The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-28

present spacious and splendid building
Ground was broken on September 10, 80, for
this building and il February, 81, they moved
t into it, record for quick work unexcelled
in Benton. The building is handsome
brick 66 K 1876 feet in dimensions nd has an
excellent cellar the full dimensions of the
house. At the time of its erection ii was the
largest single business house in Montana and
we are not certain but it can still lay claim to
that distinction.
Since the banner of Murphy, Neel s. Co,
was chung upon the outer walls at Benton
the business of the firm has been doubling
year by year and their judicious invest
ments in real estate have added largely to
their assets. The present year the business
has been so per cent. more than last or any
other year They carry stock that would
invoice at $4,000 and have total storage
room, besides their corrall and sheds, of
20, 600 square feet. They are now closing
out their stock Of dry goods and notions
! (having already disposed Of their furniture
and clothing) and will open outsin the spring
with an exclusive stock Of groceries, liquors,
hardware, and agricultural implements and
machinery. They will have the exclusive
sale in Benton of the Buckeye reaper and
mower, the Schuttler wagon and Singer
sewing machine
The house of Murphy, Neel & Go. was
established in Helena in 1866 under the style
of Tut, Murphy 6 Neel. Mr. Tut soon
lofac
Murphy, Neel s. Co., now familiar name
in Montana. sThey have four different houses
in the Territory: NJ. N. 6 Co. at Benton;
Murphy, Higgins & Go. at Deer Lodge, and
John Capllce & Go. at Butte. The principal
partners are John T. Murphy and Samuel
Neel, of Helena, and DR.. Higgins of Deer
Lodge W. FL. Todd is partner in the
Benton house.
John T. Murphy ranks among the best
and most successful business men in the |
Territory. Besideshis merchantile ventures
he is largely interested in cattle, horses,
sheep and mining property drawing from
these large yearly income. Samuel Neeps |
name is synonymous with business sagacity.
and has worked his way to the first rank Of
successful business men. Nobody can "go
through a set of books with greater facility
than be. DR.. Higgins, of Deer Lodge, is
well known over the Territory as staid,
energetic man OF business. W. e. Todd
is too we'll known to our readers to need
special mention To his efforts in no small
degree is due the extensive business built up
by this firm in Benton.
Last fall Mr. J. FL. Rice, of Helena, assum-
ed control Of the business in Benton, in
connection with Mr.. Todd, representing the
Interests Of all the nonresident partners.
Under their direction many Improvements
have been added and the store put in "ship
shape throughout its various departments.
COL Rice is a thorough going, practical
business man and with the greatest possible
ease he mastered The iul,icaaies of the
extensive business OF the house and is now
as much at home there as be would be in an
insurance Office Mr.. Rice has already made
hosts Of friendsTTin this country and as long
as he maintains his present position, or
closer one, che name and fame Of Murphy,
Neel 6 Co. at Benton will not wane
Mr. J. s. Hodge, thorough mechanic, is
in charge of the mechanical department tin
ware) in connection with the house and is
reported to be the only man in Montana who ,
can put up a stove pipe without swearing.
In the store may be found W. P. Wren, JAS.
A, Yore Jr. and Frank Huy, as clever .
young men as ever hoped counter, or :
filled an order for goods.
KLE1NsCHMIDT s BRO.
Albert and r Ell. Kleinschmidt came to
Montana from Kansas in 1866 and COM
menced business with small stock of mer-
chandise which they brought with them on q
bull train They had met with reverses in
bleeding Kansas and left for the far west !
to retrieve their fortunes. How we'll they
have succeeded the sequel will show. They
first located IN Helena and after few ye ars'
successful operations commenced to estab- 7
ish branches at the various important busi- u
ness points of the Territory, having now Y
some fifteen different houses in Montana
They are represented at Helena, Benton, =
Butte, Deer Lodge, Bozeman, Silver Bow,
Jefferson, Boulder, WalkerYile and other
points.
In June, 1877, they established an office at