Mobil Gas & Service Station 1938-197?

Moniteau County, Missouri

Moncess Service Station

Northwest corner of Hwy 50 (now Bus. 50) & 87

1925-Aft 19??

From the October 1, 1925 California Democrat:

Moncess At Work On New Filling Station

Putting In Modern Plant on Rodger Property At Expenditure Of $2,000

Fred Moncess of Versailles stated a force of men to work Wednesday at the Rodgers property south of the railway, which he purchased a few months ago, putting in the concrete for his new filling station, the work, equipment and building for which will represent an expenditure of $2,000.

There will be two driveways from which cars may take gas, one of these will be under a roof which will extend from the station house to the pumps between the driveways. Cement for the driveways will be put down from each of the two streets so that the drives may be washed with a hose each morning, adding to the cleanly and neat appearance of the place.

The station house and lamp posts, of which there will be three, will be of stucco. The interior of the building will be finished with a wash basin and toilet for convenience of tourists stopping at the station.

A few of the trees at the property are being removed to make way for the drives, but the one at the corner will be left standing.

Gregory Latham, who is now living at Fortuna, will have charge of the station and W. C. Hays, who formerly lived near Excelsior, will run the tank wagon. Both will live in the Rodgers residence, which Mr. Moncess is preparing to have re-papered. The house is arranged for two families. The Lathams will occupy that part next to the station.

A 500-gallon tank will be put in at the station and it will be supplied from Mr. Moncess storage tanks on the J. R. Proctor property in the east part of the city.

Sinclair's New Navy will be sold at the station.

Mr. Moncess will for the present continue to make his home in Versailles, where he was formerly in the filling station business.

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From the February 24, 1927 California Democrat:

Filling Station Puts Up New Electric Sign

A new electric sign which does much to make the place show up well at night and which adds some of the metropolitan appearance to our streets has just been constructed at the Moncess filling station at the south end of pavement on Oak Street. A Ford wheel with lights strung about the rim and spokes was used for making part of the sign. Lights are of several colors and they alternate in burning.

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From the February 19, 1931 California Democrat:

Fred Moncess Dies

Owner Of Local Filling Station Succumbs In Kansas City

Fred Moncess of Versailles, 69 years old, proprietor of the Moncess filling station at the corner of highway 50 and Oak street, died Thursday of last week in a Kansas City hospital following an operation for gall stones.

Mr. Moncess had been ailing and finally started to the Mayo Bros. sanitarium at Rochester, Minn., for an examination. When he reached Kansas City he was stricken with a severe attack and the operation was performed there. He came from under the effects of ether nicely but his life was afterward sniffed out by a blood clot at his heart.

Mr. Moncess was born near Otterville on February 3, 1862, and grew up in that vicinity. He then operated a store at Excelsior and was afterward elected assessor of Morgan county, serving in that capacity for 8 years. After his terms in office, he purchased the Ford agency at Versailles and operated that for a time. Upon selling the Ford agency, he went into the oil business at which he was engaged at the time of his death.

He opened the station here in the fall of 1925. He also operated a tank truck out from here and had a station at Otterville. Before opening up in business here, Mr. Moncess purchased a large plot of ground, including a residence, upon which he built his station. He built two small brick buildings on this for rental purposes. A few months ago he opened several private garages for rental purposes. Mr. Moncess was a good, honest man and made quite a circle of friends and acquaintances her in his business connections.

Ads from the July 23 & 30, 1931 California Democrat

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From the June 18, 1931 California Democrat:

Lease Moncess Properties

The Springer Oil Company To Sell White Eagle Products Here

The Springer Oil company which has been operating stations in the vicinity of Ottumwa and Freemont, Iowa, for the last 12 years, has leased the Moncess service station on highway 50 at Oak street, the Moncess storage tank here and the Moncess holdings at Otterville which include a station and a storage plant. Possession was taken yesterday.

