The Men of Affairs in Cape Girardeau and Cape County

There are a lot of Germans who think that America can never get ahead of the Fatherland, but we know of one case where Germany lost out. A few years ago a young man came from Germany to the United States to see the sights. He became so impressed with the wonderful opportunities here that he decided to attend school for a while. After this he visited friends in St. Louis and before he had time to think of returning home, he was married and an avowed American citizen. This young man was Max J. Koeck. After remaining in St. Louis a short time he came to Cape Girardeau and bought the Cape Brewery and Ice company. He had learned the practical part of the business in Germany and then graduated in an American school as a brewmaster. Since buying the Cape brewery he and his associates have completely rebuilt it and transformed it into the finest and most modern brewery in Missouri outside of St. Louis. It would be impossible to find a more complete brewery anywhere and the product can not be excelled. Mr. Koeck is a very broad-minded man. He wants to see Cape Girardeau grow to be a city of 20,000 by 1915 and he never fails to do his part in every forward movement. Cape Girardeau is fortunate in being able to beat the Fatherland out of such a citizen.

Cape Girardeau has the model oil distributing plant of Southeast Missouri. While the Waters Pierce Oil company has not stood at any expense to make their plant here a complete one, still the credit for it belongs to the local agent, J.W. Varner. Mr. Varner puts in the most of his time seeing that his customers get perfect satisfaction. He has the product to do it, has the facilities for handling his business properly and has the inclination to see that everything goes right. The Waters Pierce Oil company has a valuable man in Mr. Varner and Cape Girardeau merchants get mighty good service and treatment from him.

When one begins to recount the successful business men of Cape Girardeau, men who have made a success of their business and a success of their citizenship, among the first to be mentioned is Will Hirsch. He has made a great success of his store in Haarig and through strict business principles has built up a business that can not be excelled in all Southeast Missouri. And while Mr. Hirsch was building up his business he took the time to build up a fine reputation as a citizen. He takes an active interest in every public movement, is always ready to do his part and contribute his share, and he's never too busy to get out and work for the benefit of any deserving cause. He is interested in several of the Cape's largest institutions and his advice is sought on all sides. Not long ago when the republicans were seeking a candidate for county judge Mr. Hirsch finally said that he would serve if elected. When the primary was over the result showed that he got nearly all the votes polled, and the same will be true in the general election this fall.

Most everyone knows Judge Hays. He lives in Jackson and is now probate judge. For a long time he was mayor of Jackson, then he was president of the Jackson Commercial club, and he has always been identified with all forward movements. As probate judge he has rendered Cape Girardeau a great service. Mr. Hays has for years been recognized as one of Cape Girardeau county's best attorneys and he has given his office an administration that has resulted in much good to every one interested. It is a fortunate thing for the public to have such an attorney in the probate office and this fall the people will not hesitate to express their satisfaction at the polls.

The Metropolitan Insurance company is the biggest insurance concern on earth and it cuts a mighty big figure in Cape Girardeau. A few years ago it was hardly known here. Then John Schuler took the management of the local office and now most every person in town knows about it. Mr. Schuler is one of the most energetic young men in town, and he is just as honorable as he is energetic. Therefore he has no trouble in making a success of his business. His assistant, Ben Morton, is also an excellent young man, who is rapidly making his mark.

Owing to his long time spent in the public service, one of the best-known men in Cape Girardeau city and county is George E. Chappell. For a long time he has been clerk of the Common Pleas court and for nearly as long a time he was city clerk. Mr. Chappell got these positions through his ability. He is recognized as one of the most competent clerical men in the country and no man could be more obliging to the public. Besides his present position Mr. Chappell looks after his insurance business, which is very extensive. He is also secretary of a building and loan association. Mr. Chappell is a candidate for re-election as clerk of the Common Pleas court.

Although not a citizen of Cape Girardeau, Fred Goyert, county clerk, is mighty well known here. Before being elected clerk he had spent nearly a life-time as deputy clerk, and he is known to every person who has ever had any business with the county. Through his long service in the office he has become an encyclopedia of county affairs. Mr. Goyert is a candidate for re-election to his present position, and he will be elected without trouble.

