The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1885-05-06
G. c. FARTHING.

LII ihahthS q iCtlSW VI GHS luuuS~
tries of Durham it is our purpose to
give merited prominence to that class
of houses, whether manufacturing Or
mercantile, that are representative in
their various lines of trade and which
add most to the Importance of the
town as a trade centre. 1t would be
impossible, within the limits of a
newspaper article, to present a full
showing of Mr.. Farthing's business.
As will be seen, we have studiously
avoided giving figures relative to the
transactions of our firms, and il
is in but one or two instances that we
have de, lated from a self imposed
rule regarding this matter. We
may say, however, that Mr.. Earth.
ing has been among our foremost
citizens in developing the commercial
interests of toWn,-and this is state
ment that cannot he questioned by
any one who has knowledge of the
wealth, the resources and material
interests of Durham and tributary
country. We may also add that the
house in question takes, its place in
the front rank because of its unex-
celled facilities for the transaction
OF business, and both the bulk and
value of merchandise handled by it
each year is very large.
In making personal reference to
Mr.. Farthing we find that we must
say of him as of most Of the merchants
of town: che is a young man." He is
native of this vicinity, and not an
other resident of Durham is better or
more widely known throughout the
section of country that Durham calls
its market Mr.. Farthing began mer,
camille life as clerk with the late J.
w. Cheek, and afterwards was a sales.
man with John L. Markham for half
dozen years. In January of 1882
he first engaged in business for him
self as partner in the firm of Angler
81 Farthing, and when that CO part
nership was dissolved in January of
last year Mr.. Farthing assumed en-
tire control of the business. Most of
the regular readers of the RECORDER
know how centrally Mr.. Farthing's
store is located, and they are equally
aware of its resources. The sales.
room fronting Oh Main street is 1875
feet deep, and an l. OF the building also
gives frontage upon Morris street.
Close at hand is large warehouse
used for the storage of duplicate
stock. and it is very valuable
auxiliary TO the store proper.
Mr.. Farthing is a general mer-
chandise' man-at least that is the
way the RECORDER quotes him, and
the term is certainly none too sug~
gestive. He handles almost every.
thing that farmer or townsman can
want, and we can't call to mind any,
thing in the way of general merchan-
disc that he doesn't deal i'm unless it
is secondhand tombstone, and we
know he would keep them if there
were orders enough to justify. In
other words he tries to, satisfy the
wants Of a general trade-he las care.
fully studied the needs of this market.
and no merchant of Durham better
understands this trade than does Mr..
G. G. Farthing-we can't ask for bet
ter proof of this statement than our
farmer friends furnish.
Among other specialties of the
house may be named its wagon and
carriage trade. Mr.. Farthing sells a
hundred or more "Old Hickory" wag-
ons each year, and last February he
began selling carriages and buggies,
q department of his trade that has
been right we'll patronized.
Not only does Mr.. Farthing give
his own personal attention to his bust
ness (also officiating as Town Treas
nrer) but he requires the assistance
d, six statesmen, viz: w. 8. Far.
hing, I. B. Farthing, J. r. Proctor,
]. III. Freelands G. NJ. Edwards and |
Amos Goodloe, and from our own OBJ
We can vouch for the fact
hat none of these gentlemen find
much leisure time upon their hands
Turing business hours.
Mr.. Farthing informs us that his
credit customers are, as rule, pay
ng up right well, yet he is willing to
zee little more promptness on the
art of some. All the same he has a
ordial greeting to extend both old
nd new friends of the house, and the
nore goods that can -, !, .hs=c he