In 1911, the Elmendorf Coal & Feed Company was established as a wholesale and retail feed operations. The company was capitalized at $25,000, divided into 250 shares at $100 par value. The stock was purchased by Berryman (130 shares) Haggin (111 shares), Brownell Berryman (3 shares), James A. Todd (3 shares) and John B. Payne (3 shares).[i]
The company’s products included coal, grain, hay, feed meal and building materials. The company’s offices were located on Henry Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets. The yard was located on 4th Street, on the L&N Railroad. Payne was the general manager.
In July 1912, the company began marketing Elmendorf Blue Grass Seed, “with a guaranty of its purity and freedom from foreign seeds and other substances.” The company had pooled over 200,000 bushels of seed.[ii]
In February 1913, a new five-ton truck from International Motor Truck Company (later Mack Trucks) was purchased, for heavy hauling at the Elmendorf Coal & Feed Company.[iii]
Grain elevator and warehouse, 1919 <Battaile Collection, Lexington Public Library>
Around 1920, the Haggin estate sold the property to W. B. Talbert, who continued to operate as the Blue Grass Grain Corporation.
[i] Lexington Leader, July 1, 1913, page 10, columns 6-7.
[ii] Lexington Leader, July 1, 1912, page 5, column 3.
[iii] Lexington Leader, February 16, 1902, section 2, page 5, column 6.
