Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-05-26
Historical, 30.

Historical, 30.
| In 1864 there came to Independence,
three eastern gentleman, New Yorkcrs)
who, after looking about, purchased the
stock and goodwill of the late p. G. Will
Icox, then doi:g business in the east half
of the old brick block. The new house
opened up under the firm name of Law
renee, Boucher, & Lawton. After some
time of successful business, Mr. Hawton
withdrew from the firm and formed a
copartnership with a Mr.. Curtiss of New
York, and opened out in the then new
frame block, under the sign of "The
New York Store" Their business grew
rapidly and they soon found that more
room was nescessary, therefore purchas,
ed the stock and goodwill of Wilcox,
Chesley, & Chamberlir, at that time do
ing business in the west half of the brick
block. Here they had spacious store,
which, with few improvements, made
it the best salesroom in the city.
Mr.. Lawton soon became identified
as one of the best business men in the
county, always having the best ofgoods,
and the most gentlemanly, accomoda-
ting and intelligent statesmen. 1t must
be with satisfaction that Mr.. Lawton
can look about and see the coming up
of those who have associated with him,
doubtless gaining much of their knowl
edge while being thus connected. One
can see the names of several on our bu-
siness street, among them will be MOTTO
| ed those of Chesley & Chamberlin, of the
firm Moore, Chesley 81 Chamberlin; Geo.
| Williams, Of the firm of Williams g. Son
| and of those who were associated under
| the old firm will be found w. III. II.
| Morse and George Woodruff Out of
town we learn of viii Freeman, success
| fully engaged at Fort Dodge. Lastly we
now find associated with Mr.. Lawton rs
partners, his brother A. W.. and Mr.. J.
NJ. Post, they having taken possession
s. POST, the first of March of this year,
Mr.. A. j. Curtiss having retired the first
of January.
Everything must have leader, there
are leading men, leading banks, leading
societies, leading churches, and leading
stores, in every community. The New
York Store opened under the new firm
determined to sustain the name Of the
lsading dry goods house Of CantraI Io,oa
in the following points; that Of having
the best quality and best selected stock
of various kinds of dry goods; taking
the lead in buying and selling at the
lowest cash prices and transacting their
business on the straightforward cash ba-
sis. AS to their being as determined, it
takes but casual glance to confirm.
.lnr
firm only three months they have shown
such proofs. and taken such tootholds
that speak volumes for any establish
ment. Frequently it happens that new
institutions make impressions on their
first opening, and give out, through ad
vertisements and otherwise, that they
are to do something out of the usual line,
but soon they drop into the old rut and
are considered as others Not 50 with
the New York Store. On its opening
this Spring, from hints previously given
out, and from stories that will find way
among the people, much was expected.
and everyone began watching the new
firm of Lawton Bros. & Post, to see if
they were misinformcl or whether the
New York Store meant even half that
ing to see the result. Sometime previ-
Gus to the busy season, Mr. n. Q. Law
ton was in the eastern market, posting
himself as to the coming styles, finding
the cheapest place to buy goods and
picking up information necessary to
the successful buyer. At about the time
most merchants were thinking what to
buy, Oh came the new goods to the New
York Store, direct from the hands Of the
senior, comprising everything wanting
and at such remarkably low figures, that
Mr. Post, Il veteran in marking goods,
was frequently astoundCd to find that he
could mark to sell the goods at regular
wholesale prices, and then make Il rea-
sonable profit.
1t took but a few hours for it to be
known throughout the city, that the
new goods had arciyed at the New York
Store, and almost before they were ar
ranged on the counters, the customers
began to come in, as they said to look,
but which proved almost invariably to
buy, for seldom did one leave without
having bought Although under usual
circumstances large Spring stock had
been purchased, it was.soon discovered,
that it not only must be duplicated, but
quadrupled, aud from the time of their
fist arrival their trade took rapid in
crease. To such an extent did their bu-
Siness increase, that additional help was
necessary; so rapidly did the good Ii
dings" Of their selling such good and
came there to trade, who had heretofore
done their business at Waterloo, McGreg
or and other surrounding cities. In a
few instances, these parties were imposed
upon, by trading at other stores, being
made to believe they were in the New
York Store. They however found the
imposition, in looking about afterwards,
although too late for that day, it will be
of benefit to them III the future. AS a
matter of course these things rebound
to the injury of those thus imposing.
Honesty has always proven to be the
best policy and it will do even at the
present time.
Mr.. Lawton remained in the market
for about two months. Although he
has been successful as Il buyer heretofore,
his Spring purchases were even more so.
In several instances, he was enabled to
get some rare bargains at the auction
sales. though their goods are mostly pur
chased of first hands. AS to styles, he
by remaining there, was always sending
forward the latest, so that frequently,
customers were purchasing styles that
were hardly out atthe east As a matter
of course the citizens appreciate all these
little things and they help amazingly in
building up of such an institution.
If is with an air of satisfaction, that
one walks about our city and sees the
improvements rapidly going on; which
are spoken of more generally in another
article When the New York Store
first opened in the brick block, and had
a few changes made in the salesroom, it
was looked upon as an Improvement OF
some importance. However, our city
continues to improve with time, and al
though they have now one Of the larg-
| est and most convcniant salesroom, soon
are they to have one of the finest and
best equipped stores in the city, Mr..
| Wilcox having determined to rebuild
and remodel the bic *, giving the New
York Store building worthy of them
and that the citizens will be proud OF,
as they are of the business firm.
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