Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-05-08

IllC lCdNliS buSllCoo llCl VI luC Cltl
of HOpkinsvill:.
In the year 1885 Mr.. Thompson
engaged in the manufacture and sale
of furniture and has been at the head
of that line of trade continuously
until the present or about fifty years.
From 1888 until 1870 he was asso-
ciated with ii. ii. Coleman.
When Mr.. Thompson began bust
ness in this city, a few small stores
and shops were all there was in the
way of business for several years,
and at that early date the growth Of
the place was very slow. 1t was
comparatively a small village, the
number of the population hardly eX-
ceeded l,500. As the population IN
creased. business grew and devel-
opcd with the demands of the times.
a few years later schools were es-
tablished and churches organized,
and the place began to wear the ap-
pearancc of town.
Mr.. Thompson's establishment is
one of the Gland marks" Of Hopkins
vile. The manufacturing OF furni-
tnrc is a branch of trade that is usu-
ally considered one of the best and is
classed, TO some extent, as one OF the
luxuries of life and is therefore af-
fected by any depression in business
circles. Mr.. Thompson reports his
trade good, There is good steady
demand for common and medium
furniture, while that of the finer
grades has not been so active. The
trade at present is on the increase,
and, with bright hopes for the spring
trade. AT his large spacious and
commodious ware room in his mag
mificent building on Main st. will be
found all extensive and varied dis
play of fine and plain furniture, from
the most elaborate and costly to the
plainest and least expensive. In par
lor bedroom, dining room and Ii
brary sets in all styles and prices, he
eXcels and offers special inducements.
His display Of fine upholstered goods
is really unequaled, and in this class
he enjoys widespread and merited
reputation, All his stock is remark
able for excellent and artistic work
manship, and liberal prices.
His establishment is handsome one,
equal to any in the State. lie can
furnish cottage or palatial resi-
dence. He also manufactures and
deals largely in cotiins. In connec-
ton with the undertaking business
Of this establishment it will be an in
tercsting bill of news to chronicle
that Mr.. Thompson constructed the
first learse ever made and and put to
use in Ilopkinsvillc. Prior to its use
the dead were conveyed to the burial
ground in wagons, and not unusually
by persons, two on each side of coffin /;
many iiue aud costly metallic collins
containing the corpses ofonce famous
and noted persons were conveyed, in
this first hcarse. to the "siIent city Of
the dead to our beautiful cemetery
just across the river, typical, perhaps,
of that river we must all sooner or
later cross to reach our home in the
skies.
In the manufacturing Of furniture,
much credit is due Mr.. Thompson for
the enterprise and ability he has dis
played in developing this branch of
industry and carrying it to its pr, nj
high and successful position, con-
trIbuting largely TO the reputation
which the city holds as commercial
and manufacturing point. Mr.
Thompson, although at his adj
vanced aye Of 50 summers, is in ac-
tive business. Ills character for
straight forward methods, and unim-
peachable integrity and the great en-
terprise that characterizes his bust
ness transactions has placed him in
the highest ranks among the business
men of our growing city.
Mr.. Thompson is Director of the
Bank Of IlopkinsvilIe, one of our
City Councilmen and also commits
Toner Of the Western Lunatic Asy-
lum.