University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1909-11-07
THIS BUTCHER IS
A FIRST N|GHTER"
Besides. He Always Buys the
First Tickets Offered
for Sale.
IS JUST A HOBBY, HE SAYS
Only Once in Forty Years Has
J. w. Gray Missed
Circus-lIis Shop.
IS JUST A HOBBY, HE SAYS

All men are cray or some SUBJECT
or have a certain hobby"-Coloncl
Squire Turner
J. w. Gray. a butcher at 10 South
Eighth street, Columbia, quoted the
foregoing as his reason for always buy
ing the first ticket at the opening cac';
Of the Airdome theater 5-ar
theater and every circus Than
comes to Columbia
Who is Colonel Squire Turne;'?
Well, he is just a lawyer, who :Gr
merly lived in Columbia and a good
TREND CT Mr.. Gray's.
Il have missed only one circus in
forty years" said Mr.. Gray. Il
bought my ticket to that one and
started to go. but soon learned that
| would be the on4y one there. so
didn't go. always buy the first tick
ct to every shCw that comes to Co
lumbia. can give no reason for do
ing so. other than the one which
"dS given W me ny NolOutl squire
Turner
Gray's Art Shop.
Gray's shop is a small two story
brick building Mr. Gray is gray
hail ed. Most Of the time he is busy
handing out meat to a small red!
headed boy. Customers eyes are at.
tracted to a small room adjoining
the display OF pictures on its walls.
There are pictures OF various sorts
and sizes. most of them reprodic
tons of drawings by Fisher. Glib
son and Christie. This little room $
only Mir Gray's private Office.
These pictures You see wern Ill
given to me. and | just tack them
up as get them" explains Nj.
Gray. there is not room for all that
have, so | had to take some OF the
old ones down"
In one corner of the room is l;.rS"
lar in which are several gold Es.i
while on the opposite side of the
room stands a large fern.
Loves Animals and Flowers.
Yes, | love animals and flowers. !
Lave always loved them and guess
always will. Some people might
say that | am crazy about these, but
if that is the case guess | am crazy
about good many things. There
are three things that | always make
t point to do each year: have
turkey on Thanksgiving, go buggy
riding on Easter-if it doesn't rain
and hear the baccalaureate sermon.
[ haven't missed any of these in the
last twenty-five years except | faileI
to hear the baccalaureate ser
mon last year and the year before.
have standing order Ut the Co
lumbia opera house for tickets to
any show that comes here, excepting
those that come on Saturday night
Saturday night am too busy.
always get the same seat
He's Good Salesman.
"Sirloin steak"
Here the butcher was forced to
stop while he waited on custO-
mer.
'Sirloin steak? Oh yes. plenty of
it. How much do you wanto"
He cuts off the steak and after
weighing it and wrapping it, hands it
over the counter to the customer.
is there anything else this morn
ing? Wouldn't like some nice
fresh lard would you? No. it isn't
country lard, but it is just as good.
1t sells at fifteen cents pound"
He sells the lard
Good morning" he says and turns
to his visitor.
"Children? They always go with
me to the circus. | have four.
have lived in four different houses
in my married life. A child was born
to me in each mouse. | have lived
in only five houses in my life, and
have lived in Columbia twenty-five
years.
Still another customer enters.
Good morning, Mr.. Brown. what
can | do for you this morning.
Have you any nice liver?" No liver
today, am sorry to say. but will
have some tomorrow. Have some
nice country sausage. though. Sau
sage. all right? anything else? Fine
morning, Mr.. Brown, suppose you are
going to the show tonight? No? Yes
of course | am going. have already
bought my ticket | hear it is a good
one"
Again the butcher continues his
story.
Money for More Shows.
las | was saying. | have lived ir
Columbia twenty-five years and have
been in business the entire time with
the exception of six months when
sold my grocery business and before
7 int bn hut