According to the book “Williamson County in the World War” printed in 1919, the B & B Confectionary is described as, “The most popular resort of Marion is the B. B. Confectionery, located at 904 Public Square, where the people gather when in want of refreshments and amusements.
Not only is this modern confectionery fitted in a magnificent manner, as can be seen by the photograph here produced, for catering to the wants in every kind of refreshments found in the up to date confectionery, but the second floor is retained as a ball room, where the elite of the city gather every few evenings for dancing.
Robert W. Boatright, the proprietor, is commended for establishing and maintaining such a high class institution, but the people expected that a man of Mr. Boatright’s experience would give them the best, as he was for ten years previous traveling salesman for Howard & Casey Wholesale Grocery, by which work he was able to gather the ideas he has incorporated in his present business.
Mr. Boatright was born in Harrisburg, January 19, 1889, and is married to Miss Clara Strautz of East St. Louis. He is a very popular young business man and will always be found boosting for the up building of Marion. Mr. Boatright is a member of the Elks and Modern Woodmen.”
Robert Boatright was known to have worked for Howard and Casey since high school and it appears that Robert kept his job with Howard and Casey throughout this business venture. I am led to believe that since the business was called B & B that it may have been a joint venture with his wife, Clara Boatright, whom he married in 1915. If Clara is the second “B” in B& B, this may explain how he continued to work as a traveling salesman until 1929 while maintaining the business.
For more information see the posts, Robert W. Boatright or Clara Boatright.
(Data extracted from Williamson County in the World War, 1919; R.W. Boatright’s obituary from the Marion Daily Republican, May 4, 1922; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 09/13/2013)