Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-18

Second-street building, Of which 40 by GO has
three foors These buildings give the house
frontage on three sides of common block,
which is pierced from north to south by
narrow alley, known as Commonwealth
avenue. To carry on the business in these
establishments requires the constant services
of twenty-one employees, in addition to the
general manager. A review in order of the
departments of the house will not prove unin-
teresting:
Beginning then with the street front, at
its eastern limit-the corner of Common
wealth avenue-the visitor enters first sec
ton 40 by so feet, one large room separated
by brick walls from the departments on the
west, but which walls are pierced with two
large arched openings for the convenience Of
business transactions. In this section the
west wall is found to be completely built up
with shelves, every inch of space being
but with the utmost regularity, bolts of every
description for carriages, and machinery, lag
screws, washers, oilers, etc. On the opposite
side is gallery some eight feet wide, giving
double floor the entire length Of the sec
ton. Here are to be seen all kinds of farm
tools in bundles, all bearing the manufacture
ers' tags, and ready for instant shipment.
These include spades, shovels, rakes, hoes,
picks, forks etc. The floor space between
the two walls is occupied by great
piles of heavy hardware in cases,
samples of the goods being SO ar
ranged as to indicate the cases
at glance, thus facilitating rapidity
in filling orders. Here, too, are now and
then placed sample light wagons for brief
display, when space permits. AT the front
end of the gallery on the east is an inclined
rack, where are displayed blocks, pulleys and
ship tackle, such as are needed upon the farm.
Below ara to be seen open packages and
samples of wire CLOTH and on the opposite
side, beneath and in front of the shelving,
jackscrews, vises, wire, lead, ETC., and 10 the
front arch opening are piled sample bags of
shot, bar lead, etc. To the rear of this de-
! partment is seen the glass front Of the book
keepers Offices, which are SO situated as to be
! as nearly as possible in the center of the
three buildings of the firm, right at the point
where the rear of each building meets that
of its fellow.
NEXT WEST
( Is the second section o. the J-street building,
of like size with the first. This is strictly
! the retail and sample department. 1t is
shelved entirely around three sides, and has,
besides, two lines of central or rack counters
! and one central line Of show cases, which
/ latter, by the way, are said to be the best
| show cases, the strongest and most service
able ever brought to California. In front is
space rallied off, where the entry and ordtr
clerks have their station, and which space is
| the radiating point for the statesmen of the
establishment. Opening out Of the rear wall
of this section is door leading to the mana.
gers public business Office, which is in a line
west with that of the book-keeper's. and
opens into it. Immediately on the stairs is
. the managers private ohice, and in the west
is the neat shelved and pgeon-holed adver-
[, Using or DO ,k-of6ce, where all the stationery
is stored used by the firm, all the cuts and
plates, circulars. catalogues, cards, display
sheets, ETC., and here all the mailing of price
| lists and trade letters is attended to.
! From the managers Office doors
open into the rear Of the Front.
street warehouse, which is next in
order of description. But return must first
be had to the retail and sample department,
which is in itself one of the cotppletest stores
in the State, and in variety and quantity Of
stock has few rivals. On the shelves are to be
found all kinds of house hardware fittings,
bolts, knobs, locks and screws, plates, hooks,
keys, and door and window fittings, etc.
Here, also, is a vast variety Of small shell
goods. of which space forbds detail. Here,
too, are gun caps, wads, TASKS, cartridges,
coarse cutlery, ETC. In front and below are
the showcase lines, with fine pocket and
table cutlery samples, sportsmen's supplies,
pistols, razors, Derby silverware, etc., in such
variety as almost bewildeIs the intending
purchaser On the adjacent center racks and
counters are shown, in regularity of arrange
ment that amounts to art, samples of all
manner of carpenters and wood-woi kers
polished light tools, and below in racks are
heavier tools of all grades and kinds. Here
are box-racks with nails Of all kinds,
sizes and brands, and beside are to
be seen samples of traps, small mills,
kitchen and dairy machinery and utensils,
lanterns, bells, hose. sheep shears, brushes,
ETC. In the shelving on the east are packed
vast quantities of tacks, brads, brushes, files,
wire, sand-paper, etc, and heavier house.
fitting hardware. In racks in the rear are
heavy saws ald heavier household and farm