Peoples Drug Store to Open in Murphy Aug. 1, 1926

New Drug Store for Murphy to Open August 1. . . Local Stock Company, Operating Under Name of The Peoples’ Drug Company Inc.

The announcement was made early this week that The People’s Drug Company Inc. will open for business in the new Brittain-Axley building on or before August 1st. Work on the interior of the building is rapidly nearing completion, fixtures are being installed as they arrive, and all the necessary equipment and a complete line of drugs, soda fountain accessories, etc., have been purchased, and are expected in the near future. When opened for business this new store will be one of the most completely equipped affairs of its kind west of Asheville.

The need for another drug store has long been felt in Murphy, and the widespread interest in the new enterprise, according to one of the stockholders of the company when interviewed by tis correspondent, was manifested by the ease in placing the stock when the organization was effected also. The interest expressed in the new business by many of the citizens of the community who believe in progress and have faith in the benefits of friendly competition, assures the owners of the business a friendly reception. As one of the officers of the company pointed out, this is the only city of its side known to him or to the many people who had mentioned the matter to him, that did not have two or more drug stores. It is the belief of the owners and many friends of the new business that this community is large enough to support two drug stores, with fairness to all, including the patrons who must have the things drug stores have to sell.

The company has secured Walker J. Lindeman of Washington, Indiana, as drug clerk and house manager. Mr. Lindeman, who is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, and has had 3 ½ years’ experience in filling prescriptions and in drug store management, comes from a long line of drugmen, his grandfather and father before him owning and operating several stores in Indiana. Mr. Lindeman comes well recommended both as to his ability and character. He also has an interest in the business. Mr. Porter Field Meroney will serve as one of his assistants.

Announcements as to the definite date to opening will appear in the later issues of the Scout. Editor’s Note: I wondered why the newspaper wasn’t calling Lindeman a pharmacist as he was dispensing prescription drugs, so I asked A.I. when the term pharmacist came into general use. Here’s Copilot’s explanation: The term existed in the 1800s, but it didn’t become the dominant everyday word until the 1930s. In 1926, when this article was written, newspapers, small-town stores, and everyday speech still preferred druggist, drug clerk, or drug man.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, July 23, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83004710/1926-07-23/ed-1/seq-1/