The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-10
LOCAL SKETCHES.
Hurt a. Sherrnnn's DRY Goods En-
pOriun.

There is always something interesting,
and also, of great value to the rising gen
Grafton, in recounting the history and eXpe-
rence of our oldest merchants. Such
recital gives us, too, a true glimpse OF years
ago, and produces before us the vivid and
striking contrasts of then and now. The
commercial men of the past, who are still
in business. learned by the best of teaching
the many lessons then which they cannot
fail to profit by in this progressive age.
! The people, aware of the value of such
experience, become accustomed TO patron
ize and believe, in their business relations
with these men, what they are not willing
to consider with perfect confidence when
coming from the amateur business man.
| Consequently there are two great advanta-
ges gained by an experience with the voca-
ton pursued. The observer and the pur-
chaser, in their separate capacity, in taking
a look at the dry goods establishment OF
! Burt d Sherman in this village, will each
be led to believe that master hand is at
the head. whose handiwork is plainly dis
cernibe in the stock of goods selected, the
care bestowed upon the wants of the pub
lie custom in general and the advantages
gained by thorough knowledge of the
market in offering the best of goods at the
most reasonable prices
1t is a well established fact that Rutland
prides herself upon the possession of the
largest and most complete retail dry goods
house in Nermont-the establishment Of
Messrs. Burt & Sherman. The master
hand referred to is Mr. b. IL. Burt, the
senior partner, who is the oldest merchant
in Rutland, although yet in the prime OF
| life, having been actively engaged in bust
ness, in Rutland since 1900. In referring
to the time of his start in business, ii may
be well to 20 back to those days and give
a brief glance at its history. And in doing
so it will be interesting to speak of Charles
Burt. the father of Benjamin H., with
whom the son was associated at that time.
Mr. Charles Burt came to Rutland in
1919. and associated himself in business
with Mr.. Mcconnell, under the firm name
of Burt q Mcconnell. The firm opened
store in the brick block owned by DIR. Por-
ter on the north side of the park, and be-
gan trade with general assortment. made
up Of dry goods, boots and shoes. crocicry
hardware and medicines. The firm con-
tinued in business for many years when its
name was changed to that of Burt IL Ma
son, by the retirement of Mcconnell and
succession to the business by Mr.. Mason.
| This firm done what was then considered
very extensive business. and, in connec-
ton with their retail trade, spccuatcd in
wool and other staple products, sometimes
to their material benefit and at others to
their loss. This firm remained intact for
many years previous to 1910, when Charles
Burt was ppointedpostmastcr of Rutland,
which position he held for three successive
years. In the spring of 1850 the firm be
came Burt & Son, by the accession to part
ncrship of Mr.. b. IL, Burt Their store
was then located on the cast side OF the
park, on Main street, and in which they
then had the post-oilicc. The father and
son did most Of their business themselves,
having at ono time Il young apprentice to
learn the business. They staid there ten
years, doing a very good trade, selling
from IS, 600 to 500, 900 year, when, in
1860, the current of business beginning to
concentrate nearer the depot, down town,
they rented a store in Cramton & Nichols
block on Merchants Row, fitted it up in
fine style and making it the most desirable
establishment in town. They very soon
thereafter divided the stock and the son,
Benjamin H. Burt, came into full posses
sion of the business, while the father, died
in 1861. In April 1864. Mr.. Burt rented a
store in Ripley's new block, across the
street, in the rooms now occupied by the
Rutland County National Bank, that block
being then Just erected. Mr. Burt rented
this store for the term of six years. during
which time he was engaged assduously in
meeting the requirements of the large
trade that fell to his lot. At the eXpira-
ton OF the term of his lease, in April 1870,
Mr.. Burt secured portion of the hand
some block on the east side of Merchants
Row, built by Chester Kingsley, and fitted
up the same according to his own good
taste and in the most convenient and suit
able manner for his business.
In February 10, Mr.. f c. Sherman
formed a copartnership with Mr.. Burt, I'M
der the firm name of Burt * Sherman,
which firm are now engaged in the dry
, goods business Mt the location last describ-
ed. Recognizing the demand of Rutland
people for first-class establishment in the
dry goods line, the firm have endeavored tC
make their store the headquarters for that
class of goods in this vicinity, and right
well have they done it., having now, as VT
have before mentioned, the largest ant
} most complete assortment of dry goods il
Vermont. The store is 80 feet deep, witt
G a very extensive capacity for goods, lightec
by day by means of large plate windows
f and at night by an abundance of gas. Thu
g visitor, on entering, is ushered through ,
| labyrinth of silks, shawls, and ladies' goods
e of every conceivable variety, and is waiteC
upon by the proprietors and several com
petent clerks. The salesroom is fitted W
= in such manner as to display the clabor
e ate stock of goods to the best possible ad
1 vantage and to give an abundant opportu
S nlty for the purchaser at the same time.
= Mr. Burt has always dealt largely will
y the wel-known house of 4. r. Stewart
Il Co., of New York, buying his goods il
y such an amount as to defy competition
Il either in price or quality. Guided by
II long and valuable experience in the bust
IS ness, both in buying and selling, the firm
e are enabled to meet the demands Of the la
c dies, in every department, with especa