FROM DAYS GONE BY September 26, 1919

September 26, 1919.

Another big business deal was consummated in Wrightsville entailing one of the largest financial changes in the city for years, when the Wrightsville Merchantile Company sold to and consolidated with The Star Supply Company. The merchantile company was organized in 1905 by Messrs. W. C. Tompkins, E. A. W. Johnson and J. M. Cook.
After a successful career under this ownership Mr. Cook and Mr. Johnson purchased Mr. Tompkins interest and ran it until a few years ago, when Mr. Cook bought out Mr. Johnson, soon after selling an interest to Mr. Tom Elton. This was six years ago. Since that time it has been owned and operated by Cook and Elton.
All of its career Mr. Cook has had control and financial direction of the firm and it is interesting to note that it grew from a capital of $3,000 to today's value, which is conservatively estimated at $125,000. It has carried an investment of $75,000 for the past several years and a stock ranging from $25,000 to $30,000 continuously. Its annual business has aggregated anywhere from $50,000 to $90,000, doing business both for cash and credit in this county and in adjoining ones.
The Star Supply Company was a firm composed of W. D. Rowland, J. H. Rowland, R. H. Rowland, E. N. Hitchcock and C. S. Claxton, doing business in the store occupied by the Rowland Grain & Seed Company, whom they superceded, The Rowland Grain & Seed Company having bought the Rowland Grain Company.
Mr. E. N. Hitchcock and the other owners of the Union Grocery Company sold their business beside the Bank of Wrightsville to Mr. Mark Duggan the first of this year and since that time have been with the Star Supply Company, doing a fine starting-off business in their new location. They decided to enter the hardware field entirely and have foregone the idea of erecting a building on the corner lot next to the Rowland store for the present and the Star Supply will take over and consolidate with the Wrightsville Merchantile Company.
They are busy taking stock this week and as soon as this work is completed will open up under the financial backing of the members of the Star Supply firm, and Mr. Cook and probably Mr. Elton. It is announced that Mr. Hitchcock will assume the direct management of the new firm, whose name in all likelihood is to be The Wrightsville Hardware Company. This new firm will not be an incorporation but a partnership.
Mr. Cook will retain headquarters at the store and advise with the management as to purchases and credits and general affairs of the firm. Mr. Elton will remain to wind up the business of the Wrightsville Merchantile Company and also divide time with the new firm. Mr. R. H. Rowland is slated for secretary-treasurer. The other sales and clerical force has not been announced.
The new firm enters the field with a successful history with them throughout, both in connection with their own business dealings and that of the firm going out. They are experienced commercial men and have a bright future before them.