10th Anniversary Edition: More about Whitewater

Recently in this space, we discussed the history of the town Whitewater as it was presented in The Daily Republican's Tenth Anniversary Edition, as well as a 1949 article reprinted from the Southeast Missourian.

The 1915 anniversary edition also contained several articles about Whitewater businesses. Here are three of those stories, the last of which has the added attraction of featuring information about a business woman.

Whitewater Mercantile Company

"It pays to buy the best, it pays to buy at the Whitewater Mercantile Company's store," is the slogan upon which this concern has built up an extensive business. Founded in 1897 by O.A. Slagle & Son, the firm became known as Montgomery & Co., after the death of the elder Slagle in 1900. In 1902 the present company was organized. In its two-story store building, 50x140 feet in size, the concern handles an immense stock of seasonable goods of all description, in fact here is one of the largest stocks of merchandise in Cape Girardeau County. Everything imaginable is carried in stock, and the departments are so varied an manifold that it would be futile to try to enumerate them here. Suffice it to say that the Whitewater Mercantile Company has the most complete stock of general merchandise in Cape Girardeau County, if not the larges. Farm machinery and implements form a part of this stock. Here can be found the Webber farm wagons, the Linstroth farm wagons, the products of the International Harvester Company, the Mayer pumps, the American field fence, which is always b ought in car load lots by the firm, Cape Girardeau Portland cement, Cape lime, in fact, everything that the large trade of the concern demands.

It is a fixed natural law that "only live things grow." The Whitewater Company is a noteworthy exponent of this assertion. The guiding principle -- the real motto of the firm -- which from its very conception has been, still is, and shall always be the controlling factor, is expressed in the simple phrase: "Faith and Confidence -- Fides et Fiducia." Belief that the people do appreciate loyal service and courage to follow the path of accurate business conduct. This is the basis upon which the Whitewater Mercantile Company asks the trade and the good will of the community.

J.M. Slagle.

At the head of the Whitewater Mercantile Company stands as its president and general manager, J.M. Slagle, and the success and standing of the company is in a great measure due to his untiring effort and his splendid generalship.

J.M. Slagle was born in Bollinger County near Marble Hill on the 30th day of September, 1871, and is the son of Oliver A. and Amanda (Snider) Slagle. Young Slagle had the good fortune to be the son of an intelligent father who gave the young man a chance to get a good education, which he acquired, after leaving the public schools, in the Mayfield Academy in Marble Hill. Having finished the academy, the subject of this sketch became a teacher, and taught four terms in Bollinger County, and one in Cape Girardeau County. Quitting the school room, he began to serve his time in the general merchandise establishment of B.S. Snider in Laflin in 1896, and the following year came to Whitewater and again became a teacher. Again returning to the mercantile business, he and his father organized the firm of O.A. Slagle and Son, and continued until 1900 when the death of O.A. Slagle occurred, when the firm was known as Montgomery and Co., as above stated. In 1902 the present company was organized and J.M. Slagle became its president, remaining in that capacity until the present day.

He and Mrs. Slagle, who was the former Miss Lou Key, have one son, J. Candler, and three daughters, Lucille, Kathleen and Azalea. The family belongs to the M.E. church South and are very active therein. Mr. Slagle has been signally honored by his fellow citizens by his election to the town board three terms, and to the school board four terms. He was president of the latter during his incumbency. He is also stockholder and president of the Bank of Whitewater, and holds the position of postmaster of Whitewater.

Personally Mr. Slagle is a perfect gentleman with polished manners, clean in every respect, polite and sociable at all times, and has a word of cheer and a hearty greeting for all, rich and poor alike. He owns and occupies a fine residence in Whitewater, and the Slagle home is always open to the friends of the family, regardless of their social standing and position. His hobby is business, and it is hard to understand how a man of his physique can possibly endure the constant strain that his business interests demand, and still find time and courage to work for a better and cleaner home town. It is largely due to his efforts that Whitewater is now a morally clean town, a reputation which the little city did not always enjoy.

Fraternally Mr Slagle is identified with the Masons, the Woodmen and the M.P.L., and in these lodges holds several positions of honor and trust.

The Bank of Whitewater

"A Good Bank in a Good Town" is an old slogan, but it certainly applies to the Bank of Whitewater of Whitewater and the town wherein it is located. This solid financial institution was organized in 1904 with a capital stock of $10,000, and has, in the last decade, made good in such a marked degree that it has now an enviable reputation throughout this part of the state and a rating in the metropolitan banks that is acquired only through conservative management and fair dealing. The directorate is composed of the elite of businessmen in Whitewater and community, as follows: J.M. Slagle, president; John J. Scholz, vice-president; J.S. Medley, cashier; S.H. Crowe, William M. Proffer, and W.P. Rhodes, all who are gentlemen of means and of irreproachable character. This confidence inspiring directorate has succeeded in so managing the affairs of the bank, that it has become a factor in the financial world in this section of Missouri. No more hiding of money in out-of-the-way places since the Bank of Whitewater has opened its doors to depositors.

J.S. Medley.

