News: Spencer History – Livery Stables

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gardiner, Graves, Schroeder, Erickson, Hess. Cole, Tesmer

Source: Spencer Centennial Book (1874 – 1974)

LIVERY STABLES
Livery stables were built to provide housing and feed for horses, especially to keep teams for hire for those who traveled a great deal.

An early liveryman, John Gardiner, advertised "good, safe single and double rigs at reasonable rates."
S. D. Graves specialized not only in individual passenger rigs for hire but also supplied provisions for several logging camps locally and at Loyal and Greenwood.

Paul C. Schroeder owned a livery stable in connection with the Louis Hotel which he also owned and operated by Mr. Schroeder's daughter. Mrs. Vila Erickson is a therapist aid at the Colonial House of Colby.
John Hess, who is remembered by many citizens, often transported band members who had been playing at the Spencer Pavilion.

"Good rigs and automobiles with careful drivers" was Arle Cole's advertisement.

In the Spencer Record of September 25, 1914, was August Tesmer's "Good rigs furnished on short notice s accompanied by careful drivers. Automobile in connection. When in the city, drive in and feed your team."

At times when a salesman came to sell his wares, he had such a heavy supply, he hired a large rig to transport him, and the driver would often have to stay over in other places like Loyal and Greenwood to bring him back to Spencer to catch a train.