The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-10

and well sailed 1t made a delicious nibble.
Nobody could well pass the Humphrey cart
two bags for a nickel. The theater crowds
at night were the best patrons, and Hum
phrey. did a rushing business:
Outgrcw Pusbcart Establishment.
Soon the pushcart gave place TO a morse
and wagon and the business continued TO
grow. Then Humphrey rented a Little hole
public square. in the center of the city. in
the same building which he now occupies
from top to bottom and which stands on a
narrow strip of land that is worth nearly a
hundred thousand dollars.
Hot peanuts were added to the popcorn,
and then Humphrey thought there was
quantity of sugar and candy was added TO
the other stock In trade. A bag of tahy
sold for a dime and a package of corn was
given with each purchase of a dimes worth
of taffy. The business of the popcorn stand
grew amazingly and before long it
amounted to 5000 a year: Then other
stands were established and the money con-
tinued to roll in
At first the creditors of the Humphreys
the persons who held judgments for s25,-
0gewere inclined to interfere with their
prosperity. and 1t required careful manage
ment and a few visits to court to prevent
the closing of the various stands. Finally,
however, all the creditors were satisfied and
there was no more obstacles in the way.
Then the Humphrey Popcorn Company was
organized.
In 1888 the company opened a popcorn
stand at Euclid Beach Park, a suburban
resort, and while there was only a small
profit during the season the Humphreys
an idea as to the way the place should be
managed. They discussed plans for leasing
the park, doing away with the liquor selling,
gambling, admission at the gate and all
other objectionable features and running II
as a popular resort on a higher plane.
Park Run on Popcorn Basis.
Their business associates and friends tried
to dissuade them, but all 10 nc purpose.
Early last season. they signed a lease and
took charge of the resort. Their success
was phenomenal from the start. The pre-
vious attendance, with beer and disorderly
crowds, had been less than two hundred
thousand for the season. TIL first sum,
and half of visitors. Their motto at the
start was and is now: "One fare. free
gate; no beer. No freaks, fakes or
on the grounds"
Forty-fve thousand dollars was the net
the PARK. Before the end Of the season the
Humphreys had purchased the grounds,
consisting, of se~venty-three acres, with
many buildings, and this spring ii was
again opened with several Of the attractions
from the Midway of the Buffalo Exposition
added to the former features.
Though they had business enough to keep
them fully occupied, the Humphreys bought
this spring another resort known as Forest
City Park consisting Of twenty-three acres
to a pleasure ground similar to Euclid
Beach Park. Their efforts are meeting with
great success.
Although this company is now doing a
business of $4,000 a year fits capital stock
is only 5000. Each of the brothers-Dudley
s.. David and Harlow-Miss NJ. n. Hum
phrey and Mrs. ID. s. Humphrey own LEGO
worth of the stock Each gives all his time
to the affairs of the company, and il is
stipulated that neither shall invest a dol
lar in an outside enterprise that takes his
time or attention from the business of the
Humphrey Popcorn Company. Dudley is
the manager. his sister is the president and
his wife is the treasurer.
During the winter they live in a brick
house on Euclid avenue, which is distin-
guished by the Humphrey colors-yellow
and red-with which all their buildings are
decorated. In the summer they live at the
parks.
"Get Acquainted With Your Job."
1.-The one thing / would like to say about
my success" said Dudley Humphrey, and
this may be helpful, to others, Is that the
first thing a man should do is to get ac-
a~uainted with his job. He should first make
up his mind what he wants to DO and then
ind out how TO do it. To that ! attribute
my success.
my brothers and / understand the de-
tails of every branch OF our business. We
know how TO do everything to be done as