Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-04-22
SPRING TRADE.
Fears Which Followed the Flood
Not Realized.
T,sfic Opens in Encouraging Style and Re-
PORTS are Favorable Even Fem the
Flooded Districts.

When the city was suffering from the
first feeling of depression and despon-
6ency which came On the heels of the
great food, many were the Jeremiads de-
liyered by merchants along Main street
Not only, they said, had they to stand their
own losses by water, but they would suffer
heavily by failures among their river trade
and their spring business would be utterly
ruined. This sentiment was almost uni
versal and the REGISTER reporter was given
regular case of the blues by talking With
them. Since that time two months have
winged away and the spring trade has
op.btd up, and to learn whether these
p ophesits of III had been fu fillet, wss the
mission of the same reporter yesterday.
A glance along the wholesale and jobbing
quarler was of itself almost a negative
answer. The street was alive with drays,
vsps and vehicles OF all kinds conveying
goods to and from the depots and vharves.
Sidewalks were blocked up with packages
cf merchandise marked and ready for ship.
ment; clerks and porters skurried around,
up to their necks in work, and everything
wore the air of business from base. On the
wharf goods were going about in lively
shepe and the platforms at the depots
we're covered with shipments. All Of this
did not look like poor spring trade, so the
mon of news tried few of the merchants
Mr.. M. Reilly said trade had developed a
far greater energy than he had anticipted
and was very fairly good. The country
roads are bad and prevent farmers from
getting out their farm products or getting
in city purchases. Orders, however, were
coming IN we'll, and the market seemed a
good one. Money, in cases, was q little
close, but not unusually so, and on the
whole he was entirely satisfied with pres
ent business and with the outlook. de
thought the quadrennial excitement over
the elections disturbed trade somewhat, as
politics was fraught with especial interest
Just now.
Us. Gibbs, OF L. s. Delaplain & Son, was
very enthusiastic in taking of traffic. So
far, they have sold many more goods than
in corresponding period last year, and
Just now are doing a rushing business.
Men on the road are sending in good or
deIs and country merchants all seem de-
sireus of buying and of paying for their
goods. He thought the season had opened
very auspiciously and the future was
bright with hope.
VIM. Ellipgham, Of Neill & Filing ham,
smiled over the spring trade as though be
was immensely pleased. He told the REG
lsTER the dismal picture drawn Just after
The flood had been obliterated by the facts
and now everything looked lovely. Their
trade down the river was brisk as ever, and
the dealers who had been flooded out were
gazing their bills like little men. One
msn bad been kept back little, but he
settled since and offered to pay intsrest,
if requested. THE whole year this fdr,"
said Mr. Ellinghsm, lis better than the
same time last year. Even in February,
which was dull month and in which We
lost ten days by the Hood, our sac were
very little less than February of 1883"
Simpson Il Hoge, who lost their entire
stock by the flood, hare replaced it with a
new one and report fine spring trade and
the best of prospects.
T. Lsughlin, of lsughlin Bros. Il Co.,
said they Rad done twice AS much business
as in the same period last year, and every
thing looked pleasing.
Robert Simpson reported business good
and a fine spring trade under way.
These Gre samples of the reports gathered
and without exception they tend to show
an suspicious opening of the annual bust
ness and.a cheering outlook.