it is conceded to be its agricultural portion,
in this particular bringing in much better returns per acre than the south half
of the state, the latter being the great lumbering and mining region of
Missouri.
CENTER’S LOCATION
Ninety miles northwest
of St. Louis, twenty miles southwest of Hannibal and about thirty miles almost
due south of the City of Quincy, Illinois, on the Perry branch of the St. Louis
& Hannibal Railroad, almost in the exact center of Ralls county, and
drawing trade from the richest portion of the one of the best counties in North
Missouri, is located the pretty little city of Center. The county in which Center is located is the
central one of the group that border on the
The following statistics were taken
from a monthly crop report of the State Board of Agriculture for April of the
present year:
Area 302,041 acres.
Land,
per cent, in cultivation 77.
Principal
agricultural productions wheat, corn, oats, grass.
Principal live-stock hogs,
cattle, horses.
Minerals
developed coal.
Topography undulating to broken.
Population 12,294.
Assessed
valuation
$4,527,050.
Number
horses and mules 8,290.
Number
cattle 15,182.
Number sheep 9,349.
Number
hogs 14,205.
Number
schools operated 74.
Number
teachers 92.
Number
pupils 3,796.
Amount
expended for schools
$20,815,27.
Permanent
school fund
$38,963.11.
Average
annual precipitation 32 inches.
Annual
mean temperature 52 degrees.
Ralls county was
organized in 1820 and is 28 miles in width east and west and 25 miles in
breadth from north to south. There are
many fine mineral springs and beautiful streams within its territory, Salt
river is the largest and flows through the northern part of the county emptying
into the Mississippi river a few miles above Louisiana, Pike county. Of the surface characteristics and soil of
Ralls county and of that portion immediately surrounding Center from where it
draws its support, it may be said that Missouri can furnish no better stock,
corn, wheat and grass lands, the same being particularly adapted to agricultural
and stock interests. In the southeastern
portion of Center township, and located in almost the exact center of the
county, on the high rolling prairie that lies between Salt river on the north
and Spencer Creek to the south, is the the beautiful little city of
CENTER.
Having a population of 350 cultured and contented people, who are all
pulling one way – in the interest of their town and the advancement of the
great state of
Center was incorporated as a village
under the state laws on
Center has a well
conducted Public School which is divided into ten grades, in mathematics the
grade runs into the regular high school work.
The whole is under the supervision of Mr. E.L. Alford, a young man who
possesses all the qualities that go to make a successful superintendent. There is one thing that is badly needed that
is a new school building, the present one not being of a sufficient size to
accommodate the number of pupils that each year seek enrollment. Prof. Alford is assisted in his work by Mr.
Adrian Ogle, a teacher of experience.
The welfare of the Public School is looked after by a Board of
Directors, six in number.
The citizens of Center
are made up of that class who believe that their houses of worship should be
suited to the size of the town. The
church edifices are three in number and represent the Christian, Baptist and
M.E. (South), all having well arranged and commodious houses and all have
Sunday Schools.
The benevolent
societies are also well represented at this point, there being lodges of the
Masons, I.O.O.F., Knights of Pythias, G.A.R. Triple Alliance, all having good
memberships and being in a flourishing condition, and all having fine halls for
meeting purpose, the three first mentioned orders owning their buildings, each
of which is an elegant two story brick.
The location of Center
is such that it has fine natural drainage to the north and south, and excellent
water for all purposes can be obtained at depths varying from forty to eighty
feet. The streets are laid out at right
angles and in many places are lined by fine shade and there are many fine
residences, some that would do credit to a city of five thousand people. The yards are large and well kept and present
a very pleasing appearance. Public
street is the principal thoroughfare and is graveled, and upon it is located
some fine business blocks. In the
eastern part of the town there is a public square which in the course of time
will develop into a beautiful little park; at one corner of this park is a
public well of pure, cold, living water.
About one mile north of the business portion of Center there is a fine
mile kite-shaped race track which is an attraction for owners of fast stock,
this being one of the best tracks in this part of the state.
Center is essentially
not a western boom town, it dates its settlement from 1871 and its growth has
every been conservative, even slower than its surrounding country. In the summer of 1892 the Perry Branch of the
Business and residence
lots in the town are low in price; the surrounding farm lands are exceedingly
low in price when the richness of the soil, and improvements are considered.
The society of this
part of Missouri is of the best order; the young are being educated and brought
up under Christian influences; and through the columns of this Trade Edition,
the people unite as one person in extending to all law abiding citizens a
hearty invitation to locate in their midst, assuring them of a kind reception
and personal interest in their welfare.
THE CENTER BANK.
Center’s surrounding
country is rich in agriculture, as also in the life matter of stock raising
many of its farmers and stockmen being numbered with the wealthiest in the
state. The scope of country tributary
requires good banking facilities, as the above named corporation is the oldest
established banking house in Center it will be placed first upon the list of
its banking concerns.
The Center Bank was
organized and incorporated under the banking laws of the state of Missouri in
1889, and has a paid up capital stock of $15,000, the stockholders being
residents of Center and surrounding county and whose aggregate wealth amounts
to over $100,000.
Its officers and local
management are Messrs. N. Waters, President; G.P. Rice, Cashier; B.C. Briggs,
and W.T. Waters, assistants; and together with the three former gentlemen its
directors are Messrs. H. Cowden, I.C. Liter, W.L. Sears, N.D. Smith, Ed. Millen
and J.W. Allison. Its building – which
it owns is located on the northwest corner of Public and Lamb streets and is
among the finest business houses in Center.
It is a brick, covering a ground plan of 20 by 50 feet, the interior
being divided into county room, directors room and a 10 by 12 foot fire and
burglar proof vault of late design. The
interior of the building is finished in southern pine and not only reflects
credit on the bank officials but is a fine addition to Center’s business
houses. The Center Bank does a general
banking business, receives deposits and makes collections, and has ever had an
exellent (sic) business, and in the hands of its local management has been a
success from first to last, and an institution of which Center may be justly
proud.
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANK.
Picture of S.O. Osterhout.
With Messrs. C.H. Smith, President,
M.C. Biggs, Vice-President, Silas O. Osterhout, Cashier, J.S. Carr,
Assistant-Cashier, is among the new business enterprises of
Center, having been organized and incorporated under the banking laws
of the state of
The building occupied
by this institution is a substantial brick structure formerly occupied by Hulse
Bros., and located on the west side of
E.W. KEITHLEY,
Dealer in real estate,
is also loan and insurance, agent, is a native of Ralls county and was born
about one and one-half miles south of Center.
He was educated in the public schools of the county, the
Picture of
E.W. Keithley.
is well known in this part of
He became established
in his present business in January of the present year; the location of his
office is on the second floor of the Knights of Pythias building, where it is a
large apartment and is neatly furnished and arranged for the purpose it is
intended to serve.
Aside from his
business interests, Mr. Keithley is owner of some fine property, among which is
the building occupied by the Farmers and Merchants Bank and the COURIER, the
same being one of the most substantial, and from an architectural point of
view, the most beautiful of the business blocks of the city.
As has been stated Mr.
Keithley is a real estate, loan and insurance agent, and in the matter of real
estate he deals in city and town property and farm lands, and in this respect
has a large list to select from including some of the best land in Ralls county
and in farms of all sizes and at almost any price that may be desired. He has a large number of correspondents,
principally in the eastern states, and solicits the patronage of outside
parties who are looking this way for investments in farm lands (sic) or
residences or business locations, and in this he offers every facility to
prospective purchasers or those seeking a location, to examine property. He also exchanges all kinds of property.
He is at all times
prepared to loan money at low rates of interest, on real estate exclusively and
in this he represents eastern and local capital. He also makes collections, but his
specialties are real estate, loan and insurance, in the latter of which he does
a large business and is agent for some of the oldest and most reliable
companies in this country, among which may be mentioned the Continental
Insurance Company of New York, the old reliable Phoenix of Hartford,
Connecticut, the Fire Association of Philadelphia and the American Central of
St. Louis, Missouri, all of these being standard companies. He writes insurance in these against loss by
fire, lightning and tornado.
Aside from the
foregoing Mr. Keithley is also a notary public and is prepared to transfer real
estate, and furnish abstracts of title.
He also examines, extends and compares the same, and makes it a special
feature of his business.
For good bargains in
real estate, fire and other insurance, and for money at low rates of interest,
write to or call on E.W. Keithley, Center, Missouri, where you will receive
prompt and courteous attention in every particular.
THEO. BAXTER.
