The Wichita city eagle., 1882-05-18
A GRAND OPENING,
Two Thousand Visitors 1t the Dry
Goods House Of Stevenson
Emery d Taft.

The highly successful opening insugursted
last evening by the well.known firm OF Ste
vensen, Emery u TAFT marks an era In the
dry goods trade In this city.
Having completed the improvements which
had been rendered necessary by their rapid
ly increasing trade, and desiring the citizens
Of Topeka and adjoining towns should view
their immense Of merchandise. this firm last
evening threw open their spacious rooms to
the public. not ie.s thru two thousand visit
Ors wandering through the brilliantly lighted
and superb'y decorated departments during
the evening.
To one and sll II was pleasure, and to
older TOpekans, who cherish pride In the
capital city, a deep qualification. No goods
were sold during the evening. the object Of
the opening being simply to display the va
riety and extent OF the stock, the large corps
Of sslesmen and ssleswomen being in attend
ance to answer questions and to name prices.
The general arrangement Of their goods. es-
pecially Of the cOstlier fabrics, in the decora-
tiOn Of which flowers we're prefusely used,
was greatly admired, the EXPLANATIONS of
pleasure being general. Excellent music
was furnished by Prof. Bsch's orchestra.
A notable feature Of the opening was the
Wholesale jobbing department of dry goods
on the basement floor, q large stock OF staple
goods being carried, this line OF trade assum-
ing considerable importance, and to which
the firm will devote cIeasing attention.
Upon this foor, also, 10 the carpet depart
ment, in which the stock is heavy, the dis
play Of elegant patterns Of MOquette, Ak
minister, body Brussels, etc, running in prices
from three 10 four dollars per yard, being
n0ticeably fine.
With the multitude Of ladies, however, ,un.
deniably the greatest attraction was the or
der dress department, presided over by Mrs.
Pond, lady whose great taste in her line Is
becoming generally recognized by her pat
rons In this city. Although this lady and her
corps Of assistants had made no special prep
aration for the opening, the display Of rich
and elegantly made dresses, silks, satins, vel.
vets and other material, was remarkably fine
the exquisite taste aud loveliness Of which
garments, varying In prices from e25 to 800
commanded general attention. This depart
within the past six months, and bids fair to
become one Of overshsdowing importance
with this house.
1t is now little over two years since this
firm, then Taft, Emery 4 Co, commenced
business In this city. Always keeping In sd-
vance OF the demands OF trade, they have
steadily increased their business until It has
attained Its present proportions. To keep
fully supplied their many departments, they
carry one hundred thousand dollars Of stock, |
upwards Of sixty employees upon
their payroll. 1t is an institution, indeed,
Of which Topeka may be proud its aim be- |
Ing to keep pace with its marvellous prosper
ity, and to furnish to its citizens, and the |
people Of the State, at home, ~ complete an
Of staple and fancy dry goods, |
and at rs reasonable prices, Is can be pre-.
sented In the larger cities, east or west. The |
opening will be continued this evening, and |
y cordial invitation 10 extended to all TO st- |
tend