Uncle George

“I’m dickering with the owner of the Fallon property just west of town. It could be an ideal place for a business such as yours.

I would be willing to buy you out and you could retire if you want; or I would hire you as my manager.”

George left him with that thought and returned to the bank. Here again he got Charlie to look into the bank records to check

the value of Cal Vernor’s business. With this information he was ready to make Cal an offer, if Cal was interested.

Two days later Charlie informed George that both property owners had accepted his latest offer. George paid Charlie $1000

finder’s fee and, leaving Cal to think about selling his store, paid a return visit to the ranch he had bought.

As he was aware, the buildings at the ranch were in a sad state of disrepair. There were three structures, all of them needing

help: a two bedroom house, a barn and a tack shed. George began with the house and made a list of the main items that

needed immediate work. When he was satisfied he knew what was needed he returned to Libby to continue his talks with

Cal Vernor.

Without letting Cal know that he already knew the answer George asked Cal if he was willing to let George examine his

business records. “Assuming you’re interested in working out a deal, that is,” he told Cal.

“I’m interested enough to see what kind of an offer you’re willing to make,” Cal replied. “I’ve been thinking of retiring anyway,

but I want to make sure I have something to exist on for whatever time I have left.”

“You won’t be left out in the cold, I’ll make sure of that,” George said.

A few days later George returned to Cal’s store with an offer Cal couldn’t refuse. He deposited $20,000 in an account in

Cal’s name, hired him as manager of the old market until the time for the new one to open and an option to continue as

manager at the new store. All at a salary higher than Cal had made for the past ten years. In addition he guaranteed Cal

20% of the profits after Cal retired for as long as Cal lived.

With the two pieces of property acquired and the arrangement made with Cal Vernor George had used up more than half of

the capital he had invested in Charlie Talbott’s bank. In order to build the new store and to restore the old ranch he would

need to liquefy some of his other assets. The easiest and most profitable way to do this, he felt, was to sell his land holdings

in Washington State. This was particularly true at that time as the post-war boom had escalated land prices in Washington

dramatically.

* * *

Again, George used the resources Charlie Talbott had available to ascertain what prime acreage in Washington was selling

for. Next, he sent a letter to each of the Washington farmers who were leasing his land advising them he was planning to sell

and that the land would be available to them before it went on the open market. He quoted them a price 10% over the market

value.

To his surprise most of them jumped at the chance and advised him he would be contacted by an attorney for the newly

formed Wheat Growers’ Association to which they all belonged.

George was dismayed when the attorney contacted him with the mention of a possible law suit; on what grounds George

didn’t understand. It looked to George as if he had two choices: one, to withdraw the offer he had made to his lessees; two,

consult an attorney and bring a countersuit against the Growers’ Association. Not certain which way to turn he asked Charlie

to recommend a good attorney.

“If you’re looking for a real sharp lawyer, one who can handle business transactions in a more than satisfactory manner, you’ll

have to talk to Clarence Goodale in Missoula. I’ve had him handle a few things for me and I’ve always been pleased with the

results.”

As George needed to make a trip to Missoula to inquire about a supplier for the new market he took Charlie’s advice and

made an appointment with Clarence Goodale. As it turned out the appointment was the beginning of a long, profitable

relationship between George and the Goodale law office.

Clarence was a tall, slim man about George’s age who, George quickly discovered had a very nimble and imaginative brain.

George also recognized him as another wheeler-dealer. When George mentioned the Wheat Growers’ Association and

their threat of a lawsuit Clarence roared with laughter and told George it was a scam that was as old as the hills.

“It’s a very new organization that is struggling financially. What they are probably trying to do is tie you up in litigation to get a

piece of the action when you sell your property. I’ll threaten them with harassment and they’ll pull in their horns.”

“Sounds like a good approach to me,” George replied. “Now, I came to Missoula on other business you might possibly help

me with. I’m in process of building a new market in Libby and have to find a wholesaler, one who handles and delivers all

types of food products. I also need an architect to design the market so I can get started on the construction.”

“You came to the right place,” said Clarence with a grin. “My brother-in-law is an architect; I don’t know if he personally is into

market design but I’m sure someone in his office is. I’ll look into food wholesalers for you while you talk to Gil.”

Gilbert Harkins was the opposite of Clarence Goodale, both in appearance and personality. Short and pudgy, almost bald,

he had none of Clarence’s open, friendly mannerisms. George explained what he needed and was referred to an associate

of Gil’s who had considerable experience in designing modern grocery stores.

“Before we even discuss what you want,” Douglas Scott said, “why don’t we visit two I designed here in Missoula. I’ll give the

managers a call and let them know we’re coming.”

“Good idea,” agreed George.

George was impressed with the design of both markets he visited. Each plan provided for good visibility and easy access to

the products on display and space to move without a feeling of being hemmed in. But they were both much larger than what

he envisioned for Libby.

