The Rock Island Argus., 1881-10-01
DESERVED SUCCESS.
The Extensive Establishment
of Henry Darts Sons.
A Brief History of their
Business.

| Rock Island is known throughout the com
merous manufacturing institutions. 1t like
wise has an enviable reputation as whole
sale centre, rendered so by its numerous rail
road facilities and also by the characteris-
tic push and enterprise of the firms in that
| line OF business. To no one house more
| than Henry Darts Sons is this well earned
reputation due as this firm was of
the first established grocery houses in this
city; it grew with the place, gave Rock
Island commercial standing, and to-day
is the leading house west of Chicago. In
detailing
THE HISTORY e,s-
of this firm, the successive stages OF the
growth of Rock Island are traced from
the insignificant little town on the river
bank to its present exalted position of
railroad, commercial and manufacturing
centre of western Illinois and eastern Iowa
The grocery house of Henry Darts Sons
was first established in the year 1857. At
that time the store was located on 18th st.
in what was known as Union block, A
retail business and general boat store
was conducted. Shortly after starting the
busines the building was destroyed by fire,
and the store was removed to Guyer's build
ing on Second avenue. This stand was
retained until 1854, when the store now
occupied by Stewart s. Montgomery, on
Second avenue and 18th street, was erect
ed, and into this structure the firm moved
their extensive goods. After remaining
three years in the new quarters, the retail
department was abolished and the firm de
voted themselves exclusively to the whole
sale business. In 1877 the building was
found too small for the proper transaction
of their immense business, and the present
commodious quarters were erected on 18th
screet, between Second and Third avenues.
THIS BUILDING
was erected with the idea of having every
thing that could facilitate business and at
the same time give ample room for the
storage of large and varied stock neces-
STATED by the trade conducted by the firm.
The structure is 80 feet wide by 140 feet
in length. 1t has three stories and base
ment, and is in every way substantial,
well constructed brick building.
The basement is devoted to fish, syrups,
and fruits. A large invoice of these arti
cles are received. They are deposited in
the basement, and the fish and syrup are
taken from the large hOgsheads in which
they are received, and repacked in smaller
barrels or caddies adapted for the retail
trade.
The first floor contains the offices of the
which are located in
the front, flush with the street, re ndering
them accessible to the public and gener
ally convenient for the members of the
firm and their employees.
An Office is devoted to the use Of travel
ing men and customers. Another Office,
separate from the others, contains the
desks Of the cashier and book-keepers. A
third apartment is retained as private of
fee for members of the firm. In this lat
ter apartment are found G. J. Dart and A.
L. Dart, who at the present time are Hen
ry Darts Sons. In the rear of the first
floor is located the shipping department
and the store room for heavy goods.
The second story contains the lighter
goods and fancy groceries generally.
The third floor Is devoted to wooden
and willow ware, and this department, as
well as all the other floors, is crowded with
a full complete and varied assortment of
all the articles known to the trade.
Two elevators are required to handle |
the goods and place them on the respec
tive floors, one of hand power and the
other propelled by hydraulic pressure. |
Even with these facilities. sand commodious
rooms, the building is filed and some diff |
ficulty is experienced in finding room for
the storage of stock. |
THE BUSINESS.
The three specialties of the firm upon
which they have f1ourished and maintain |
The lead over competitors are salt, kero-
sine oil and powder This firm is
the sole agent for the sale of powder in
this city and have a large house out on
Lne DUH W0ere JnlS Inhterldl Is St0Teu
Their territory includes Illinois, Iowa,
Kansas Minnesota and the far west. A |
number of the largest retail houses in Dav
snport and other Iowa cities are among
their customers. During the year the
sales will aggregate 30, 600 barrels of salt,
L. 900 barrels of oil and 10000 kegs of
powder. The total trade has increased /
from $50, 900, the amount of annual sales
during the frst year of the existence of
the firm Of Henry Darts Sons to 81, ,00o,-
300 which represents their sales during the
present year, the sales of the month of
September just closed, being SfoO, 900.
The stock on hand in the building is
valued at 5000
Another feature Of this establishment is
5he California canned goods which it
handles, as during the present season over
}. 900 cases of these goods have been pur
chased directly from the packing houses on
Ihe Pacific slope.
FREIGHT BILLS
Some idea of the expenses incident to
such an extensive business as is carried on