The panel on the side of the Maynard’s Food Center in Flandreau that was revealed and published in last week’s Enterprise has been deciphered by local historian Dale A. Johnson.
He noted that the Dowling - Wagner business was never in this building, but was simply allowed to advertising on the building’s wall.
They ran the Snow White Grocery Store where the Moody County Enterprise is currently at. When the building was built in 1905 by E. F. Henry, the panels were actually windows and was operated first as Henry’s Daylight Store, seemingly since it had windows on the east and north sides.
It is not known if when the panel was painted, if it was during the time the two owned the Grocery Store or if it was another business they ran.
Below are excerpts from the late Irving White’s files on Flandreau businesses which were taken from the pages of the Flandreau Herald and Moody County Enterprise newspapers.
January 31, 1918. The past week has been an eventful one for E. F. Henry, proprietor of Henry's Daylight Store.
Last week, Mr. Henry disposed of the grocery department of his business to his son Curtis E. Henry, who has assumed possession Monday morning, January 28. On Monday, Mr. Henry also accepted the offer made by Amdahl Bros., (C. J. and A. E.), auto dealers and garage owners, for the purchase of his splendid store on the southwest corner of intersection of Second Avenue and Crescent Street, with possession to be given May 1.
Following this transfer, Mr. Henry purchased the Geo. H. Pilling building, (where the Moody County Enterprise is located) which has been leased and will be occupied by Curtis E. Henry's grocery, which will be known as The Snow White Grocery.
November 20, 1919. Another important change in the business firms of Flandreau took place the first of the week when Wm. E., R. L., and L. V. Watters, a trio of energetic young business men of the city, purchased the Snow White Grocery of C. E. Henry.
The business will be conducted by the name of Snow White Grocery of the Watters Bros.
May 25, 1922. The Watters Bros stock of groceries was sold under the assignee's order last Saturday to Geo. B. Wells of Brookings.
Mr. E. F. Henry was the assignee, and under the order disposed of the stock, fixtures and book accounts for the benefit of the creditors. Mr. Wells purchased the stock and fixtures.
June 8, 1922. Chas. Martinson and Frank E. Palmer have purchased the Snow White grocery from Geo. B. Wells and have been in charge since June 1.
Mr. Palmer will manage the local concern. John Gebhart and Dewey Watters have been employed to help in the store.
February 8, 1923. John Dowling and Charles Wagner are the new owners of the Snow White grocery. Dowling will be in active charge, assisted by Dewey Watters.
Mr. Dowling was a resident here in 1913 and 1914. He comes here from De Smet. Frank Palmer, retiring owner, has moved back to Brookings where he and Mr. Martinson operate a grocery.