George Springer, son of W. A. Springer who is head of the company, and Dick Baker have come here from Ottumwa to look after the properties and will both live at California. both are married men. E. G. Latham, station man, and Crede Hayse, truck man, will be retained in the employment of the new concern. Another truck will be put on.

The Springer Oil company handles White Eagle products. The White Eagle concern is the second largest distributor west of the Mississippi and handles only quality products.

The new concern will put in new motor pumps and new equipment throughout at the California station.

The California station which the Springer concern has leased is an exceptionally good location both for town trade and for trade on the highway.

E. G. Neel, refinery representative, of Kansas City is here today.

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From the January 14, 1932 Moniteau County Herald:

Filling Station Sold

The filling station at the junction of the highways, which has been operated by Mr. Springer for several months, was sold last week to Roy Williams and T. D. Denmore of Kansas City, who are in charge and it will be known as the Wilded Oil Co. Mr. Springer who has been running the business as the White Eagle Oil Co., will go to Ottuma, Iowa. The new proprietors will locate here with their families.

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From the August 25, 1932 California Democrat:

Change at White Eagle

W. E. Simpson Will Operate Station Effective August 27

Effective August 27, W. E. Simpson of Kansas City will take over the operation of the White Eagle Oil station at the junction of highways 50 and 87. Roy Williams of the Wilden Oil company will continue to handle the wholesale distribution of White Eagle products.

Just after the fair several improvements will be made at the station. Two additional pumps will be placed east of the station parallel to highway 87. The station will be turned about so as to face highway 50.

An additional men's wash room will be installed and other changes will be made to better serve the White Eagle patrons.

Mr. Simpson will employ Brooks Gattermeir to assist in the operation of the station.

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From the September 29, 1932 California Democrat:

Rearrange White Eagle Station

An extensive rearrangement program at the White Eagle Service station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 has been completed. The station has been turned so to face squarely on highway 50 and two new pumps have been installed to serve customers turning in from highway 87.

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From the November 10, 1932 California Democrat:

Take Charge Of Station

Aaron Lunceford and Dorsey Hood have taken charge of the White Eagle Service station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87.

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From the December 15, 1932 Moniteau County Herald:

White Eagle Station Held Up For Twenty-Five

A man stepped into the White Eagle filling station about 6 o'clock Wednesday evening and found Aaron Lunceford, one of the owners alone. After a few words he told Mr. Lunceford to "stick 'em up" and hand him over the money from the cash drawer, amounting to $25.00. A customer stopped and the robber told his victim to go out and wait on him but he surean (?) return at once without alarm. He then told Mr. Lunceford to step into the restroom and stay there five minutes. At noon no trace had been found of the robber.

Article about an robbery at the Service Station in the December 15, 1932 California Democrat

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From the May 3, 1934 California Democrat:

Takes 15-Years Lease

Oil Company Secured Long-Term Hold on Station Property

The Moniteau County Oil company, of which Lawrence S. Combe is proprietor, has taken a 15-year lease from Mrs. Florence Moncess of Versailles on the property at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 occupied by the Moniteau County Oil Company's White Eagle Station, according to an instrument filed at the recorder's office a few days ago.

Mr. Combe came her from Kansas City and purchased what is now the Moniteau County Oil company and which does a wholesale and retail business in January 1933. A big increase in patronage is evidenced at the service station under his management.

An ad for White Eagle Station in the April 9, 1936 Moniteau County Herald

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From the July 9, 1936 California Democrat:

Heavy Traffic On No 50

Traffic over highway 50 was the heaviest this weekend it has ever been, is the belief of Forest Katschman, operator of the White Eagle Station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87. Katschman said that from Friday night until Monday morning he saw more cars on the highway than on any previous weekend. Part of the increase is believed due to the fact that highway 40 is closed in one section and many are using No. 50 between St. Louis and Kansas City.

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From the April 28, 1938 California Democrat:

Combe Leases Old Location To Cities Service Oil Co.

L. S. Combe of the Moniteau County Oil company has leased what is known as the White Eagle Service station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 to the Cities Service Oil company to which he will turn the property on or about July 1. He has operated this station the past 6 years.

