|
Contents
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Louisiana
Missouri
South Carolina
Utah
Washington
Check for
local history books about your town
or search Amazon.com
from here
|
A CHANGE OF VOCATION
BRINGS SUCCESS
(Georgia)
Tom's note:
It is a regular occurrence in these Life Histories for the actual name of
the subject to be changed in the body of the article, but the real name
often appears in the document at some point. Such is the case here,
and although the Library of Congress transcription renders the actual name
as 'Lefferhan', I believe the actual name is 'Heffernan'. The
subject refers to a son in the insurance business and one who is a lawyer.
In Augusta today there is still a listing for the William J. Heffernan
insurance agency, and a lawyer name Henry Heffernan passed away in 2000.
I believe these are the sons he refers to.
(?). J. Heffernan,
Restaurateur
647 Broad St.
March 20, 1940.
One of Augusta's swankiest eating
places represents a spectacular come-back by John Farrell, one of the
town's pioneer restaurateurs. In his own words: "It has been far beyond my
expectations. However, it has been a most interesting experience all the
way through and it has taught me much.
"My ups and downs have been very similar to all others who have tried to
maintain restaurants during the trying years of the economic recession.
Things just kept going from bad to worse until all resources were
exhausted and the doors had to be closed to prevent imminent disaster.
"My grandparents came to America from Ireland in 1854. My father was born
three years later. My mother was originally a Prostestant, but later one
joined the Catholic Church. I have 3 brothers, 3 sisters, and 3
half-sisters.
"All of my education, which included a commercial course, was obtained at
the Catholic Brothers' School. My father was the superintendent at one of
the Textile Mills at that time and he helped me to get a job at the same
place.
"After working there for some time I obtained a position as bookkeeper
with the Johnson Paper Mills at Marietta, Georgia. This plant manufactured
wrapping paper as well as many other kinds, all of which were made from
wood pulp. There was a pulp mill located about nine miles from that city.
"I stayed there for a year and then went to work for the Abbott Brick and
Tile Company. Then I moved back to Augusta and was employed in the
Transportation Department of the Georgia Railroad Company for the next
three years.
"At the end of that time I accepted a more lucrative position as Division
Rate Clerk with the Southern Railroad.
"In 1904 I married Mary Vinson Arnold, who had moved to Augusta from
Savannah as a very small child. All of her education was obtained here
also. We have seven children, four girls, and three boys.
"Soon after my marriage I secured a
position as bookkeeper with the Brown Jewelry Company, Augusta's most
prominent and successful jewelers.
I kept books for them for 13 years. Then one day an accident happened
which necessitated drastic changes in my method of making a living. A
heavy door closed on the forefinger of my right hand, severing it
completely. This not only rendered me incapable of following my chosen
vocation but it left me in a highly nervous condition which lasted for
quite a long time.
"A friend of mine who was an experienced restaurateur asked me to go into
business with him. He had built up quite an enviable reputation and we
enjoyed a splendid patronage for about two years. We called our place
Peacock's Restaurant and made sea foods for specialty. The business
venture represented an original investment of $19,000.00
"After a couple of years Mr. Peacock, who was getting old, sold his half
interest to me and retired to his country estate.
"Then I became associated in business with Mr. Walker, who was also an
experienced restaurant man. For the following several years we operated a
very prosperous business.
"At this time the World War was on and Camp Hancock had been established
at Augusta. The soldiers furnished us a very flattering patronage and we
also enjoyed the cream of the city's trade. We catered to the very best
people and served the finest foods obtainable. We secured excellent prices
for our service and our profits were most gratifying.
"During 1919, which was our very best year, gross sales amounted to
$120.000.00. We realized a net profit of $37.000.00, after Government,
State, City, County, and various other taxes had been paid.
"Prices on all commodities were very high during the war and salaries
increases accordingly. Trade was exceptionally good in all lines of
business and for quite some time we operated a thriving business.
"About 1921 prices began to drop but we still maintained the same salary
standards as we had in our banner years. Money came in slowly in 1920 and
1923 and profits for the next decade amounted to about $5000 per annum.
During this time our receipts decreased from $300 to about [250?] per day.
"In 1929 this whole section was flooded and all crops in adjacent
vicinities suffered considerable damage. Due to the high water damage,
cotton dropped to 10 cents a pound.
"War prices on cotton ranged as high as 40 cents a pound. Cottonseed oil
was very high and pork loins sold for 40 cents a pound. As strange as it
may seem milk is higher now than it was during the World War. This of
course, is due to government control. Beef, also, is almost as high now as
in that time of inflated prices. The government can't be blamed for this,
however, as it was purely providential, being brought about by the
disastrous drought experienced throughout the West. In its wake many
cattle died because the country was left entirely without grazing and
water facilities. The market was thus deprived of a great percentage of
its normal beef output.
"This serious situation necessitated government intervention, with the
result that vast numbers of cows were shipped to the South and East. Many
of these died enroute. Those that finally reached their destinations were
extremely thin and unfit for market purposes. Others were sent to pastures
in various parts of the country to be fattened and slaughtered for canning
in various government established canneries in different sections of the
country. The beef (?) canned was distributed to Relief Clients through
Surplus Commodity Warehouses.
