Where in the World is Pershing, Missouri?
The History of Pershing, Missouri
Businesses
Blacksmith
There were two blacksmiths in Pershing. The Kreuger Blacksmith was across from the schoolhouse (can be seen in the photo on the Misc. page), and the blacksmith shop owned later by Charlie and Louis Tschappler still stands today (at right). Mrs. Tschappler was the central telephone operator.
Shop- Turned- Tavern
Ed Doll ran the garage in Pershing and taught school for some time. Later, Langwher bought the store property from H.B. Sunderwirth, and was stocking his shelves by 1905. It later became a John Deere Dealership. Hugo Heemeyer bought the building from Langwher and then Ron Heemeyer bought from family (Hugo was his dad). Signaigo rented, and opened Sig's at the end of October, 1996. The same building still stands today, and is a tavern called Hop's Hideaway (Pictured on the Misc. page. and at right as it stands today).
Post Office
The Pershing Post Office was started in 1804 and discontinued on January 31, 1959. For many years it was housed in Herbert Schmitt's store, and Herbert was the postmaster (Store pictured in three photos at right).
Herbert Schmitt's Store
Herbert Schmitt's general store still stands today on the North side of Pershing. Some staples were packaged personall for the store. Pictured at right is a coffee bag. It says "Pride of Pershing Coffee: Packed For H. C. Scmitt, Pershng, MO." It served as the Post Office for many years. Later, Melvin Beul bought the store from Herbert Schmitt and renamed it Beul's Store. It was still the Post Offie under Mr. Beul. (Store pictured in three photos at right).
Mercantile in the River Bottom
Mr. William Kicker owned a store, probably the first store, in the river bottom even before the first church was completed. This store was run by a Mr. Strunk and Frank Kicker later because we know that there was a dry goods store (Herbert Schmitt's) on one end of town and another mercantile on the other. Elsie Broeker Tells us this in an interview with a newspaper, she also states that her father owned two stores. This first store burned down. It was very convenient, however, because of the steamboats passing through.
Frank Kicker's Store
Frank Kicker's Store probably sat across the street from Herbert Schmitt's Store. This building also held Kicker's supplies as the undertaker and embalmer. The store dealt in implements, lumber, paints, oils, building materials, and fabric. There was a wine cellar beneath the store and vineyards down the back slope. Upstairs was the Red Goose Hotel, which was run by Elsie Broeker. The store burned in 1927 after it was set on fire by a drunk to whom the bartender would not sell any more liquor. (Pictured at left).
