Schulenburg Business Scene in April of 1877
The weekly Schulenburg Argus newspaper was able to reach the citizens at the rate of $2.50 per year. They offered print jobs that reflected the activities of Schulenburgers. On a strictly cash basis, they offered to print among many items: handbills, catalogues, ball tickets (dancing), mortgages, programs, dray receipts (freight delivery), wagon receipts, deeds, and posters. The paper noted in their advertisement: “We Defy Competition Either in Style or Price” and to “remember ALWAYS that we want the Money in Advance, in order that we may be enabled to buy paper and ink, pay rent, and employees.”
The Lyon’s Masonic Lodge apparently relocated from Lyons to Schulenburg, an indicator of the exodus from the older community. They met on the Saturday night before the full moon in each month. The International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O. F.) met every Tuesday night.
With the advance of civilization, here came the lawyers to keep things civilized. R. H. Franks practiced out of the Argus building as did P.E. Edmonson.
To keep the citizens in good health A. B. Wilkes, M.D. respectfully offered his professional services to the citizens of Schulenburg and vicinity. Dr. H. P. Overbay, Physician, Surgeon & Accoucheur (child birthing) was “thankful for past patronage.” W.W. Walker, M.D., Surgeon, whose specialty was operative surgery, announced that patients from a distance could get catered meals to railway travelers. Mr. S. M. Cummings was the proprietor. M. M. Gwin operated the Schulenburg House on the south side of the railroad, it was a “quiet, pleasant, home for travelers.”
The Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway Company advertised express trains that would leave Galveston at 6 a.m. and arrive in San Antonio at 11:15 p.m.; no word if they stopped in Schulenburg, but they were express trains.
Merchants had quickly established their going concerns. Ebeling & Son sold both wholesale and retail dry goods, groceries, queensware (English china), hardware, and Lemp’s Celebrated St. Louis Beer. W. F. Upton’s, I. Russek, Glucksman store sold the same items along with boots and hats. H. M. Shoemaker (Schumacher?) dealt in “Staple and Fancy Groceries” and specialized in receiving and forwarding freight from Hallettsville and Galveston. For those wanting “Cheap Dry Goods, clothing, boots, shoes, groceries, and ladies wear, Go to Arnold Joseph.”
For the ladies desiring unique clothing, Misses L. & S. Laengle offered dressmaking in their new millinery store along with hats, bonnets, flowers, ribbons and laces. Mrs. M.C. Johnson conducted dressmaking and was able to speak in German, French, and English.
Christian Baumgarten was a contractor for wood and stone buildings and sold pine shingles, home made furniture, picture frames, paints and cement. He also offered wooden and metallic coffins along with the coffin trimmings (?). He did custom work at his sawmill which offered a stock of rye flower and cornmeal.
Wolters & Cranz sold furniture, iron, steel and wagon timber.
Charles Welhausen offered his self-made saddles and harnesses at reasonable prices.
Joseph Kainer & Co dealt in lumber, sash, doors, blinds and “O.K.” brand shingles. H. C. Wallace competed with Kainer in selling construction trimming and offers to build complete buildings.
J. P. Ruhman was a dealer in cooking and heating stoves as well as sheet iron, steam fittings, and pumps, etc.
P. Breymann, German Apothecary, dealt in drugs, medicines, and chemicals while having on hand a fine assortment of fancy and toilet articles, sponges, and perfumery along with popular patent medicines.
Since there was no water system, Thomas Shields offered well and cistern digging (actual hand digging).
For those wishing to store their money, C. Proetzel proclaimed his services as a banker and dealer in exchange. He also kept on hand a full assortment of furniture.
Folks just arriving by train could use Charles Paddock’s new hack (buggy) and team of to take them to “any point they may desire”. For those in town who desired to travel to La Grange, the county seat, S. S. Boykin ran a tri-weekly hack line leaving Schulenburg at 7 a.m. and arriving at noon. He also transported people and goods in La Grange to meet the railroad in Schulenburg.
Otto Baring, proprietor of Baring’s Hall, bragged on his firstclass Bar Room & Billiard Saloon, where choice wines, liquors, and cigars might be found.
And to protect their businesses the East Texas Fire Insurance Company of Tyler, Texas,( R. P. Kirk, Schulenburg agent) was ready to sign you up.
Schulenburg was fast becoming a vibrant town as it waded through the new laws enacted with the new state constitution of the previous year, 1876, which reversed most of the laws enacted during the Reconstruction period.