The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-29
LOCAL SKETCHES,


is performed in such quiet manner and
with so little outside show that the masses
of the people know but little of the extent
and compass to which IL is carried. The
retailer hangs out his goods, displays his
wares in the most snowy and ostentatious
Manner and by this means catches the eye
of the passer-by and secures the trade of
the people in general. The business and
custom of the Who'll esale dealer is obtained
in far different way, although reaching
the channels of trade in as good season and
in as desirable manner as the others.
But few of the people in this immediate
vicinity even, realize the.immensc amount
of business done by the popular firm of
Dunn e. Cramton on Merchants Row.
Their sign is hung out to denote their place
of business, while few of their wares are
to be seen in the store window, all of
which gives the observer but faint idea of
what is being accomplished within. The
name of the firm, as well as the name of the
men who compose it, are known familiarly
to every citizen of Rutland, as well as the
older portion of the inhabitants for miles
around, and have been thus known for
long number of years.
Messrs. Dunn & Cramton who in
connection with their business establish
mcnt are the subjects of this sketch are
located on Merchants Row in this village
in block of substantial brick, owned by
themselves, which they have occupied for
the past nine years. Their business for the
main part is that of tin, wooden ware and
house furnishing goods, both wholesale and
retail. This business was first commenced
by Mr.. j. w. Cramton, one of the firm, at
Centre Rutland in 1853, in the old brick
store now occupied by +. w. Shedd. Here
Mr.. Cramton carried on the business in a
comparatively small way. He kept several
wagons on the road with good supply of
marketable wares, and in the store done
considerable trade and barter as well as a
safe, substantial retail business with the
people for many miles around. His home
had always been in Rutland county and his
name was early known throughout its
length and breadth. The farmers were his
best friends and readiest customers and
were always ready to trade with John
| Cramton. For two years Mr.. Cramton
! made his headquarters at the above store,
| when in 1866 he came to this village. Here
he started by building the shop now occu-
pied by Col. Kingsley as furniture manu-
factory, and in 1858 he also built the So
called Cramton & Nichols block.
In the fall of 1853 Mr.. James c. Dunn
came to Rutland and entered into partner
ship with Mr.. Cramton, under the firm
name of Cramton & Dunn, rs wholesale
and retail dealers in stationery, wooden
ware and driving barter trade also. They
| opened a store in the primitive style in an
old building on Freight street, now occu-
pied by the Peoples Gas Light Co, with
their Office in Cramton & Nichols block.
The firm done business in that way foi
about one year, when they added stock
of tinwarc and established store in thu
block built by Mr.. Cramton, and known as
the ,Cramton e. Cree block. They staid
here for two years, when in 81 they moved
to the Cramton e. Nichols block on Mer
onan,e' No., ...S, S''' .'.v'. 's,.~'-- :, -
basement until 1864, the block now occu
pied by them across the street being finish
ed, they removed into that, and have occu
pied the same to the present time.
This block is one of the best for business
purposes in this village and is owned by
Mr.. j. c. Dunn, the senior member of tn,
firm. Its dimensions are 49x60, four sto
ries and a basement, besides Il woodeI
building in the rear, which is with the store
80 feet long and 40 feet wide This entir
building is occupied by Dunn & Cramtoi
with the exception of half of the first foo
which is occupied by Messrs. Staley & Co.
III the tin and stove business. The latte
firm purchased of Dunn & Cramton il
April last, their stove business entire, Will
the latter firm have still half interest will
Staley e. Co. In 1867 Mr.. j. c. Dunn
bought the tin business of Mr. Cramton ant
twelve months after j. G. Dunn. ii. A
Sawyer, j. w. Cramton and G. G. Dunn
formed copartnership under the firm
name of Dunn, Sawyer & Co., and con
nected their wholesale stationery and yam
kee notion trade with travelling agents OF
the road. This was continued for tire
years when Dunn & Champion bought on
the interest of c. G. Dunn in said bushes
and sold the stationery department to II
A. Sawyer, who occupied the block wher
Messrs. Dunn & Cramton now are, until i
May last Mr.. Sawyer took up his headqual
tiers in GLOBE block.
On the first floor is the Office of Dun
& Cramton, with good stock of tin
ware for retail business and sample. i
the basement is kept u large stock of wood
en-ware for the wholesale trade. In til
second story is shop for the manufactur
of tin-ware, as well as two rooms in front
formerly occupied by the publishers of til
Independent, which are now used for stoi
ing purposes.
The firm have at present twelve wagon
ON the road, which bring in, as the resul
of barter trade, an immense amount @
collaboration, rags, paper, pelts, etc
,, These rags are taken to the two upper ste
, ries where they are assorted into nine diff
erent sorts and bailed up ready for market
|, Some twenty persons are employed by tn
firm in this particular branch of the bus
ness, and some idea of the amount of whf
| r Al.
the firm ship three car loads of rags pr
month to market, and two car loads {
iron in the same time. Although occupy
, ing the two upper stories and portion {
the rear addition for storage, the firm al
compelled to rent portion of A. F. d.