Webster Groves Historical Society

THOWBACK THURSDAY: What in the Sam Hill... it's Gore Avenue, actually. Nothing says "well-to-do" like being a Webster Groves businessman and taking your car on an outing with the other businessmen of Webster Groves in 1910. Most of these cars are Model T but Theodore Appel, third car from the left, was there to drive his Stanley Steamer. Early Stanley cars generated steam in a vertical fire-tube boiler, mounted beneath the seat, with a vaporizing gasoline burner underne...ath it. The boiler was reinforced by several layers of piano wire wound around it. The boilers were reasonably safe, since they were fitted with safety valves. Even if these failed, any dangerous pressure would rupture one of the joints long before the boiler shell itself could burst. The resulting leakage would relieve the boiler pressure and douse the burner, with very little risk to the passenger. The businessmen outing, seen in the photo, included a luncheon at Madame Defoe's.

Sadie Hebel said she wanted to go home to see her new room. She also said she wanted to go there in style.

The Webster Groves Historical Society is pleased to announce our newest member, Sadie Grace Hebel, born 5:02 PM on December 5, 2020. Her mother is Board Secretary, Asher Kerr Hebel, and her father is Tim Hebel, of Old Webster's Beanstalk Web Solutions. Welcome to our family, Sadie!

THROWBACK THURSDAY: In 1920, Webster Groves had a most interesting resident Dr. Charles Virgil Mosby. You might know him as Dr. C. V. Mosby, the founder of C. V. Mosby Medical Book Company. He was born in 1875 in Lafayette, Missouri and graduated from Vernon High School in 1893. Four years later he matriculated as a student at Beaumont Medical College. He graduated from medical school on April 1, 1901 and, nine days later, married Margaret Cavanaugh. They had two chi...ldren, Charles Virgil Junior, who might have gone by John because various records list him as John Jr. Charles Virgil Mosby was a direct descendant, on his paternal side, of Daniel Boone, his father having moved to Missouri from Kentucky. In his possession was a lancet once the property of the great pioneer. Dr. Mosby was a member of the Webster Groves Congregational Church and belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, the Algonquin Golf Club and the Webster Groves Masonic Lodge. Why the picture of the hog, whose name, by the way, was Liberator? Liberator was a Poland China hog valued at $10,000. On December 1, 1920, Dr. Mosby bought a half interest in the animal for $5,000, thus establishing the highest amount paid for a hog in the State of Missouri. Don’t forget, you can own your own collectible copy of the Turkey Day Program for $5 donations. Orders will be taken until December 16, after which they will be distributed. Send your payment to the Webster Groves Historical Society, c/o Turkey Day Program, 1155 S. Rock Hill Rd., Webster Groves, MO 63119.

Liberator, Dr. Charles Virgil Mosby's 1920 half-share prize Poland China hog, which broke the Missouri record for the most paid for a hog.

Giving Tuesday is approaching. Please help support the Webster Groves Historical Society!