The Camden chronicle. (Camden, S.C.) 1888-1981, May 23, 1924, Image 3
Who's Who in Business in Camden fft;
A Few Interesting Facts About Those Who Are Striving To Build Camden as a Better Business Center
Rhame Brothers, Inc.
Id any auction of the country where
agriculture is the backbone of indus
try tho businesses that cater to the
needs of the farmer will always be
found to pluy an important part in
the alfairs and progress of the com-^
munity.
Among such Camden ' establish
ments, the firm of Rhame Brothers
stands out as onp of the leaders in
this 4 respect for they control h large
trfide in outlying territory and have
built up a large business during the
twenty-three years they have been in
business.
They are large dealers in live stock,
wagons, buggies and farming machin
. ory of all kinds. They also receive
a big volume of business as local
dealers for the famous line of Purina
chows, the nationally known stock
feeds.
They have been at the same loca
tion on the corner of Broad ami
Arthur streets since 1911 and their
building here covers 4,500 feet ? of
floor space. Their live stock, wagon,
buggy and farm machinery lines are
also handled at their sales stable oh
ftutledge street. In addition to this
they have warehouse capacity to ac
commodate seven 'hundred bales of
cotton, these buildings covering 6,000
feet of space.
The officers of this firm are J. E.
Rhame, president; B. W, Rhame, vice
president, and G. A. Rhame, secretary
and treasurer. All of these men are
natives of Kershaw County and
Tooked upon as ones who have the
welfare and progress Of the commun
ity at heart at all times. In addition
to this they have farming interests.
Mr. G. A. Rhame Is a director of the
Bank of Camden, the Enterprise
Building and Loan Association and
several other local' Enterprises.
Home Furbishing Company .
"Complete outfitters for the home,*'
is the slogan and anyone visiting
their store and looking over their
attractive stocks of furniture, car
pets, rugs, stoves, ranges, pianos and
musical instruments will have, to ad
mit that the Home Furnishing Com
pany is in a position to- live up to
their name.
This firm was incorporated in 1920
with W. C. Smith, president; A. C.
King, secretary, and Gus Beleos,
treasurer. All of these gentlemen
are progressive business men and
well known in Camden. They are
boosters for their home city and
are always found ready and willing
to take part in any movement which
tends to the advancement and prog
ress of the community.
Mr. Smith has spent practically a
life time in the furniture business
and Mr. King was formerly with S.
W. Parker. Mr. Beleos in addition to
his interest in this business is owner
of the Camden Candy Kitchen.
The home of the Home Furnishing
Company is centrally located and oc
cupies three floors 33 by 180 feet with
two large warehouses at the rear of
the store. They -' are dealers for
Brunswick phonographs and high
grade pianos. Their complete stocks
of furniture are selected for beauty,
quality and servicability and offer a
choice selection that offers little ex
cuse for anyone buying out of town
the lines of merchandise they repre
sent.
Mackey Mercantile Company
This progressive firm is 'too well
known throughout this territory to
need any special mention at this time
for, since being organized and incor
porated under the present manage
ment in 1918 this firm has forged
steadily ahead and has made an en
viable reputation for themselves.
This business was originally estab
lished about fifty years ago by A. D.
Kennedy who conducted it with suc
cess for many years. Mr. W. II.
Pearce, manager of the present firm
? was connected with. Mr. Kennedy in
this business before the re-organiza
tion in 1918 when the business was
Incorporated wilh ~ Mr. John T.
Mackey, president and Mr. F. M. _
Jones, secretary and treasurer. Mr.
Mackey, a native of Heath Springs,
S. C., has been a resident of Camden
for the? past twenty years. For
years, he was cashier of. the First
National Bank but had to resign from
this, position on account of his health.
Mr. F. M. Jones is also a well known
business man of this city which is his
native home.
The Mackey Mercantile Company
handles a 4orge stock of hardware,
sporting goods, *farm implements,
paints and oils. They are also dealers
in lime, plaster and cement. Their
up-to-date store occupies two floors
37 by 90 feet and in addition they
have a warehouse 7^ . by 100 feet.
Delivery service is given and in all
five are kept busy looking after the
trade.
W. G. Wilson
"Where your grandmother used to
trade" might be a good slogan for
the obove firm which has been in con
tinuous operation since 1807. This is
one of the old and substantial firms
of Camden and although naturally the
management has been changed sev
eral times during these years it is
really the same business which was
started in civil war days.
