The inscription spelling as Hi Dollar Joe is incorrect. The inscription of Mr. Burtrum's nickname is incorrect. It is engraved as "HI" when in fact it should have been "HIGH". He was given this special title by his classmates when he graduated auctioneer school as a young man. He always achieved the HIGHEST BIDS...or MADE THE MOST MONEY PER ITEM SOLD, hence he was the 'HIGH DOLLAR'...or 'HIGH DOLLAR JOE.'

'The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.'

~~Isaiah

Below was written in the Joplin Globe in the 1950's. . . .
Tt takes years and years of that crystal-clear cold water tumbling over rocks and ledges to form the wonders of nature which we appreciate so much. It’s also true that institutions, ideas or businesses do not continue for long if they are not basically sound in concept. A man may be momentarily successful on almost any scheme, but, if the plan does not serve all well, it will not continue long. There was a time when automobile dealers throughout the land made money because the demand for automobiles so far exceeded the supply that a dealer could ask and get almost any price for any kind of car. That day is gone and with it, many of those dealers. Today, one of the outstanding car dealers in the Middlewest is Hi-Dollar Joe Burtrum. One of the reasons he h a s attained this position is because his plan of merchandising is fundamentally sound. In 25 years, Hi-Dollar Joe Burtrum, of 1610 East 7th Street has built up contacts with automobile dealers from coast to coast. Eastern dealers have learned that when temporary pressure or cash threaten them, they can turn a single car or a train load of new automobiles over to Joe for cash. To be sure they often take what otherwise would appear to be a serious loss, but they know mat wnen mey neeu cam, it is going to cost them to get it. The easiest way of all is to turn over to Hi-Dollar Joe the cars they have for the cash they need. Thus the first step of Joe’s merchandising plan has been realized. He has established a source of supply. The second and completing step in this plan is that of pleasing the consuming public. Hi-Dollar Joe recognizes that he must be ready at all times to fulfill the need for cash of dealers who depend upon him. For that reason, he, in turn must convert the cars quickly. He does this by taking a small margin of profit and offering an easier purchase plan. The result is cars move quickly from the big two-block-long lot at 1610 East 7th Street. If Hi-Dollar Joe is the minute - man for c a r dealers back east, he’s also the minute-man for car buyers in the Middlewest. He has neither the time nor the disposition to hold out for long profits. He must keep h i s flow of automobiles smooth and uninterrupted. All this adds up to just one thing for you potential car buyers. Unless it is your wish to support a plush establishment; unless it is your wish to c o n t r i bute to the overhead of a dealer who operates on an old fashioned system; there is but one place for you to buy the car, truck or pickup you want. That place is 1610 East 7th Street in Joplin, Missouri, where seven days a week you will meet the king of the car dealers, Hi Dollar Joe Burtrum from Joplin, Mo. Largest Automobile & Truck Dealers in the Middlewest. Always on Hand, Over 400 Automobiles & Pickups, From the Oldest to the Newest BURTRUM BROS. MOTOR CO* 1610 EAST SEVENTH STREET PHONE MA 3-4600 JOPLIN, MISSOURI