Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-07-23
The Wholesale Trade of Knoxville.

knoxville may be justly proud of its basines:
men, We take pleasure in bearing testimony
that to them is mainly attributable the advance.
| ment of the city to its present position among
the cities of the South. It's growth during the
past few years has far succeeded the expecta-
tons OF the most hopeful and sanguine, and to-
day, by the people of East Tennessee it is re-
garded as the head and fount from whence the
blessings OF commercial activity and success re-
turn to benefit and enrich the other cities towns,
villages and farms of our Switzerland of Amer
lea.
Few comprehend, or comprehending ade-
qqately appreciate, the important relation the
wholesale trade of Knoxville bears to the peo-
pie of the surrounding country The law of
compensation is as unerring and certain as is
the law of gravitation. In illustration of our
meaning, we will cite the City of New York,
which is recognized as the metropolis of Amer
lea: Approaching New York from the West,
North or South, one can not fail to observe, as
| the distance lessons, increasing indications of
wealth and prosperity. As the iron horse wills
ties its way through hill and valley, farms, cities
and population nauItipty-an unfailing index
that wealth, like the blood, is rich nearest the
heart. 1t does not detract from the argument
or facts to say that cities in other sections of the
United States enjoy fair measure of CONNER
cial prosperity. This serves rather to strengthen
| the argument Though less in Importance and
| extent, they form the center of systems present
ing as it were systems within system.
A history of the development Of the iobbing
trade of this city would be of interest to ALL
and, if time and space permitted, we would
| gladly present it to our readers. With modest
| pretensons and solicitous concern, the pioneers
began their work. Their efforts brought forth
fruit, for in the heart of our city there towers
aloft a massive pile Of masonry fashioned and
| shaped into thing of beauty, an evidence that
| intelligent effort and untiring devotion has its
reward.
| The extensive field open to competition and
the facilities for the reception and distribution
| of merchandise invited others to come and es-
tabllsh. There are situated at different points
along Gay street fourteen wholesale houses of
the first order, the transactions of which aggre-
gate annually many millions of dollars.
There is Cowan, McClung & Co., wholesale
dealers in general merchandise. Not more
than one or two, if any, larger houses can be
found in the Southern States. The building re-
Gently erected by them and which they will
shortly occupy, is n model of massiveness,
strength and elegance, and for the purpose de-
signed is, we believe, without rival in the
South.
A. L. s. II. c. Gillespie & Co., long and ia
vorably known as dry goods dealers, are doing
an immense business, and meeting the success
they richly merit. They contemplate moving
further up town their increasing business, re-
curing more commodious quarters.
w. w. Woodruff IL Co., hardware dealers.
Mention of this firm is almost superhuoua, but
success has been theirs in an eminent degree,
industrious in their work, pleasant in their in
tercourse with friends and customers, their course
has been onward and upward
The queensware establishment of Doll & Gull
len, though of recent orig gin by faithful perse-
verance, on the part of the proprietors, has at
tanned wide reputation, and is an acquisition to
the jobbing trade of the city. These gentle
man are of the old Dominion State, but have
now fixed upon K, as their abiding place.
Thos O. Conner s. Co, wholesale dealers in
and manufacturers of saddles and brides, car
riage and buggy harness and collars: OF its
class this is one of the largest manufactures in
the South. Their trade extends from Richmond,
Va. to Mobile, Ala, embracing all the States
lying between. The terrible fire demon visited
this establishment short time ago, but by the
superhuman efforts of our fremen, it was check
ed, not, however, until loss of $1,000 had been
sustained.
E. j. Sanford s. Co., reliable and popular
druggists. These gentleman have been long in
the feld-have won the esteem and confidence
of the public. An unmistakable sign Of enter
prise is their new and handsome building now
in process of erection,
Chamberlain s. Albers, druggists, they too
have been established many years, and by as
their duties have, worked their way into
an excellent business. Their past record
is guarantee that in the future they will not be
found wanting.
Hunter s. Co., safe and reliable business men
and experienced druggists. Their trade is con-
stantly increasing, and we bespeak for them a
share of public patrnage.
Heald & Lock- druggists These gentlemen
stand high in their profession, neat and exac. in
their transactions and qualified by experience,
they are making admirable progress Theirs is
a we'll regulated drug house.
Coffin, Martin, Co., grocers and commits
sion merchants This firm is one of the oldest
in the city, and the numerous patrons of their
business fully attests the high appreciation in
which the are held by the mercantile public.
CarDentar e Ross prOcors These gentlemen
are in Browns block, and have fine large
sales and steerage rooms. They have an extern
sive trade extending beyond the bounds OF our
state into North Carolina, Kentucky, and Geor-
gia Afable and courteous gentlemen both of
them.
McClung & Bettertons dealers in cigars, to-
bacco liquors and fancy groceries. Their foun-
dation was firmly laid and success has attended
their endeavors This is the largest ouse ofits
class in the State The gentlemen conducting
its business may be alwaysIfound at their post
ready to meet their hosts of friends.
Nichols Page, Francisco Il Co, wholesale
manufactures OF boots and shoes. Inns lauda6Iy
enterprise we are glad to learn is progressing
finely, it gives employment to large number
of workmen, and is one of the Institutions of the
city, in which, we all feel a commendable inter-
est and pride.
And now we come to the last though not the
least of this cluster of business firms, which |
have contributed so largely to the solid growth |
of Knoxville r. S. Payne & Co., to whose new |
advertisement we direct the attention of the
public this morning, are widely known as
and ladies' hats. r. S. Payne,Rof Tennessee |
and F. McNulty, of New York City, compose
the firm. They began business in 1868. under
what was deemed 1nauspicious circumstances. |
Friends endeavored to dissuade them from en-
barking in an enterprise they thought doomed to
certain failure After mature reflection, and |
with confidence in themselves, the gentlemen re-
solved upon the venture. Uuremitting labor |
told its story, and at the end of one year the |
business was pronounced success.
Competition was great, but by their energy |
and tact they confirmed the axiom chat the
battle is not always with the strong nor the |
race with the swift" They are now located at |
No. 81 Gay street, and their sales and storage |
rooms afford surface capacity of 1900 spare |
feet. Further additions are contemplated |
Upon entering the house one is struck with the |
regularity manifested in every department |
TIE employees, to whose energy and thought