Here is one of the most active officials Cape Girardeau county has ever had. He is on the job all the time and no one can say that he has ever neglected the business of his important office. Besides being sheriff, Mr. Schade is recognized as the leading jack and stallion breeder of Southeast Missouri. Stockmen from all over the world come here to buy his animals and through his efforts the grade of stock in this section has been greatly bettered.

One of the nicest drug stores in Cape Girardeau is in Haarig and is owned by H.C. Wasem. Owing to his progressiveness and the popularity his place was selected as a branch postoffice when the people of that part of the city were given additional postal facilities. Mr. Wasem is another example of what can be accomplished when one makes up his mind to succeed. Just a few years ago he started a five and ten-cent store in Haarig. Everyone said it wouldn't last long, but it did and it also grew rapidly. Then he sold it out and established one of the most modern drug stores in the city. There is never a time that he does not assist every forward movement and his influence is given to all matters that tend to the upbuilding of Cape Girardeau.

The above cartoon shows Mr. Johnston pushing a Douglass shoe. The cartoonist might also very appropriately have shown him pushing a carload of coffee, because he boosts a certain brand of coffee as strongly as he does the certain brand of shoes. Mr. Johnston is a determined and persistent merchant. He has picked out a few special lines of merchandise that he can heartily recommend and he pushes them with a vim. He has made Douglass shoes very popular with the men and has made Chase & Sanborn coffee extremely popular with the women. He has won several records for the sale of this brand of coffee and every year his sales increase. Mr. Johnston has a nice store at Main and Broadway.

One of the best acquisitions that Cape Girardeau has gained in recent years is Albert H. Mueller, who came here from Jackson and bought a meat market on Broadway. We all thought the market he bought was a nice one, but he at once announced that he expected to provide the Cape with the most modern meat market that money could buy. He bought a building, completely remodeled it and then put in strictly sanitary market. An immense two-story ice box was built. In the lower story meat is stored when it first comes in, and then it is transferred to the upper story. In this box they very often have as many as thirty beeves besides the other meats. In the basement is an electric refrigeration plant that not only keeps the ice box at the right temperature, but also cools the large show cases. The sales room is decorated and finished to perfection and the sanitary idea has been carried out in every detail. Mr. Mueller goes on the principal that there is nothing too good for his patrons.

Beginning several years ago in a small grocery store on Spanish street, which was conducted judiciously and progressively, with a determination to give every one a square deal, August Luebbers has reaped the benefits of his business acumen and accommodating policy in generous patronage. He has moved into larger quarters at No. 711 Broadway, where, by employing the same tactics of keeping only the best of goods, and of being content with fair profits his business has grown apace. Mr. Luebbers is one of the progressive young business men of the city, and is at all times ready to do his share in advancing the town's interests.

One of the most active and progressive members of the city council is Joseph Haas, who represents the third ward. Mr. Haas aspired to the place in the council through a desire to see the interests of his part of the city well taken care of and his constituents have reason to be fully satisfied with his services. Mr. Haas is in business in Haarig and has much property in that locality. He believes in the upbuilding of the city, but wants the work done in a manner that will not prove a hardship on the property owners. Mr. Haas is one of the most influential "city dads" and the Cape is fortunate to have his services.

It is often said that only the busy man has time to devote to public affairs, and this is true. The man who has nothing in particular to do never accomplishes anything and is of but little value to a community. Charles W. Stehr, the Haarig merchant, is one of the most active men in town. His big store receives his special attention and constantly grows bigger. At the same time Mr. Stehr is always ready to serve his city. Whenever the Commercial club takes up a proposition for the betterment of the town he is one of the first men on hand to help do the work. Through his activity and desire to deal fairly with every man, he is recognized as one of Cape Girardeau's best merchants and citizens.

That it pays to be polite and accommodating is proved beyond any question by two gentlemen who conduct a music store on Broadway. A few years ago Messrs. John Atkinson and William Vedder opened a small store on Broadway for the sale of music and musical instruments. Most people said Cape Girardeau isn't big enough for such a store, but these two men were patient and every customer or caller was given the most cordial treatment. Before long the store had developed into a big concern, with as fine and complete a stock of musical goods as can be found in any city, and the business continues to increase. These two gentlemen always have the time to cater to every wish of their patrons. Mr. Atkinson is an expert piano tuner and devotes most of his time to this business. It is doubtful if there is a more proficient man in the business. Mr. Vedder looks after the store and keeps it up to date in every particular. Most any kind of musical instrument can be found there. The store also makes a specialty of phonographs and all kinds of supplies. They are also wholesalers and retailers of post cards.