The genial cashier of the Bank of Whitewater was born in Jackson on the 5th of May, 1867, and his parents were J.F. and Addie (Penny) Medley. Obtaining what education the public schools afforded, he became a student in the Normal at Cape Girardeau, and graduated from that institution in 1896. While a student in the Normal, he taught school and and made his own way, spending eight years in this way. After his graduation he continued to teach four more years. He also traveled for the McCormick and the Milwaukee Harvester companies, first assembling or setting up machines and then, being promoted to salesman, he traveled for and had charge of Iowa territory for these firms. In 1902 he helped organize the Whitewater Mercantile Company and was made its secretary-treasurer, and as such had a good deal to do with the management of the concern. During the year 1904 he organized the Bank of Whitewater and took the office of cashier which he still holds with credit to himself and to the benefit of the bank. In the year 1913 he purchased a 100-acre farm near Whitewater, and owns residence property in Whitewater and other real estate.

He married Anna Schoenhoff while a young man, and after her death again entered into matrimony with Louisa Ford on the 24th day of January, 1906. They have one daughter, Catherine Elode. Mr. Medley is a Democrat, and as such held public office, that of public administrator. He also held the office of president of the town board for three terms, and that of treasurer of the school board two years. Fraternally he is a member of the M.W.A. lodge. In public life he has always been considered as one of the leaders, and as such has made his influence felt in every way that goes to better conditions in his home town. Farsighted in business, aggressive and progressive in public affairs, and affable and gentlemanly in his intercourse with his fellow men, these are the traits that distinguish J.S. Medley from others.

A.C. Willa & Co., General Merchandise

Whitewater, Missouri

This business was established by Mr. and Mrs. Willa, the latter of whom had previously engaged in business, in 1907. And under their management has certainly grown. One has to talk with A.C. Willa only a few minutes to discover that he is a bundle of energy, a hustler, a real live wire; wide-awake and alert in everything pertaining to business. He has a distinct hobby and that is work.

Engage in conversation with Mrs. Willa and you at once discover that she is not only a lady of education and refinement, but is also a thorough and efficient business woman. Grasping at once every detail of the business, add these facts and you have the secret of their success.

A.C. Willa, the son of Henry and Dora Willa, was born and raised in Cape County. He received his education in the public schools and the Cape Girardeau Normal. Was married to Miss Mabel O'Brien in 1904, after the death of his first wife, who was Miss Emma Meinz. He held a position as manager for eight successive years with the St. Louis Stave & Lumber Co. in this section, being superintendent of the big finishing plant at Fayetteville, Ark., the two years immediately preceding his advent into the field of merchandise. Mr. Willa's interests are closely identified with the town in which he lives. He owns good residence property (besides the store buildings of which we will speak later). Politically he subscribes to the principles of the Republican party. He is a Modern Woodman Possessing the wide-awake and progressive spirit that he does, he is ever on the alert for any modern improvement or idea that may add to his business or the upbuilding of the town.

Mrs. Willa is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P.N. O'Brien. (Mr. O'Brien, by the way, has the distinction of having established the post-office and first store in Whitewater.) Mrs. Willa (Who is a Catholic) was born in Whitewater and educated at the Ursuline Academy, St. Louis, Mo. Her early education, however, was imparted by her parents, who are authorities on book lore. Mrs. Willa says, "An hour spent with my mother studying was replete with interest."

From earliest childhood Mrs. Willa evinced a great inclination for business. And during vacation was constantly with her father in the store, where, under his superior training, she became an excellent business woman. He had taught her at the age of fourteen to buy a stock of goods with a precision and dispatch that some older heads could not command.

Mr. and Mrs. Willa devote their entire time to business, consequently their success. Four success it certainly is when you consider facts and figures. The business has grown from a business of $1,800 in 1907 to a business of $13,000 in 1914. Three times the original building has been added to until today it stands the nicest in the town, a modern, up-to-date building -- 60-foot glass front, with three distinct departments -- dry goods, groceries and furniture. Upon entering the store you are immediately impressed with the fact that it is far above the ordinary for a town its size. First of all you are struck by the artistic appearance it presents, owing to the beautiful arrangement, the prevailing order and neatness of the place cannot be overlooked. Then on closer examination you are certainly impressed and surprised by the way superior quality of the merchandise, especially is this apparent in the dry goods department, where you find a line of dress goods, trimmings, millinery, clothing, shoes, etc., more carefully selected, and with more style than you would expect in a town ten times the size of Whitewater.

Their business is constantly growing and improving. This they ascribe to the fact that having been raised there they are well known, and that every patron they have realizes that they are given a square deal. In March, 1914, a third interest was sold to Mr. Simon Gartung.

Simon Gartung.

The junior partner of the firm is the son of Charles and Dora Gartung and was born near Whitewater. Mr. Gartung was married to Miss Edna Bartles on the 10th of December, 1912. Besides his interest in the above firm, he owns a very valuable farm some three miles from town, and has for years been a very prosperous farmer. He still runs his farm in connection with his interest in the mercantile business. He also owns residence property in Whitewater.