Image from 1947 Lusk High School yearbook:

It would take an airplane photo to picture the full extent of MIDWEST HARDWARE AND FURNITURE COMPANY'S domain in Lusk. While that shot would show the imposing Midwest Building in the heart of town and the Skelgas plant and several warehouses, it would not reveal the spacious and busy furniture department on the basement floor just below where this photo was made.

Kenneth Butler and Harold Schipporeit are among the dozens of employees. The manager, George Gibson, is proud to have Gerald Lincoln, Dolores Deitchler and Patty McClain among his many friends and customers.

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The Lusk Herald, January 15, 1948

Gibsons Purchase Entire Interest Hardware Store

A transaction was completed Monday, January 12, whereby Mr. and Mrs. George Gibson became the sole owners of the Midwest Hardware Co., of Lusk. They purchased the interests of their former associates, Helen Egl and Mrs. Mary Blum of Palisade, Nebraska, and Claude , Norma and Donald Richardson of Denver. 

The transaction affects only the Midwest Hardware Store and not the Midwest Skelgas Co.

In an announcement of the change in this week's Herald, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson state that the change of ownership will necessitate some changes in in methods of operation, both for expediency and to provide working capital. Most contract sales, therefore, will be handled by the Lusk State Bank  in the future.

As a money raising means and to put the unusually large stock in better shape, a stock reduction sale will be held in the neat future, but will be definitely announced later.

In announcing the change of ownership, Mr. Gibson made it plain that one of the disagreements making the change of ownership imperative , was that he insisted in maintaining the large furniture stock and other departments that he believed this trade territory is entitled to. 

Midwest Hardware Co. was established in September, 1926, with Mr. Gibson, Don Blum and R.R. Dempster of North Platte as associates. Stores were established then at Crawford and Gordon, Nebr., as well as at Lusk, and later a store was established at Chadron. These stores have since been sold, with the Lusk store remaining the only one in the original company.

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The Lusk Herald, October 20, 1955

Midwest Hardware Quitting Business; Sale Starts 26th

The Midwest Hardware Company, a store that has become famous for its sales since it was established in Lusk in 1926, is holding its last big sale starting Wednesday, Oct 26.

George Gibson, owner and manager of the store, is holding a "Going Out of Business" sale. He has signed a contract with W.W. Shuey of Kansas City, Mo., to completely close out the store by conducting a retails trade. Shuey is in complete charge of the store from now until the store is sold out.

FOUR LOCATIONS

Because of the unbelievably large stock the Midwest has built up in the past, it was necessary to find additional space to display and sell furniture and other equipment. Selling will be conducted from four main locations: the Midwest Hardware building, the basement of the Lusk Safeway Store, the quarters formerly occupied by the Gamble Store in the Wyoming Theatre building, and heavy equipment from the vacant lot between Best Cafe and Coast-to Coast Store.

A large crew of extra help has been hired to help conduct the sale. 

In an advertisement which can be found elsewhere in this issue George and Ethel Gibson explain their reason for the sale. "In these 30 years we have had a lot of fun. Lusk has been good to us. We are not leaving and we want to thank you all," they say. 

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The Lusk Herald, February 24, 1966

Merchen and Bruch Buy Midwest Hardware Here

Willard "Wild" Merchen and John Bruch have purchased the Midwest Hardware and Furniture Company from Melvin Merchen. The change was effective Tuesday, Feb. 15, Melvin Merchen is now operating Smiths Motor Lodge. The two Merchens are brothers. Wild Merchen, who has worked in the business for short periods during the past few years, will manage the business. Mr. Bruch will not be actively engaged in the operation.