A few years ago, when a young man opened a furniture and hardware store in Haarig, half of the people in that locality said he wouldn't last long, but they didn't know him. Martin Lorberg was raised near Gordonville, and comes from stock that knows nothing but success. When he took a job in a store as clerk he went there to learn the business and it didn't take him long to do it. Then he opened his store in Haarig and now it is one of the best there. Mr. Lorberg goes on the principal that it pays to deal fairly. He shows every customer the greatest attention and no person can say that he made a mistake at the Haarig Furniture company.

Cape Girardeau has gained much of its distinction through its very able bar. By bar we do not mean, in this instance, the kind that is made of imitation mahogany, but the legal bar, composed of lawyers. The legal bar of Cape Girardeau is composed of a number of very talented gentlemen, who have the ability to take care of a large legal practice, and, at the same time, look after other interests. Hon. Lafayette Caruthers, besides having a big legal practice, devotes much of his time to his farming interests. He has large agricultural interests near Whitewater, where he spends considerable time, and he is rapidly becoming an authority on this subject. The above picture shows Mr. Caruthers standing on the law. This indicates that he does everything 'according to Hoyle.' Under his arm he has a few amendments that will be voted on this fall. On the end of one is the word 'dry.' What this means we hardly know. In the little picture the attorney is shown developing an appetite for supper. Mr. Caruthers is one of Cape Girardeau's best citizens and numbers of his friends by the score.

One of the nicest grocery stores in Haarig is owned by F.F. Braun & Brother. Mr. Braun opened up a little store a few years ago and conducted it so successfully that it was necessary for him to seek larger quarters. Now he has one of the largest and most complete grocery stores in Cape Girardeau. There is not a harder-working and more energetic young man in Cape Girardeau than Mr. Braun. He never fails to give his customers ever possible attention and in this way has won success.

A few years ago, when Cape Girardeau began to dress up, concrete contractors swooped down on the people and some of them everlastingly took advantage of their patrons. Some of the work was so poor that many citizens hesitated to make improvements, but finally the reliable men were discovered, and since then they have had all the work they could do. Tony Haas is one contractor who never has to look for work. He really has more calls than he can attend to. The reason for this is that he invariably does his work well, in fact, a little better than he agrees to do. Much of the most difficult concrete work in Cape Girardeau has been done by Mr. Haas, and it stands like the Rock of Gibraltar. Mr. Haas is deeply interested in the continued advancement of Cape Girardeau, and is a booster for the town in more ways than one.

One of the nicest and most complete little stores in Cape Girardeau is J.W. Stausing's haberdashery on Broadway. For a number of years this young man was a clerk for another Broadway merchant and he made the most of his opportunities. Then he bought a small stock of goods and started in to make friends. Today his stock contains as nice goods as can be found anywhere and his business continues to increase. Mr. Stausing is a progressive merchant and always gives his prestige to every onward movement.

If there's anything on earth that helps a fellow out these warm mornings, it's a few nice slices of bacon or ham. That is, if the bacon and ham is good. Just ordinary, every-day meat causes one to lose his appetite, but there is certain kinds that are simply fine. J.F. Lawler, the butcher at 116 Independence, prides himself on having the finest hams and bacon ever made. He cures his own meat, and has a process all his own. It's no trouble for him to sell his meat, because every customer sticks with him on account of its excellence. Mr. Lawler has one of the finest meat markets in Southeast Missouri, and as he is one of the best meat men to be found anywhere, his stock is always the best.

There probably isn't much pleasure in automobiling in the winter time, or over rough roads and through the mud, but still when a man has a machine he wants to be able to use it day or night, rain or shine, hot or cold. Last winter, when the road to Jackson was so rough that it was nearly impossible to drive a horse there, Walter D. Black made regular trips in a Ford car. Bad roads, snow and rain didn't seem to cut any figure with him. He hauled people then just the same as he is hauling them now, and his Ford machines didn't require any great amount of attention, either. Mr. Black is an expert automobile man. He says he sells the Ford because he has no complaints from his customers. It requires so little to keep them up, and they are always ready for use. Mr. Black is pushing the Fords to the front in Southeast Missouri, and his garage on Independence street attracts many visitors.

