Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-04-12
CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.

Cool Observation-Disclosures Man.
ufacture-WhoIesaIe Boot and Shoe
Trade-DOggett, Bassett d Hi1s-The
Look Ahead-The Fruit Prospect.
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
a busy season are promising -.
LEATHER MANUFACTURE. 49,.
Prominent among the Industries which have
built up Chicago is the manufacture of leath-
er. So noted is Chicago leather for it's <ex-
cellenee, that the best boots in New; Eng
land are made of it. It's distinguishing quail
ty is, that it remains soft and pliable. and
therefore durable, and consequently has
the best reputation in the market. All kinds
of leather-sole, upper, calf and harness
are made here, but the chief production
is upper leather. AS might be expected. in
a 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 few years, 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 it's manufac-
ture of boots and shoes. The Chicago custom
boot has a 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 a class, the wholesale boot and shoe
dealers are among the most responsible and
reliable business men of the city, and rep
resent a large amount of business capital
And at the head of this class is the firm of
DoaGETT, BAssETr 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
a wholesale and retail house in June, 1916,
when there were no wholesale houses here of
any kind, and the population was but $4,000,
their sales the first year were but 81 900. In
1849 they sold exclusively at wholesale, and
from that time to this they have maintained
their pre-emnence as the leading house in
their line in the Northwest, and 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 5000 cases last year, and will largely in
crease the number this year. Their goods al
ways command the highest price in the market.
They keep everything in their line to be found
in any market, and have more complete as
SOrUm6nt IMAM any Eastern mouse. by always
using the best materials making and keeping
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, 200,
600, and have earned reputation for integ
rity and fair dealing, and for the superior
quality of their goods, which is guaranty for
still greater achievements. It is one of the
solid institutions which gives character to
Chicago.
Spring fashions are beginning to make their
appearance, and the ladies are manifesting
their usual interest in the latest novelties.
j. W. aRIswoLD & CO., As & 80 WABASH AVENUE
are now opening the largest and most fash
ionable stock of spring cloaks, cloakings,
trimmings, laces, and especially ladies' SUITS,
ever offered the trade of the Northv est. 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 the public
debt at a lower rate of interest, will have IA
vorable effect upon the business interests of
the country, and tend to give confidence to
both capitalists and business men.
THE FRUIT PROSPECT
for southern Illinois was never better, and I'M
less killing frost intervenes we shall have
an abundance of good things IN their season.