A photographer around 1900 took this picture of the Lakeside Hotel (left) and the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway Company powerhouse. The canopy in the foreground was over the streetcar waiting area.

Old News

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Lakeside business, including 200 bathing suits, sold for $200 110 years ago

This is the list of items included in the sale of the Lakeside Boating Company in 1914. The purchase price of $200 would equal about $6,000 in today’s dollars.

In 1913, a group of Webb City men purchased the Lakeside Boating and Bathing Company from Dollie Bascom. The men were T. A. Harbaught, W. H. Gray, Edwin R. Justin, E. J. Pratt, W. E. McMechan and D. C. Morris.

In 1916, T. A. Harbaugh, Edwin R. Justin and Arthur L. Justin formed a partnership for the purpose of carrying on a general shooting gallery, ball throwing device, novelty and amusement business at Lakeside Park. 

They named their company The Lakeside Amusement Company and leased space at the park from the owners of the Southwest Missouri Rail Road Company. Arthur L. Justin would serve as the manager of the company.

The owners of The Lakeside Amusement Company sold the business to J. E. Bean on May 1, 1919.

A 1918 statement for the Lakeside Bath House and Boating Company showed expenditures for the Bath House were $1,703.48 and $774.08 for the Boat House. Receipts for bathing were $3,020.60 and $1,765.85 for boating. After deducting expenditures and a donation of $25 to the Red Cross, dividends were $2,280 for the year. This amounts to approximately $52,000 in today’s dollars. Dividends were less in 1919 due to the purchase of a motorboat for $533.50 (freight 58.00) along with two row boats and a Sponson canoe with spruce paddles.

These documents and photographs belonged to the family of Edwin and Gertrude (McCafferty) Justin. Edwin was born on April 22, 1876, in Kansas. He was the son of Horatio and Ellen (Parker) Justin. Edwin married Gertrude McCafferty on Oct. 2, 1904, in Webb City. They were the parents of two children, Eldon Raymond Justin and Mary Ellen Justin. 

Edwin Justin worked for the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway Company as an inspector and superintendent. During this time he became a partner in the Lakeside Boating and Bathing Company and started the Lakeside Amusement Company with his brother, Arthur Justin. Arthur was working as a conductor for the railway company and was married to Georgia Olive Rockwell during this time period.

Edwin and Gertrude lost both of their children due to tragic circumstances. Raymond died in 1925 at the age of 19 from typhoid fever. Mary Ellen was shot and killed by her boyfriend at the age of 31. Edwin continued to work for the railway company until about 1930, when he is listed as the owner of a grocery store. He later became the city clerk. Gertrude died on Feb. 20, 1959, and Edwin died about 10 years later on Jan. 23, 1969.

The Justin family is buried at Pine Cemetery located north of Neck City.

This was the E.R. Justin home at Lakeside, circa 1900. It is most likely that the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway uniform is worn by either Edwin Justin or his brother, Arthur Justin.

Gertrude Justin, her brother, Earl, and son, Raymond (with the calf).

Edwin Justin’s brothers, Arthur and Walter Justin.

Sentinel bound volumes are now in the Genealogy Room

The WCAGS has accepted ownership of the complete collection of bound volumes of the Webb City Sentinel, from 1983 (after the fire) until the final issue on Dec. 30, 2020.

Those issues can also be viewed on microfilm, along with much older issues.

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

WCAGS members staff the Genealogy Room on the third floor of the Webb City Public Library. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Genealogy Room.

Everything you want to know about Jasper County Missouri Schools is available at a site compiled by Webb City Area Genealogical Society member Kathy Sidenstricker.