December 7

GROCERY STORES

      One of the reasons for the crowds was nothing else to do. Most rural people didn’t have electricity. Therefore if they could afford a radio it would be battery. Batteries were expensive and didn’t last very long. Most people had never dreamed that Television was to one day, There was no way of seeing anything such as football, baseball or other sports. Many of the people did their trading at John Garrisons store. He did a huge credit business. This was before credit cards had even been dreamed about. He sold just about everything you could need. Salt pork, hay, feed, kerosene (then called coal oil); and would deliver it if need be.

      They had their stores cooled somewhat. Most had a foyer at the entrance with an overhead fan. They also had overhead fans in use in side of the building. Keeping it warm in the winter was much easier and simpler.

      The meat in the market was fresh on Saturday. The butcher in a couple of the stores butchered their own livestock. One I remember was George Kite. At one time he had his meat market in Lewis grocery. H. H. Martin also had a meat market. Chester Craig started his butchering career in their store. I think the MSystem Store and Henderson Grocery also had meat markets in their store. The local bakery always had plenty of day old bread that they had baked that morning which you could buy for a nickel loaf. (just the way business is)

      One of the reasons for the crowds was nothing else to do. Most rural people didn’t have electricity. Therefore if they could afford a radio it would be battery. Batteries were expensive and didn’t last very long. Most people had never dreamed of anything like Television was to be one day, There was no way of seeing anything such as football, baseball or other sports without going to the stadium.

      Many of the people did their trading at John Garrisons store. He did a huge credit business. This was before credit cards had even been dreamed about. He sold just about everything you could need. Salt pork, hay, feed, kerosene (then called coal oil); and would deliver it if need be.

     Just to the west of the store was an alley. Right across the alley from the store was the City hall. It also housed the big red fire truck. The mayors office was also in this building. The first Mayor I remember was Mr. Lamb. The firemen were all volunteers. When the fire whistle blew they all jumped in their automobile and headed for city hall. The ones that didn't get to city hall before the truck left just followed the crowd. Three of the fireman that I recall off hand is Tootles Montgomery, Paul Blassingame an Tribble Edgar.

      The women mostly were shopping for material to make clothing. They also shopped for groceries that couldn't be produced on the farm, such as soda, baking powders, flour, etc. The women would buy flour in 48 pounds sacks. These sack were what was called print material. The women tried to buy sacks that matched sack, which they had bought previously. Then they would make dresses, shirts and other clothing from the sacks. I remember the Shawnee Milling Company had the slogan on their trucks that read, “EAT THE FLOUR WEAR THE SACK: IF NOT SATISFIED YOUR MONEY BACK.”

      As soon as the women finished their shopping, they, too, gathered about to exchange news and views or just plain visit. Money was in short supply so there was more visiting than shopping.

I will be adding and refining these pages as time permits.

TOMMY JONES