The building pictured here is of unique interest because it was established and operated by the man who owned the premier auto vehicle business in Williamson County, Hosea W. Cagle.
The building was located on the east side of the 600 block of N. Market Street. It was erected in 1915 by Cagle and was operated by him as a garage for several years. The garage was the largest garage building in Marion and one of the largest in the state.
After a number of remodels it was 300 feet long and 100 feet wide covering the width of the block between N. Market and N. Madison Streets. This garage building had a large storage capacity and was the home of more automobiles than any garage in the county for its time.
It was later leased by John Whiteside who ran a garage there until after Cagle’s death when the garage building was sold through court to Wesley Hayton of Carterville and Maurice Hayton of Marion who operated it as the Hayton Motor Sales Co.
The building was destroyed by fire on July 14, 1926 along with 50 automobiles. Thirty of the cars burned were owned by patrons of the garage. When the auto agency rebuilt following the fire it was not built back to its original larger scale.
Hosea Cagle was born in Williamson County in 1880. He was educated in the public schools, and located in Marion, November, 1905.
He established a general garage business on North Market Street in 1906. Cagle had the experience that counted, an experience not only as the first owner of an auto in Marion, but as a man who knew quality and workmanship. He studied the makes, and did work for the public that placed him and his men in the front rank of mechanics.
Mr. Cagle was married in 1905 to Miss Delia Smith. He was described in 1918 as “a thoroughbred citizen, and had lots of friends. He did much for a good road system, and took a great interest in the affairs of this county.”
In 1919 as the book “Williamson County in the World War” was being written, it was stated,”Mr. Cagle retired from the garage business and has begun the work of constructing a large amusement resort about two miles west of Marion on the hard road. The resort will consist of a large lake, bathing pool, golf links, aeroplane landing, and many other amusements. Certainly an innovation for Southern Illinois and one that should be appreciated and well patronized.”
Sam’s Notes: Hosea W. Cagle was listed in the 1910 census as a carpenter/contractor and was 33 years old in 1907. He and his wife Delia lived at 504 E. DeYoung Street in 1907 but by the 1910 census were at 506 E. Boulevard Street. Hosea owned a vehicle called an Elmore and could arguably be the first automobile owner in Marion as the 1918 County history book stated.
I personally didn’t remember any details about the resort mentioned in the last paragraph, but Bernie Paul reminded me that the area was just to the west of the Marion Pepsi Bottling Plant. This would be the plot of land before you get to the Burlington Northern Railroad overpass on old route 13. Part of the resort was the Marion Golf Club and a dance pavilion. The Country Kitchen restaurant was also located on the property, but whether they were connected or not, I am unsure at this point.
I will eventually end up doing a post as a separate business venture on this subject.
(Data extracted from Williamson County in the World War 1917-1918, Marion Fire Reports, and Glances at Life by Homer Butler; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 07/02/2013)