Billy Armstrong
A Haigler Merchant

Billy Armstrong lived in a house where Mark McVey has his mobile home.  (1976)  Billy told Dad when he was nine years old his step-mother sent him after a bucket of water, but instead Billy got on his horse and left home.  he rode with cowboys on the range for years before coming to Haigler.  In Haigler he had a saloon and later a merchantile store.  He always carried a basket on one arm covered with a cloth.  He revealed to Dad one day the contents of his basket included a six-shooter.  Billy made his fortune as a businessman in Haigler.

1. pp. 62

Lyman Billie Armstrong

Billie Armstrong, pioneer resident and businessman of Haigler, passed away at the family home early Sunday morning. His passing was as sudden as it was unexpected.

Mr. Armstrong came to Haigler as a young man and lived his entire life there. For many years, he had operated a general merchandise store and was one of the most successful merchants in the county. He was an excellent citizen and splendid man which fact was reflected in the many friends he made and maintained during the long years he lived here. He is survived by a wife and daughter and various other relatives and hundreds of admiring friends.

5. November 1932

Taken from 1932 HAIGLER NEWS
L. B. Armstrong’s store specials for March 24th. Tomatoes 10 cents a can. String beans 10 cents a can. Corn and Kraut 10 cents a can. Crushed pineapple 59 cents a can. Fourteen bars P 6 C soap 45 cents.

2. p. 9.

"I was born in Haigler, Nebraska in 1912 and lived there the first 18 years of my life. 

The first thing I remember about our town was that it was a fairly bustling little community. There were two restaurants, one drugstore, three grocery stores, (for a short period one variety store), two hardware stores, two creameries, two barber shops, a butcher shop, telephone office, the Haigler News printing office and even two banks and two hotels!"...

..."I was what you call a “store baby” for my parents ran one of the grocery stores and my time when very young in pre-kindergarten days was spent in the store or nearby playing with the other children, who were also store babies. My time was spent for the most part with Viola Schmutte and her brother, Voland, whose parents ran the restaurant next to my father’s store, and with Vivian Richardson, whose mother was employed at one of the hotels. Main Street was our playground!"

2. p. 9

Armstrong Store SRC #1, pp. 103	Armstrong Store SRC #2, pp. 9

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