One of the largest
enterprises in Center is that of the above named gentleman who deals in grain,
seeds and produce, he being the only one at this point who makes a specialty of
this branch of trade.
The business of Mr.
Baxter is such that it might be divided into two branches, namely, the handling
of produce, seeds, small grains and corn, including wheat, and flour and feed;
the other branch is the buying of wheat, he being in this respect the agent of
Carter, Shepherd & Company of
He occupies two
buildings, one of which he owns, it being located just south of the railroad
track and about one half block east of the passenger station. This building is a substantial frame
structure covering a ground plan of 40 by 48 feet, the same being used by him
in his produce business also, for the handling of oats and other small grains
and grass and clover seeds, and corn. In
the matter of produce he deals principally in poultry and eggs, the average
amount of business being done in this line will amount to about $11,000 per
annum, or about $30 per day. He
manufactures his own egg cases which is no small item and gives employment to
home labor.
He deals largely in
seeds and feed and wholesales and retails the celebrated Hannibal Eagle flour,
a large stock of which he keeps constantly on hand. His markets for produce are
The wheat elevator,
which is owned by Carter, Shepherd & Co., is under his personal supervision
and is located on the north side of the railroad a few rods distant from the
first mentioned building and has ample switch facilities. The building is 20 by 40 feet in size, three
stories high and has a storage capacity for 5000 bushels. The lower floor or basement contains the
grain sinks from where the wheat is raised into the bins on the third floor
from where it is loaded by chutes directly into the cars. The second story of the building is neatly
divided into office and receiving room for grain, this is also used for flour
and feed. This elevator is one of the
neatest and cleanest places of business of its kind in the state. The amount of wheat that is handled here will
average 30,000 bushels per annum. Mr.
Baxter became established in this business at this point in July of 1892, and
by his untiring energy and business zeal has built up a splendid trade. He keeps constantly employed two men and
sometimes more, but it is no departure from the truth to say that he works
harder than any one in his employ, and to this fact is due his success in a
business way, and withal he is a true gentleman as all who have dealings with
him will find.
CENTRAL HOTEL.
One of the neatest and
best conducted hotels in this part of the state is the one whose name heads
this article, the same being owned by Messrs. Wicks & Brashear, and being
under the personal management of Mr. James O. Leake who is an old hotel man of
many years experience. The Central is
located immediately across the street south of the railroad station, where it
occupies a two-story brick, which was built in 1892. On the first floor will be found the office,
parlor, wash room, dining room and kitchen, as also the private apartments of
its owners. The second story is divided
into eight commodious sleeping rooms, each opening into the hallways and all
being neatly furnished with almost entirely new furniture throughout.
The Central caters to
the best trade that comes to this point, and while it is not as large a hotel
as may be found in larger places, it is pronounced by all who have partaken of
its hospitality to be a model and its cuisine hard to beat. Wicks & Brashear became established here
in March of the present year and Mr. Leake recently took charge as manager.
Dr. F.M. Wicks, one of
the proprietors, is a physician of many years experience, having graduated from
the
While in Center stop
at the Central where you will receive first-class accommodation in every
particular.
E.E. SCANLAND.
The jewelry trade of
Center is in the hands of the above named gentleman who has had an honorable
career at this point since June of 1893, being formerly in business at
All of his goods are
selected with care from the best on the market, and for anything mentioned
above one can do no better than to give Mr. Scanland a call and they may be
sure of receiving courteous treatment in every respect.
R.B. & J.D. RICE,
Proprietors of the north side
dry goods house which was established here in December of 1891, under
the firm name of Cupp & Rice, the firm being composed of Messrs. J.S. Cupp
and R.B. Rice. On June first of the
present year, Mr. Cupp retired from the business and it has since been conducted
by the gentlemen whose names head this article.
This firm owns their building which is of brick and located on the west
side of Public street and covers a ground space of 25 by 70 feet, wherein is
displayed a large and fine stock of dress and fancy goods, notions, hats and
caps and gentlemen’s furnishings, and where all the latest novelties in these
lines are artistically displayed; in fact everything up-to-date in foreign and
domestic goods are to be seen in this fashionable emporium.
The boot and shoe
department of this establishment is replete with ladie’s (sic) and men’s fine
footwear, and is an especially fine stock, equal in every respect to that sold
over the counters of metropolitan boot and shoe houses. The stock of this concern is artistically
arranged for display as become a dry goods house of the period, which is owning
to the experience of the management and aside from the lines mentioned above
they are agents for M. Born & Company, of Chicago, who put up tailor made
suits to order, and from whom entire satisfaction in this class of work can be
obtained, they being an old and well known firm of many years standing, and as
merchant tailors second to none in the west.
Messrs. Rice report a good and constantly increasing trade, and through
the columns of the Souvenir Edition of the COURIER, desire to thank the people
of Center and vicinity for their liberal patronage.
W.B. CLAYTON & COMPANY.
Among the many
enterprising business establishments of Center, and to be found in the land in
regard to its goods and management, may be mentioned the hardware and grocery
house of the above named firm. This
business was established at this point in 1890 by Young & Lewis; after a
time Mr. Lewis was succeeded by Mr. T.W. Clark and up till the latter part of
1894 the business was conducted under the firm name of Young, Clark &
Company. On the seventh day of December
of that year the business passed into the hands of its present proprietors and
has since that time been successfully operated and has ever controlled a good
trade which is constantly on the increase.
Mr. W.B. Clayton, the manager and proprietor is a young man of true
business qualities and a gentleman in every sense. The building occupied by this concern is a
large two-story brick, having a frontage on the west side of Public street, of
twenty-five feet, and a rear extension of sixty feet, and wherein may be found
an elegant stock of goods which is artistically displayed. These goods consist of a general line of
staple groceries including salt, meats, barrel salt and the celebrated Hannibal
Eagle and Frankford Daisy brands of flour.
In connection with the foregoing Mr. Clayton also buys country produce
of all kinds.
In the hardware
department may be found all grades and kinds of shelf and heavy hardware,
including tools of all kinds, pocket and table cutlery, tinware, and a good
line of blacksmiths’ and carriage hardware, as also the Quick Meal Gasoline
Stoves, and the celebrated Round Oak heaters and the goods of Bridge, Beach
& Company, of St. Louis, in the line of Cook Stoves. He also handles the Qaukegan two-point barbed
wire than which there is no better on the market, as also pumps of all kinds
including force pumps; other goods that may be mentioned are refrigerators,
stone and wooden goods, rope illuminating and other oils and an exceptionally
fine grade of queensware. He is also
agent for the
N.B. SMITH
Among the oldest
established business enterprises of Center, the grocery house of the above
named gentleman will take the lead. On
the ninth day of February, 1881, Mr. Smith established himself at his present
location with a stock of general merchandise including drugs, but with the
exception of dry goods. In 1889 he added
dry goods and continued to handle the same until 1893 when he re-organized his
business and has since handled groceries exclusively. The location of his place of business is on
the east side of Public street where he owns the building that he occupies,
which covers a ground plan of 18 by 48 feet, with a 10 by 18 foot wareroom to
the rear which is used for the storage of heavy staples and duplicate stock in
the grocery line. Aside from his own
labor he is ably assisted by his son, Mr. E.H. Smith, who is a young man of
much business energy. The stock of goods
carried by Mr. Smith consists of a general line of staple and fancy groceries,
canned and bottled goods, foreign and domestic fruits, cereal foods, the
celebrated Hannibal Eagle and Frankford Daisy flour, teas and coffees, cigars,
tobaccos and confectionery, salt and smoked meats, including Stillwell hams and
barrel salt as a leader; as also oil and gasoline, glassware, queensware and
stone goods and Mason fruit jars and tin fruit cans. He also buys produce of all kinds and gives
the highest market prices for the same.
His younger son, R.B. Smith is agent for Conger Brothers laundry at
HULSE BROS.
This firm, composed of
M.L. Hulse and Marshall Hulse, are the only exclusive dealers in clothing and
men’s furnishing men’s furnishing (sic) goods in Center.
Mr. M.L. Hulse, the
senior member of the firm, has been following the mercantile persuits (sic) at
this point since 1881 the business being formerly conducted under the firm name
of Hulse & Keithley; but since 1890 the firm has been known as Hulse
Brothers. The location of this
establishment is in the Odd Fellows building, where the store has a frontage on
the west side of Public street of twenty-four feet and a rear extension of
eighty feet, the same being conveniently arranged for the handling, display and
sale of the large stock of goods that may be found here and which consists of a
full line of clothing of the best make and latest styles, fine footwear of all
kinds, hats and caps, trunks, valises and umbrellas and gent’s furnishing
goods. These gentlemen make a specialty
of fine tailor-made clothing and in this respect have the personal supervision
of Mr. M.L. Hulse, who is always to be found at his post, and aside from his
labor they employ the services of one clerk, the same being Mr. J.K. Alexander,
a gentleman of many year’s experience.
