The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-10-29

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pristors; it afterwards fell into the
hands of Church & McKillop; after
wards Tappan, McKillop 6s Co., and
| finally took Its present name. Mr.. s..
| p. Church lof G. IL Mck.) was the
| prominent traveller for the house, and
| will be extensively remembered
throughout the South. The house of
Dunn & Co., No. 2S3 Broadway, was
opened about the same Time, under the
the style of Tappan, Douglass Il
Co., the Tappau of the firm be-
ing uncle of T., or T. Nick. 81
Co. Besides these there are the houses
of Ballard and Broadstreet, the former
located at No. 200 Broadway, and the
| latter at No. 247 Broadway. Broad
streets establishment is comparatively
of recent organization, but does large
| printing business. From BaIlard's es-
| tablishment a reliable book is issued
which gives information in regard TO
the merchants OF few of our principal
cities. - ~ ,- sa-a-
WHAT A COMMERCIAL AGENCY Is.
That the reader may fully compre-
hend the immense amount of labor
performed by these agencies, it is ne
cessary that somewhat of their ends
and aims, their history and growth
should be illustrated. AS merchants
from all parts OF the United States
came TO New York to purchase goods,
became more and more popular. II be-
came necessary that those who Were
constantly selling goods should have
some knowledge OF the ability, hon
esty, and commercial standing OF those
with whom they were dealing. The
idea OF putting on record, for reference,
the knowledge obtained OF merchants
in various parts OF the country, ofigi-
mated with the late Lewis Tappan, who
proposed to several of the principal
merchants of that day that they should
contribute to the general stock such
knowledge as they possessed Of their
customers. This waste be confidential
between them, and for their mutual
benefit From this small commence.
ment has grI wn up a vast system of
obtaining. recording and disbursing
Information in relation TO the lnercan-
tile community.
HOW THE IMPORTATION Is OBTAINED.
If we take the establishment of
McKillop, Sprague & CO., as an illus
tration of what a model commercial
agency IS, we shall hDd that they have
perfected the system To the last degree,
and that 1t is of great benefit to the
merchants of New York as well as other
cities. They have associate offices lu-
Gated in Boston, Pbiladelphia, Baltt-
more. Chicago, Cincinnati, st. Louis,
and other cities, all of which communi
is also kept up with similar agencies in
England, Scotland, France, and Ger
many, and at n moments notice inIOr-
nation can be furnished concerning the
prominent merchants, bankers, and
manu- facturers of these countries as
we'll as those OF the United States.
That the United States may be thor
oughly canvassed, it has been divided
into eight districts, and intelligent
agents located in at least every county
throughout the country, and sometimes
there is one at each town. village, and
cross road. It is the duty OF these
agents to learn all they can respecting
the merchants in their Immediate
| neighborhood. This information is at
| once sent to one OF the associate offices,
and. having been transcribed there, is
forwarded 10 the central Ott1ce In this
| city. From the Office records is furn-
ished u reliable statement of the con-
dition of each merchant, with his
| n ntecedents and business history; and
| by these reports an opinion can be
| formed whether or not credit may be
safely granted, and to what extent.
Applications for Information, in all
cases, have to be made by principals,
either in person or writing, over his
| own signature. The Information or
book furnished TO subscribers is re-
| garded and treated by them as strictly
confidential, and for the use of their
4 n
| tion releases the agency from all obli-
| CATION TO furnish any Information
THE KSowLBDGE AS 1T COMES.
| The following may be taken as a
sample of the Information furnished.
we will suppose, about Jones, Smith q
| Brown, VINO are general dealers:
"J." is about tifty years old, and a
merchant at this place for twenty years,
| during which time he has been doing a
!
never failed, is OF good character, and a
| shrewd business man. Is now esti-
4 mated to be worth about $1,000. of
which 5000 is in unenoumbered real
| estate. He does legitimate business,
and never ventures into rash specula-
| tions. "S." and 3D. are each about
! thirty-five years old, and smart busi-
ness men. 'S." had been in business
| and failed, settled hOnorably, acted as
| clerk for nJ." for two or three years,
and was admitted Eartner some two
years since paying in 5000 In cash,
| principally gift from his father, who
| IS well of. 3D." has been clerk in
the house about four years, and a good
| and popular one, Is just admitted
\ mariner, but does not Rdd any capital.
| They continue to do good business,
are in good credit, and worthy of it
| About Thomas jenkins, hardware
merchant, the following Information
may be communicated:
/ About forty, married, good character
and habits; commenced his business
about three years ago on 81, 900 capital.
Has made money, and is now probably
worth So, 900; owns the house and lot
| where he does business, is industrious,
prudent, careful and in good credit.
This information, as soon as 1t reaches
the central office in this city Is recorded
| by clerks in books. Now when q man
fc0mes TO New York to'tfade, II he'is-a
stranger to the merchant with whom
he proposes to deal, the merchant while
| he is showing his customer the goods
dispatches II messenger to the ONCE OF
the CONNIE rcial agency with the name,
| business and place Of residence of his
customer, requesting some information
in relation to him. II word is brought
back that he is good, honest and always
paws his debts, the merchant trusts
| him, selling him such goodstas he wants.
| If the messenger should return with an
| uutnyorAbIe report the merchant is
able to conduct himself with his custo-
mer accordingly
NEW YORK HOUSE.
The house of MeKiuop, Sprague Il
| Co, annually issues a book, which VIII
contain in the January volume, 1858,
the names of some four hundred thou
sand merchants, bankers and manu-
faotnrers, with their stEndiDg- "A cor
rected sheet Is issued, noting all the
Important changes which have taken
nlace In the mercantile community
each week. IfA man in Iowa, Maine,
or Texas, has Rbsconded, failedi de-
4 ceased, assigned or sold out, or a hrIn
dissoIyed, the fact is duly recorded, and
i ,he msrcantile community Is at once
4 In foTn1ed Of it. By this admirable ar
4 s..eg,so,,t st,a rn6rca ntile community