The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1884-10-16

Thon, nnain, on Anfn lbi lNr3, ~ The
other great department ~ trade, that ~
Mr.. NJ. n. Darlington, certain gentle.
men, among whom were \, Open
hOlmor, NJ. u. darlington, Y. n. McEn-
mis-, T.. ~. Pfuuts add others, met and
perfected an organization by SO
lecting Mossrs. O%pponboimOr, McEnnls
uud ifOuts M u committee on
permanent organization. A handsome
aud indeed morlted compliment was
thOn rendered Mr.. Pfouts, Of the llEn-
AID, by u vote Of thanks for his having
organized the movement Of tho ostab-
'lshmentof tho Exchange by his pointed
aud repeated urging of the same and its
importance and far reaching pOssihili-
ties through tho columns OF the HER
AID,
on April Goth these gentlemen again
met and adopted rules of per
cd their officers as fol-
lows; \, ~Opnrnholmer, president; NJ.
u. Darlington, yice-president, with
Messrs. II. T.. McEnuis, W, q. Howard,
:. II. Clowncy and ID, u, Hainwater as
directors. Arrangements were also
made looking 20 the complete orgnniza-
ton by the appointment of committees,
adoption of bylaws, etc, and thus the
foundation of the Dallas grain and pro-
| W. tN'AAhl'E' wa NAAAAs
Asin the ease of the cotton exchange,
the gentlemen in tho grain exchange
were laying their foundations broader
and deeper and more durable thar they
dreamed Mt that time.
On the 18th of June of that year these
two great organizations, upon which the
commercial prosperity OF the city so
largely depended, opened negotiations
looking TO Il consolidation of Influences,
the mombers of the cotton exchange
having received from those of tho pro-
duce exchange a proposition with this
end In Wow. On the Following day the
consolidation was perfected and the
name of "Merchants Exchange" was
substituted for that of the other two.
subsequently regular meetings
were hsid up TO Apr, mo,o y
under the rules governing such com
mercial bodies, and Dallas u begun to
make vast Roadway towards the goal AZ
the great trade and commercial centre
OF north Texas. On March IL, 1883, tho
consolidated exchanges occupied perma-
nent quarters on the corner of Elm
and Lamar streets. On April q, 1883, tho
first annual election was held under tn"
consolidation of the now exchanges,
with tho following results: a. Open
heimer, president; + Q. Caller, vicc-
president; with Mcssrs. " L. McEnnis,
NJ. ID, Darlington, ID. II. Rainwater, j.
Rauch, l.. a. Mordecai, w. II. Evans, &.
l.. Carter and Levi Kraft ms directors.
The usual standing committees OF such
bodies were also appointed.
On April It'll the Exchange met for
the purpose of installing its newly
! elected officers, and the meeting was in
deed a memorable II in the history of
the business circles of this city. II was
on that occasion tho president, Mr.. OPP
penheimer, presented his plan for the
erection of n Merchants Exchange
building in Dallas. The views of the
president met with unanimous approval,
and the results before you.
The ease and rapidity with which the
many thousands required to erect such
a trade palace as this were raised is
probably without a parallel in the his
tory of cities of our size. Tho exchange
could have no more emphatic testi-
monial of the enterprise and business
tact of its members than this building.
1t VIII stand long afterthose who erected
have passed away, and though Dallas
should assume for metropolitan
proportions, this building will yet re-
main one of its IN ist attractive orna-
ments and IL monument to the far
sightcdness and business liberality of
its original promoters.
In this connection II may not be amiss
to speak of the frs. president of this
exchange, Mr.. O~ppenhcimer, who I'M
fortunately for the trade and develop
ment of Dallas was called to Minneap-
oils on the 18th of June of this year.
without d~isparagement To others who
so ably and enthusiastically seconded
his efforts, it is but justice to say that
his comprehensive business mind, his
brilliant tact, his indomitable energy,
his enthusiasm and popularity contrib
uted more powerfully and directly than
all other cause towards placing the
Merchants Exchange upon a solid foot
ing and erecting this magnificent struct-
ure. In losing him Dallas lost a hope
full friend, the business of the city a
jealous and intelligent worker, the Elk
change, an enthusiastic member, and
society a kind, courteous and popular
gentleman. To Mr.. Caller is also due
much of the success Of the Exchange.
His modest and yet persistent enthusi-
asm and popularity went far toward ac-
complishing success in the premises.
But it is gratifying to know that the
interests of tire exchange remain n
trusted to faithful, clean hands and clear
intellects who will carry its business to
the utmost possible development.
Firmly impressed with the Importance
and possibilities of such an organization
OF traffic in Dallas, and eXemplyfying in
UntlT OWL SuCCtSStS IIlc uIlllpN dliu CllSCt
of patient watchfulness, ~hopofulness, en-
ergy and perseverance, they may be con-
tiutntly depended upon to make of the
merchants exchange all that w
its most ardent and deeply interested
friends desire. 1t car be said without
Boosting or tiattery that no city in Texas
or the South has so large and marked a
number Of intelligent, high-minded,
clear, progressive, comprehensive and
rnltnbVn hIoinnSd rnnn 90 hQ2l
this city Of ours. Neither
their fame nor their trade are
confined within the limits of the state
and both fame and trade may be ration
ally anticipated to expand until they
will be but household matters Of course
throughout the entire southwest.
This is not now a cotton exchange or a
grain and produce exchange. 1t Is a
merchants exchange and designed to
concentrate and organize just here, al
the vast trade of Dallas and surround
ing country. 1t is here as q business
convenience as we'll as a business neces-
sity, and it is here that all those strong
and organized efforts that will be re-
quired to keep Dallas as a city in the
lead, in northern Texas, must assume
proportions, and first take def
mite form and shape. The
Merchants Exchange, therefore, is not
only q business necessity, it is to be-
come the chief element, the most power
full lever in raising Dallasin any and all
respects into public notice and replacing
the embryo city with the universally
recognized metropolis. .
Already the business of the exchange,
I am told, is assuming large and even
unanticipated Notwithstanding an
nually. In q few years this great and
costly building will not more than con-
veniently accommodate the busy
throngs who will gather here in the