Early Webb City needed lots of hardware

As Webb City was prospering, many folks came from other towns to establish businesses in the fast growing city. In 1892, a gentleman by the name of J.J. Harrison from Garnett, Kan., made the journey to Webb City and purchased two lots on the northeast corner of Third and Allen (Main) streets, 223 S. Allen St. He built a two-story frame building. By this time, it was mandatory to build with brick, but that was only in the original business section of Webb City. Since Harrison had decided to locate further south, he did not have that restriction to abide.

Harrison loaded his two-story business with hardware, and Harrison Hardware was born. Many area businessmen kind of snickered at Harrison’s location since he was a distance from the business center of town, and they assumed that Harrison’s move was very unwise and risky.

But Harrison proved them wrong as he began to make himself felt in business circles. Within 16 months, it became necessary for him to hire more employees. He sold one-half interest in his stock to G.W. Lawyer, who was also from Garnett, and a partnership was born.

One year into the partnership, business grew at such a pace that Harrison built another building of the same size, which was connected to the original building. He also added a two-story wareroom (warehouse) and another store room. Now the main floor of the building was 75 x 100, and every nook and cranny was filled with hardware, mining supplies, plumbing fixtures and a tinners’ department.

In 1894, J.J. Casmire, from Iola, Kan., who had been working as a tinner for 35 years, took over the Tinners’ Department, and the firm changed its name to Harrison, Lawyer & Co. The company employed eight people, and business continued to grow.

Sadly being a frame building, it did not survive the years.

As early as 1919, there was a grocery store at that address, 223 S. Allen (Main). It started out as Daniel Brothers Grocery. The name changed through the years. Two of the names were Crakers and Crutchers. I remember the small building at 223 S. Main in the early ’60s when it was called The Little Market. Ron Johnston purchased the Little Market, changed the name to Quik Pick and did a great business. There was a church located to the north, and eventually Johnston purchased the land to build a larger market, including gas pumps. (That’s the building that is still standing.)

Harrison, Lawyer & Co. had a bit of competition, as the L. Wallace Builders’ Hardware Store was located at 211 N. Allen (Main) St. It was established in 1906, but Wallace had been in business since 1899. Wallace Hardware provided tinware, graniteware, gas fixtures and fittings, washing machines, ball-bearing machines, gas stoves, and sporting goods. Wallace also managed to keep his prices very low.

There was also D. Bolton Hardware, with plumbing and stove supplies. Starting business in 1909, Bolton was located at 307 W. Daugherty St.

The Henrickson Murray Hardware was established in 1879 when Webb City was in her beginning years and supplies were needed in abundance.

It is odd that when we think of a hardware store today, we imagine items for construction and repair in homes and businesses that include wiring, plumbing etc. But in the beginning of the 20th Century the main items in many hardware stores tended to lean toward mining supplies.

They say competition is a good thing, and I am sure it is for the buyer, as the businesses compete for your business. But for the businessman it probably isn’t that great… probably a little nerve racking! 

But the hardware business did not have the competition that grocery stores, cafes and saloons had in Webb City.

Those of us who have lived here for awhile will remember the Webb City Hardware on Daugherty Street, Steve’s Hardware on Madison Street, Wallace’s Webb City Hardware on Webb Street and now Hinkle’s Hardware on Madison Street. And if you have a really good memory you might even recall Lee & Rogers Hardware Surplus on Main Street in the Century Building. That place had everything!

This has just been a mingling of long ago and today. Changes take place all the time, but it is nice to take a moment to remember the old times.