Neeley Appliance Company - Proud Sponsor of The Bamberg County Historic Society, www.bambergcountysc.com

Neeley Appliance Co.
4787 Carolina Highway
Denmark, S.C. 29042

History of Neeley Appliance Co.
By Sam Neeley

"In the spring of 1955, I was working as a skilled technician for the Seaboard Railroad stationed in Denmark. My position was comparable to a power company lineman or AT&T central office technician. While this was a very responsible job, I had many after work hours to devote to other activities. Television had made its way into our area and with time on my hands, I came on the idea of a sideline business to generate some additional income."

"I approached the late John Poole about buying a small operation that he owned as a sideline to his Poole's 5-10-25 cents store. He consulted his wife, Annis, and they decided to sell it to me.

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I then approached an uncle for a loan to make the deal. He felt that it was a time to sell and not buy, and declined to help me. So, with my wife, Verna's $800 cash, I went back to John Poole. He agreed to accept the $800 as a down payment and allowed me to pay the balance of $1900 over time."

"On May 1, 1955, we met at the appliance store being operated under the name of Poole and Company and completed the transaction. I gave him a check for $800. He asked me if that was all the money that I had. "You will need some money for change and other expenses. You can repay me as you can."

"From May 1, 1955 to December 31, 1955, the total sales volume was $31,000, with a net profit of $800. This is taking into account my having spent my two weeks railroad vacation rewiring the Olar School building. Taking no salary from the business for two years and having paid John in full, the business had a net worth of $8900 at the end of 1957."

"In conclusion, of the beginning of Neeley Appliance Company, I want to say that no one could have done more for my wife Verna, Daughters, Kay and Betsi, and me, than the late John and Annis Poole. We are humbly grateful for their invaluable assistance."