The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-02
FROM a SMALL BEGINNING.
The Reward Of Perseverance and Strict
Business Principles.

The Reward Of Perseverance and Strict
Business Principles.
With this article we reach the last of the
firms in Benton doing wholesale and retail
trade in general lines Of goods. The firm of
Kleinschmidt s. Bro. commenced business
under that name in the town Of Helena, in
1874, as wholesale grocers, although Messrs.
Albert and r. Ell. Kleinschmidt. who com
prise the firm, had been actively connected
with the business interests Of the Territory
for several years previous to that date They
came to Montana from LeaVenWorth, Kan
sas in 1866, and began business in small
way with a stock Of goods which they had
brought with them on bull trains. They first
located in Helena, and afterwards started a
house in Deer Lodge, to which, at one time
the entire business was moved. But Helena
taking fresh start, they resumed business in
that town, and their main business interests
have been since located there. At one time
the firm occupied simply business office for
the transaction Of their Wholesale business,
II
rapid growth and necessities Of their trade
soon forced them again into retailing, and
they opened and stocked 8 store room on the
main business street of the town, and have
since occupied a leading position in the COM
mercial interests of the Territory.
| This firm soon began to branch out, and
established connections Of the parent house
in number Of the business centers OF the
Territory, and now have some dozen or so
OF branches, some Of which are under differ
ent names, but in all of which they have an
active and palpable interest," In Helena this
firm have two stores, wholesale and retail
grocery house, and another dealing exclusive
ly In liquors, bar glassware, cigars, etc., at
wholesale aad retail; both under the firm
name Of Kleinschmidt s. Bro In Bozeman
Klenschmidt & Bro. keep large stock Of
general merchandise, and in Deer Lodge they
have similar house. In Butte they have
two branches, Lee W. Foster s. Co., general
| merchandise, wholesale and retail, and
liquor house under the name and style of
Frank s. Co. In addition to these, as Klein
schmidt & Bro, branch house are established
at Silver Bow, Boulder, Jefferson, Vestal
and Bedford, and we understasa that another
viii be opened il Missoula during the coming
season.
The firm own large amount of real estate
and mining property in various portions of
the Territory, and are also extensively inter-
ested in stock. They do large freighting
business, and have a number OF mule and OK
| trains, which are kept busy during the
freighting season in transporting the i'm
mense quantities Of goods required to stock
their different branches, the firm being the
heaviest shippers in the Territory; they also
do considerable freighting for other business
houses throughout Montana.
In the summer Of 1877, the firm were COM
PEELED, by the necessities Of receiving and
forwarding their heavy shipments by way Of
the river route, to establish branch house at
the head of navigation, and commenced busi-
ness in Benton early in the season in the
frame building next door to the post Office,
near the corner of Front and Baker streets
In this store they dealt in groceries exclusive
IT, Their business grew rapidly, and in
creased away beyond their first anticipations,
50 rapidly, il fact, that in the fall Of the same
year they were compelled to erect the build
ing they now occupy. This is situated on
the corner of Front and Arnoux streets, is
35x140 feet, and built of concrete In this
large store room they laid large and COM
plete stock Of general merchandise, a step
which was warranted by the growing inn
portance Of Benton as business center and
the rapid settling up Of the country tributary
TO this town. Mr. Louis Heitman, who has |
been connected with this firm, in different |
capacities, for number OF years, has had |
the management of the Benton branch since
it first started, and is thorough business
man and well fitted for the position The
firm, we learn, intend putting up new brick
building some time in the spring, the location
Of which has not as yet been selected.
Next week we will take up some Of the
houses making speciality Of particular line
Of goods.
THF FLOOD AT POPLAR RIVER.
Details Of the Drowning OF Indians and
Ponies.