Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-01-14
knights New Store.

July 9th, ut midnight, witnessed the breaking
out Of destructive fire in Waterbury One Of
the sufferers by this fire was NJ. NJ. Knight, ESQ.,,
the large dry goods and clothing dealer. Promptly
establishing himself in temporary quarters, he
began energetically the task Of rebuilding his
ruined store and dwelling. The result Of his en-
terprise and well-directed efforts is seen in
building OF substantial construction and of ex-
ceptionay fine architectural appearance, which
has been vigorously pushed forward to compile
ton, and was occupied on the 18th Of December.
Fire makes opportunities for local improvements
that would wait in vain for more conservative
agencies Two fires In Montpelier cleared the
ground In n few hours for greater improvements
In the external appearance and internal conve-
nience OF the business houses in this village than
would have been made in half a century by the
slow agency OF time So has it been with Water
bury, and az Mr.. Knights new building Illus
trates this fact In striking manner, we describe
II somewhat In detail. The store destroyed was
two-story wood building forty by fifty feet, with
gable roof The new building has front of fifty
one feet, depth Of seventy-fve feet, Is three
stories high, wood frame, brick outside. The
walls terminate In n handsome ireze and cor
nice supported by heavy brackets. Above the
cornice in the front is placed an ornamental tab
let which will bear the name of the enterprising
proprietor The handsome iron columns which
support the front are dark finished, picked out
with bronze The spaces between these columns
on each side of the main entrance are occupied
by spacious show windows Of single lights Of plate
glass, five and half by ten and half feet. The
windows OF the upper stories are in two lights OF
plate glass, surmounted by gracefully turned
arches with granite keystones The first floor Is
divided into two stores, the larger one having a
| front of twenty-five feet, depth OF seventy-five
| feet twelve and half feet between joints, and Is
occupied by Mr. Knight himself Entering the
spacious doorway, which is closed by solid black
walnut doors, the spectacle Of elegant black wal
nut counters, handsome show cases, tasteful
mirrors and furniture, beautiful chandeliers, splen-
did show windows, and the array Of shelves and
drawers for storing and displaying his extensive
| stock OF dry goods OF every variety-from the
common articles Of gentlemens wear to the delicate
fabrics Of ladies' finery-s more suggestive Of a
fashionable city establishment than Of a country
store. This store extends the entire depth OF the
building without intervening partitions, and thus
has the advantage OF a rear light from two win
dows that in point of size and finish would make
a very presentabe appearance at the front. A
rear entrance Of ample dimensions admits goodi
for unpacking. The remaining store has from
of twenty-one feet with a recessed doorway anC
window corresponding to those in the larger store
The Waterbury National Bank is considering
proposition to rent this room We should say
that Cashier Wells will mot stand on the order
to vacate his present semi-subterranean quarters
but will resignedy migrate with his banking
budget to regions above ground, pure air AM
plenty Of daylight, admitted through immaculat
plate glass In the second and third stories MI
Knight has most conveniently arranged suit
Of rooms for dwelling which he will occupy Il
the spring. The work has been done under tn
supervision Of William Deal Esq, and adds mac
to his previously conceded skill as a builder Tn
bricklaying was done by Henry Coburn, Esq. !
style and quality Of workmanship it is not sui
passed by any similar work in this vicinity. {
o. Graves Esq, furnished the metal roof an
) hardware, and Walker & Hatch of Burlington
the doors and wndows-al OF superior excellenC
in quality and workmanship. Mr.. Knight ma
contemplate with pardonable pride this fruit
his thrift and enterprise Commencing busine:
in 1868 he occupied part only of the first floor
> the old store. By close personal attention, goo
management and liberal advertising, his busine.
e rapidly increased that prior to the fire he wa
/ using all his store room and found his quarter
. still much too limited From small beginnin
, he finds himself to-day enjoying large and n
munerative trade in one of the finest stores in ii
, country.
. OTHER NEW BuILDINGs.
The other sniff erers nv the fire have all rpbnil