For first-class goods along these lines and for courteous treatment in
every respect one can do no better than to trade with Hulse Brothers, Center,
J.T. KEITHLEY.
The oldest established
dry goods house in Center is that of Mr. J.T. Keithley, who has been in
business at this point since 1881, he previous to the spring of 1892 carrying a stock of general merchandise. The building that he occupies has a fine
location, is a substantial two-story brick structure covering a ground plan of
26 by 80 feet, and is owned by himself and brother, Mr. R. L. Keithley. It has a frontage to the east and is divided
into a large main salesroom and a wareroom to the rear.
The stock that may be
found here is made up in part of a fine selection of dry goods, dress and piece
goods, notions and a full line of boots and shoes, the latter of which Mr.
Keithley makes a leader, the same being of the best workmanship and
material. Aside from the goods already
mentioned he keeps in stock a complete line of gentlemen’s furnishing goods and
is prepared to put up tailor made clothing, this work being done by two
prominent houses in Chicago. Mr. Keithley
is a thorough-going business man and by his untiring zeal and strict attention
to the details of his business has built up a good trade, which is ever on the
increase, and has an establishment that is a model in its appointments, and it
can truthfully be said that he is a man with whom it is a pleasure to deal.
FREEMAN & SMITH
The harness and
saddlery business of Center is in the hands of the above named firm which
consists of J.D.B Freeman and E.C. Smith, the former having had over twenty
years experience in this line of trade and having established the business at
this point in December, 1894, Mr. Smith becoming identified with its interest
in A[*** ] present year. They are
prepared to do all kinds of repair [*****]ness and saddles also carriage trimming
[************] made and of a very fine quality.
The place of business of [***] located on the west side of Public street
just north of the railroad, where they occupy a building which covers a ground
plan of twenty by fifty feet, and where may be found a full line of wagon and
light buggy harness, collars and collar pads, saddles, whips, fly nets, saddle
and harness hardware and an elegant and complete stock of blankets and robes,
which has been ordered for the fall and winter trade and which will be in about
October first. They deal in nothing but
what is first-class in every particular, and take particular care to put out
nothing but what is the best made, consequently they are enjoying an excellent
and steadily increasing trade. For fine
hand-made harness and saddles and other things needed in the lines mentioned
above, as also carriage trimming go to Freeman & Smith, Center, Missouri.
GEORGE W. YOUNG.
Picture of
George W.Young.
Among the large
business establishments of Center may be mentioned the young, hardware and
implement house of the above named gentleman, than whom no other is more worthy
of special notice in this souvenir edition of the COURIER. Mr. Young is an experienced business man
(sic) in every sense of the term, and has been engaged in mercantile pursuits
for 4 years. He established his present
business at this point in April of the present year and ever since he opened
his doors for business he has enjoyed an excellent and constantly increasing
business until at the present writing it has all but gone beyond his power to
handle. The location of this
establishment is on the southwest corner of Public and Ely streets, where its
business is a two-story brick, having an eastern frontage on Public street of
24 feet by a rear extension of 08 (?) feet, to the rear of which is a 22x50
foot warehouse used for the storage of farm machinery and implements. The goods carried by this concern consist of
a general line of staple and fancy groceries, including canned and bottled
goods, also confectionery and a good line of cigars and tobaccos, as also glass
and queensware, wooden goods and an elegant stock of shelf and heavy hardware,
including cooking and heating stoves and gasoline stoves, pocket and table
cutlery, tinware of all kinds, and illuminating and lubricating oils and
gasoline.
The lines of farming implements and
machinery and vehicles that he carries or is agent for is complete and consists
of all kinds of goods including Collins plows, McCormick harvesting machinery
and Moline farm wagons and other vehicles, as also repairs of all kinds ordered
as desired. Mr. Young buys all kinds of
produce, paying the highest market prices for the same.
In his store will be found the
public telephone station which connects Center by wire with all the principal
cities and towns of
MARSHALL HULSE,
Proprietor
of Center’s livery stable, entered this branch of business at this point in
September of 1889, and for a time it was conducted under the firm name of Hulse
& Epperson. In the spring of 1890
Mr. Epperson sold out his interest to William Utterback and up to August of
that year the firm was known as Hulse & Utterback; during that month the
business passed out of their hands, and Mr. Hulse until March 7th of
the present year when he again entered the business and has since continued to
operate it and has a good and growing trade.
The location of this establishment is on the north side of Hawkins
street one block west of Public, where the building is a large two-story frame
structure covering a ground plan of 60 by 120 feet, the same being owned by Mr.
Hulse and being conveniently divided into stalls, buggy and carriage sheds,
granary and office and a large hay mow in the second story. Mr. Hulse keeps constantly in the livery
service eleven horses for all purposes and eight vehicles including two hacks,
one surry and five buggies as also a hearse.
He has good horses for both driving or riding and new vehicles and
harness and will furnish accommodating and courteous drivers if desired. For neat and stylish turnouts at reasonable
rates call on Marshall Hulse, where you will receive the right kind of
treatment.
SMITH & CLARK.
Picture of J.L. Smith
In the matter of
matter of elegant interior finish and arrangement the drug house of Smith &
Clark will compare favorably with any similar concern in Ralls county and will
average up with many of those in larger cities.
The location of this store is on the west side of
Picture of T.W. Clark
This firm makes a specialty of paints, oils and wall paper (sic),
carrying a large stock of these goods.
In the matter of paints, they are dealers in F.W. Devoe’s celebrated
mixed paints, and aside from these they deal in a general line of oils,
including illuminating and lubricating oil, also japans, varnishes, brushes,
white lead and other supplies for painters use.
They also keep constantly on hand, school books (sic) and other supplies
and make a feature of holiday goods.
Messrs. Smith & Clark
report a good and constantly increasing trade, which they are deserving of as
they are both young men of much business push and energy. Everyone in need of goods in their line,
should not fail to give them a call as they will receive courteous treatment
and first-class goods in every particular.
H.M.
PIPER,
Contractor and builder is the oldest established carpenter in Center,
having come to this point in 1885. He
was born in Kossiuski county, Indiana, and came to
In connection with the above he is
agent at this point for the celebrated Osgood Wagon Scales. Taken as a whole, Mr. Piper is a gentleman
and a skilled mechanic and one of Center’s most respected citizens.
W.T. WATERS, A.B.
Picture of W.T. Waters, A.B.
The subject of this sketch, Mr. W.T. Waters, is the youngest son of
Judge N. Waters and was born in Ralls county.
He received his early education in the public schools of the county,
subsequently entering the
L.T.
One of the most
attractive and best arranged of the various business establishments of Center,
as also the oldest in its line in the city, is the drug house of Mr. T.L. Clark
who has been continuously in this business at this point since 1887, and has
during that time built up a fine trade.
His store is located in the Masonic building on the west side of
To the rear of the main salesroom
there is another large apartment which is used as a ware-room for the storage
of duplicate stock and wall paper. Here
is also another room which is used as an office by Dr. C.H. Graves, M.D., who
is a practicing physician.
Mr. Clark reports a good trade and
uses the columns of this souvenir edition of the COURIER to thank his old
patrons and to solicit the esteemed favors of all who are in want of
first-class goods in his line, and would state that he is prepared to compound
prescriptions at all hours of the day or night.
MRS. DORA CLAYTON.
The place of business
of this estimable lady whose name heads this article is located on the west
side of
T.J. FIELDS.
This souvenir edition
of the COURIER would be manifestly incomplete without an article descriptive of
the blacksmith and general repair shop of Mr. T.J. Fields, who is a mechanic of
twenty years experience, having learned his trade at
HENDERSON & YOUNG.
Among the manufacturing interests of Center
may be mentioned the hoop pole industry of the above named firm which is
located in the eastern part of the town, the same having been operated at this
point since October 1889. The firm is
composed of Messrs. J.H. Henderson and James A. Young, both of whom are
practical men at the business, the former having followed it for over two years
while the latter has had over ten years experience. The output of this establishment consists of
all kinds of hoops, but nothing is allowed to go out except what is first-class
in every particular; the market for its products is
That such an institution of this
kind is a benefit to the community in which it operates, may be seen from the
fact that it gives employment to three mechanics constantly and in the winter
season as high as six are employed.
Henderson & Young are the only ones engaged in this business every
since they became established at this point.
