The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-22
HANDSOME IMPROVEMENT.

There was no period in the history of Baltimore
when the trade with the Southern States was in
creasing so rapidly as just previous to the late
Presidential election. The houses engaged in The
Southern trade exclusively, were taxed to theil
greatest capacity, to keep pace with the demands
from that section, and many of the firms founc
their warehouse-room entirely inadequate to sue
cessfully meet the orders which were daily ncreas
ing. Among this number was the firm of Charles
Ii. Myers & Bro., on the Northeast corner of Ex
change Place and South street. Their trade wa.
confined to the Southern States, and mostly to the
States of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. They
found that their ware-rooms were not near large
enough to afford those facilities which the increas
ing trade demanded, and they accordingly deter
mined to erect building which would be admira-
bly, adapted to their business. The old warehouse
demolished, and in its stead has been erected
beautiful edihce suitable in all its parts for their pc
cullar trade. One of the most noticeable features
connected with it, is the cellar or basement story
The sidewalk on Exchange Place and South street
was excavated to depth of seven feet, extending
from the curb to the building line. The ground
was carefully paved with two LAYERS of brick and
then cemented, thus securing dry and permanent
floor. The next object was to place a secure
footway over the excavation, and for this pur
pose wrought iron girders were procured
The foundation walls were built with projections,
with view to the use of these girders, which ex-
tend from the projection referred to to the outer OF
curb line wall, where they rest. They are placed
about five feet apart, and the space between has
been securely arched with brick work, forming
most durable pavement. The basement is one Of
the most convenient and c0mmodious in the CITY
and is perfectly adapted to the purposes for which
it will be used. James F. Kemp, the architect
has been most successful in his aim to thoroughly
light and yenlate the building. 1t is five stories
high, and the exterior work, though plain, is ye
tasteful and is well calculated to attract the atten
tion Of passers by. The first story is formed O
massive iron pillars, with heavy arches of the same
| material resting on them. The fronts are very
open, and as a consequence there is an abundance
of light. The first floor divided into two apart
ments, one of which constitutes an Office Tht
| other, fronting on Exchange place, will be used Al
| the packing department. The walls of the foul
upper stories are of pressed brick, with neat cap
| over the windows and crowned with a heavy cor
nice. The second floor is divided in three apart
| meats, viz: an office, saes-room and lunch
| room. Each of these apartments is provided witt
all the apputenances essential for the transaction
of business. There is in the office secure vault the
foundation ofwhich extends from the ground up anc
which, in case OF fire, would afford perfect securi
| ty to the books and valuables connected witt
the office. The third, fourth and fifth stories ar,
| spacious apartments, undivided, and will be usec
| for the storage of choice sample casks of wines
brandes and other liquors, and of cigars, &c. Th,
stock of domestic liquors will be stored in a separ
ate warehouse, while all the imported LIQUORS anC
cigars will remain In bond, and will be sold entire
y from samples. The importations of the firm
consist of the choicest varieties of Cognac, Ro
| chelle and bordeaux brandies, Jamaica and SAINT,
Croix rum, Holland gin, French, Spanish German
and Italian wines, and the products generally o
those countries, and of Havana cigars. Their stoci
of domestic liquors will consist of the best ouaitie
OF rye and Bourbon whiskey. In Short they will b.
able to supply the trade with the best articles il
their line of business. Notwithstanding the de
preston which has affected trade in all its branches
their preparations to meet demands are complete
and when life is again infused into business, the,
nope to be able to take the tide at its food. Th
following gentlemen were engaged in the construc
tion OF the building: Architect. James F. Kemp
masons, Oliver Fleming; brickayer, E. A. Foos
iron.wo ker, W. Bollman & Co.; carpenter, Jane
5. Forbes; painter, c. W. Eichelberger; marble
workers, Morgan Bevan; Plumbing, L. Hubbell