In 1927 three Pappe brothers -- Richard Jr., Arthur and Court -- formed a partnership to start a company known as the Pappe Oil Company. The following is a transcription of the first page of the agreement:
August 10, 1927
Pappe Oil Co., Contract.
It is hereby agreed that R. Pappe, C. Pappe & Art Pappe are forming a partnership company to be known as the Pappe Oil Co.
That each partner is to put a like amount of cash money to buy lots or location, material for building an oil station and four room house, made of hollow title {sic], stuccoed and pebble dash on the outside and plastered on the inside.
Also to buy or lease ground for a tank location at the railroad, buy two storage tanks of 12,000 gallon each capacity with standards on which to set the tanks., to build of metal a warehouse for the storage of oil and pump and motor.
In fact each partner is to put up the same or like amount of cash money to build, buy and carry on said building and business as it should be carried on.
That each partner have the same say as to the running of said station and agree alike before any matter or business proposition can be done. It must be satisfactory with all three partners, and that one will not have any more interest or say so than the other.
That said C. Pappe and Art Pappe are to get $18.00 each per week and said C. Pappe the living quarters at the station, per week, and after all expenses are paid than the net earnings are to be divided three equal, each 3 or 6 months as agreed upon by all parties.
That said R. Pappe has the right to look over books, invoices, prices or anything.
And at any time the said three partners can't agree, then any....
Signed R. Pappe, C. Pappe, A. Pappe