They expect in the near future to establish a branch at another
convenient point and perhaps two, which will be another enterprise to the
credit of Ralls county. They are both
business men (sic) of much ability, and help this souvenir edition of the
COURIER through kindly feelings for the same.
BRASHEAR & HOWARD.
The place of business
of the above named firm is located a few rods east of the railroad depth on the
south-side (sic) of the track where they have a fully equipped steam corn meal
and feed mill. The business was
established in the summer of 1894 by Mr. Howard, and in April of the present
year Mr. Brashear became connected with it.
They do a general exchange, feed and meal business, keep one man
constantly employed aside from their own labor and turn out a product of every
superior quality and have an excellent business in every respect. They are both native Missourians and were
born in Ralls county. Mr. Brashear
having been born on the third day of December, 1833 and remaining in the county
until 1875, when he moved to Pike county near Elk Lick, where he remained till
last spring when he returned to Ralls and has since lived in Center.
Aside from his milling interests,
Mr. Brashear deals in all kinds of grain, buying the same from the surrounding
country and -- with the exception of wheat – shipping the same to the
Messrs. Jas. B. Brashear and Jas. T.
Howard are both live business men (sic) and withal are true gentlemen, and ever
ready to help an enterprise along that has a tendency to improve the condition
of the community in which they live.
S.A. McGEE.
The only person in
Center who caters to the wants of the public in the matter of summer drinks and
ice cream as also lunches, is the above named gentleman who has been at this
business off and on at this point for the past six years, and whose place of
business is located on the west side of Public street where he owns the
building that he occupies. He deals in
all kinds of summer drinks, ice cream soda a speciality (sic), and has the only
ice cream parlor at this point. He also
puts up light lunches and oysters in season, and carries cigars and tobaccos,
the Three Queen branch being a new leader in five cent cigars. He also keeps in stock a fine line of candy
and nuts, foreign and domestic fruits and fresh light bread from
JOHN R. TEALL.
Center’s only barber
will be found in the person of the above named gentleman, he having been in
business at this point since January of 1893.
Mr. Teall is an artist of many years experience, having learned his
profession at
Aside from the foregoing Mr. Teall
is owner of the building occupied by E.N. Paulding & Company, with their
real estate office, the same being a fine brick and centrally located.
MRS. FLORENCE WINN.
This lady conducts one
of Center’s business enterprises she being the only person at this point who
does dressmaking exclusively. Mrs. Winn
is a practical dressmaker of over three years experience and has been located
at this point since November of 1894.
She does her own cutting and fitting, guarantees all of her work and is
enjoying an excellent trade which is drawn from the best class of people of
Center and the surrounding country. The
location of her dressmaking parlors are in the Rice building on the west side
of
DAVIS & PENNINGTON.
Among the mechanics of
Center, noncare (sic) more worthy than the members of the firm whose name heads
this article. The firm is composed of
Messrs. F.N. Davis and E.C. Pennington, the former being a native of
For fine work in the foregoing go to
the general repair shop of Davis & Pennington, Center,
THE REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
In a great state like Missouri,
where the agricultural interests predominate, and where the fertile farming
lands stretch away in gently rolling prairies, interspersed here and there with
tongues of native timber that reach out from the heavier forest masses beyond,
or where the country is spread out before one in rich alluvial bottom lands
with their mighty fields of grain and wealth of native grasses, one cannot help
but believe that this is indeed the spot that is fitted to be the food
producing region and granary of coming generations. With such a vision of present and future
natural wealth spread out before one, he will instinctively turn to the great
Center of all things who made this grand and beautiful picture possible, and
will feel grateful that he is permitted to look upon and have part in the
development of such a country. That
Center’s location as a central point
in a large surrounding country that is rich in soil, where never-failing crops
are yearly grown, and where the country is rapidly developing, made the
presence of live real estate men a necessity and this necessity is filled by
the firm of
E.N. PAULDING & CO.,
Who are dealers in real estate and are loan, collecting and insurance
agents, as also abstractors. The
business was established at this point in June of 1894 by Mr. E.N. Paulding,
his office being located in the Knights of Pythias building. In April of the present year Mr. O.C. Wybrant
became connected with Mr. Paulding in a business way, and it has since been
conducted under the firm name as above.
Mr. Paulding, the senior member of the firm was born at
Picture
of E.N. Paulding.
Mr. O.C. Wybrant, the junior member
of this firm, is a native Missourian, and was born in this county on
In the matter of real estate these
gentlemen deal in all kinds of town and city property and farms, and have a
large list to select from, the number of farms being at present about sixty and
the number rapidly increasing. They have
at present writing over 100 correspondents principally in the eastern and
northern states, and their business in this line is having a phenominal (sic)
growth. In the matter of loans they
represent three eastern firms as also home capital and will loan money on real
estate exclusively at moderate rates of interest. They are prepared to make collections of all
kinds in this and other states, but make a specialty of collections for
corporations, and anything of this kind if placed in their hands will receive
prompt attention. They are agents for
the St. Joseph Town Mutual Fire Insurance Company of
Mr. Paulding is a notary public and
is prepared to do anything that comes under this head. They can also furnish abstracts for any piece
of land in Ralls county including town and city property. They also take charge of property as agents
and collect rents and pay taxes.
For anything in the foregoing or
information regarding the same one can do no better than to call upon or
address E.N. Paulding & Company, Center, Missouri, from whom they may be
sure of receiving courteous treatment, and every facility will be given for
examining land or other property, and the matter will be given the personal
attention of either Mr. Paulding or Mr. Wybrant.
E. MICKENS,
Is by many years the oldest established blacksmith and horse-shoer
(sic) in Center, he having come here in the spring of 1875 and since that time
has proven himself a fine mechanic and a worthy man in every respect. He was born at
J.C. GILLAM.
The above named
gentleman is a native of Ralls county, was born here on
W.R. SANFORD, AGT.
The oldest established
furniture and undertaking repository, in fact the only one at Center, is that
of Mr. W.R. Sanford, who has been successfully engaged in this line of trade at
this point since December of 1893. The
business was first established by Mr. George W. Lilly who was succeeded by Mr.
Sanford, the present owner and proprietor.
This establishment is
located on the west side of Public street where its building is a commodious
two-story brick, occupying a ground space of 30 by 50 feet, the same being
owned by its proprietor as also a new residence adjoining.
The interior of this
building is neatly arranged for the display and sale of goods, the lower floor
being divided into main salesroom, office and work room, while the upper floor
is used for the storage of furniture and undertaking goods, there also being on
this floor a large and well arranged cabinet for the display of caskets and
coffins.
The stock of this
concern embraces a full line of furniture constantly on hand which is selected
with care from the best eastern factories, and embraces fine suits for parlor
and bedroom furnishings in quartered oak and other ornamental woods and made up
after the latest designs. These goods
together with a heavy stock of folding and iron bedsteads springs, mattresses,
moulding (sic), curtains, pictures and picture frames, an elegant line of carpets
from the best St. Louis and Chicago houses as also matting, oilcloth and
linoleum, and a large stock of the medium and cheaper grades, make one of the
finest displays of furniture to select from to be seen in this part of the
state and by far the largest in Ralls county.
The undertaking
department of this house is replete with everything in this line, and consists
of coffins, caskets, burial robes and other supplies, so that a selection can
be made at any time. Mr. Sanford is an
embalmer of experience and is at all times ready to attend to anything in this
line by the best known methods and makes this a special feature. He is a member of the Missouri State Funeral
Directors Association, and is a practical director and can furnish a hearse or
wagon as desired. Mr. Sanford is a true
business man, is ably assisted by his son and daughter and has an excellent
trade, and is one of Ralls county’s solid citizens and public spirited
men. He buys his goods for cash and by
so doing is enabled to sell them at the lowest possible rates.
PROF. ED. L. ALFORD.
The COURIER’S souvenir
edition of Center and vicinity would not be complete without a brief mention of
Prof. Ed. L. Alford, principal of the Public School as also School Commission
of Ralls county, who though a young man is an educator of experience, and is
known throughout this portion of the state as a model disciplinarian and a
thorough organizer of public school work.
Picture of Prof. Ed. L. Alford.
Prof. Alford is a native of Ralls
county, where he was born on the sixth day of February, 1872, he being a son of
Edmond Alford who was an old and well known citizen of this county.
He was raised here and was educated
in the Public Schools and the
The COURIER is under many obligations
to this gentleman for substantial courtesies extended and aid in bringing this
souvenir edition to a successful issue, and takes this opportunity for thanking
him for the same.
