Snapshots of History

By Editor | May 21, 2025 |

I got this week’s picture from both Jeff Klein and Lolly (Beaman) Summerwill. Jeff is the great-grandson of Mr. Downie and Lolly is Downie’s granddaughter. The picture came with the information that Everal Sumner Downie is seen driving his Cartercar with Burr Newton as his passenger. I question the identity of Mr. Newton as Burr Newton was born in 1892. Cartercars were established in 1905 and sold out to General Motors in 1909. The brand name became defunct in 1915.
I’m guessing this photo was taken about 1910. We see the north side of the square in the background. This is where Downie’s office was at this time; upstairs at 118 W. Madison above Fatty Collins’ restaurant. In June 1912. Downie would move to 107 S. Fillmore.
E. S. Downie, a real estate agent, began to be called the “Tireless Toiler” in the Mount Ayr Record-News in 1909. He had a reputation for his energy, success, and persistence. Downie’s competition in those days were Frank Sheldon, Ezra McMaster, and Randolph Beall, some of the most successful real estate agents in the history of Ringgold County.
In 1919, Downie bought the old and vacant opera house at 104 E. Monroe. He tore the building down and used the lumber to build the house at 219 Dunning Avenue in 1920. The house is still standing today and is still beautiful.
E. S. Downie’s son-in-law was Floyd “Brady” Beaman who started the Mount Ayr Cleaners in 1930. Mr. Beaman sold the business to George Jackson in 1955. Downie’s son, Dr. Gerald Downie, was a missionary to China and built at least one hospital there. Dr. Downie spent many years in China and his letters to the Record-News give a clear account of his life there. Everal Downie had other well-known relatives, as well.
I’m going through my photo collection looking for historically significant pictures to submit for my slide show, which I hope will be shown at the Princess Theatre during the Mount Ayr Sesquicentennial Celebration September 19, 20, and 21. This slide show presents many challenges including the length of time it will take to describe each photo. Some pictures are nearly self-explanatory and others will require some detailed explanation.
I have plenty of photos but there are some areas where I’m light. For example, as famous and as useful as the Mount Ayr Opera House was, I have only one photo of it. High school basketball games were played at the opera house until a gymnasium was built at the high school in 1913.
Not surprisingly, early photos of the south and west side of the square are difficult to find. The south side was plagued by fire and had gaps between the buildings. The west side was a mixture of old wood-frame buildings and new brick buildings which gave it a “cobbled up” look.
I won’t be limited to just photographs as images and advertising will be a part of the slide show. Advertising via matchbooks, business cards, and ink blotters was very common in the old days and items depict businesses of years gone by. When I say “images” I’m talking about drawings and paintings. The best image I have of the old Star Theater is a drawing by local artist Holland Foster. He is the man who wrote the Caledonia history book.
I think I have only two auto dealership photos from before 1970. I have none of the Commercial Hotel and William Timby’s first brick building at 108-110 S. Taylor Street. Nor Ringgold County’s first frame courthouse which burned in 1889.
I have been taking photos in Ringgold County, for historic purposes, for about 25 years. If you have photos to share with me my address is: Mike Avitt, 400 N. Fillmore #2, Mt. Ayr, 50854. My phone number is 641-344-0482. Thank you.

Posted in Snapshot of History by Mike Avitt