Sunday, Feb. 14, 1909, article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Start and growth of auto industry here in St. Louis. Interesting struggles of first builders of motor cars and details showing how the business has increased."The article was part of a preview of that year's Automobile Show at the "new Coliseum" and hosted by the St. Louis Automobile Manufacturers'' and Dealers' Association. The main article noted "St. Louis as a motoring center does not have the rank it should have among its sister cities. There are not the number of cars here that one would expect, considering population, wealth and natural advantages for enjoying the sport."Another article noted: "Today the automobile is considered remarkably reliable, exceptionally sturdy, speedy beyond all dreams of 10 years ago, and in appearance it has assumed the very highest style of grace and beauty."
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With 52 electric and gasoline vehicles, Anheuser-Busch was, in 1909, the largest user of motor trucks in the United States. The collection included, from top left: A Pope-Toledo old English stage coach owned by Augustus Busch, a Couple-Gear five-ton electric truck, a one and one-half ton electric beer delivery truck and a five-ton electric beer keg truck (center). Bottom left is an image of the garage.Another article in the section noted that Anheuser-Busch was the largest user of motor trucks in the United States. The company began using 20 electric vehicles for hauling in 1905. Early use was difficult, but "People were then instantly attracted at the sight of electric commercial delivery trucks, beautifully painted and moving under their own power."By 1909, 52 electric and gasoline vehicles were housed in a Broadway and Wyoming street garage. The most notable of the automobiles was the "old English coach," a 1908 Pope-Toledo that Augustus Busch bought for $10,000. He was planning to tour through Great Britain and Europe with the car in the summer of 1909. The collection included other cars: a Pope-Toledo touring car, a Pope roadster, a Pope limousine, a Packard "30," a six-cylinder Pierce Arrow and others. Adolphus Busch also had a Mercedes in New York City and another in Langenschwalben, Germany, for when he was in those locales. "While the cost per truck is higher than a large delivery wagon drawn by horses, yet from the fact that the company secures more mileage and speed and can carry heavier loads, they figure true economy by the use of both electric and gas trucks." What about the drivers, many of whom used to drive horses? "They all hope they never will have to go back to the old way of forcing teams of horses to pull heavy loads with physical endurance and strength overtaxed."
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