NEW LONDON.
In a descriptive write-up of Ralls
county such as this is intended to be, it is no more than just to give to the
outside world an idea of what may be found at the county seat of this beautiful
county; therefore, this article will be devoted exclusively to the city of New
London, which is one of the oldest cities of Eastern North Missouri, having
been laid out in 1819. It is located in
the eastern part of the county about ten miles southwest from
L. MARX.
Among the live
business men (sic) of New London may be mentioned the above named gentlemen
(sic) who has an elegant place of business on the east side of Main street
where he occupies a large brick building which covers a space of 22 by 100
feet, and where can be found an elegant stock of dry goods, dress and piece
goods, gent’s furnishings, a fine line of footwear of all kinds, carpets both
in stock and by sample, curtains of all kinds and portieres, as also oil cloth,
linoleum, matting and felt paper for floors.
In connection with the lines already mentioned it may be stated that Mr.
Marx has a fine selection of cloaks and makes a leader on these goods; he is
agent at this point for M. Born, of Chicago, merchant tailor of prominence, and
is prepared to order tailor-made clothing at all times and at prices suitable
to the times.
Mr. Marx has selected his fall goods
and would state that they are of the best.
He buys for cash exclusively thus enabling him to sell his goods at
bedrock prices. He has been following
mercantile persuits (sic) for fourteen years, being located, previous to coming
to
J.R. ALFORD.
One of the largest and
most complete stock of goods in Ralls county will be found at the establishment
of Mr.J.R. Alford, the same consisting in part of groceries, dry goods and
hardware, the latter including everything usually found in a first-class
house, such as shelf and heavy hardware. Insurance gasoline stoves, barbed and smooth
wire, and wire netting for hogs and poultry fencing as also farm implements and
machinery including Oliver and Bradley plows and cultivators, Osborn binders
and mowers, Buckeye and Sucker State grain drills, Hanna wagons, made at
Peoria, Ill; he is also agent at this point for M. Ramsey, of LaPort, Indiana,
and the Advance Company of Battle Creek, Michigan, both large manufacturers of
threshing machinery and engines; he keeps all kinds of repairs for these goods
also for all kinds of farm machinery and engine supplies, belting and hose,
bent and shaped woods for wagons, and Aluminite Cement Plaster, as also barrel
salt in car load lots. He makes a
specialty of handling corn and grass seeds, buys produce of all kinds, deals in
foreign and domestic fruits, and hunters supplies and ammunition, and in the
matter of vehicles handles Moon Brothers’ and Emerson & Harris’ goods. He became established here in 1884; he owns
the building he occupies, which is a two story brick, covering a ground plan of
20 by 80 feet, with an implement shed in the rear [**] by 80 feet in size. He owns other valuable property, has a
[**********] and is one of
FRANK BUCHANAN & SON,
Proprietors of the Palmetto Mills also dealers in grain, is one of the
best known firms in Ralls county. The
business was established at this point in 1883 under the firm name Bakehouse,
Buchanan & Company, they building the mill and elevator, the former being a
large four-story brick of structure covering a ground plan of 30 by 66 feet and
equipped with a full roller system and a forty-horse power engine of late
design; the elevator is frame and is 20 by 80 feet in size, the whole being
located in the eastern part of the city near the railroad station and having
good switch facilities.
In the summer of 1893 the business
passed into the hands of its present proprietors since which time they have
enjoyed a splendid and rapidly increasing business. They handle grain of all kinds, this being
the product of the surrounding country and ship the same to
H. INDORF.
The only exclusive
boot and shoe dealer in
JOHN WOOLETT.
The only exclusive
dealer in jewelry in New London is to be found in the person of Mr. John
Woolett who has an elegant establishment on the east side of South Main street
with a fine display of watches, clocks and jewelry. In the matter of time-pieces, he has the
standard makes, and in silverware, both solid and plated goods, he handles
nothing but the best grades of goods and is a practical optician making a
specialty of fitting and adjusting spectacles and carrying a large stock of
these and other optical goods. He is an
expert watchmaker and spent four years at Des Moines, Iowa, learning his trade
and afterward worked eight years for the Elgin National Watch Company, both in
Elgin and Chicago, coming from the latter city to New London and established
himself in business here on June 14, 1892.
He also does all kinds of repair work on the bycicles (sic) and is agent
for the
J.F. BROWN
Another of the
prominent business interests of
45 Years Ago Our Town
Vincil Shulse has been a businessman
for 40 years one might say. He started
out on his first job back in 1913, working for Dr.
In 1917 he married Miss Ruby Millon.
When Mr. Dunlop bought back his
interest in the story, Mr. Shulse moved to the farm. After being a farmer for two years, he had the
urge to come back to town, opening up a new drug store, this time in the
In 1926 he went back into the grocery
business, buying out Virgil Bell. He
stayed here until January, 1945, selling out to his son, Harold. About a year later he and his other son,
Davis, bought the Walkup Drug Store.
They were there 14 months, selling back to the Walkups in July. For about two years he did odd jobs and
decided on seeing some of these
In reminiscing back to his
childhood, Mr. Shulse recalls a funny incident when his brother, Dorsey, became
angry with him and started what we will call “The Chase.” Mr. Shulse always found a haven in the
security of his old brother, Pete’s home, so off he ran as fast as he could
run, Dorsey practically on his heels. As
he reached the yard, what should befriend him but a huge gander, which grabbed
his brother, Dorsey, by the seat of his trousers holding him fast, until Mr.
Shulse was safely under the protective cover of his brother’s home.
Another time his parents sent him to
his grandfather’s on a cold winter day, with a gallon bucket for some
molasses. His grandfather asked what the
bucket was for. He was told he wouldn’t
need that. His grandfather took him to
the sorghum barrel, had the lad fetch a clean board which he stuck in the
barrel and continued to wind the cold molasses on the stick until he had all
the lad could carry, sending him home with the molasses on the end of the stick
carried over his shoulder.
Mr. Shulse has three children and
seven grandchildren. I can imagine he
has some interesting stories to tell of his childhood that could keep them
entertained by the hour.
Mr. Shulse is a credit to this
community, a civic minded man and long time church member. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. He has served on the School Board and is past
president of the Center Chamber of Commerce.
Taken from the Editor’s Korner of the
Center Herald,
A Different Perspective On the History of Center
We had so many tell us they enjoyed
the recent article we published on Center’s history that we thought you might
like another one written by Clark Keithly’s mother, the late Mrs. Mabel
Keithly, and found among her papers. It
was loaned to us by her family.
Before 1853 the town of
The settlement on the north and west
was the old Robert Briggs farm, on the south and west W.S. Lipton, W.C. Splawn
and Nimrod Waters.
In the early 70’s the counties in
With the beginning T. Jeff Ellis build
the first house on the site of the present town of
The old bank building was built in
1889 and the brick was fired 3 blocks south where B.C. Stuart’s home and lots
are located. In the daybooks of George
Osterhout, who was president of this bank, we find an entry where lumber and
building material were hauled by wagon from Hannibal taking two days to make
the trip. The teams were put up and fed. Lodging and board were supplied at the Marion
House at a cost of $1 for the entire trip.
The oldest bank building of Center is directly across the street west of
the present Center State Bank.
Center was originally called Jeff
Town, being named for Jeff Ellis, the first man to live on the “swamp”. Soon after, James Mason built another house
which was later occupied by Landia Whitamore, a jolly, rotund and efficient
sheriff of the county. Sheriff Whitamore
married Evelyn Mariah Ralls, descendant of Daniel Ralls and both are buried in
the
Just about this period, the present
town was regularly platted by J.M. Mason and given the name of Center. From this small beginning has sprung up the
present town of
About the year 1876 Ralls Lodge No.
33 A.F. & A.M. commenced to build a hall and soon after removed to the
town, thus Center has the oldest lodge of Masons working under its original
charter in the county and observed with appropriate ceremonies the 100th
centennial of Ralls Lodge No. 33 A.F. & A.M. in June this year.
In the list of worshipful masters of
the Ralls Lodge from 1853 to 1953 we find that Col. John Ralls, who organized
the lodge and for whom it is named, served nine times as Worshipful Master over
a period of years and Col. W.C. Splawn served in the same capacity two years. Col. Ralls, son of the man for whom
In the year 1889 G.W. Osterhout,
W.W. Epperson and others moved into town and built homes. Soon after, the prospect of completing Perry
branch road gave an impetus to the building of more substantial business
structures.
It was at this time that the first
bank building was built including the adjoining storeroom, now occupied by the
Cash Beavers Service Station and office.