One of the most enterprising concerns in Cape Girardeau is the Blue Ribbon, Ice, Fuel & Transfer Company, owned by Paul F. Dietrich & Sons. A.F. Dietrich, one of the sons, is manager, and through his energy every person in town is becoming acquainted with the Blue Ribbon. He was a telegraph operator for the Frisco for a long time, but when he saw how Cape Girardeau is growing, came here to aid in building up a big business. Mr. Dietrich boasts of having the exclusive sale for the genuine Big Muddy Coal, the kind that others try to duplicate. The Dietrichs are a lively lot, and through honorable and progressive business methods are building up a fine business.

About ten years ago, when Southeast Missouri was considered a "howling wilderness," and Cape Girardeau had the reputation of being merely a steamboat landing, a man came down here from St. Louis and started an ice factory. He figured that it wouldn't be long till Southeast Missouri would be crying for ice, and so he would get in on the ground floor. Another thing he did was to put in the best equipment that money would buy, another thing that showed his wisdom. This man was F.M. Morrison. Today the Morrison Ice and Fuel Company is one of the biggest concerns in Southeast Missouri. Ice by the car load is shipped to most every town in this territory, and each year it is necessary for Mr. Morrison to increase his capacity. Since starting his ice plant, Mr. Morrison has added a coal and sand business, and his facilities for handling his immense business cannot be surpassed. Several railroad tracks run into his yards, where there are long rows for sheds and a fleet of sand boats supply the sand from the river. Mr. Morrison takes a great interest in the upbuilding of the city, and tries to do his share of public work.

No institution in Cape Girardeau has made greater efforts to keep pace with the upbuilding of the town than the Black Diamond Coal and Ice Company. A few years ago it was merely a little coal office, with one wagon. During the past two years or more, since it has been under the management of J.C. Buerkle, the business has grown until the concern now occupies fine yards adjoining the C., G. & C. Railroad terminals on South Frederick street, and does a big wholesale business as well as a retail business. Mr. Buerkle is an enthusiastic member of the Commercial Club, and is always ready to do his share of boosting. There is not a more enterprising young man in Cape Girardeau, and through his energy and ability has not only built up a big business, but has made hosts of friends. Mr. Mayer is an expert coal man, who came from Pana, Ill., early this year, and is rapidly becoming an influential citizen.

A few years ago two brothers came to Cape Girardeau to open a real estate office for the sale of Southeast Missouri lands. They had become thoroughly familiar with the resources of this territory, and knew the value of the land to a dot. Before long the Wilson Brothers Realty Company had become known far and wide, and they sold thousands upon thousands of acres of land. In about the same length of time the brothers became recognized as two of our best citizens. Whenever the Commercial Club held a meeting, Joe Wilson was on a front seat ready to do all he could for the town, and he never failed to contribute his money as liberally as anyone. By always taking an interest in every forward movement, he was induced to run for the City Council, and was elected by a great vote. He made such a success as a Councilman that he was again persuaded to serve, and the voters showed their appreciation of his services. Mr. Wilson, besides being in the real estate business, devotes part of his time to a big sawmill at Rombauer. His beautiful home on Broadway shows the great interest he takes in everything, and after his business is looked after, he devotes his leisure hours to automobiling.

Cape Girardeau has the biggest school in Southeast Missouri, the biggest factories, the biggest stores and the biggest of a lot other things. It also has the biggest lawyer in Southeast Missouri and most every citizen knows it. Judge Doris is not only the biggest in size, but he is also one of the biggest as to ability. He has lived in Cape Girardeau but a few years, but he has a practice the equal of most any lawyer in the town. The court records show that Judge Doris is a very successful lawyer and at every term of court his practice grows larger.