The present head of- the business
succeeded the firm of 8. M. 'Wilson
. & Sd? in 1912 and associated with
W. G. Wilson today is his sonf W, Q,
Wilaon, Jr., a progressive young
business man of the city who Has
; made a success in ike mercantile ttne
of his forefathers. Mr. W. O. Wil- /
son is a respected eitixen und a prom
incut business ny*n of Camden. In
addition to his mercantile business he
is a director in ib Hank of Camden
and always takes a personal and
;u live interest in any activities which
lend to the betterment and progress
of his home city.
At this store you will find a well
seleeted stock of dry goods, fancy
goods, clothing und shoes and in the
stocks on display you will see many
brands bearing the names of the
country's best mtfnufacturera. You
may trade here with the assurance
that you will receive reliable mer
chandise and a courteous, efficient
service. This business has been a
Camden booster for over a half
century.
;U'.v' """? ?
Lang's Grocery
Lang's High Grade Grocery is one
of real merit and one that is a real
asset. to Camden. It carries a com
plete fresh stock of high grade staple
and fancy groceries which is attrac
tively displayed and the slogan of the
business, "Quality First," is adhered
to in every respect. Here you will
find tempting delicacies for the table
of every description 'and one visiting
the store cannot help but have his
appetite whetted by the many good
things to eat he sees on display. In
addition to giving quality, this up-to
date store atao gives good value and
the prices at which the goods are
sold will be found most reasonable.
No wonder then, that Lang's is a pop
ular trading place and enjoying the
trade of the best people of the city.
Among the many N well known leaders
in the lines handled here will be found
such well known lines as Chase &
Sanborn's coffee, Ferris hams and
bacon, etc. They are exclusive dealers
in Camden for Pansy flour and the
sale of Klim. Delivery is made both
? by bicycle and truck and six people
are employed in looking after the
business.
Mr. J. K. Lang, who is one of the
substantial, live wir6 business men
of Camdert first established this busi
ness eighteen years ago. He has re
sided in this city practically all of
his life and prior to entering busirtfess
for himself he was with E. F. Wat
kins in the same line for seven years.
Camden Furniture Company
Any business which has been serv
ing the public for nearly, twenty-four
years such as the above firm has
justly claims to an important place
in the minds of the buying public.
It must have given good service and
good value or it would never have
weathered through all these business
years.
Mr. Arthur Smith, the owner and
proprietor of this business is a native
of Kershaw County and first came to
Camden to live in 1905. His store at
1036 Broad street is a first-class
establishment in every respect. Two
floors are used covering a floor space
of 5,100 square feet and nine people
are employed in carrying on the busi
ness. Trade is received from over a
wide radius and delivery is made any
where within a radius of seventy-five
miles of Camden. In addition to the
store a large warehouse is maintained
and a large Btock of handsome and
dependable furniture and house fur
nishings is carried at all times. You
will find hereN also a. stock of high
grade pianos featuring the well
known Schultz. They are also dealers
for the f?m6us.V Edison phonographs
and Victrolas. The Free, White and
Standard seVving machines are
handled here as well as such well
known lines as Jewel stoves and
ranges, Sellers kitchen cabinets,
White Mountain Refrigerators and
Florence Oil Cook Stoves. The stock
also includes a supply of cofTins and
caskets. Merchandise is sold at
either eash or credit to suit the con
venience of the customer and all and
all it will be. found a most satisfac
tory place to trade.
Rush Lumber Company
The "Trade at Home" idea not only
applieH to the buying of clothing,
hardware, drugs, groceries, and other
iteme used in every day life, but also
to lumber ancj building material as
well and Camden is very fortunate
in having a business of this kind bo
well equipped to siipply all building
needs as the Rush Lumber Company
which handles a large trade in lum
ber, shingles, lathes, brick, plaster,
lime and cement.
This firm, formerly the Guy Lum
ber Co., has been in operation under
the present management for the paat
eighteen months. They sell at both
wholesale , and retail and receive
orders from throughout this Rection.
They carry a large stock of lumber,
and make a specialty of furnishing
high grade interior finish and are
noted for fine cabinet work furnishing
a quantity of the sash, doors and
blinds that go into building opera
tions around Camden.
Their plant, located on DeKalb
street is well equipped with the
latest wood-working machinery for
* turning out the best kind of work}
including a planer, moulder, band
saw, rersaw rip-saw, cut-off saw, and
knife grinding tool.
The officers of this company are
all Camden men of wide practical
experience in the lumber business and
they are all boosters fa??their home
city. Mr. H. Savage ia jfTesident, Mr.
