Of all the words ever written in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram — and there have been many — few were as poignant as those left behind by Louis J. Wortham, the original publisher and editor of the paper formed in 1909.
“So let it suffice to say in this moment of shock and sorrow, that a mighty oak has fallen this day in the forest of humanity, and that the living men of this generation will not look again upon so majestic, kindly, and noble a specimen.”
Those words were written in the aftermath of the death of Paul Waples, who was killed in November 1916 when the car he was riding in collided with an Interurban railcar near his home on the East Side.
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Paul Waples. "More Progress ... Less Politics" is a mantra many in the modern day should really try to get behind.
Waples, who was 66 at his death, was the president of the Waples-Platter Grocery Company, initially begun by his father, who supplied groceries to railroad workers laying tracks in North Texas. The company became known as Waples-Platter Grocery Company with the addition of Waples’ brother-in-law Andrew Platter.
From Fort Worth, Waples-Platter Grocery Company grew into a wholesale powerhouse, serving grocery houses in five states and bringing to market products like the internationally renowned Ranch Style Beans.
It was from this empire that the Star-Telegram was born. In fact, there would be no Star-Telegram — certainly not in 1909 — without Paul Waples, who fronted Amon Carter and Wortham the capital to get the Fort Worth Star off the ground — a $50,000 investment made by Waples and associates. That’s close to $2 million today. When Carter came back to ask for more to acquire the rival — and financially more stable — Telegram, Waples reluctantly doubled down.
Carter was said to have worn down Waples through sheer persistence, talking about the potential acquisition relentlessly.
Waples structured the ownership so that Carter and Wortham each received 10% of the new company — even though Carter had no cash to pay for his share. He secured it with borrowed collateral, including a piece of swamp land in Florida.
Had Waples not agreed to invest capital, Amon Carter likely would have left town for a job in New York.
Fate and Paul Waples intervened.
That contribution to Fort Worth history — not to mention Ranch Style Beans — should have been enough for history to recall this “man of affairs.” Yet, Waples is a forgotten figure.
Said B.B. Paddock: “In matters of statewide interest he had no limitations. He did whatever was essential to success regardless of the expenditure of time or money. He did not wait for others, but performed his part and more, believing, as he did, that every man should give a part of his time, a part of his talent and a part of his money for the good of society and for the benefit of mankind.”
That is the very definition of servant leadership.
Said another: “Paul Waples was always the first to volunteer whenever a public service was needed.”
In addition to his service to his family-owned company, Waples was president of the Fort Worth Board of Trade — a precursor to the Chamber of Commerce — a director in the American Exchange National Bank of Dallas, a trustee of Texas A&M University, and chairman of the Democratic State Executive Committee. He was also chairman of the executive committee of the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.
In his role with the state Democrats, his was a prominent voice against Prohibition, viewing the measure as excessive government intrusion. Moreover, he believed it inflamed class, regional, and cultural divisions and distracted from broader economic and governance priorities. His stance aligned with urban, commercial, and business constituencies who feared Prohibition would damage commerce and invite corruption.
More than 1,500 attended his funeral services here. More than 5,000 were in attendance for his burial service in Denison.
Waples was remembered as a man to whom others turned without hesitation. One minister recalled knowing a man who called on Waples no fewer than 100 times seeking financial help — always on behalf of someone else — and never once left with less than he had asked for. “They are going to miss Paul Waples,” the minister said, “when the winter winds begin to sweep across the Texas prairies.”
Among those remembered in his estate — valued at $500,000 (almost $15 million today) — were the estimated 170 women who worked for him at least two years. Each of them received $1,000, the equivalent of $30,000 today.
“The only reason he didn’t stand among the great national figures,” said the pastor at Waples Methodist Church in Denison, which still stands, “was because he chose not to.”
Said the Star-Telegram in its farewell: “Whosoever comes to write of Paul Waples, comes to write of the great.”
And, so, we have come to do just that.