A year or so ago, when Postmaster Flentge asked the Postal Department to allow him another mail carrier, the department asked him why. "Because the town is growing so rapidly," answered the postmaster. When the inspector came to see if the town was really growing, he discovered that within a year ninety-nine buildings had been erected. That was over a year ago. Today there are more houses in course of construction than at any time in the history of the Cape. No matter what street you traverse you will find new homes going up, and on most every street you will find Sam Boutin busy. He has built more houses in the Cape in the past few years than any other contractor and his work stands out not only as a credit to the owner and himself, but to the town as well. Not long ago a certain merchant decided to build a nice new home. He told The Republican that he did not have time to look after the work himself, so he called Sam Boutin in and told him to build the house just as cheaply as he could. This shows the confidence placed in Mr. Boutin and illustrates why he is such a busy man. But Mr. Boutin's personal activity doesn't prevent him from doing his duty toward his town. He represents the Second Ward in the Council, and he represents it, too. He gives of his time most freely, and his mechanical ability is used to good effect in the improvement of the streets. Mr. Boutin is just as good a Councilman as he is a builder, which means that he is a good one.

Cape Girardeau has banks and a trust company that can't be beat in the world for the service they render the community. When it comes to doing things for the Cape these financial institutions are always in the lead. The "City of Haarig," which has been making remarkable progress in the past few years, owes much to the Farmers and Merchants bank because it is the safety valve for that section. And much of the popularity of this bank is due to its cashier. There is never a time that Robert Vogelsang isn't waiting to accommodate and please his patrons. He believes that his bank should be run to benefit the people as far as possible with strict business principles and his ability is counting. Mr. Vogelsang is another young man who is ever anxious to do his part of work for Cape Girardeau.

While one would think that the prosecuting attorney of a big county like Cape Girardeau would have more than he could attend to if he confined his attention solely to his official duties, such is not now the case. The present prosecuting attorney never puts anything off till tomorrow, and his duties are looked after as they come to him. So Harry E. Alexander, prosecuting attorney of Cape Girardeau County, has time to do other things beside prosecute. He owns a lot of property in this city, and has time to assist in Commercial Club matters looking toward the betterment of Cape Girardeau. He is always ready to do his share of work for his town, and never misses an opportunity to say good words for Cape Girardeau.

For a good many years Cape Girardeau was unable to say many good words for its water and light service, because it is doubtful if any town had worse service. In the last two years, however, conditions have changed. A new management got control of the plants, and at the present time the idea of the company is to please the public. C.E. Wakeman, the superintendent, puts in his entire time trying to better the service and please the thousands of customers. Since he took charge the water has been clarified, the quality of the gas has been increased, and the light and power service can't be beat. Mr. Wakeman has transformed the service of his company from the worst to the best, and his friends all know it.

About two years ago when E.W. Flentge's term as postmaster expired there was not an applicant for the place against him. Usually there are a dozen men who want to be appointed postmaster, but the attention given the office by Mr. Flentge sufficed to show others that it would be useless to try for the place. President Taft reappointed Mr. Flentge to a second term just as soon as the papers were presented to him, and the Cape can boast the most enterprising postmaster in the country. While there is a great amount of work connected with such an office, Mr. Flentge sees that it is kept up first and then devotes the balance of his time to the upbuilding of Cape Girardeau. It is mighty seldom that he misses a Commercial club meeting, and it's mighty seldom that a soliciting committee, or a committee of any sort, is appointed that he is not on it. And there is never a time that he refuses to act. No man in Cape Girardeau gives more of his time and money to public affairs than E.W. Flentge and for this reason no citizen stands higher in the estimation of the people.

After distinguishing himself as the president of the Commercial Club of Cape Girardeau, Mr. Leming is now making a record as mayor of the city that will perpetuate his name for all time to come. Although one of the most extensive sawmill men and lumber dealers in Southeast Missouri, and having various other interests, he is never too busy to devote time to the welfare of his city. Mayor Leming's ambition is to make of Cape Girardeau the best town in Missouri, and its wonderful growth is due, in a great measure, to his tireless energy and great public spirit.