“About half the size of the smaller one,” he told Douglas Scott.

“What if I designed one with half the shelf space of the smaller but with a storage equally as large that could be used later for

expansion?”

“That might work. How would it affect the building costs?”

“Perhaps increase them by 20%. The biggest cost to you is going to be the clearing and preparation of the land, depending

on how much has to be cleared. Once that’s done, the fabrication itself would not be a large outlay.”

They agreed that Douglas would draw up plans to meet the specifications he suggested and send them to George. George

would get Cal Vernor’s input before a final decision was made.

Clarence Goodale had come up with two wholesale distributors in Missoula. Neither one expressed an interest in delivering

as far away as Libby, which was almost 200 miles. George would have to test the waters in Spokane, Washington or

elsewhere.

On impulse, as he was returning home George stopped in Kalispell and located a wholesaler who was interested.

“Everything but dairy products,” he said. With a promise to get back to him George returned to Libby and informed both

Charlie and Cal of his findings.

* * *

Three weeks later, in early October, the architect’s plans were approved and George contacted a local building contractor to

arrange construction of the new market. “We’ll get the site preparation in before winter comes,” he told George. “But the

actual const-ruction we won’t be able to start until early Spring, perhaps March. Then we can look forward to completion in

early June.

A local dairy that had been supplying Cal for years agreed to continue its service to the new market and to sign up another

local dairy if an increase was needed. George also spoke to several local truck farmers who agreed to sell their produce to

George instead of trucking it to Kalispell or Couer d’Alene, Idaho.

In the meantime, George decided that if Libby was to be his home he would need more permanent quarters than the old bus.

With Charlie Talbott’s help he bought a small house that had been recently vacated by an elderly widow. As it was close to

the town center George could walk to any place in town. He parked the bus temporarily in a level place next to the garage.

A few days later George hired a carpenter to work on the buildings at the ranch. He drove the bus to the ranch with the

carpenter following in his pickup. After getting an acceptable bid for the work to be done he left the bus at the ranch to be

used as his home there until the work was completed and rode back to Libby with the carpenter.

During the next few months, as winter approached and finally arrived, George paid a visit to the ranch and to the market site

once or twice a week to keep himself up to date on the progress being made. Also, now having time to relax, he joined the

American Legion, which had a small post in Libby. As the post was too small to have a hall of its own a room over the bank

was used twice a month for gatherings.

George soon discovered he was the only veteran in town who had served in both World Wars. There were several among

the 23 members who were older than George and were veterans of World War I; all the others were younger and had served

only in the second war.

At most of the gatherings the members sat around smoking, bragging about their exploits, or sometimes, George knew,

telling a pack of lies. George let the others do the talking while he sat back and listened. Occasionally a poker game was

started and George let himself be talked into sitting in.

As was the case while he was in the army he played his cards close to his vest and let the facial expressions of the others be

his guide. More often than he was the only big winner, sometimes as much as $100 in an evening. And he seldom lost, then

usually less than $10.

One of the tellers at the bank was an attractive widow in her thirties named Elizabeth Morning. George was introduced to her

by Charlie Talbott, who told George he husband had been killed in France. From the way Charlie talked about her George

was sure that Charlie had made a play for her and struck out. When George discovered she loved to dance he invited her to

a Legion dance being held in Troy the following Saturday night. Soon they were going to dances weekly in nearby towns.

One snowy Saturday night they both knew it would be hazardous to drive the fifty miles back to Libby. When George

suggested they find a hotel and rent a couple of rooms Elizabeth said, “Okay, but one room will do.” From that time on

George was a frequent overnight visitor at her house and trips out of town almost always resulted in a hotel stay, regardless

of the weather.

George also had an occasional dalliance with a young bar maid he met one evening. Sherry practically challenged George

to come up to her room above the bar. Although she was much younger than George he found her very satisfying in bed.

One of the young Legionaire’s, Tom Arleson, was an avid hunter. As they were sitting having a beer together one night

George told Tom about the ranch he had bought. “I’ve seen many signs of deer and a few of bear,” George said. “If you want

to get your-self a deer I’ll give you permission to hunt there. All I ask is that you take only one deer so the deer herd won’t be

depleted.”

“Why don’t you come with me, George?”

“I’ve never shot a deer and don’t know if I can,” George replied.

“Come along anyhow: I’d like some company.”

George, against his better judgment, accompanied Tom to the ranch. They camped out in the bus overnight and were out

early the next morning setting up on the far side of the meadow that stretched behind the barn to a small creek the deer used

as a watering hole. After more than two hours both men were feeling the cold from staying motionless. They were both

thinking of changing position when a two pointer eased up to the creek for a drink.

“You first,” whispered Tom. “It’s your property.”

George raised his gun to his shoulder and realized as soon as the deer was lined up in his sights that he could not pull the

trigger. “I can’t, Tom. You take him.”

