Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-26
GRAND OPENING OF THE RED HOUSE
TRADE UNION.

The announcement made in yesterdays
RECORD. UNION Of the grand opening and
free exhibition of the Red House Trade
Union, c. 81. Gilman, proprietor, had the
desired effect, and at an early hour last even
ing thousands of Sacramento's best citizens
assembled to witness this, one of the most
extensive, beautiful and valuable displays
ever witnessed in their line of goods on the
coast. The Hussar band, nineteen pieces,
famous for their excellent music, were pres.
emit and furnished music during the entire
evening. The proprietor, @. FL. Gilman, one
OF the most daring as well as successful mer-
chants west OF the Rocky Mountains, found
sons time since that his trade, which now
extends, not only to the remotest parts OF
California, but throughout all the Pacific
States and Territories demanded more room,
and he had constructed store-rooms, fire.
proof brick, which for size and elegance
are not equslled by anything this side of the
Mississippi river. These magnificent estab-
lishments, three in number, havs been filled
to repletion with q stock of goods not found
elsewhere, aud whose cash value represents 8
wealth Of money. The line of march through
the long rooms, between shelves and counters
newly painted, and groaning under wealth
of goods placed in order by artistic hands, ex-
tended nearly quarter of mile. The line
Of march commenced at the entrance of the
dry goods store down, and through the MILL
uery parlors. The main room, 100 feet in
length, with its innumerable gas Jets, arches
Of flowers ribbons silks, satins, and every
article of human wear, from the least
expensive to the most costly, pre-
scented sight worthy the brush of an
artist, and "too utterly too-too for
On ordinary reporters pen to describe. The
elegant show cases, with their wealth of
fancy articles, and the display of millinery
arranged by the deft fingers OF the lady clerks
Of this establishment, reminded one Of dis
play at a competitive fair rather than that Of
q store which furnishes at the lowest price
everything. from fve.cent ribbon and g
ten-cent hat TO the finest silks, satins and
millinery. After passing through the nil
linery parlor-which the ladies seemed to
imagine was an enchanted parlor, and were
10th to leave-yoU pass into the clothing de-
psrtment. Just ss you enter the last depart
ment, however, you ara solicited to partsk3
at a table laden with sparkling cham
payne, iced lemonade, oranges and cigars.
These tables were presided over By obliging
geniuses, who, imbued with the hospitality
characteristic of the proprietor, endeavor to
Daks every one feel as though they were at
home snd welcome. The eentlemens cloth
ing department, although not as gaudy as that
of the one just passed through, impresses every
one with the immense stock, variety, styles
and prices. The latest, nobbiest, beat, and
it may be truthfuIly said, the largest stock of
mems and boys suits are neatly and taste
fully arranged on tables, counters and
shelves in this department that can be found
in any similar establishment on the coast.
Passing on, following the surgiDg crowd in
the line of march laid down iii the pro-
gramme, we next enter the hat, boot aud
shoe department. This department, like the
Others Just described, is filed to repletion
with all the latest styles and novelties, and
Mr.. Gilman Gays he will guarantee to suit,
both in price, style and quality, the most
fastidious dude" or the staidest of grangers.
Next We in elbowiug through this cosmopoli-
tan procession, enter the furnishing goods
department, and from there the ladies' shoe
department.. There we are directed to o
fight of stairs leading down into the carpet
and trunk room. Here We find q ca
pacious department, large portion of which
ia devoted to the immense reserve
stock that this firm finds at all times neces-
sary to carry. Here are piled up case upon
case Of clothing, boots and shoes. From this
room we are conducted through the box and
case department. into the country order de-
partment Here we see counters laden with
cart loads of packages addressed and ready to
be ssnt by the earliest morning express and
mail to all portions Of the coast. From the
country order department fight OF stairs is
sgcended to the clothing store, thence back
through the clothing, boot and shoe depart
ment, passing out on street a few doors
above where you entered. In this route de-
scribed by the reporter you have travelled a
quarter of mile, and have witnessed a
wealth and display of goods never equalled
by any opening in this city, and perhaps nos
on the coast. The wealth and beauty of this
city were 10 attendance. The husband and
wife, the father and mother, the sister and
brother, the lover and sweetheart, aud no de-
partment. no counter, not even the handsome
female attendants and ever obliging male en-
ployes, but what received compliments
without number. The hospitality of the pro-
prietor. and the evident desire on his part to
please was appreciated By all that wele pres
snt. This establishment employs ninety
clerks, seventy-fve male and fifteen female,
and the handling of such an extensive trade
requires executive ability of high order.
Mr.. Gilman has built the Red House Trade
Union up from a small store to its magnifi-
cent proportions, and handles it even to its
minutest details with the greatest ease.