In ten years Cape Girardeau has grown from the twenty-seventh town in importance in Missouri to the eighth place, and now has the distinction of having more diversified interests than any other city in the state, excepting the three largest. The principal cause for the remarkable growth of Cape Girardeau is the loyalty of its prominent citizens. Mr. David A. Glenn has spent a lifetime here, and the greater part of the time has been devoted to the betterment of the town. There has never been a time that Mr. Glenn was so busy with his own affairs that he could not stop to do something for his town, and his great public spirit has had its effect in every movement that has tended to the upbuilding of the town. Mr. Glenn has earned the distinction of being Southeast Missouri's most prominent merchant. His store is known to everyone in this territory as headquarters for good merchandise, and especially for its absolutely fair treatment. Besides being a merchant, Mr. Glenn is president of the First National bank, and has wide real estate interests. Cape Girardeau hasn't a better citizen in any respect than Mr. Glenn.

When the Missouri Press Association met here, in June, the 200 or more editors could not get through commenting on the wonderful things the Commercial Club had accomplished for Cape Girardeau. "Why, we have a Commercial Club in our town that we thought was a good one, but ours simply isn't in it with yours," was the way most every editor expressed it. Nearly every town has a Commercial club, and most every one is just as inactive as its name is active. The Cape Girardeau Commercial Club has been wideawake for years. It never sleeps, and the results of its activity are seen on every side. I.R. Kelso, the president, is a lawyer. When he doesn't feel called on to devote his time to the upbuilding of Cape Girardeau, he practices law, but it is hard to tell which he is most interested in. He is recognized as one of the ablest attorneys in Southeast Missouri, and there is seldom an important case that he is not connected with. He works day and night for the betterment and upbuilding of Cape Girardeau, and the same interest in his practice has characterized him as one of the best in Southeast Missouri. Cape Girardeau is fortunate in having such a citizen, and it is to be hoped that nothing will interfer with his activities for years to come.

Cape Girardeau now has the distinction of having more diversified interests than any other city in the state, excepting the three largest. It also has the distinction of having some of the biggest manufacturing plants in the state, outside the three largest cities. One of these plants is the Cape Brewery and Ice company. It is said to be the largest brewery in Missouri outside the three cities and there isn't a brewery in the United States that is more complete. A few years ago Dr. Otto E. Forster and Max J. Koeck came here from St. Louis and bought the brewery. Since then they have completely rebuilt and refurnished it at a cost of many thousands of dollars. The brewery is sort of a hobby with them and they stand at no expense to have everything the best possible. Dr. Forster is another citizen who wants to see the Cape grow. Whenever any proposition comes up that will help the town, the doctor invariably hustles around to ask "What can I do to help?" Then he always gives his full share of the money and never loses an opportunity to say encouraging things for his town. No wonder, then, that Dr. Forster is held in such high esteem by every friend to Cape Girardeau.

Most every man has a special hobby. Some men have a profession or business that they are supposed to devote all their time to, but they have an outside hobby that gets a good deal of their attention. With Senator Thos. F. Lane his one hobby is practicing law. He's a lawyer from the word "go" and it's his hobby. Of course he took enough time from his business to be elected state senator from this district when The Republican tried to keep him from it, but now that he's elected The Republican is glad to say that he is making a good official and a mighty good man in the place for Cape Girardeau. Whenever anything comes up in the senate that is for the good of Southeast Missouri, or this city, Senator Lane is busy to get it, and he does not quit until successful. Senator Lane is also a man who wants to see the Cape grow and there is never a time that he fails to do his part.

Cape Girardeau has its full share of distinctions. It was in this very neighborhood where the white settlers began the development of the vast territory west of the Mississippi and since that time many wonderful things have happened. When a citizen of Cape Girardeau announced a year or so ago that he wanted to be United States marshal for the eastern district of Missouri, most every fellow in town laughed at his nerve. There are only two such marshals in the entire state, and for a citizen of Cape Girardeau to ask for such a position was considered simply a big piece of nerve. But when the fellow said he wanted the place he meant it and went to work to get it. Fortunately he was personally acquainted with the president and so when the time for making the appointment came along President Taft told Senator Warner that Edward F. Regenhardt was the man for the place and the appointment was made. President Taft had been made acquainted with Mr. Regenhardt's way of doing things. When he sets his mind on a task he does it with all his might and the president realized that he would make a federal official who would be a credit to his administration. No man in Cape Girardeau has worked harder for the upbuilding of the city and no man says more nice things about the town than Big Ed Regenhardt.