W. A. Hush, vice-president and treas
_v urer and Mr. JL E, Campbell is secre
tary. The Rush Lumber Company is
a worth while enterprise and one
that is helping build Camden in more
ways than one.
Electrik Maid Bake Shop
"Women can do things." This fact
is being demonstrated more and more
all over the country by the succcssfs
made by women in various callings
and varied lines of endeavor.
In Camden we have another .ex
ample of what can be accomplished
by the. ? twentieth-century business
woman in the establishment* of the
Eleotrik Maid Bake Shop.
Mrs. Sanders took .charge of this
business three years ago. Under her
efficient management the Electrik
Maid has come to be the center of
supply for a large number of Camden
families who appreciate and demand
the beat things in life. The luscious
breads and tasty pastries turned out
by this bakery have made a reputa
tion for themselves in and around
Camden and people who use the prod
ucts of this concern know that the
products are as wholesome and clean
as they are good to the taste.
Everything about the Electrik Maid
Bakery is spotlessly clean and the ut
most care is used to keep it so. All
baking is done \yjth electricity and
only the purest of ingredients are
used. People appreciate the idea and
system used in the modern electric
bakery for nearly everyone is par
ticular about what they eat. They
wantl to know that it is not only pure
and 1 healthful, but also that it is
baked under elean and sanitary con
ditions. A visit to the Electrik Maid
will satisfy you as to these facts in
short order. ...
The Fashion Shop
Any project which has for its ob
ject the advancement of the commun
ity through the use of publicity sub
scribed to and financed by the public
spirited business men of the city, is
pretty apt to be a true barometer of
those who really and truly have the
interests of their city at h$art.
: In this respect, it was a pleasure
for the writer while in Camden to
meet men of the type of H. L. Schlos
burg antT A. S. Karesh, proprietors
of Camden's style headquarters, The
Fashion Shop, not simply for the
reason that they readily endorsed the
plan to advertise Camden as a trad
ing -center, but because they entered
into the plan so whole heartedly
without thought of personal gain. It
is broad-minded men of this calibre
that are the mainstays in the prog
ress of any community.
The Fashion Shop, located at the
corner of Broad and DeKalb streets
is a quality shop for ladies in every
sense of the word. Since being estab
lished here three years ago they have
filled a real want in supplying those
who appreciate and demand the better
things in wearing apparel. For this
reason they must have kept a great
deal of trade in Camden that might
otherwise have jcone to the larger
cities.
Their store which has a floor space
of 4,700 square feet is beautifully
finished and arranged and fitted with
mahogany fixtures of the latest de
sign. It has special fitting rooms for
the use of customers and a courteous,
helpful service is furnished by the
management. Ladies' ready-to-wear
and millinery are the lines featured
by this specialty shop. As an index
to the quality of merchandise they
handle we noticed Betty Wales
dresses, Wooltex coats and . Gossard
'corsets in their stocks.
The Bank^of Camden -
Hanks are often referred to as the
barometers of . business. They cer
tainly are an index to a community,
one by which every city,, whether
large or small, is judged by the out
side world.
No better indication of the pros
perity of Camden and Kershaw
county can be found than _ in the
record of the Bank of Camden.
This institution was established in
1888. It is by far the oldest and
the strongest bank in Kershaw
county. It has enjoyed a sound and
healthy growth during"?!! these years
and its last statement issued at the
close of business March, 1924, shows
capital stock paid in as $100,000,
surplus fTOO.OOO and undivided- profits
of over $24,000. It has made an
enviable record and has the entire
confidence of the community.
Naturally for a bank to succeed in
this way, two things are required.
First it must be located in a pros
perous community, and second, it
must be well officered and directed.
? In this respect the Bank of Camden
is exceptionally fortunate, for it
would be difficult to improve on the
officers who have charge of its
affairs.
II. G. Carrison is president, C. H.
Yates, vice-president; H. G. Carrison,
Jr., cashier; M. B.? Williams, assis
tant cashier, and D. A. Boykin, assis
tant cashier. Its list of directors also
includes prominent business men
who are recognized for their ability.
This is the bank of rank and file, the
bank that supports every move for a
bigger and better Camden.
t . -
Camden Wholesale Grocery
One of the chief business forces In
extending the prestige of any city, in
outside territory is its wholesale
houses and in this respect Camden is
well represented. As one of the
leaders the Camden Wholesale Groc
ery in supplying the retailers over a
wide territory not only helps mater
ially in building Camden as a busi
ness center but acts as a constant ad
vertisement for dU city.