The deer raised its head at hearing George’s voice, sniffed the air and was about to bolt when Tom dropped it with an expert

shot that hit the deer behind his shoulder. George helped Tom field strip the deer and carry it to Tom’s pickup. Then,

surprising himself as well as Tom, threw up his breakfast.

“I’m sorry Tom; the sight of blood never bothered me before. I guess it’s the thought of seeing a defenseless animal getting

killed that did it. You’re welcome to hunt on my property again in the future but don’t ask me to accompany you. I will insist

that you, and only you alone, have that permission, and only one deer per year.”

* * *

As winter deepened the roads around Libby, except for the main highway and streets in the business area, were closed and

not plowed. Visiting the ranch during that time was impossible as there was up to two feet of snow blanketing the road.

In early November George received a check from the Washington Wheat Growers’ Association for the entire amount due

from the sale of his Washington properties. Apparently any fees they had planned to charge George had been assessed to

the new land owners.

George received a bill from Clarence Goodale which he promptly paid by check. At the same time he signed over to the

Goodale Law Firm ten shares of high yield stocks with a note attached that read, “Please use the proceeds from these

shares as a retainer to pay for all services rendered now and in the future. If the proceeds do not cover the cost of your

services please let me know. It has been a pleasure to do business with you; I look forward to further associations in the

future.”

George received an answering note from Clarence Goodale thanking George for the shares of stock. The note also invited

George to bring any questions that needed legal clarification to the attention of his law firm. The word any was underlined.

At Christmas time George drove to Richland, Washington to spend the holidays with Simon and his family. The driving was

an interesting adventure, his first experience with snow-clad roads. He stayed at Simon’s for two weeks and got further

acquainted with Charlotte now 10 1/2 and getting to be quite a beauty. As always George spoiled Charlotte, buying her so

many gifts that Simon and Christine became upset and asked him to stop.

“But she’s my only niece and I want to see that she gets everything she needs,” George argued.

“That’s very commendable, George,” Simon replied. “But treating her well and spoiling her are two different things.” George

promised to behave in the future.

It was late March before the contractor began the construction work on the new market. With every hope that things would be

finished by the end of June George, in consultation with Cal Vernor, began shopping around for supplies and equipment to

furnish the store. With limited selection in even the largest cities close to Libby George drove to Seattle in his bus and made

contacts there. Finding and then selecting what was needed took several weeks. Then, George had to apply pressure to

have a mid-June delivery guaranteed.

The renovation at the ranch was completed in mid-April with George doing some of the finish work and all of the interior

painting. He then drove to Spokane and went on another shopping spree, ordering bedroom, living room and kitchen

furnishings. He was able to locate both a kitchen range and a refrigerator that operated on propane and added these to the

items to be delivered.

He returned from Spokane with a bus full of miscellaneous household items: pots and pans, dishes and serving utensils and

bed linens. By the middle of May the ranch house was habitable so George had a second home to stay at from time to time

whenever he felt the need to get away.

With the ranch now livable and the prospect of the new store opening in early July, George and Cal began a promotional

scheme for a grand opening. As there was no chamber of commerce or similarly organized group of businessmen in town

they met with business owners individually for input into a cooperative plan.

The consensus was that the grand opening should be in conjunction with a rodeo and county fair to be held during the second

week of July. George agreed to pay the expenses for newspaper advertising and for flyers to be distributed to surrounding

communities as faraway as Spokane and Kalispell.

As construction neared completion in mid-June the equipment ordered in April was delivered and placed temporarily in the

storeroom. With the bulk of the physical work being done by hired help this equipment was moved into its proper place and

was ready before June ended.

Next followed a week of stocking shelves and display cases with orders delivered from Kalispell. Two days before the grand

opening local produce growers delivered fruit and vegetables to complete the needed inventory.

The opening was a huge success. Shelves were depleted in three days and a new order called in to the distributor. Cal

hired two men and a high school boy to help keep lines moving and to constantly replenish the shelves.

Word of the new market soon spread throughout the community. The distributor in Kalispell made deliveries twice a week to

keep up with the sales. Business continued brisk throughout the summer and didn’t begin to slacken until late September.

By then, summer visitors were back to work and back to school. Even when the slowdown came Cal claimed they were still

getting twice as much business as the old store.

The entire town prospered, to such an extent that other local business sales also increased dramatically. George was looked

up to as a genius and a respected member of the community. He was even asked to run for sheriff.

“No,” said George. “I have no desire to hold public office. I retired from the army so I could call my life my own and I want to

keep it that way.”

During the first six months the store did so much business that profits were more than double what had been anticipated.

Enough money was coming in to the coffers that George recouped almost half of the building costs. Business was good

enough so that, even after the summer high, there were four full-time employees and two students working part-time.

* * *

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