he stocked the same merchandise available in his store. The new modern-version huckster wagon ran four different routes each week. Powerful air horns were mounted on the truck and let customers know he was arriving, and they would be waiting for him. Children looked forward to the penny suckers that Herb had for each of them. Eventually Herb added a second huckster truck that was run by Carl Spicer and the entire Brown County was served. Gladys managed the home store.
Son Jack served in the air force for four years and then graduated from Indiana University. He married Nina Jo Lewis, and they took over the family business when Herb retired. Jack built a new, larger store in 1962. Their children grew up“ in the business.” Till just recently, visitors to
Jack McDonald in 1998. Our Brown County file photo
McDONALD’ S continued from 37
were stocked on one side, dry goods on the other, with hardware in the rear. Even when dry goods were discontinued, overalls and some hardware items were always available. A large three-doored icebox in the store was cooled by a hundred pounds of ice. One side was stocked with bologna, lunch meats, bacon, and pork loin. The other side held Coca Cola and other soft drinks, plus lard and oleo. When no ice was available, bacon was kept in a screen-wire enclosed cage in a side room.
Gasoline pumps, pumped by hand to fill a glass container, were stationed in the front of the store. Gas tanks of automobiles were filled by gravity flow from the container.
Rice, sugar, beans, and coffee were stored in covered barrels under the wooden counters. These staples were measured out in five pound bags and sold for 25 cents. Some items like coffee and beans were sold in one pound bags.
Herbert McDonald soon saw that the store was not supporting his family, so he bought an old school bus and mounted it on a new truck base. Installing shelves after removing the seats,
Matthew, Mike, Jack, Diana, Jim McDonald 2009.
Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground eagerly bought tee shirts at McDonalds’ store with the saying: If you haven’ t been to Bean Blossom, You don’ t know Jack!
The original red McDonald grocery building was torn down this fall and the newer grocery building was completely renovated— soon to be occupied by a new Dollar General.
As Brown County folks frequent the new business they will no doubt think back on many McDonald memories. •
38 Our Brown County Jan./ Feb. 2017