The second story of the storeroom was completed by the Baptist seated
for a church.
The
In 1889 Dr. N.A. Foster built the
first brick building in the north settlement of town “across the tracks” to
many natives of Center. Dr. Foster was also the first resident physician. “Across the tracks” in Center does not carry
with it the usual meaning of “being born on the right side of the tracks,” but
rather business rivalry, establishment and grown.
The
shortline tracks just about cut the town in half which caused the often
repeated “north end” and “south end” expression. There was pioneer blood of
We have taken facts gleaned from and
quoted from the Center Intelligencer of
George Phillips was editor and
publisher of the Center Intelligencer.
This extra edition was 10 cents per copy or the subscription was $1 per
year.
Center Herald
Western Expansion
The latter part of the nineteenth
century brought about many changes in the history of
This was the period during which my
step-grandmother came to
They had some difficulty in
transportation. They started out in wagons, then took a boat and finally had to
go on trains and wagons again before they reached
Center, at that time was composed of
one general store and a few scattered dwellings that went under the name of
Jefftown. There was no post-office there then. There was a sort of post-office,
tavern and general store about four miles southeast of Center where Mrs. Mary
Boyd now lives. This place belonged to my great-grand grandfather and was the
halfway place between
During that time
There began to be talk of a railroad
through Jefftown in the next few years. This made the people want to build up
the town and keep up with the rest of the country. There were several stores
built and churches organized. The Methodist was the first church to be
organized. It was probably built in the latter part of the eighties. The first
Baptist church was located in the building over Calhoun Harness Shop; the
present building being erected in 1898. The first Christian Church was organized
soon after. The first building burned in 1913 and a new one was erected in
1914.
The first train came through the
town in 1895. There were two post-offices: one on each side of the track. There
was a dispute about what the town should be called. Some wanted it to be Center
because it is about the center of
In 1874 a number of years after my
grandmother came to Missouri, my grandfather’s people came for practically the
same reason my grandmother’s father and mother had come. My great-grandfather,
Dr. R. Cole, wanted to go where he could buy land for his children. They had
lived in Carrolton
Dr. Cole brought his family to Ralls
County Missouri and settled about six and one-half miles southwest of Center,
Perhaps one of the most interesting
events of Dr. Cole’s life in
He had been going under the name of
Henry Hammond. When he left, he said that Frank Beavers, a circuit rider, also
a relative of Cash and Claude Beavers, north of Vandalia, would be there that
night and would know him by the name John O. Franklin. They did not know how he
knew Mr. Beavers was coming that night, but he did come. When told that John O.
Franklin had worked with him, Mr. Beavers looked as if he had been shot. Mr.
Beavers said that
Mr. Ellis second daughter was a
little baby, when Jesse James worked there. He was good to take care of her.
One day he asked Mrs. Ellis if he might name her. He said he wanted to call her
Lerah Morris for a girl he knew by that name. They called her that until she
died.
Jesse James then disappeared from
this part of the country.
Both my grandmother and grandfather
have seen many changes in the time that they have been in
Written
by Mrs. Chas. Hawkinson around 1915
“
Editor’s Korner 1912 Paper
We have had several
people in the office in the past few weeks asking if we knew anything about the
history of Center since it is approaching 100 years and they’ve been wondering
how many people are interested in celebrating it. We aren’t sure just when a celebration is
held, whether it’s when a town is first founded or incorporated. Center became incorporated in February 1882
but was apparently a thriving little community long before that.
We are publishing an
article printed in the Center Herald years ago and some of the landmarks
mentioned no longer are standing. We’ve
been told it was first fenced off in 1853.
We can’t vouch for any of this but we enjoyed reading it and hope you
will too. Mrs. Sherman Gregg handed us
the article. We have no idea who wrote
it. Anyway there are rumblings of a 100th
celebration
History of Center
Center
was founded in about 1868. It was first
named Jeff Town in honor of its first resident.
First Centre and then Center, as it is called today, is located near the
Center of Ralls County. The first
settler to live here was Jeff Ellis, who lived where Miss Lila Myers’ property
now stands. His dwelling consisted of
his home, store, and he built the first postoffice. It was bought and run by Tom Robinson in
1873. Some of the earlier residents were
the Keithlys, Masons, Flowerrees, Briggs and Smiths.
At this time it is
told the prairie grass was so tall and abundant in this vicinity that it would
cover a man’s head when the man was on horseback.
The first white child
born in Center on
The first and only
Negro who lived in Center was Ephriam Mickens.
He was a blacksmith and his shop stood on the lot south of the present
About seventy years
ago the only schools were one south of town taught by a man named Christian and
one north of town taught by a man named Dunlop.
Teachers were poorly paid and the only students were adults.
In 1878 there were
four stores in Center, two drug stores, two banks and two clothing stores. The late Ben Briggs ran a clothing store and
J. R. Dunlop a drug store. There was
also a drug store built and run by Dr. C. H. Graves. A combination dry goods and grocery store was
owned by Landia Whitamore where Gene Murphy now lives. George Smith opened a dry goods and grocery
store later. The second store was where
Joe Hughes’ filling station was before he ceased operating it.
The Christian Church
was located at
In 1888 a railbed was
laid for a railroad known to us as the “Short Line.” A period of time elapsed between the time of
the railbed and the laying of the rails.
The railroad was completed in 1892.
A wealthy lady from
The first school in
Center was a two-story building that was attended only by adults. It was built where Doc Asher now
resides. The second school house was a
brick building. It stood where Clay
Roland now resides. The building was
wrecked and some of the bricks were used in the building of Ira Allison’s
house. The third school house was a
frame building on the present school grounds.
It was used after the present building was erected for agriculture and
industrial arts. At the present it is
used as a garage at the former “log cabin.”
A three-story building was erected, housing the first eight grades on
the second floor. Later a two year high
school was added. In later years they
added a three year high school and then in 1909 a four year high school was
added. In 1939 an addition was made to
the present school building with the aid of W.P.A. funds. The gymnasium is one of the best in this
locality. It is used for basketball
games and other sports.
In 1911 a bakery
located on the Ernest Keithly property was run by the “Meladys.”
The first show house
in Center was a two story building where G. C. Layne’s store now stands. It was operated by Mr. George Foster.
In 1902 George
Phillips was publisher and editor of the Center Intelligencer, assisted by Mr.
G. C. Layne, the paper being four six-column pages and published every
Friday. A special edition was printed in
book form that year, about 10 ½ x 14 inches, consisting of 36 pages. A subscription cost $1.00 per year and extra
copies of the special edition were 10 cents each.
The buildings located
in Center in 1902 were: J. M. Martin, dress shop; Theo. W. Clark, drug store;
R. W. McCollum, physician; W. R. Sanford, furniture store; E. W. Keithly, real
estate and insurance agent; Roy Keithley, agent for “Weems”, Hannibal Laundry;
Alfred White, barber; Layson Carr, barber; Jas. Bond and Jas. Eddings,
blacksmiths, who claimed to be the best horseshoers in the county; J. W. Combs,
harness and saddle shop; J. D. Millon, auctioneer and real estate dealer; Mrs.
V. A. McManis, millinery and dressmaking, three doors north of railroad;
Epperson & Young, the enterprising clothiers; Geo. W. Young, cash store; J.
T. Keithly & Co., general store; John Q. Piper, undertaker and funeral
director; M. L. Hulse, flour and seed store; Farmers & Merchants Bank –
Henry Shulse, president, Van B. Elzea, vice-president, Joe Carr, cashier;
Marshall Hulse, livery, feed and sale stable.
There were two hotels
in Center at one time. One was named
Central. It was first located where
Ernest Keithly lives. They moved it to
where Lila Myers now has property. The
hotel was run by a woman named Clayton.
The Southern hotel was run by two women named Wicks and Brashears. Roy Keithley was porter at the Southern and
often fooled traveling men by imitating the “Short Line” locomotive whistle.
In 1928 the pride of Center was beautiful Mason park before drouth
killed the large shade trees. The town
had two banks, three churches, one excellent school, four auto dealer and
garages, two drug stores, one newspaper, one building material dealer, two dry
goods stores, two hardware stores, two men’s furnishings stores, one
confectionery, one jeweler, two shoe stores, one furniture store, one
stationer, four coal merchants and five grocery stores. Local bank deposits totaled more than
$700,000. The Blossom Brand Produce
Company shipped annually $1,000,000 worth of live and dressed poultry and
produce, and the Center Elevator Company handled grain, flour and feed in
carload lots.
L.S.J.
