Funding the American Dream: Camaraderie in a Small Town

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Elsberry, Missouri has never been a particularly large or wealthy town. The community’s biggest claim to fame is Congressman Clarence Cannon. While the community’s history is rather modest, moments of grandeur do shine through. For example: in the early 20th century, a club advocating and inciting economic advancement in Elsberry was formed. This “Commercial Club,” started in 1924, raised funds and advocated for the community, successfully brought business and hundreds of jobs into the community.

In December of 1924, Elsberry was preparing for big changes. The Elsberry Democrat, in an article titled "Will Try For a New Shoe Plant", published the following blurb: “W.A. Scott, W.H. Lampe, and J. Cunningham, of St. Louis, were here Tuesday in conference with some of our citizens with reference to the establishment of a shoe factory in Elsberry.” Although it seemed a rather inconsequential meeting, it was, in fact, a momentous occasion for the community. The businessmen from St. Louis, Messrs. Lampe, Cunningham, and Scott, had experienced unexpected growth of their women’s novelty shoe company. At the time, they only had one factory operating in St. Louis. The output of this factory no longer met the demand for their shoes, so expansion was necessary. The three men told town officials (who had in turn informed the Elsberry Democrat) that they were looking to build a large factory, capable of employing at least four hundred fifty workers, producing up to fifteen hundred pairs of shoes each day. The businessmen from St. Louis were eager to discuss the terms of occupation in Elsberry. General items, agreed upon by city and company representatives on the day of their first meeting, stated that Elsberry would foot the initial bill of building the factory.

The most surprising part of the entire agreement was the expectation that the citizens of Elsberry would fund the construction and purchase all manufacturing tools used within the factory. An estimated cost of $30,000 to $35,000 would need to be raised in order to bring the factory into Elsberry. This sum of $35,000 was absolutely huge in the early 20th century. Today, that amount of cash would be equal to about $400,000.(1) Within the week following the initial deal, the small rural community of Elsberry had managed to raise $28,000, (2)or the equivalent of nearly $330,000 today. (3) Eighty percent of the required funds had been collected, and they were on track to raise funds that were sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the Lampe Co.

On December 19th, the Elsberry Democrat listed all of the contributors to the fund. Contributors included other local businesses such as the Bank of Lincoln County and the Farmers Co-Op. Elevator Co, as well as citizens like Clarence Cannon, Dr. A. M. Taylor, and Jos. R. Palmer. A culture of camaraderie had clearly developed within the town, and the citizens willingness to propel each other was displayed throughout historical records. Throughout the life of the project, hundreds of people would commit financial pledges to the shoe factory fund, a majority of which consisting of only twenty-five or fifty dollars. (4) The project was completely supported by the community.
Initially the company seemed mostly disinterested with the town.(5) Their first meeting with town officials was brought about by a community member from New Hope with lots of influence among the group of businessmen. In fact, the first meeting in Elsberry was held after meetings with many other small towns in Illinois and Missouri.
Despite these uncertain conditions, the shoe company seemed excited by the “progressive spirit displayed by citizens of Elsberry…” (6) They were amazed at the ability of this small community to raise such a large amount of money in such a short period. What started two weeks prior as a visit brought about by “outside pressure” (7) advanced to an agreement between all parties to build the factory in Elsberry.

The new year brought with it rejuvenated efforts and more turmoil regarding the proposed shoe factory. The first half of January saw the raising of still more funds for the construction of the plant, and options received for property large enough to house two factories, each 50x175 feet. (8) Prices for any materials needed for construction of the factory had been obtained. Blueprints were made available, contracting bids had been considered, and many more community members had submitted money to the construction fund.

Acquisition of the land that would be used by the W.H. Lampe Shoe Co. for construction and operation of a state-of-the-art women’s novelty shoe factory was stalled for several days in February of 1925 because of reluctance to sign the deed on the part of the landowners wife.(9) The property, “located on the west side of the Scenic Highway, just across the street from the Standard Oil Company’s property,” was owned by a Mr. Black at the time.(10)

In January, members of the Shoe Factory Construction Committee attained a thirty day option from Mr. Black for $1,800. The community had come together in a novel way, financing opportunities for their neighbors to find employment and attain happiness within the community. They recognized the factory as an investment in their community that would pay dividends for years to come. After the building was built, it spent a few years occupied by the Lampe Co., then several decades occupied by the Wells Lamont Glove Co. (a company that employed nearly 500 people at one time), hosted an auto parts exchange, a furniture store, and the remainder of its life as an apartment building. Sadly, this major part of Elsberry’s economic history was torn down. It had sat, dilapidated and condemned, for a few years until Mr. Heitman’s wrecking crew brought it down. Now the property is empty, but perhaps it will once again host some beacon of local industry. There is nothing left to do but wait.

1 https://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/uscompare/
2 “SHOE FACTORY BONUS RAISED.” The Elsberry Democrat, 19 Dec. 1924.
3 https://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/uscompare/
4 Multiple Democrat articles ranging from the 19th of December to the 6th of February.
5 “WILL TRY FOR A SHOE PLANT.” The Elsberry Democrat, 12 Dec. 1924.
6 “MODERN SHOE PLANT CERTAIN.” The Elsberry Democrat, 26 Dec. 1924.
7 “WILL TRY FOR A SHOE PLANT.” The Elsberry Democrat, 12 Dec. 1924.
8 “SHOE PLANT SITE APPROVED.” The Elsberry Democrat, 16 Jan. 1925.
9 “SHOE FACTORY BIDS SOUGHT.” The Elsberry Democrat, 6 Feb. 1925.
10 “SHOE FACTORY BIDS SOUGHT.” The Elsberry Democrat, 6 Feb. 1925.