The firm occupies extensive quar
ters in buildings that cover 0,000 fast
of floor space lodated near the
A. C. L. and Southern tracks. Thoy
I. ..11.11. Iuiri' trade in flour, hay.
main, foods ami all kinds of package
and fancy groceries. Thoy aro cotton
merchants and dealers in fertiliser
on a largo scale. t
Ttje Caindon Wholesale Grocery is
officered by men who have made a
success in' this lino of business and
aro popular with the trade. Mr. F.
M. Wooton, president of the concent
and originally fron\ North Carolina,
has been a resident of Camden for
the past twenty years. Mr. H. I..
Riehey, secretary also is well known
having had connections here for the
past fourteen years when he came
to this section from Ohio.
The firm was first established in
1004 and has been in continuous oper
ation since that date. This is one of
the substantial businesses of the city
and the, men behind it are broad
minded and progressive the type that
are always ready and willing to lend
their aid in any project that has for
its advancement the moral and
material welfare of the community.
G. L. BlackwcH
A visitor to Camden' is at once im
pressed with the large and attractive
store of G. L. Black well, jeweler and
optometrist, which is located on
Broad stteet in the heart of Camden's
retail business district. The fixtures,
stock and size of this store would do
credit to a city much larger than
Camden. It is a high class estab
lishment in every respect and cannot
help but be a valuable asset to the
city. Mr. Blackwell has been in busi
ness at this same location for the past
seventeen years. An expert in the
jewelry line, he is also a graduate
optometrist and gives his personal
attention to this part of his business.
Aside from the very attractive
stock of watches, jewelry, cut glass,
etc., we noticed here many pretty
articles appropriate as graduation
presents and school medals.
The firm does expert watch repair
ing and has a reputation for reliabil
ity and the best of workmanship.
Mr, G. B. Moseley has been connected
with the business for several years.
Mr. Blackwell is a native of Cam
den and a staunch booster for his
home city. Aside from his jewelry
business he also has large farming
interests in this section. He is popu
lar with all who know him and de
serves much credit for giving Cam
den a store of this high type. Why
buy jewelry away from home? You
will have no trouble in finding it at
Blackwell's and you may be certain
of receiving honest . value for the
amount you spend.
Olympia Cafe
One of the most lasting impres
sions a "Visitor to a city receives is
received from its restaurants and
hotels during his stay. For no mat
ter how favorable the other features
of the place may be, unless the inner
man is satisfied while he is there,
nothing else he sees will "look just
right."
, Camden is fortunate in having a
restaurant of the class of the Olym
pia Cafe where one may dine with
the assurance that he will receive
well cooked food and good service at
all times.
"Good things to eat," is the slogan
of the Olympia, and the customer
here will find that as much care and
attention is given in supplying a
glass of milk and a sandwich as the
most elaborate meal. "
Mr. Alex Papajohn, the proprietor
of this cafe, is as experienced restau
rant man and was formerly in busi
ness in Detroit, Mich., before coming
to Camden and taking 6ver his pres
ent business five years ago. He takes
a pergonal interest in seeing that
each customer is served right and
a personal pride in keeping his place
of business absolutely clean and sani
tary.
The Olyhipia has a large seating
capacity and gives employment to six
people. It is prominently situated on
Broad street in the center of the busi
ness section and enjoy* a good trade
from homo people as well as the trav
eling public.
Standard Grocery Company
?Standard quality and standard
service, plus reasonable prices is
what you get at the Standard Grocery
Company ? that live, up-to-the-minute
store that was opened here in August
1022. This modern grocery carries
a complete variety of both staple and
fancy groceries as well as fruits,
vegetables and imported delicacies
for the table of those who want the
best. Quick service is a special fea
ture of the business and they make
four city deliveries a day within the
city. This fact alone means a great
deAl* to the average housewife for
grocery orders in a great majority of ^
homes are given only when the re
quired articles are needed, many
times at the last minute, and people
do not like delays when it comes to
meal time.
The store is well arranged and the
stock is well displayed with modern
fixtures which give it a, most invit
ing appearance.\ Although not one of
the largest stores, every foot of the
interior is used to best advantage.
