Bismarck tribune., 1884-02-22

st at the risk of darkening the universe on the
hand Intend to hold up until the pot is mine.'
Tell the story right or not at all.
A Revival Of Business.
Throughout the northwest there has been q
general lull in all kinds of business during the
Jared better than her sister cities because of the
vast extent of country tributary, yet there has
been noticeable depression, especially in the
money market. The outlook, however, is ex-
tremely good. A general canvass of the city
discloses hopeful or rather sanguine feeling
as follows:
"Yes, the times have been rather close and
think January was as dull a month as ever saw
in Bismarck and I have lived here eight years.
We have sold plenty of goods to responsible par
ties but extensions have been asked and we have
been obliged to grant them. great deal of
building was done last fall and all available
means USED in this work. The depression is
only temporary and on the whole I am inclined
to believe it for the best. If times continue at
a high point of prosperity, people become reck-
less and extravagant pinch sets man to
thinking, and the result is beneficial"
'How long do you think the dull times will
continue?'
IA short time only. In fact notice change
for the better now. The farmers are beginning
to figure on their spring work and getting the
machinery in readiness to put in the largest crop
of No. hard, that has ever been sown in Bur-
leigh county,"
Justus Bragg, of the firm of Bragg, Smith &
Co., wholesale grocers was questioned.
"Yes, it has been rather quiet, but at this
season. of the year this state of affairs must be
expected. Farmers remain at their homes and
live as economically as possible and transient
trade is light because of the comparatively light
travel in this latitude at this time of the year.
But business ia now increasing"
stHow about the trade from the west?'' "
1T is increasing every day. Why look at this
telegram, the boy has just handed me- Not q
large order, but these are coming every day.
You see great many small dealers out the line
stocked up in the fall on the low rates. They
are now running low and are obligei to "sort
up." The trade is therefore increasing daily
and by the way colIectlons are better, showing
prosperous condition of things out west"
'What's the outlook for spring."
Excellent. had begun to think last month
that perphaps our firm had lain in too large a
stock of goods but assure you, we will have
none too many. You see it makes big differ
ence, this freight rate. The difference in mar
gin or rates Of last fall and now gives us a
good profit and the purchaser also saves money
by buying in Bismarck.
freight?'
mo, in many instances they do not. If
they did few purchases would be made east of
Bismarck. If merchants would stop to figure
for instance on the freight of single can of
canned goods, they will see the falacy Of going
beyond Bismarck, to say nothing of the risk Of
freezing at this season.
what do yuu think of the prospect of Bis
marck as wholesale centre?"
"There never WAS a more promising location.
Bismarck has just as many advantages naturally
as ST. Louis, Omaha, Kansas City and Sioux
City. You will observe that j,bbing centres
grow up on great rivers about the same dis
tance from each other or on railroads. Bis
marckKhas the advantage of being located just
the right distance from other centres both by
rail and water. L believe, too, that within
twelve months another rail road will have made
its entry to the city. You know what direct
line to Chicago means? It means number of
roads for Bismarck. Three or four great cor
porations are figuring for supremacy in the
northwest and there will be lively scramble
not only between the Missouri and James rivers
but between the James river and the Minnesota
state lire. Here is great empire to people,
and that is what will bring rail roads,"
"Good morning Mr.. Whalen."
s'How"
"Yes. that's it how's buainess?"
swell, have heard some say that business
is dull. Psrphaps money is close. but see here.
Those are expensive goods. Those lamps cost
at wholesale, 95 to $l8 each. And those sets up
there range at $50 to 800. Now. people can
get along without my kind of goods and usually
do when times are hard. But see here. There's
the day book transactions from November 1st.
Does that look like hard times? do not be-
lieve in this chronic cry of hard times, that
goes up from every continent at some certain
season of the year. believe it is somewhat of
a habit, and it's bad one too for it gives
wrong impression. The fact of my doing q
fair trade in the crockery and glassware line
is undeniable evidence, my way of thinking,
that times are not 30 dull a. soma try to maks out.
I have lived in Bismarck since the early days
of its history and tell you it evens up mighty
good town. Our business is SO lively in the
summer season that we are inclined to under
estimate the business of winter
Several other business men were oonversed
with and not q vestige Of ''blues" was found in
any quarter. As evidence Of regard for the
manner in which the TRIBUNE hes kept to the
front this winter, even at heavy pecuniary loss,