Our Town, “Ralls County Herald-Enterprise” March 5, 1998
The Center Dry Goods
Store is owned and operated by Miss Lois Allison, since she purchased the
business from Mrs. Epperson in 1946, at which time she and Mrs. H.E. Walkup
were co-owners, buying out the Walkup interest after several months. She has been a successful business woman,
pleasant and willing to accommodate her patrons. She has a broad business knowledge, having
served in various types of work in previous years.
Miss Allison is the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Ira Allison, long time residents of this community. She has one sister, Naoma, of
At the time they moved to Center,
her father bought the Livery Stable.
Miss Allison assisted her father in his business. In Mr. Hague’s recent story of his life, he mentioned
Mr. Allison moving his household effects and farm machinery from Vandalia to
Center in large freight wagons. Lois
drove one of those wagons. She also assisted her father in driving traveling
salesmen, commonly known in those days as drummers, to the surrounding towns
with horse and buggy, and automobile when they finally came into their
own. There is only one of these salesmen
that still covers this territory, a Mr. Fred McNulty who travels for Hafner
Grocery.
Many will remember the “Little Depot”
at its old location. That is where she
held her first job, with a salary as she remembers to be about 50 cents per
week. Mr. B.C. Rice was Railroad Agent
at that time for the
Later she took the position for the
summer assistant Rural Mail Carrier for Mr. James Cupp and the late Mr. M.C.
Anderson, during the time Mr. E.F. Layne was Postmaster.
When the Shulse Garage was located
where the Beavers Service Co., is now located, Miss Allison worked for Mr.
Shulse as Bookkeeper, then again at his present location.
For a number of years she was with
the Ralls County Mercantile Company and in 1931 she was with the State
Legislature as a file clerk in the Senate.
From 1932 to 1940 she was assistant
Postmaster under the late R.D. Gardner and the present Postmaster B.F. Coleman.
In 1941 she took over the Short Line
R.R. Agency for one year when Mr. P.A. Swan resigned because of ill
health. At the close of 1941 the Railroad
Bus service was discontinued way to the mode of travel the new highway had to
offer in freight trucking. The new
highway was completed in 1937. Miss
Allison’s father and Mr. B.F. Coleman worked fervently to get the new highway
through.
After leaving the Short Line R.R.
Miss Allison took a position as a shoe inspector at a factory in
That I believe brings us up to
date. Miss Allison commented on one of
the happiest days of her life, back in 1908 when she was the proud owner of a
little Shetland pony and rubber-tired buggy with willow seat, which she had won
from the Hannibal Courier-Post in a subscription contest.
In reminiscing, Miss Allison recalls
the Booster girls Sunday School class.
At one time they purchased a high china pig bank which they took with
them to large public gatherings such as sales, etc., where they took up
collections to help with the church building fund. That was in approximately the year 1914. Another way they had of raising money for
this fund: they had a large hay rack brought down town from which they held an
auction sale. Donations were from all
the local merchants, and also the large mail order houses were prevailed on to
help in this worthy cause. They contributed generously and one package she
remembers as having in its contents several ladies’ hats, which were auctioned
off separately. Some of the members of
this class are still residents of Center, namely Mrs. Homes Howald, Mrs. Jess
Rector, Mrs. Vincil Shulse, and Miss Allison.
Miss Allison has been a credit to
the community where she has always been active in civic affairs. A long time church member, she joined the
Olivet Christian Church in 1910, when Rev. J.B. Robinson was pastor.
Writer Tells of Center’s
Prosperity During Late 1800’s
Taken from
Will you kindly permit us to speak a few
words through the columns of your valuable paper concerning the business and
business men of our town?
Within the past year we have increased in
population something near 50%, and in property, both personal and real, we
think about 40% approximately correct.
Our town is still looking upward, as the changing of real property
indicates.
We have in all five firms engaged in
merchandise. Beginning with Smith &
Alford, dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots, and shoes, both pleasant and
safe men to deal with.
Our next is the livery stable owned and
conducted by W. W. Epperson & Co.
This enterprise is of recent date, yet the gentlemen who own and conduct
it are satisfied with it as a paying business.
Sauntering further we come to the government
building, owned by Mr. Piper, our efficient and ever accommodating postmaster ,
and Dr. Hawkins, the pill man. By the way our tonsorial parlors will be
conducted in this building by a very pleasant gentleman, Ed Roland.
We cross the street and stop into Hulse &
Keithley’s establishment. Dry goods,
clothing, boots and shoes we find her for sale.
This is an enterprising firm and deserve all the patronage they get.
From here we go into Foster &
Flowerree’s, where we see nails, horseshoes, wire and a good many other iron
things, together with a good stock of groceries. We are met by Mr. Foster, the senior partner,
whom we take to be a sagacious businessman.
We then hear the junior partner; “Hello! yes, this is Center.” This firm will soon be in their new and
commodious brick building.
Our next store is Mr. Lilly’s, the furniture
man. This is a new enterprise, both to
the town and to Mr. Lilly, but George seems as much at home here as he did in
the shop repairing machinery for farmers.
We bespeak Mr. Lilly success.
Then we come to the drug store owned by
Dunlop & Clark, both excellent and enterprising gentlemen conducting a good
and first-class store.
Now we find ourselves in the bank of Center,
and are assured of the fact that it is a solid institution. It could not be otherwise with Geo. W.
Osterhout as president and Geo. P. Rice as cashier.
Just across the street from here and a little
to the north we find Ham McGee pounding something red hot. Ham says he will shoe that horse “and if they
don’t stick six weeks bring him back and I’ll shoe him for nothing.”
Then there is Jim Leake, the hotel man,
slipping and slopping down town for something good to eat to feed his big fat
boarders. May you live forever, Jim.
Then there is Mrs. Ellis, who knows what a
hungry man needs to satiate his longing after temporal blessings.
From here we see the little busy man Al Mason
darting hither and thither to make his guests happy and contented, but he
succeeds.
Last but not least by any means is Mr. Barr,
the blacksmith, back of Smith & Alford’s store, busy nearly all the time
mending horseshoes, etc. etc.
HISTORY OF NORTHEAST MISSOURI: (pages
1715-1716-1717) 1913 Edited by Walter Williams
JOHN
C. GILLAM is a well-known contractor and builder of Center
Mr. Gillam is the son of John
Gillam, a farmer of Dry Fork, who was born in
The first of the name of Gillam came
to
John Gillam, the father of the
subject, reaching manhood with a mere smattering of an education. By the
practical use of figures throughout his early career as a builder, he learned
something of the rules of simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division, but he acquired nothing of the art of construction of language and
little in the way of orthography. He was ambitious, be it said for him, and he
applied himself diligently to learning the carpenter trade, and when he had
completed it he came west, where he believed opportunities to be great. He took
train at
Went
to work for the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad Company, now the
With the close of the war, Mr.
Gillam returned to Pennsylvania and while visiting there several months he
followed his trade, returning to Missouri in 1866 and soon locating at Perry,
or what later came to be called Perry, for indeed at the time he located there.
It was not a town, the place not being established or founded until two years
later. He is numbered among the pioneer carpenters of the place, and he worked
on many of the first stores and residences to be erected there. He performed a
great amount of work for Thomas F. Gill, the foremost citizen of the town, the
first residence of Mr. Gill in Perry being among Mr. Gillam’s work. It was
during this era that he married, a Mr. Gill officiating at the ceremony as
Justice of Peace. Mr. Gillam built houses, barns, and structures of every
variety all through the county from then until 1910, when he laid aside his
tools and settled down to devote his remaining years to work on his Dry Fork
Farm.
The wife of John Gillam was Joanna
Hilton, an orphaned girl, and both still survive. Their children were: John C.;
Luella, the wife of
On the 23rd day of
December 1890, John C. Gillam married in Ralls Co. Missouri, Miss Fannie M.
Smith, the daughter of John B. and Emma (Koontz) Smith. She was one of eight
children, the others being: Mollie, the wife of Samuel L. Weaver; Rena, who
married Wilk. Gregory; Kate, the wife of John Barger; Bertha, now Mrs. Nat
Phillips; Amy, the wife of Clyde Leake and Eula, who married Albert Rubinson.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gillam
are Emma Leta, Fielder E., Zaner B., J. C., Jr., and Marjorie.
Mr. Gillam is a Mason of the chapter
and blue lodge, and is also a member of the Odd fellows and the Knights of
Pythias. He is a member of the board of stewards of the Methodist Episcopal
church and has served on the Ralls county republican Central committee in an
important capacity.
