The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1882-08-03
GALES BRICK BLOCK.

| ~AA0s~N AASSSAA NAA~SS&s
It Stands Completed And Is An 0rna
ment To Canton And a Credit
To It's Owner.
A Description of The Building From
Foundation to Roof.
We take pleasure this week in noting
the final completion of the fine brick
store buildings erected by Mr.. F. A. Gale
1t is source of satisfaction and pride tc
us when an opportunity occurs and make
mention of such substantial improvements
as the one in question. Mr. Gale is to be
congratulated upon the energy and enter
prise he has shown in this undertaking
and upon the success that has crowned
his efforts. From the day that the ground
was first broken to receive the corner
stone Mr.. Gale has superintended the
work of building from foundation to the
top. These buildings are located on the
northeast corner of block No. 20 in Hill S
addition to the city of Canton, fronting on
Main street to the east. The united
frontage is &C feet with depth of 70 feet
for the store buildings and 60 for the bank
The block is built of Sioux City and Sioux
Falls brick, the front facing on Main street
being of Milwaukee white pressed brick,
two stories high, with gravel roof and
| tasty cornce
As the bank building has never been
written up and it now constitutes fine
block, we will commence on it and give
the description right on through The
bank building was erected in the spring of
1880, and is uniform with the new por-
ton just completed. This bank has long
been known as one of the best arranged
in the territory. 1t is the most elaborate
ly finished and the workmanship displayed
on the woodwork is grand The counter
stands in the center of the room, and
was manufactured at Sioux Falls by
couple Of Chicago mechanics who we're
given the contract while contesting piece
of land. 1t is made from black walnut
inlaid with Prussian ash, is massive and
elegant. On the top is frame two
feet high which holds the frosted glass
that divides YOU from the paying teller,
cashier, and bookkeeper. The window
and door frames are broad and deep and
are in contrast with all the interior, while
the windows are supported with shutters
resembling ash and maple In the back
of the bank and handy to the cashier is
fine vault with burglar proof safe pro-
vided with time lock, and from the way
the three persons who assist Mr.. Gale in
the daily transaction of business would
almost tempt anyone to get peep at chat
vault. A door leading from the inside
and outside of the counter leads one into
the finely furnished private office of the
bank, large and roomy one, elegantly
furnished and carpeted, and finished off
in keeping with the bank proper
To the rear of the private office, par
titioned off, is the cozy and commodious
office of Dr. NJ. NJ Clark and Mr.. Ed.
Rowley, real estate agent and broker, and
they are content and happy, each glad for
one anothers company They have ample
room for their constantly increasing vol
ume of business.
A broad stairs to the rear of the bank
leads one to the second story of the build
ing, which is one room and has long been
occupied by the Masonic fraternity as
lodge ROOM This hall is provided with
the best of lodge furniture and has lately
been furnished with fine new carpet,
which makes this one of the most hand
some lodge rooms in the territory.
The exterior of the bank has very fine
and commanding appearance, made so by
the trimmings and the front of the bank
running up in the shape of broad and
double front. The top is protected by a
broad and pleasing cap, which takes away
that squatty or stunted appearance usual
ly given to buildings of this class.
This brings us to the two new stores
adjoining. These two stores were COM
menced in the latter part of April, before
the frost was out of the ground, in accord
ance with plans furnished by Mr. Zeigler,
of Sioux Falls The foundation walls is
of Sioux Falls granite, and was lain by
that master mechanic, Henry Wallace To
show that the work was not allowed to
drag we may mention that when he COM
menced building Mr. Gale leased the two
store rooms to Messrs Fosdick and Chris
topher with the assurance that he would
have them ready for occupancy by the lst
of August but he was better than his
word, for Mr.. Fosdick took possession Of
his room on the 10th of July and Mr.
Christopher had his on the 18th. The
carpenter work on these two buildings
was done by our townsman Joel Hewitt,
esq.,, assisted by Peter Dufie, esq form
erly of Chamberlain. These two gentle
men have since formed co-partnership
as contractors and builders and do the
best of work in whatever work they un-
dertake The admirable shelving and
woodwork throughout these buildings is
due to the care and skill Of these gentle
men. The counters and shelving were
brought here from the factory in what
is known as the s'knock down condition
and placed in position here. This part of
the building has all the latest designs and
improvements and are models of convent
ence andneatness.
The painting throughout is the work Of
Messrs Shufelt & Kull, which alone is a
guarantee that there is good workmanship
in that particular. The granting done by
this firm has already given them a wide
reputation as painters, and the work on
Mr.. Gales new building is fully in keep