The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-14
A COMPLIMENT TO INDIANAPOLIS,
What Leading Magazine Says About One Of
Our Prominent Business Houses.

What Leading Magazine Says About One Of
Our Prominent Business Houses.
The following is taken from the Millinery
Trade Review, one Of the leading magazines of
the country:
For the past ten years indianapolis has grown
to be millinery market of greater importance
and reputation than any other city of its size IN
the country, considerably overshadowing
ton. This result has been attained on
account of the superior advantage Indianapolis
has in locality and railroad facilities and because
her millinery houses have had the necessary
capital, capability and push. Also, perhaps, be-
cause Indianapolis houses have confined them
selves to an exclusively millinery business, de-
voting all OF their talent and energy to that
which pertains to millinery only. The business
OF these houses reaches out over large extent
OF territory, the many advantages they offer
attracting to them customers who have to
pass by much nearer markets before
they reach Indianapolis. One thing that
contributed materially to make Indianapolis the
millinery market it is was the establishment
there in 1876 of a millinery house by Griffith
Brothers. This house was established at Day
ton. O., twenty three years ago. was organized
as Bradford q Griffith in 1868, and as Griffith
Brothers in 1879
The senior members of this firm served, their
apprenticeship on millinery peddlng wagons;
though it ought not to be called apprenticeship.
for, with hardly any previous experience in mil
llnery or any other business, they were given
entire control of valuable stocks, and did as much
business from one of their wagons as the total
trade of many wholesale houses amounts to.
The elder Mr.. Griffith describes his wagon
as adlyproportioned, homemade affair,
painted dark bottle green, ornamented
wish gliding, and spresadeagl On the Inc
ing two ex-army horses that seemed to have no
room in their makeup for anything but hide and
bones, and who ran off on every occasion, with or
without their driver, just as the opportunity
offered. There are yet some of his customers in
business who can remember his entrance into
their towns. every three weeks during the season,
almost to the hour heralded by the rattle of the
wagon, which could be heard long before it came
In sight, and the barking of his large black and
white spotted dog, a cross between an English
bull and coach, who thought his mission was
that of an avant-courier; but the business was
made so profitable that when his brother sue
ceeded him the old wagon, horses, and dog, all
were discarded for a fine wagon done up In the
best of style and a spanking pair of bays. That
turnout, except the peddler, has gone the way Of
oil earthly things and all that is left of it is the
iron heading for the wagon-pole which has been
silver-plated, and hangs in the Office of Griffith
Brothers at Dayton a souvenir of bygone days.
1.-The experience, when very young, OF having
entire control of such business as they did
from their wagons, proved to be the very best
kind of schooling to fit these gentlemen for carry
ing on successfully the large business they have
since made for themselves Fortune seems to have
favored them, for they had more than got
their Dayton business established on such foot
ing as not to need their undivided attention
when the elder of the brothers accepted of the
opportunity to become member of the firm of
@. H. F. Ahrens & Co., of New York city, re-
moving there, and giving that business his per-
sonal attention, though still retaining his inter-
est in the firm of Griffith Brothers at Dayton, o.
This New York connection was very fiattering to
q young man only twenty seven years of age,
and was very advantageous, as the firm he be-
came a member of was stanch and wealthy,
recognized as leaders in their line, that of i'm
porters OF artificial flowers. Foreseeing, toward
the close of 1875, that the use of artificial flowers
was to be superseded, to very great extent, by
ostrich feathers. Mr.. Griffith concluded to with
draw from the New York business, and. recogniz-
ing the advantages of Indianapolis as iobbing
point, decided to locate house there, the same
frm Griffith Brothers. to carry on the business
at both places, Dayton and Indianapolis They
have now been established in Indianapolis ten
years. and the business of the firm from very
small beginning has grown to be one OF the
largest exclusively millinery businesses IN the
country,
''Of the elements that contributed to the sue
cess Of this firm, and caused the smile of fortune
previously alluded to, may be mentioned their
constant application to business, correct and
upor6l uetnouS, readiness TO Improve the OppOr-
tunity Of circumstances, and ability to make the
circumstances; for they started in their business
life with no capital but that which nature had
endowed them with.
Their varied experience in, and thorough
knowledge of, the millinery business, their &C.
cumulated capital. the fact of their owning the
building they do business in, the comparatively
small expense OF doing their business, and the
opportunity that controlling two houses gives in
buying, closing out large lots. exchanging stocks
with each other, ETC., are some OF the many
things that give them superior advantages now,
and help to cause the continued increase Of their
business.
'Ther store in Indianapolis, together with the
other wholesale millinery houses there. is very
near the Union Depot, being only few steps
from its eastern exit. This close proximity to
the depot is very convenient for dealers visiting
this city.
1.-THE buildings which Griffith Brothers occupy,
both at Indianapolis and Dayton. are well adapt
ed to their purpose SO divided into apartments
that their business. systematized as it is, moves
on like clock work, steadily increasing as the
years roll by"
The Sherwoods Discharged.