Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-09-01
APalaCG Of Trade
The Magnificent Building Erected by
the Memphis Cotton Exchange
For Its Own Uses and
Those Of the Merchants Exchange
The CrOwning Effort OF the La.
bOrs OF Many Years.
A Monument to the Enterprise Of the
Merchants Whose Pluck and
Grit are ProVerbial.
The History of the Exchsnges-Bow
anI with Whom They Originated
The Men Who
Laid the Foundations OF Memphis Broad
and Pep and Whose Public
Spirit Cemented Them.
A RetI Ospect that VIII Be Read with
Pride and Pleasure by Every
Citizen of Memphis.
Those Of the Merchants Exchange
The CrOwning Effort OF the La
bOTs OF Many Years.
A Monument to the Enterprise Of the
Merchants Whose Pluck and
Grit are Pr0Verbial.
The History of the Exchsnges-BOw
anI with Whom They Originated
The Men Who
Laid the Foundations OF Memphis Broad
and Pep and Whose Public
Spirit Cemented Them.
A RetI aspect that Viii Be Read with
Pride and Pleasure by Every
Citizen of Memphis.

Citizen of Memphis.
OGe year ago to-day the key. stone sup
porting the noble arch over the main
doorway of the new Cotton Exchange
was placed in position, and so rapidly
has its construction been pushed that il
now rears its splendid facade, burnished d
with plate glass and the gilt legends
which tell of the vocation of its various
occupants, monument to the taste, en-
| terprise and industry of the commercial
men of Memphis. Transacting its affairs
in a dingy building on the corner of
Front and Madison streets, during all
these years when Memphis was rising to
front rank among the cities of the
Union, the Exchange has been conteut,
but since the inception of what may
be termed the new era, beginning with
the entire change in the management of
public affairs, bringing with it renewed
confidence in every branch of industry,
the city has rapidly grown metropolitan
in its character. Gradually the ideas of
its people have undergone change, and
the simply useful no longer brings con-
tent. The ornamentation of the city, the
surest sign of the progress and wealth Of
any community, began in earnest, and
for the first time the commercial ele-
ment awoke to the smoky walls, the
cracked ceilings and the Jagged furnl-
ture of its meeting place. Once formed,
the design of erecting a building whose
magnifcence should reflect the wealth
and betray the importance of Memphis
as a commercial center, was at once exc
cuted with that vim and energy for
which the business men of the Bluff City
have 50 long enjoyed an euviable reputa-
tion. The site chosen was peculiarly
suitable for the purpose, within stone S
throw of the banking quarters and its
windows commanding view of beautiful
Court Square. A lot fronting on Second
street, running back to an alley, and ex-
tending from Madison street on the south
to Court street on the north. was pur-
chased and the more modest buildings
which it then held have been sup
planted by a structure at a cost
of 100000, which is destined to work a
! revolution in the architecture of the
city, r;yaling as it does in splendor
any building Of i's class in the
country. Rising SIX $. s.1ries high
peaked and pointed by a slated
mausard roof, it overtops its tallest
neighbors. Its height, however, is il
proprotiGn to its length and width
the building fronting i46 feet on Second
street, with depth of SO feet Oh Madi
son aud Court streets. The entrance, OIL
Second street, is reached by a short anC
broad fl ght of steps, leading under de
pressed arch and through massive swing
ing doors, which respond to the meres
touch of the hand, into a wide hallway
running from north to south. The ex
oHis,te finish &c the walls, the hight O
the ceiling and the beauty Of the
design in which the tiled floor IL
laid, first attracts the eye. uJars upor
the left lead into the office of the secre
tary aud directors of the Cotton Ex
change, aaG doors upon the righ
open into similar oa.ccg of the Mer
chants Exchange. The hallway extend
on the right to the main room of th'
Merchants Exchange and on the left tt
the Cotton Exchange. rhese superl
rooms are equal in size, each 40 Zee
wide by 69l feet long. with ceilings 2
feet in height. They are lighter
through Eve broad, arched windows
from two streets, and may be entered a
once either from Second or one of tn
side streets. The floors are tiled, of
sober but tasteful pattern, the walls
pure. soft, creamy white, and the ceiling
artistically fsescoed.
; The effect of the painters work
heightened to degree amounting al,Hos
= | to luxuriauce by the outer light whic
: is allowed to find its way into the rooms
e through the large arches filed wit
| stained glass over the windows. In thi
d latter respect the building is not inferiC
J. to any in the country. The patterns
q the stained windows are original an
4 VIVID in style, those upon the groun
c floor being especially beautiful. All ,
/ the appointments of both Exchanges al
v in proportion to the beauty spd spaciou
V ness OF their main halls. The furnitIr
I 90 hn rfal
d after the most approved plans, will
n placed in position this week. an effec
: i've feature of the harmoniol
e whole. Elegant reading rooms opt
/ into the Exchanges, and to Il
. Future Boom especial attentiC
It has been paid, With such exquisi
d nicely has every detail in this importa
is apartment been carried out that Il
e temptation to dabble in futures will
,e irresistible to those who pass the throul
al its tempting portals. From the center
i the main hallway, Immediately opposi
l. the principal entrance, fight of broa
ID easy stairs winds upward around t
in elevator shaft TO the entresol floor, viii
Of contains FIVE elegant rooms, with HI
Y similar to that below. The stairw;
r which is heavily finished with b.
,e listers and panels of polished oa
Is leads to the second large flo,
a The hall here extends from north
~ south through the entire length of I
CT building. Magnificent arched windo
IL at either end, filled with plate and stain
DE- glass, produce a superb effect. II
a, hallway and that above are, beyo
question, the most striking features
CT the building, giving TO it splendor a
so richness, degree of stat illness viii
or no other arrangement could possibly ha
n. produced. The rooms opening up
either side are entered through doors
vi massive polished oak, swinging moi,
'st lessly upon carved hinges of solid bra
of Like all of the rooms in the buildil
de they are lighted by wide arched VI
dOws of plate and stained gla
ef The foor above is the counterpa
zee with its spacious ball, plate aud stain
he glass, massive arch aud vauiting csilin
ar of that jut described. The attic, il ,
term is sufficiently digni6ed for [
ig' snace Immediately beneath the manss
he, roof, is next reached, Dormer windo
ar. | lgnt IL on ali Siuts, mdAiuS ntculla
bic suitable quarters for the occupant
vi whom it was 6esigned-the Western
he ION Telegraph Company. The baseme
ool the only portion Of the building as
all not described, may be entered tr
as either MadiscR or Court streets, or fr
ug- the corners of the building, The ar
pile are protected by heavy iron railing.
hey tending around three sides of the bui
to ing. With the exception of the W
ug- neces sary for flooring, doors, gin.
me sashes aud other dressings, the en-
20 building is constructed of brick, s.
ore and orns mental tiles, which, while
snd posed in such manner as to secure
most rigid strength, does not give