Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-04-13
CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.

Cool NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Man
ufaet Boot and shoe
Trade-OOKGett. Bassett u HtllS-The
Look Ahead-The Fruit Prospect.
CHICAGO, April /, lS71.-The pleasant but
cool weather has dried up the mud without
Fastening vegetation.
BUSINESS
is beginning to be quite brisk in dry goods,
millinery. boots and shoes, groceries, hard
ware drugs and chemicals. The prospects Of
q busy season are promising
LEATHER MANUFACTURE.
Prominent among the Industries which have
built up Chicago is the manufacture OF leath-
er. So noted is Chicago leather for it's excel
lence, that the best boots in New England are
made of 1t. Its distinguishing quality is, that
it remains soft and pliable, and therefore du-
rable, and consequently has the best reputa-
ton in the market. All kinds of leather
made here, but the chief production is
upper leather. As might be expected in
city noted for its leather manufactures
THE WHOLESALE BOOT AND SHOE TRADE
has attained large proportions, and has become
the great source of supply for the vast region
OF country, including and west of, the Missis-
sippi valley. For the last yew ears, the bust
ness has been prosperous, and the number Of
strong and reliable firms selling this class Of
goods has done much to attract Western trade
to Chicago The amount of annual sales have
been variously stated at from ten to sixteen
millions, but the lowest sum is probably fair
estimate. 1t is also famous for its manu- fac
ture Of boots and shoes The Chicago custom
boot has great reputation all over the coun-
try, and the st. Louis jobbers are obliged to
buy them to sell their own goods, SO popular
is the demand for them.
As class, the Wholesale boot and shoe
n n ia OH nd
reliable business men Of the city. and repre-
sent large amount of business capital. And
at the head of this class IL the firm of
DoGaErr, BAssETT AND HILLS,
20 and 81 Lake street, the pioneer Wholesale
boot and shoe house, and the oldest one now
in business in Chicago. Beginning business
as wholesale and retail house in June, 1896
when there were no wholesale houses here o!
any kind, and the population was but II, 900,
their sales the first year were but 81 900. In
1S49 they sold exclusively at wholesale, and
from that time to this they have maintained
their pre-eminence as the leading house in
their line in the Northwest, aud there are not
more than three houses in New York city that
equal them in business. They are also large
manufacturers Of boots and shoes-~were the
first to introduce this branch of business here
made 3, 900 cases hast year, and viii largely in
crease the number this year. Their goods al
market. They keep everything in their
line to be found in any market and
have more complete assortment than
any Eastern house. By always using
the best materials. making and keep
ing the best goods--representing them to be
just what they are-and practising the
golden rule in their business relations, they
have increased their annual sales from $11 900
to over 81 100000, and have earned reputa-
ton for integrity and fair dealing, and for the
superior quality Of their goods, which is n
guaranty for still greater achievements. 1t is
one of the solid institutions which gives char
acter to Chicago.
Spring fashions are beginning to make their
appearance, and the ladies are mamfesting
their usual interest in the latest novelties
NV. GRIswoID Il co., 4S 4 80 WABASH AVENUE,
are now opening the largest and most fash
ionable stock of spring cloaks, cloalings,
trimmings laces, and especially ladies s,ats,
ever offered the trade of the Northwest They
lead in matters of taste, and distance all COM
petitors in the Wholesale cloak trade
THE LOOK AHEAD
is more encouraging than last year, and trade,
thus far, has been much better than last year
at this time, and the prices for agricultural
products are also much better The probable
funding of considerable portion of tho pub
lie debt at a lower rate of interest," will have a
favorable effect upon the business INTEREST," {
the country, and tend to give confdenco ~
both capitalists and business mon.
THE FRUIT PROSPECT
for southern Illinois was never better, and I'M
loes n killing frost intervenes, we shall have
spundance Of good things in thor season.