Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-02-27

body has heard of Bowen Bros. Of Chicago.
Not to know them argues great obscurity.
This great house. as We stated some DAYS
since III the Democrat. has become ST. j
greater; increased in number Of partners.
greatly increased in capital, thoseh that vas
immense before-and greatly have their fs.
cili,ies been enhanced. The new firm 10
Bowen, whitman & winslow. Theft lecs-
ton. corner of Randolph and Wabash svs-
nue-where they ocesPy one Of the largest
dry goods stores In the world-ksown -
Bowens buildings. This building has
Randolph street front Of 2l0 feet by ITO on
the Avenue. Bowen, Whitman 4 Winslow's
store occupies 100 feet of this gorgeous
marble front-,heir ticors running up tive
stories.
The excavation was commenced on the
9th day Of September, 1866, since which
time there has been IL, 600 cubic yards oil
earth excavated 10000 cubic feet dimen-
sion stone, 600 cords rubble stone and
2,5o0, goo brick laid 1000 yards of plas-
| tericg spread, and 1850 superficial feet Of
cut stone work done. In the construction
Of the building over 900, 600 feet Of joist and
timber has been used, large proportion Of
which is 80 feet In length, and has been cut
from the logs since the work was commsnc-
ed. All Of this vast amount Of material, be-
sides other amounts too numerous to men
tion, have been worked into, and the build
| ing fully completed within the short space
Of l5O days. Tho basement Is devoted to
the sale Of domestic fisnnels, blankets, etc.
The engine and boiler, and steam pump for
heating, are placed near the rear end; in ad
dition to the length gained under the front
and rear sidewalk, the excavation was also
extended 104 fee. under the sidewalk At the
side. giving 2lO by los feet space more
than in the floors above, the light 10 this
room is perfect, It being quite unusual for
Easements 10 be 80 we'll lighted.
On the first Aeor 10 situated the ofice and
the city sales desk, and is devoted to the
sale Of prints and notions in endless varie-
ty; on the second floor is the Office Of the
old firm Of Bowen Bros. (there being ne
cessity for . separate Office until the old
business can be scttled and closed up here
may bs seen the books, papers and vouch :
ers OF the house through al it's changes arr
ranged and classified SO that any account or
transaction may instantly be referred to, il
necessary and the departments Of dress
goods, white goods, hosiery, gloves and
| fancy goods on the third floor are found
cloths, cassimeres, jeans, cottonades, fur>
nishing goods, ETC.; the fourth floor is the
packing and entry room, where all bills are
made out the fifth is for storage Of full
packages. The light in al the floors is as
good a. the most particular buyer could de-
sire. In addition to large windows in front
and rear, the side 10 lined with windows Of
. single light each, the glass being extra
double thick" imported expressly for the
purpose. Nos. - and Il are occupied by
the CIockery Department, 10 which Mr..
George r. Whitman gives his especial at
tention. The basement is used for packing.
On the first door is the off :e and sales
ROOM the fourth and fifth floors are used
exclusively for the storage Of unbroken
crates.
1t pays we'll to get look At this magnify
cent establishment, when in Chicago,
whether one wants TO buy or not If you
want to buy Dry Goods, Crockery or Glass
ware, Of course it pays to 60 10 Bowen.
Whitman & Winsiow, for they may be said
to control the Dry Goods market Of the
| Northwest. Let dealers take notice and act
upon our excellent advice, to call and ex
anime instead Of gong to the Eastern
market.