Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-09-15

The premises occupied by MI. Euteh-
inson were small--only about II ID
feet, but for along series of years they
afforded ample room. In 1854 a son,
Samuel Hutchinson, succeeded to the
business, and in 1870 he remodeled the
building and enlarged the salesroom to
1Ix2 81 feet. Upon Mr.. Hutchinson's
death Mr. Hyde purchased the business,
the stock then invoicing about S1,5e0.
Mr.. H., by the way, IS a native of
Strasburg, Va, Ton the Shenandoah. J
Working ON his fathers farm until he
was 30 years of age. he then determin-
ed upon another field Of labor and SO
entered the employ Of his brother, a
jeweler. In 1872 he went to Springfield
Ohio, where he completed his trade I'M
der the instruction of Benz. Allen, a
leading jeweler of that city. In 1874
we find Mr.. Hyde in Martinsburg, con-
nected with the jewelry trade with the
firm Of Weiland g. Hyde, and in 1876
he purchased the pioneer jewelry store
of this sectional house whose trade
has wonderfully developed under his
management.
Upon entering the store which was
recently enlarged, so that now the sales
room is upwards of 30 feet deep ones
eyes are greeted with the glimmer of
gold and the sheen of silver, while ones
second self is reflected from numerous
mirrors adjoining the walls. The con-
tents of the numerous show cases nat
urally arrest attention.: in one case we
see gold and silver watches, and prec-
ious stones; the contents Of the adjoin-
ing case are in part duplicate of the
first-here also are gold pens and PEN
ellis and other articles. Case No. 3 is
chiefly devoted to jet and initial jewell
ry; No. A, to fine silver ware; No. 8 to
fat ware; Nos. 6 and to granite ware
statues and toilet sets; No. 8 to French
clocks; No. 8 to American clocks. and
No. 10 to novelties Of various kinds.
We also notice one Of Lilies improved
safes, massive iron and steel affair,
weighing $500 pounds-a fire and bur-
glar proof receptacle for valuables.
Another thing we notice is the Reg
ulator,v over seven feet high, its huge
pendulum swinging to and fro as it
slowly and solemnly ticks out the mo-
ments. The room is handsomely finish
ed and painted: the ceiling is especial
ly noteworthy, with its centre pieces
Of inlaid wood from which depend glob-
ed chandeliers; in brief, the apart
ment is model of good taste.
In addition to the local trade and
the large repair business that
is had-this latter department re-
ceiving Mr.. Hyde's careful attention
the house controls considerable job
bing business, filling orders in widely
different sections of acknowledgement
we fancy that Mr.. IL. has every reason
to dissatisfied with the yearly aggregate
Of his business.
Mr.. Hyde is still young man, being
only SO years old. He is what may be
styled a ssself made'' man. His sue
cess in business endeavOr, the hand
some establishment that he has given
Martinsburg, and the large trade 1t
controls vouch the fact, and we gladly
record it. OF the three jewelers. who
were carrying on business here In 1876
he alone remains. He has certainly ac-
complished decided success thus tar,
and contingencies as to the ccntinua-
ton of the house are provided against
by the fact that he has four young jew
clers growing up to succeed him in
business. When he gets his share of
the 100000 belonging TO the Hyde
estate, (Which is said to be lying in the
Bank of England he has promised to
divide with us, and in the meantime we
can sing, waiting, only waiting"