Mr. A. G. Drawdy, the manager of
this business, is a native of Walter
boro, S. and has lived in Camden
for the past three yearn. ! Hiring his
residence hers he has made cou^ai
friends with the people of this sej^gs
tion and is ahtftps ready and willing
. to ifcythintf that will help build a
bigger and hosier Camden. ? -
Camden Floral Company
"^'lowers for all occasions" is the
way the CamdeH Floral Company ad
vertises and any visitor l<? the beauti
ful and extensive plant which iH lo
cated near the Court Inn at the edge
of the city cannot fail but In- im
pressed with the fact that this com
pany is in a position to All any order
of any size. Here you will see well
kept hot houses of the latest design
and just multitudes of the most
beautiful flowers in all stages of
growth. Carnations, sweet peas,
chrysanthemums, narcissus, violets,
snapdragons and pot plants in variety
are on every hand for shipment and
the scale upon which this business is
conducted will be a surprise to many
who are not familiar with thy scope
of operations of the Camden Floral
Company. For be it known that this
Arm not only does a large local busi
ness but does a large wholesale busi
ness as well making shipments to
nearby cities and distant points.
Needless to say a floral business
such as this is a real asset toiCam
den and Mr. William L. Goodale, the
president, and his associates, deserve
a great deal of crodit for their pro
grcssiveness and * the success they
have made,
If you wish to "Say it with
ttowers" you will surely flnd here just
whnt you wish, for in conveying the
message end one of the most perti
nent messages this business holds
forth is to "buy at home."
Farmers Grocery
Supplying the farmer as the i^me
would imply, the Farmer's Grocery
handles a large trado from through
out this territory and their store has
come to be buying headquarters for
a large list of country people. Of
course some city trade is also re
ceived, but the main business is con
ducted in supplying the farm with all
their needs in both heavy and fancy
groceries, hardware and a miscellan
eous stock of useful articles for the
home and the farm. 1
Mr. W. R. Gardner, sole owner of
this business which was first started
in 1920, purchased the complete in
terest two years ago and under his
efficient management the firm is en
joying a healthy trade, employing in
all, six people to look after its in
terests. Mr. Gardner, who is a native
of Kershaw County has a wide ac
quaintance throughout this territory,
and is recognized as a progressive
business man who has the interests
of his home city at heart at all times.
Prior to entering his present business
he was in charge of the State Farm
for a number of years. V *
The store of the Farmers Grocery
is well located and has a floor space
covering some 5,600 square feet and
has a substantially built warehouse
department with concrete floor where
are carried large stocks of the lines
handled which are sold at both whole
sale and retail. ?
Enterprise Mercantile Co.
This firm, composed of Messrs.
R. B. DeLoache, E. P. Truesdale, and
Willis Sheorn have an attractive
store and do a flourishing business in
general merchandise. All of these
gentlemen arc natives of Camden and
have a large following of friends
throughout this territory. They are
known as public spirited business men
who are boosters of their home at all
times and they have shown their
faith in the future of this section by
the building of this business which
was first established in 1012.
This store carries lines of dry
tfoods, notions, clothing, furnishings,
and millinery. The stocks of goods
are well arranged and displayed to
the best advantage, and they receive
trade from both city and ... country
territory!" The business occupies a
floor space of 30 by 125 feet and four
people are kept busy in looking after
the trade.
Perhaps this establishment may be
.said to appeal especially to the coun
try resident for here the farmer may
come and make practically all his
selections under one roof. Prices are
as low as quality will admit and a
pleasant service is furnished cus
tomers.
McLeod-Rush Company
This store is a busy place at all
times and handles a large volume of
the best trade of the city. It is an
up-to-date concern in every respect
and carries a complete stock of heavy
and fancy groceries as well as fresh
meats to supply the tables of its
many customers. During the two
years the firm has been in operation
it has built up a nice business which
continues to grow and expand under
the efficient management of its active
manager, Mr. W. L. Rush, who is a
Kershaw County man and one who is
well and favorably known throughout
this section, Mr. Rush is a Jive wire
business man and one who has al
ways been a booster for his home
city. He gives his entire time and
his best effort to the business and
his pleasant personality has won for
him a Large following among the buy
ing public.
The stor& of the McLeod-Rvsh,
Company is clean and well arranged
and presents a most inviting appear
ance to the caller. It is of ample
dimensions covering ill all about
5,000 feet of floor space. Aside from
the regular linc?> of groceries they'
handle, ihi? firm does a large toil
ness in stock and dairy feeds, and $?'
this reepeet feetuie thg r; welter:
krtfrWn FulkO-JSip line which is recog
nitor all ore* the country as one of
the leaders.