“
Jefftown-Center
On
the Ralls county branch railroad about equal distant from New London and Perry,
is situated the beautiful and flourishing village which bears the above
appellation, known by some as the former name, others as the latter, but as one
of the names is superfluous it may be to state how they originated.
In
the winter of 1871 and 1872, Mr. Jeff Ellis located near a spot of ground which
was designated as the site fixed upon for the location of the depot and opened
a little grocery store. He was ridiculed by many and told that he would starve
to death; but by close application to business and unceasing toll, being
friendly in his intercourse and honest in his dealing; he was soon enabled to
enlarge his storehouse and increase his stock. The cry was changed to “Uncle
Jeff is making money.” Hence the name Jefftown, in honor of it’s founder.
In
the autumn of 1872, Mr. Landa Whittimore, who had occasionally assisted Uncle
Jeff during busy days, lured by the big rolls of “greenbacks” daily seen in the
money drawer concluded that he too would open a store in town. He did so, made
application for the establishment of a post office; was successful and by some
“Hook and Crook” had the post office called Center. He is now merchant,
postmaster, mail carrier and quite a business man.
The
village, Jefftown, is now in a flourishing condition, several lots have been
procured by men intending to build and only wait the opening of spring to
commence their work. A blacksmith shop is being erected and two stores are already
in fully blast, dealing out their dry goods and wet goods in quantities and
doses to suit the purchasers. Pure brandies, strictly for medical use! are in
good demand and the number of diseases are said to cure is innumerable.
We
are informed that a saddler and harness maker will locate here in the spring,
which will be well patronized by the community. Good openings are here for
shoemakers, chair makers, carpenters and laborers and a good, honest, free
hearted, whole souled, temperate hotel keeper, one that would not mind giving a
follow a “square meal” might do a smashing business.
Now
is the time for those who are looking for homes in a rising city to settle,
while lots may be procured for small sums and on easy terms, Jefftown is the
place. The society is second to none in the country, the soil is rich and
productive, the land is flat and well watered, the ague and fever is vanished
forever and the epizootle no longer prevails. Why this flourishing little
village bids fair to become the metropolis of Ralls and the day is not far
distant when
Felix
April
9, 1953
Center
Herald
Our
Town
Vincil Shulse has been a business
man for 40 years one might say. He
started out on his first job back in 1913, working for Dr. Graves in the drug
store, then located next door to the Allis-Chalmers’ present location. When Dr. Graves sold out, he went to work for
Dunlop and Layne where he remained in their employment for several years. He then took employment with the S.F. Baker
Co., as salesman which took him through all of Ralls and
In 1917 he married Miss Ruby Millon.
When Mr. Dunlop bought back his
interest in the store, Mr. Shulse moved to the farm. After being a farmer for two years, he had
the urge to come back to town, opening up a new drug store, this time in the
In 1926 he went back into the
grocery business, buying out Virgil Bell.
He stayed here until January, 1945, selling out to his son, Harold. About a year later he and his other son,
Davis, bought the Walkup Drug Store.
They were three 14 months, selling back to the Walkups in July. For about two years he did odd jobs and
decided on seeing some of these
In reminiscing back to his
childhood, Mr. Shulse recalls a funny incident when his brother, Dorsey, became
angry with him and started what we will call “The Chase.” Mr. Shulse always found a haven in the
security of his older brother, Pete’s home, so off he ran as fast as he could
run, Dorsey practically on his heels. As
he reached the yard, what should befriend him but a huge gander, which grabbed
his brother, Dorsey, by the seat of his trousers holding him fast, until Mr.
Shulse was safely under the protective cover of his brother’s home.
Another time his parents sent him to
his grandfather’s on a cold winter day, with a gallon bucket for some
molasses. His grandfather asked what the
bucker was for? He told him he wouldn’t
need that. His grandfather took him to
the sorghum barrel, had the lad fetch a clean board which he stuck in the
barrel and continued to wind the cold molasses on the stick until he had all
the lad could carry, sending him home with the molasses on the end of the stick
carried over his shoulder.
Mr. Shulse has three children and
seven grandchildren. I can imagine he
has some interesting stories to tell of his childhood that could keep them
entertained by the hour.
Mr. Shulse is a credit to his community,
a civic minded man and long time church member.
He is a member of the I.O.O.F. He
has served on the School Board and is past president of the Center Chamber of
Commerce.
The
Hannibal Courier-Post Wednesday, December 30, 1953
100
Years Ago Town Of
Claims
Connection With Mark Twain’s Military Career
By
Mrs. Mabel Keithly, Staff Correspondent
CENTER,
The settlement on the north and west
was the old Robert Briggs farm, on the south and east W.S. Tipton, W.C. Splawn
and Nimrod Waters.
In the early seventies the counties
in
The grade for the latter route was
built twenty years before the track was laid.
With the beginning, T. Jeff Ellis
built the first house on the site of the present town of
Center was originally called “Jeff
Town” being named for Jeff Ellis the first man to live on “the swamp”. Soon after James Mason built another house,
which was later occupied by Landia Whitamore a jolly, round and efficient sheriff
of the county, [sic] Sheriff Whitamore married Evelyn Mairrah [sic] Ralls
descendent of Daniels Ralls and both are buried in Olivet Cemetery of
Center. Just about this period the
present town was regularly, planted by J.M. Mason and given the name of Center. From this small beginning has sprung up the
present town of
About the year 1876 Ralls Lodge No.
33 A.F. and A.M. soon after removed to the town thus Center has the oldest
lodge of Masons working under its original charter in the county and observed
with appropriate ceremonies the Centenniel [sic] of Ralls Lodge No. 33 A.F. and
A.M. in June of this year.
In the list of Worshipful Masters of
Ralls Lodge No. 33 A.F. and A.M. from 1853 to 1953 we find that Col. John Ralls
who organized the lodge and for whom Ralls Lodge No. 33 A.F. and A.M. is named
served nine times as Worshipful Master over a period of years and Col. W.C.
Splawn served the lodge in the same capacity two years. Col. John Ralls the son of the man for whom
In the year 1889 G.W. Osterhout,
W.W. Epperson and others moved into the town and built homes. Soon after the prospect of completing the
Perry branch road gave an impetus to the building of more substantial business
structures.
It was at this time that the first
bank building was built, including the adjoining storeroom, now occupied by the
Cash Beavers station and office [sic] the second story of this storeroom was
completed by the Baptists and seated for a church. The Methodist church house was the first
built in the town and is one of the oldest of their denomination in the
county. In 1890 the Christian church
house was moved from
“Across the tracks” in Center does
not carry with it the usual meaning of “being born on the right side of the
tracks” but rather business rivalry, establishment and growth.
The short line tracks just about cut
the town in half which caused the often repeated “north end” and “south end”
expression. There was pioneer blood of
We have taken facts gleaned from and
quoted from the Center Intelligencer of
Quoting George Phillips, editor and
publisher of the Center Intelligencer – “The Intelligencer goes to its regular
readers, and a thousand other Ralls county citizens this week,
The book form issue had twenty pages
printed on both sides and had to be printed one page at a time by hand
press. It covered interesting news from
nation, state, county and towns with pictures of county candidates for office
as well as pictures of Governor Dockery, Champ Clark, Secretary of State Sam B.
Cook, William Jennings Bryan, ministers prominent in the county, local
postmaster and also pictures of the local business men along with a number of
pictures of old settlers and their biographies.
A picture of the old public school building with a history of the growth
of the school up to 1902. A resume of
newspaper business with sketches of the editors up to that period with data on
other organizations of the town and a number of short stories, several short
humorous stories from the Monroe County Appeal.
Of all the pictures shown on the
pages of the Intelligencer of
We are reminded that 1902 was also a
special year in
Not only has this area been passing
through a centennial period, but the fact that the inhabitants of the little
town of Center claim very close connection with Mark Twain through his
activities on “the swamp’ during his brief military career, where he sought refuge
at Col. Splawns – are we quietly and modestly claiming our right of
heritage. It was at the home of Col.
John Ralls that the Ralls County Rangers decided to become organized and to
elect officers. William Ely was elected
Captain. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)
then 26 years old was made a second lieutenant.
Ab Grimes gave Clemens a belt and sword.
It was Col. John Ralls who made the presentation speech.
John Scott Ely, great grandfather of
Miss Bessie Briggs and Miss Stella Briggs of Center, married the widow of
Daniel Ralls for whom
The very amusing episode of Mark
Twain’s experience with Paint – Brush, the troublesome mules which carried home
away from Col. Splawn’s burning hayloft, is most vividly described in the special
edition of the Hannibal Courier-Post published during the time of the
dedication of the Mark Twain bridge in 1935.