Old Missoula

Famous Food Man Was Stranded Moneyless

Presence of W. K. Kellogg in Missoula Recalls Incident of Previous Visit

W. K. Kellogg, whose signature appears on millions of packages of breakfast food, known in every part of the world, arrived in Missoula yesterday morning over the Northern Pacific, and went up to Stevensville in the afternoon to visit his son, who is a doctor there.

Mr. Kellogg is on his way home from California. He will return to Missoula this afternoon and tonight will leave for his place of business in Battle Creek, Mich.

Mr. Kellogg visited Missoula once before and a memorable visit it was, both to Mr. Kellogg and to a local man who became most vitally concerned. Mr. Kellogg had been in Stevensville visiting his son and being out of cash attempted to cash a check. It happened that the bank was closed and the town was unable to cash the paper. An urgent call from his place of business summoned Mr. Kellogg, and he came to Missoula to catch a train east. This was on Sunday. The banks and business houses were closed. Mr. Kellogg was in a quandary as to how to get money.

Night came and train time drew near. A millionaire was stranded in a place where he was unknown. As a last resort he went to the Milwaukee depot. H. H. Tavenner, the present city ticket agent, was on duty in the office. The millionaire approached the window in an uncertain state of mind. Tavenner was engaged in the rear of the office, and Mr. Kellogg called him to the window.

“I am W. K. Kellogg of the Kellogg Breakfast Food company,” he said. “I am without cash and must return east on the next train. Would you honor my check?”

Tavenner hesitated for a moment. The case was a strange one. A millionaire without money. Mr. Kellogg exhibited a watch on which was engraved his name. The watch was a gift from his employes. “Tav” stuck his head through the window and introduced himself. Mr. Kellogg wrote out the check and shoved it over the counter. Tavenner glanced at the paper, immediately recognized the signature of the famous manufacturer and hesitated no longer in cashing the check.

The millionaire was very thankful. A few cigars, a short chat and No. 18 drew away, taking with it the famous manufacturer.

A few weeks later Tavenner was called to the telephone and recognized his wife’s voice. “A man has driven up with a load of boxes addressed to us. What shall I do?”

“Tav” told her to accept them and he would come and investigate. As soon as possible he hurried home. On opening one of the boxes he was surprised to find a note from the famous manufacturer thanking him for his kindness in honoring his check and asking him to accept the consignment. “Tav” opened the other boxes and each one of them was filled with boxes of the food manufactured by the company and there was a box of everything that the concern made.

So now, while the Tavenners are still using the results of the kind act, the boys at the Northern Pacific, over which he is traveling this time, are praying that Mr. Kellogg will go broke again and give them a chance to honor his check.

 

The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on March 22, 1915.

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Dr. Kellogg Unable To Attend Father’s Funeral in Michigan

Dr. Karl H. Kellogg, 669 Del Mar, was unable to go to Battle Creek to attend the funeral service of his internationally known father W. K. Kellogg, founder of the cereal empire that bore his name. Dr. Karl has not been in good health for sometime and only comes down town at infrequent intervals on business.

The father, W. K., as he was known, who developed the 80 million dollar industry, passed away on Saturday of last week of a circulatory ailment. He was 91. In recognition of the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen, the city ordered a week-long period of mourning with the flag to be flown at half mast and wreaths placed on all public buildings. The funeral service was held on Tuesday with burial (Thursday) morning.

Will L. Kellogg of El Cajon, son of Dr. and Mrs. Karl of Chula Vista, joined with his uncle, Norman Williamson and cousin Kenneth of Monrovia and flew to Battle Creek for the services. Mrs. Williams, a sister of Dr. Karl was at the bedside of her father when he passed away. They are the only survivors, together with six other grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Three children and two former wives preceded him in death.

W. K. gave away more than 48 million dollars to civic and educational projects. The company, in addition to the Battle Creek plant operates plants at Omaha and Lockport, Illinois and also in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, South Africa and Mexico.

Dr. Karl Kellogg practiced medicine in Montana until World War 1, after which he and his wife lived in Battle Creek until 1925 when they moved to Chula Vista where he and Mrs. Kellogg have since made their home. During World War II, Dr. Kellogg was director of the Chula Vista Ration Board and was among the top two or three credited with giving the most hours to the program. He was also head of Chula Vista’s first “home controlled” Community Chest board, after its withdrawal from the San Diego county organization. Until about a year ago he was a frequent visitor on Chula Vista’s Third avenue and was an ardent marlin fisherman.

 

The above article appeared in The Chula Vista Star on October 11, 1951

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Etta Landram Kellogg (wife of Karl Kellogg) was the daughter of Stevensville pioneer John A. Landram. She married Karl Kellogg in Stevensville in 1905. Her sister Eva was the wife of Charles Henry Buck of Stevensville.