W. M. Smith

William Matthew Smith (1870-1948) owned and operated the W M Smith, “The Students’ Store,” in a building on Vermilion Street, Athens, probably from about 1910 to 1928.  He sold clothing, stoves and hardware. He advertised Taylor Tailoring, Kipling Shoes, Hallmark shirts and all types of  ladies and gentlemen’s clothing and furnishings.

The W M Smith store was one of three stores that were burned in the fire of 1928.  William Smith may have moved or rebuilt his store after the fire. He’s found in 1930 and 1940 census'  living in a house on Vermillion Street not far from where the store was located but he lists no job or income after the fire destroyed his store.

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