Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-04-02
RuaKHK IAoaARp 4 90.

axiom finds disqualification in very sub
st.ntiAl form in the history Of the success of
Eugene Jaccsrd d Co., now occupying the
massive diamond palace building on the |
corner Of Fifth and Olive streets. Es.ab-
lished in 1929, the firm Of Eugene Jaccsrd
& Co. is the oldsss in the West Forsy-one |
years ago, when ST. Louis was known under
the title OF LIE Bic Village (The whes,
Village), 10 ANAL, gloomy shop, sitaatsd
on a marrow, old French street Monsieur
Jaocsrd made and mended the watches of
the fathers and grandfsthers Of the present
generation of 81. LoUisans. To-day they
occupy, on the corner Of Olive and Fifth
Streets, a massive building of Athens
marble, Eve stories in height, surmouated
by . AAnsard roof and complete in all she
Improvements Of modern architecture, with
the name, Engene Jsccsrd Il Co, over the
entrance, which arrests the gaze of the
spectators. An illuminated clock, placed
10 the centre of the roof, surmounting the
corner facade, is the most attractive adorn-
mens of any public or private building on
Fifth street; combining, as it does, utility
with beauty, it is daily visited by thousands
Of strangers.
The building being 81 feet on Fifth and
100 feet 90 Olive Street, gives frontage of
l57 feet to this magnificent structure. Mas
sive plate glsss windows admit the light of
day 10 rich, full radiance, that at any hour
customers may rely on good light so make
their selections by. /. is estimated the
plate glass alone of this establishnen. cos,
fifteen Thousand dollars.
A solid foundation of stone gives base
ment. in which the Wholesale department is
located; as also vaults, in which the diA-
monds aud precious stones are stored. This
basement is so commodious 10 its arrange
ment that it gives the facility Of snsddi.ion
a. story TO this grand edi6ce. The entire cos
of the building exceeds one hundred and
6fty thousand dollars. The fitting up and
fixtures Of the store alone cost thirty FIVE
thousand dollars. 1t is q marvel of taste,
elegance and magui6cence, surprising any
similar establishment in The West, and
equalled by only one house in New York
-Four doors admit visitors-two on Olive
Street, and one on Filth Street, and one in
the correr-,he facade. Entering thi.
establishment seems like entering the gorge
Gus saloons of The enchanted palaces Of
Aladdin's fairy land. 1t would indeed puzzle
the ingenuity of Genii luxuriAting in ORR
entail magni6cence to invent 9 region
abounding in greater jewels and splendid
appointments. Corinthian pillars support ,
ceiling frescoed in lovely sints. Cherubin
and sersphim disport m playful gam bols
with lowering angels forming groups o
artistic design and execution. Plate glssi
showcases, with walnut frames, carved in
srsoesque designs, encase pyramidal dis
plays Of French clocks, bronzes, and sta
tue,tes OF every conceivable variety; as also
SILVER sets, silver spoons, AID every descrip
ton Of silverwsre. Counters OF Cincinnati
marble support Showcases containing dis
plays OF jeWelry At the left hand side, en-
tering from Fifth Street, is the case contain
ING the diamond display. Greeo, ruby su
black velvet cases sparkle with the scIntills
tons OF gems OF the first water, dazzling ID,
eyes of the beholder. Diamond crosses
earrings; Wedding sets, aud engagement
/ nhIsn III lnu Of 81, n
ems who sigh to cutter Cupid's bondage Wheel
} diamond rings weave his chain. At silhe
side of The diamond counter displays o
pearl, coral, enamel, ruby, garnet, amethyst
emerald, topaz, gold, aud their muisitudin
sus combinations, are exhibited 10 great va
rioty. The department devoted to wstche
Swiss, English, and the man ufscture OF et
, cry nationality are exhibited in such profus
ion that space forbids enumeration. To ID,
grand showroom which is Fifty By sixty
five feet, every article, from q lsdy's thin BIZ
to $26, 000 set of diamonds, IS TO be found
The three upper stories are devoted to man
ufseiuring purposes ard offices. The mag
nRude Of the trade of Eugene Jaccard a
Co, may be inferred from The vast extent o
territory embraced in their business. Thei
watch and music-box msnufactory is ioca
ted at Saint Croi1, 10 Switzerland, hsvin,
been established in 1886, and superintend
ed by Mr.. Cuendet, senior. The 6rm sm
ploys agents in Paris, Birmingham, an
Vienna, who purchase diamonds, FrencI
clocks, French, English, aud German fame
goods, cutlery, bronze and plated ware, an
al foreign impor,Ations for the ST. Loui
4, house. The wholesale trade in America ex
tends South to the Gulf coast, East to Ind
sus, Southwest, West, and Northwest I
New Mexico, Sioux City, St. Paul, and Ssl
Lake City.
Mr.. Eugene Jaccsrd had but q short tim
a to enjoy his magnificent new store. A fs,
}. months after it's completion he died, on tn
$ 4th Of September, 1871, after . few days i'll
ness. The management of the whole estat
!. lishmeut since has been under the direstio
Q vi "f' buBono d. OuonuesI eno uoPneW
q Mr., Jaccard, and under whom he grew u
in the business, learning all those great bus
- ness traits without which no man ever be
. comes such merchant prince.
y Established 1887