A staple of daily life in the local textile mills was the dope wagon making its rounds. Because early sodas, including Coca-Cola, had traces of coca leaves in their formulas, they were often called “dope.” The dope wagon, a cart carrying various and sundry snack items, such as sodas, candies, peanuts, crackers, and even headache-powders, offered mill workers a bite to eat and a brief respite from work.
A dope wagon, or a variation of one, was a familiar sight around the local mills. In fact, one description of Lanett Mill’s dope wagon, called a dope stand, in 1929, appeared in the book, I Go South by Harry Shumway. A brief excerpt described it as follows:
“We went into a big room called a ‘Dope Stand.’ The name was misleading. It should have been called a filling station. They sold tonics, hot dog and hamburger sandwiches, and this and that. There were tons of candy and peanuts and all sorts of things for a between-meals snack. It was very well patronized. The workers came in in twos and threes, and bought things…”
By the late 1930s, however, refrigeration and coin-operated vending machines had significantly improved. Over time, vending machines would drive the dope wagon out of the mills.
By the late 1950s, George Cobb Jr. had re-envisioned and reinvented his father’s Vend-All idea. He recognized the need to provide food vending service – a complement to the Cola-Cola vending machines – in the area’s numerous textile plants. Vend-All Co. was established in 1957 to provide full-line service to plants in the area. In 1959, Mr Cobb Jr. added Coffee Service to his vending operations. Cotton mills, which previously had only a dope wagon or concession stand, now boasted vending machines that offered sandwiches both hot and cold, soup, pastries and desserts, chewing gum, milk, coffee and hot chocolate.
Of course, many of these selections could be enjoyed with a cold Coca-Cola. Vend-All’s modern vending machines were showcased to advantage in the break rooms of the new Lanier Mill and Carter Mill, two large weaving plants housed under one roof on I-85 near Lanett. The opening of the new mills was a community event attended by thousands, who toured the mills and enjoyed free cold Coca-Colas. Maurice Duttera, Vice President of the West Point plant, was in charge of operations during the mills’ grand opening. He noted that over 42,000 free cups of Coke and Fresca were served during the festivities. The new facilities made the cover of the Coca-Cola Bottler, official publication of the bottling industry, in 1968.
Cobb Memorial Archives 