Stanley Bybee will operate the business for Cities Service.

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From the July 7, 1938 Moniteau County Herald:

City Service

Stanley Bybee has taken charge of the service station across the highway from the new station and is handling City Service products.

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From the July 7, 1938 California Democrat:

Stanley Bybee Opens Station

Stanley Bybee opened a Cities Service Station Friday at the Moncess property at the northwest corner of the intersection of highways 50 and 87 in the location vacated that day by the Moniteau County Oil Company. Stanley has worked in this station off and on for several years. He is advertising in this issue an Introduction Day special for Saturday, July 9.

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From the November 24, 1938 Moniteau County Herald:

In Charge of Service Station

Howard Gist has taken charge of the Cities' Service Station at the Junction, formerly the Moniteau Co. Station. Stanley Bybee had been operating it since Mr. Combe moved across the street. Stanley went to Denver, where his sister Mabel is located, and may remain there.

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From the December 8, 1938 California Democrat:

Howard Gist & Son Make Formal Announcement

Howard Gist and son, Harold, are making their formal announcement as lessees of the Cities Service Station at the intersection of highways 50 & 87 in this issue. They are operating the business under the name of Howard Gist & Son. Along with Cities Service products, they handle Acme tires and tubes. They have plans under way for providing additional facilities, mentioned in the advertisement.

They are making a special offer for this month is well worth taking advantage of.

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From the June 15, 1939 California Democrat:

Building Auto Service House

Albert Gabert and other workmen are building an auto service house at the Cities Service Station, operated by Howard Gist and son, for Mrs. Florence Moncess, owner. It is 26x36 feet in dimensions. In it will be a lift and wash rack which the Gists will opeate. The balance of the space will be for an auto repair shop where a mechanic will be on the job.

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From the July 6, 1939 Moniteau County Herald:

Council Approves Wok Begins Again

Work on the building at the Cities Service gas station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 is going forward again. The work was begun about two weeks ago, but was halted when it was found that the building had to conform to specifications laid down by city ordinances and had to be approved by city authorities.

In its regular meeting Monday night the city council voted to allow the building to be erected. The station, on the Moncess property, is managed by Howard Gist.

The building, which is wooden to be covered with stucco, will be a lubritorium and will house a grease rack and room for repair work.

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From the July 13, 1939 California Democrat:

Gist Sells To Lynes

Earl Lynes, who comes from New Bloomfield, has bought out Howard Gist and taken over the management of the Cities Service station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87. Mr. Lynes is a single man. He was formerly in the garage business at New Bloomfield. Mr. gist said Tuesday he had not definitely decided what his business activities shall be in the future.

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From the August 3, 1939 California Democrat:

Lynes-Probst Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Lynes have revealed their marriage of January 21. Mrs. Lynes was formerly Miss Anna Mae Propst of Jefferson City. Mr. Lynes recently bought the Cities Service Station her of Howard Gist and son Harold. They have taken an apartment at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Bender.

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From the August 17, 1939 California Democrat:

Buys Service Station

John J Heinen Moves Garage to New Location

John J. Heinen has purchased the Cities Service Station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 and has moved his garage from the Weingartner building to the new repair, washing and greasing department recently built at the Cities Service Station. Mr. Heinen now has a 1-stop station, offering all the services a motorist desires, including repair work.

Mr. Heinen has been in business for himself the past 5 1/2 years in the Weingartner building and previous to that spent 18 years at what is now the Chevrolet garage. He is rated as one of the best mechanics and general service men in the city and has proven himself a competent operator in business of his own.

From the July 16, 1942 California Democrat

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Part of an article from the December 14, 1944 California Democrat:

The City Service Station at the intersection of highways 50 and 87 where Mr. Collins kept his busses and other equipment was rented recently and he had moved various things from there to his garage at home. From these items had had hunted chains for one of the busses, a tow chain and shovel, apparently in preparation for making his Sunday morning bus run to Flag Spring church which he made each Sunday to haul forks from California to the services.

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