Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-09-01
/" ETCHINGS."
IN WHICH THE INDEPENDENT
Attempts Portraying the Varied
Interests and Industries of
Mariinsburg.
NJMDER III.
EM1fERT q FIERY.


The past eleven years have sufliced to
work many changes in the business
circles of Martinsburg. Few in any
line of trade who were, in 1872, carry
ing on mercantile operations here, are
now in business, and, so far as the dry
goods trade is concerned, we believe
there is but one house that has under
gone 10 change in firm style since then.
| We refer to the house of Emmert 4
Fiery.
The founders of this house were Sam
uel Emmert and b. +. Fiery, though the
interest of the senior member of the
firm was represented by his son, +. $.
Emmert. Emmert & Fiery were not
over burdened with capital in 1S72-we
doubt if their investment here was
more than $2,500--but those were the
days of small things; the country was
recuperating from the effects of the
late war and of the speculation that at
| tended and followed its close, and even
limited capital in the hands of pru-
dent, energetic business men was sufii-
cient to prove the .'open sesame to
success. Eamert & Fiery began busi-
ness in the same location they now &C.
cupy three or four doors below the
| Peoples National Bank but six months
later they were compelled to move to a
| location near the Lutheran church
remaining there three months, sale OF
real estate again compelled removal 10
the corner ofQueen and Martin streets:
| here the house was domiciled for nearly
| three years; then, an opportunity offer
| ing itself to secure the original location
it was taken. Since then however, the
premises have been materially improv-
ed. Up to three years ago last Spring
the house had transacted a general dry
goods and grocery trade; in the spring
of 1850 the grocery department was
closed out aud the following year a
carpet and floor oil-cloth department
was added, the saesroom having been
heightened fully so per cent. to accom-
modate the change. Right here we
say that at least 30 or 40 feet should
still be added to the building to afford
the floor room required by the large
stock carried.
Mr.. Samuel Emmert never has given
personal attention to the house-in the
spring of 1873 he retired from it alto
| gether, and he continues to reside at
Funkstown, Nd. His son, Mr.. Frank
;. Emmert, who is a brOther-in-law of
| Mr.. Fiery, succeeded to his interest and
so no change in the firm style has oc-
CARED. There is discrepancy in the
ages of the co-partners, Mr.. +. being
considerably the senior. Each i Il ma
tive of Washington county, Nd. Mir.
Fiery was born and raised a firmer,
| and he did not engage in mercantile
interests until 1868, when lie became
enc of the firm of Beachley & Fiery,
| general dealers, at Funkstown. When
that partnership was dissolved he con
tinued the business alone until coming
here. While living al iunkst0Nn Mr.
| Fiery became idt nj fed with a wooden
manufacturing concern. Like other
public spirited men he went in for the
advancement Of home enterprises. and
his faith in this particular enterprise
cost h m a cool $40 Che admits that
''the other follow got the money! but
ne claims he didn't receive any eXper-
| ience. Well, the average Journalist
would fancy that : 900 worth Of
experience would satisfy any reasona-
Bile man. Upon removing to Martins
burg he again engaged in trade, and
the house then started by himself and
partner still lives.
Mr.. Emmert began his mercantile eX-
periences at Funkstown in 1869. When
his father and Mr.. Fiery opened bust
ness here in October, 1872, he became,
as we have said, his fathers represent
tative, so that nearly all of his business
life is identified with this house. Nor
need he be ashamed OF the record gain
ed. The petty capital that served to
begin the business has been multiplied
by more than arithmetital progression
and the place that the interest has won
amid the mercantile houses of this sec
ton, is far from being uncertain.
Emmert &. Fiery are now dry goods
and carpet dealers. We don't know
and don't care TO know how much they
sell per year: we do know this: that
they command constantly increasing
trade, and especially a trade from the
best class OF citizens throughout a
large scope Of country, Though, like
most of the merchants of the city, they
are compelled by force of circumstan-
ces to do limited credit business, yet
it is a fact that their losses from credit
sales during the past eleven years, bare
ly reach $3.50. This item alone serves
to show the class Of customers they
deal with. Another point we may men,
tionis, that the firm have, and especial
ly oflate years, made it point to carry
lines Of goods that purchasers used to
go to Baltimore and other cities to Sc
cure. In silks, velvets, laces, and the
. thousand and one things dear to the
feminine heart, they have spared no eff
fort to retain here the trade that used
to go elsewhere; and another fact W