Crawford-Ferguson Store
Written by Justin D. Lamb
Right: Old Benton Hotel and Crawford-Ferguson Building
(Marshall County Genealogical Soceity)
“M.G. Crawford was one of the most widely known and highly respected businessmen of west Kentucky and west Tennessee,” wrote the Tribune-Democrat in September 1934. “His store is among one of the best in Benton.”
Born in Tennessee on August 23, 1878, Manton G. Crawford gave evidence of his astute business abilities, and at age 19, he opened his first general merchandise store. Two years later, he formed a partnership with the Gatlin family of Puryear, Tennessee forming the Crawford-Gatlin Company with eight stores throughout west Tennessee and Kentucky including one in Hardin, Kentucky. By 1928, Crawford became president of the Crawford-Gatlin and moved headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee. The company continued to grow with a total of 35 stores under Crawford’s direction.
Crawford retired as President of Crawford-Gatlin in 1932 and moved to Benton where he purchased the struggling Ferguson store and renamed it the Crawford-Ferguson Company. The store sold general merchandise and was located in the downstairs floor of the Benton Hotel. The Benton Hotel was first built in 1908 and was formed out of joint partnership between County Judge Robert L. Shemwell and Benton Tribune editor Elias Barry. A livery stable was located just behind the building until the automobile became the preferred means of transpiration. A murder took place at the hotel in the 1920s when two men became entangled in a jealous fight over a woman. The victim fell to his demise on the third floor of the hotel.
After only two shorts years in Benton, M.G. Crawford died suddenly in September 1934 after suffering a heart attack. The Crawford-Ferguson store closed briefly until it was purchased by Homer Lucas who operated it until the 1960s and the hotel was operated by H.A. Riley until the 1950s. Crawford-Ferguson store shut down for good when the National Store located in the building. The building now houses Antiques Etcetera.