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

may he fairly placed at LOCO. The
enumeration is not far from 1000, but,
aside for allowing for ahssntees, there
are four private and one parochial
schools in the city, which naturally
absorb considerable number.
1t may, in all fairn IS, be said Of
Martins burg's educational system,
that it has accomplished wonders.
Much yet remains to be done, but we
console onrself with the thought that
the age is progressive one. Mr.. VIM.
Gerhardt, Superintendent and Princi-
pal of the High School, is doing all in
his power, and he is ably seconded by
staff of assistant teachers who appear
to have their heart in their work.
Having ventilated his ideas concern
ing the public schools, the "etcher" re-
snmes his chat concerning business
interests here, and finds something to
say about
II. s. DOLL & co.
In one of the old-time buildings of
the city, occupying conspicuous
place upon the east side of the public
square, we find prominentmercantile
house; house that, under one manage
ment or another, has long catered to the
needs of thousands Of people Of town
and country, and which now, as for
years past, is rightly to be considered
as one ofthe representative interests Of
the city. We refer to the hardware
and iron house OF III. S. Doll a. Co. Its
founder was VIM. N. Riddle, still res
ident of Martinsburg. Mr.. Riddle be-
gan business as hardware dealer here
long before the war, the location occu-
pied being upon Burke street,
next door to the Peoples National Bank
building. During the war the house
was closed; there wasn't much demand
for shelf or builders hardware during
those years,--but after the surrender
Mr.. Riddle resumed trade, taking a
salesroom in the Grantham Hall build
ing, and from there the house removed
to its present stand, about fifteen years
ago. There has been in all this time
but two changes of firm style. Messrs.
II. c. Doll & Co. succeeding to the busi-
ness in 1881.
Mr.. ii. l.. Doll, who is son of G. w.
Doll, Clerk of the county, like large
proportion of the merchants of Martins
burg, is young man and native Of
this city. In 1870 he entered the house
as clerk for Mr.. Riddle, and he has re-
manned identified with the interest ever
since. Thirteen years apprenticeship
to the hardware trade has made him a
master of Its intricate details, has Civ
en- him a widespread acquaintance
throughout the country, and certainly
has fitted him to manage The affairs of
the house. How successful that man.
agement is, is shown by the fact that
the ratio of growth of trade has been
greater during the past twelve months
than for long time before, and this, too,
in face Of the fact that comparatively
little new building has been done in
either city or country.
Quite feature OF the trade of the
house is in jobbing or wholesale bust
ness. No travelling for orders is resort
ed to, still large number Of black
smiths, wagon makers and general
dealers throughout the adjacent coun-
try find that they can here buy to good
advantage. Orders by mail receive the
same careful attention as if made in
person, and by the pursuit OF this poll
cy reputation Tor reliability and
prompt action attaches to the house.
To meet the demands Of both retail
and wholesale buyers, III. l.. Doll & Co.
carry an exceptionally large stock; the
salesroom displays full lines of the
thousand and one things that came I'M
Ger the designation of shelf and bull
der's hardware; large assortment of
table and pocket cutlery is Shown; car
penter's and other mechanics tools are
carried and there are hosts of things
that we don't know the name of. Paints
Cloth white lead and prepared paints
are especially, so are oils, turpentines,
window glass, etc, and in the ware
houses is carried full lines of rod and
bar iron, steel, etc. In other words,
completeness of detail is aimed at, and
the result is well equipped house,
controlling trade of more than ordi-
nary proportions.
The management of the business
rests with Mr.. III. l.. Doll. He finds
his time fully occupied, but all the
same, he appears right well satisfied
with the way the world wags, and we
extend him our sincere congratulations
upon what promises to prove very
prosperous business for 's3.
II. S. HYDE.