Continuing history of Newcastle’s oldest store

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
With Leonard Cash
 
Historian Leonard Cash continues his series on the Newcastle and McCrea mercantiles in this week’s installment of “History on Main.” The two mercantiles operated side by side on lots 10 and 11. 
According to an article from the Nov. 28, 1912 local paper, the McCrea Mercantile Co. was diversifying its market by remodeling the store to make room for a first-class
meat market.
“Bear in mind the fact that the McCrea Mer. Co. are now prepared to take care of your wants in the meat line,” says the Dec. 12, 1912 paper.  
The article also noted that Clad Thomas accepted a position as delivery boy because Ernie Bland resigned.  
About a year later, the May 15, 1913 issue reported that Newcastle Mercantile bought the stock and business
of McCrea’s.  
“The two stores being located in adjoining rooms with a door between make it very convenient for the several lines carried in each room to be under one ownership and general management,” the article says. “This firm has been in business too long and is too well known here to need any introduction to the people of this vicinity, and it is hardly necessary to add that since annexing the grocery stock of the McCrea Mer. Co. that part of the business will be conducted along the same liberal and ‘square deal’ line as the former brand of
their business.”  
Mary E. McCrea sold her home to C.S. Manahan, announced the March 19, 1914 paper, because she and her brother J.M. McCrea were moving to Pennsylvania. Mary was permanently residing in Pennsylvania, but McCrea was splitting his time between there and Wyoming to take care of his business interests. 
According to the May 11, 1916 issue, the Newcastle Mercantile must “have gotten the clean up bug” because after the delay due to the wind and dust, they were painting the front of their store.
“It is hoped that others will do likewise and follow the example set by the Mercantile people,” the article says. 
The Sept. 14, 1916 paper reported that W.D. Jones arrived in Newcastle from Edgemont to take over the grocery department of the store. He already had “a number of acquaintances in Newcastle and has played ball with our local team on several occasions,” the
article says. 
Several months later, the dry goods department also received new management when A.Y. Dobyns and his wife of Chadron took charge of it, announced the June 14,
1917 edition. 
The store installed “an attractive addition,” according to the March 8, 1917 issue, by adding a “sanitary fruit case” to protect fruit produce from flies and impurities. 
“It is entirely sanitary. Mr. Jones is doing the decorating,” the article says. 
The following issue reported that the store was anticipating the arrival of a carload of salt.
A news report from March 22, 1917 said that Eugene Baske of Rushville, Nebraska, became the new butcher at mercantile, taking the place of Mr. Means, who was devoting his attention to the billiard hall that he recently re-leased. 
W.R. Evarts and his family moved into the flat above the store, according to another article from the same issue. An article the next year said that Evarts worked in the dry
goods department. 
The Nov. 8, 1917 issue reported that Martin Churchfield severed his connection with the Mercantile to go work at Cambria Commercial Co.
There was a pending sale on the McCrea residence, announced an article on July 4, 1918. Rabe Elliot was contemplating the purchase of McCrea resident “as soon as satisfactory terms can be arranged.” By July 11, 1918 Carl Hugland closed the deal with Elliot. 
On April 24, 1919, the paper reported that Newcastle Mercantile received “up-to-date National Cash Register” from Toledo, Ohio. Around Nov. 13, 1919, the workers busied themselves unloading a carload each of potatoes
and hay. 
An article by Kenneth Evans published in the May 27, 1920 News Journal boasted of all the stock that was available at the mercantile. B.F. Russell and his associates owned and operated “the oldest store” in town, which was “one of the pioneers and influential factors in the development of the city to its present standing in the commercial world.” 
“Too much cannot be said about the influence that Mr. Russell and his associates has brought about in many different ways in assisting the building of Newcastle to the important trading center that it is today,” the article says. 
The store not only was financially flourishing but also provided a wide variety of goods. The departments were “well divided and separated” with a “competent” management team, providing its customers with all their needs. It was said that the Ladies’ ready-to-wear ladies section had “everything that milady could want.” 
“In fact, the (ladies’) store is so well-equipped that it is very seldom that it is necessary for the most fastidious and particular to send out of Newcastle for a single garment,” the article says. “In fact, there is nothing in the dry goods lines or ready to wear clothing that cannot be found in this store direct from the eastern markets and the latest and up-to-date styles.” 
Additionally, not only was there high appraisal for the dry goods, men’s and ladies’ departments, but the grocery store was also flourishing well. It was stocked with nationally known canned goods, and customers were assured of “always getting the purest and freshest of groceries.” Sam Havenga managed the grocery store and spent much of his life in that line of work. He was “considered one of the most efficient managers of a store in the state” because he and his management team always ensured the satisfaction of customers, and only experienced clerks are hired to treat them with “cordiality and promptness.” 
Perhaps that is why the Feb. 25, 1926 paper said the store was known as “the
Progressive Store.” 
Although Newcastle Mercantile moved out in the 1930s, the store continued its success for another 20 years, but Cash will discuss that in next week’s installment of “History on Main” when we explore this history of both the mercantile and
Castle Theater.