"While you have been talking, Mr. Farrell," I interrupted, "I have been
wondering how the high price of cottonseed oil affected your business.
"Well!" he explained. "Restaurants use great quantities of cottonseed oil
for cooking purposes. It is also used in a great many other ways. For
instance, in mayonnaise, salad oils, etc.
"Forty years ago." He continued. "Farmers threw away the seeds out of
their cotton, frequently using them to fill ditches and washouts on their
land. However, it didn't take them very long to learn the great value of
cottonseed as a fertilizer. Soon they were making compost of them, mixing
the seeds with acid and decayed vegetation.
"So you see, that prices, high or low, affect us all regardless of the
kind of business we operate. It is indeed a true saying that none of us
each live to ourselves.
"In 1928 my partner died. I carried on the business for several years but
then the depression came on in full blast causing such a curtailment of
business that I was forced to close my doors and seek more lucrative
employment.
"Fortunately, before very long I secured some government work which kept
me busy for the next eighteen months. At the end of that time I had
retrieved my losses sufficiently to open another restaurant.
"Certainly the World War was the primary cause of the economic depression,
but I believe there were other contributing factors. During the war period
when money flowed freely, people were agog with excitement and spent money
lavishly. Later on they seemed to become absolutely reckless and those who
formerly had known only the bare necessities of life now bought luxuries.
Then the depression came with its resultant panic.
"When Americans were taken from their jobs and sent to France, many
vacancies were created which were filled immediately by women, both
married and single, and even young girls. When the boys came back there
were very few openings and these were not sufficiently remunerative to
warrant raising families. Consequently there has been a startling decrease
in the number of marriages and in the birth record. I believe in early
marriages and large families which in my opinion would go a long way
toward solving our economic problems.
"As I told you, my paternal grandfather came to America in 1854. He went
to work in the Georgia Railroad shops as a car inspector. At that time
this position carried with it a salary of $125.00 a month. Today the same
job pays $140.00 a month and a bookkeeper makes about $75.00. The only way
I can account for the difference is that women have never entered the car
inspector field, while the market is overrun with woman bookkeepers.
"I am firmly of the opinion." He stated emphatically. "That a woman's
place, except where it is absolutely necessary for her to make a living,
is in the home. There are many girls working in stores and in offices who
do not need the money, but who work for very small salaries to obtain the
luxuries they couldn't afford otherwise.
"I can see very little difference in the cost of living now and before the
World War, but I believe the low prices of some commodities offset the
high prices of others. Of course certain articles are more expensive. For
instance, silk stockings and cosmetics. I estimate that such of my
daughters spends from five to six dollars a month for her hose. I believe
it costs more to maintain a girl from her knees down and her shoulders up,
than it does to clothe her body. A few years ago women folk washed and
curled their hair at home. Now, the beauty shops are full practically all
the time."
"After having reared a large family, Mr. Farrell," I asked. "How would you
say the morals of the young people of today compare with those of a few
years ago."
"Well, I believe their morals are just as good as ever and their ideals
are equally as high, but they are much more frank and natural - not so
mid-victorian.
"The ever increasing number of divorces is deplorable." He went on. "Tax
laws are responsible for them to a great extent, but selfishness is also a
dominant factor. There seems to be an inability to adapt one's self to
conditions and an unwillingness to make concessions in order to keep the
home intact.
"I do not believe wars will cease and peace come to the world again until
the Pope's ideas for its restoration are carried out.
"Our children have had the best we could afford in the way of education
and all of them are a credit to us.
As you know one of our boys is in the insurance business here and another
practices law. Two of our girls also hold positions here and a third is
teaching Occupational Therapy at Providence, Rhode Island, after having
charge of temporarily mental defective and acute alcoholic patients at
Baltimore, Maryland. Our youngest son is still studying at the University
of Georgia.
"No, I have never traveled abroad but I have seen quite a bit of our own
country. I have been in practically every state east of the Mississippi."
"Well, Mr. Farrell," I said, "After hearing all you have told us I agree
with you that at one time you were really caught in the depression and at
a loss how to make a new start. However, as one looks at this very
up-to-date place you now have, you seem to have found an excellent way
out."
"You are right." He said with pardonable pride. "After I once gained a
foothold my success was beyond my greatest expectations. But I do really
try to please my patrons and give them not only the very best foods
obtainable but also see that they have the ultimate in service.
"While I was doing the government work I told you about, I was always on
the alert for something more remunerative. I gave the matter much
consideration before I decided to make another venture into the business
world. Finally I was convinced that with my experience I could again make
good and I opened at my present location.
"I am sure my past experience has been beneficial in a great many ways. I
have learned how to overcome many obstacles that obstruct the way to
success. Should these conditions which caused by failure return at some
future time, I shall be much better fitted to meet the pitfalls peculiar
to the restaurant business. Perhaps the greatest lesson was that a period
of high prices will certainly be followed by falling prices and failing
business. I am firmly of the opinion that each of us should exercise great
care in building up a reserve capital against a possible return of the
economic depression.
A CHANGE OF VOCATION
BRINGS SUCCESS
A Depression Victim Story
Research by: Mrs. Daisy Thompson
Augusta
Edited by: Mrs. Leila H. Harris
Supervising Editor
Georgia Writers' Project
Area 7
March 1940
Text from: Library of
Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project Collection
|