Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-08-25
". l.. JONES.

". IL. JONES.
The gentleman whose name we have
just written, is, as our readers WELL
know, representative of the jewelry
trade. Passers-by upon Queen street
have occasion to admire the display
made by the house, and it is fact that
cannot be gainsaid that few towns of
like size Of Martinsburg can boast pos
session of so really metropolitan an es-
Enlistment in this line of trade.
Mr.. Jones, whose native county is
Frederick, came to this city from Pied
mont eight years ago, and established
a jewelry store. He first became con-
nected with the trade as an apprentice
at Washington, ID. c., in 1876, but he
did not venture upon business for him.
self until locating here He secured
sales room in the Peoples National
Bank building the room fronting on
Burke street, and when the store was
opened TOR business, close inventory
of stock and fixtures would not have
exceeded $500.
There were three jewelers. in trade
here-Mr. Jones made the fourth, and
the opening of his establishment SEEM
ed to dis-interested outsiders, rather
more than doubtful experiment. The
element of doubt has long since been
eliminated; acquaintance, patrons and
friends have multiplied; the house has
increased in strength, its influence has
extended, and we hardly fancy that Mr..
Jones would consider $24C0 fair lnyen-
tory Of the stock he now carries. OF
the three others in trade when he began
eight years ago but one now remains in
business.
After occupying the Burke st. premis-
es for year and a half, Mr.. Jones re-
moved to Queen st, to store room near
ly opposite his present place, which he
secured in April, 1882. The most cap
tious fault-finder would have little oc-
casion to grumble at the sales room
the only reflection we can make is that
the Peoples National Bank should
have laid a variegated tile floor in the
jewelry store, same as they did in the
bank. Entering the salesroom, which.
by the way, is heated by steam in cold
weather, one can look about him and
find much worth careful observation.
The north side Of the room is the jewel
ry department proper. a row Of silver
cases ornament the counter, and, ex-
aiming case No. /, we noticed gold and
silver watches and watch movements.
flom the leading foreign and American
factories. In the second case we see a
line of solid and plated gold jewelry,
and in the contents of this case is made
manifest the high degree Of artistic ex-
ceilence attained by American manu-
facturers. The third case is devoted to
the world-famous Fairchld gold pens,
while the fourth is given up to jewelry.
Back of these counter cases, upon the
shelving, we noticed full line of
clocks from the leading factories of the
country, and we also observed the large
Hail safe, sunk into the wall--a safe
which cost Mr. Jones $3.50, and which
would be worth nsderably more than
that amount to-day. Into this safe
each night are placed the most valuable
goods and articles left by customers for
repair, and as it is fire and burglar
proof, a sense Of absolute security is af-
forded. The south side of the sales
room is wholly given up to silyerware.
In very han dsome counter case we
see an extremely fine line of solid sill
yer goods in cases; they look very pref
ty reposing in their satin-lined recepta-
cles; next comes an upright or wall case
of solid mahogany and glass, and with
in it is to be seen the sheen of dainty
silverware, from the Meridien and Reed
d Barton ompanies-service for break
fast, dinner or supper as well as orna-
mental pieces.
At the rear of the salesroom, extend
ing from side to side, is mag
niticent plate mirror; its effect is, of
course, to deceive one as.to the depth of
salesroom; 1T reflects all the
glitter of show cases andc ontents,
and more than one person has at
tempted to walk through it intrying to
reach supposed counters further on.
The "etcher" of the INDEPENDENT
inquired of Mr.. Jones:
" How is trade !? How was business
last year /? What are the prospects for
this year! How are
just at this point we were called to a
halt. Mr.. Jones said he was willing to
answer one or two or even half doz-
en- questions, but if whole catechism