Jeanne Newby
Roy and Ida Williams lived on Madison Street. Roy was the purchasing agent at Myers Motors, at Fifth and Wall streets in Joplin. At home, Roy would make a pot of chili that always brought many compliments from his guests and they would ask for his recipe. So Roy began making packages of his chili powder to sell to those who loved his chili. He would work until the wee hours of the morning filling orders.
Finally in 1952, after 20 years with the Myers Motor Co., Roy quit. He had built a barn behind his house to allow him to make more chili packets, and the business grew. He then started to commercially market the product. Business continued to grow. The business was purchased in 1963 and moved to Lenexa, Kan. It was a shame to lose a manufacturer from Webb City, but Williams Chili seasoning is now distributed all over the United States.
The Webb City Mining Days Committee made Williams Chili every year to serve with its well-known taco salad. Several ladies on the committee would make up lots of chili, freeze it in bricks and thaw as needed each day of the Mining Days Celebration. No other chili would do but Williams Chili!
A friend, James Toutz, says he loves to make Williams Chili for his friends, as they always love it, and he is proud to say that the business started in good ole Webb City.
While serving in the Navy, Stan Newby’s mother’s care packages included packages of Williams Chili Seasoning as a touch of home!
Another Webb City business that started in a garage was Dawson Furniture Co. Alfred and Alma Dawson started Dawson Cabinet Co. behind their house at 712 W. Daugherty St. Alfred began his career of creating with wood at the Edson Casket Co. in Webb City. This talent carried him into World War II, where he continued to share his skill in making caskets.
Returning home, Alfred went to work for Heirloom Furniture Co. in Joplin. In his spare time, he would work in the garage crafting reproductions and restoring antiques. Alfred did not work alone, as the entire family joined in on the hard work. Alma, Gary, Jim and Jack were taught by the master, and business grew.
They eventually left the garage for bigger facilities and in 1957 the Dawson Cabinet Co. was officially established on Main Street in Carterville. The business was launched into mass production and became nationally known when Montgomery Ward offered the solid oak furniture in a catalog. Later on 17th Street, the business continued to be a family organization, with several generations working together. What a legacy left by Alfred Dawson – and it began in his garage!
Garages have uses other than storing a car… or should I say some garages actually are used for storing a car! Many garages are used for garage sales, which does not mean the garage is for sale, just the contents laid out in hopes of clearing out the garage to make room for the car. But, alas, it never seems to happen. Sports items usually find a home in the garage, including balls, bats, 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, golf clubs, etc. Those sports tend to take up time that could be used for cleaning out the garage to house the car… but playing sports is much more fun!
After mentioning that W.H. Perry Jr. started at a young age selling magazines, pop, candy bars, etc. there has been mention of many selling opportunities for youth through the years. I, myself remember selling garden seeds. I never made any money but I learned about commitment, paying for items ordered and “not counting your chickens before they hatch!”
Others have mentioned selling greeting cards, boxed candy, Girl Scout cookies, Avon, the Grit newspaper and other door-to-door sales. Many memories revolve around the classic curbside lemonade stands. How about trying to find homes for cute little kittens?
I remember as a child (about 7), going door to door with a friend selling tickets to a school activity. We knew it was getting late, but we kept thinking the next house was the one that was going to buy the rest of our tickets. Well, we knocked on a door and a kid from our school answered the door and grinning from ear to ear. He said, “Hey, you guys were just on the television… you’re missing!” Whoa! We took off running and trying to think of something real smart to say when we got home. We knew we were in trouble, though, and no matter how cute we tried to be, it wouldn’t help. My mind has blocked out the consequences of our outing, so I will assume we were met with loving arms, glad to see us.
