The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-12
RANDOM INTERVIEWS.
The Growth of the Grain Neutrality-suspicious.
Examples of Business Prosperity.

Said j. A. Closer to Journal reporter, yes
terday: There's one thing the newspapers
don't seem to notice. For the past year the
grain trade in Indianapolis has been beyond any
thing in any year in the eighties. It is con-
stantly growing and drawing away from Chica
CO. Toledo and other competing cities large
amount of trade that formerly went to them.
You will not find the same jealous feeling among
grain men that you find in other branches of
trade. We all hold together. If one man can
not buy he tries to hold the seller to Indianapo-
lis and is glad il sale is effected to rival firm
We work for our own market all
the time and against other cities
/ understand it is different ia other
lines-that wholesale grocer here, for instance,
if he cannot sell retail dealer would rather en-
courage him to buy in another city than to buy
of a competing house in Indianapolis. There is
none of that spirit among the grain men of this
city. and that there is not is what tends to make
this market better and better as the years 20 on
Statistics will prove what have said about the
increase in the grain business. Men who, few
years ago, went to Chicago, now find it to their
interests to sell here, where they are better
served, and these men are missionaries, who
herald our good name far and wide to other
shippers and dealers"
E. B. Martindale: Manufacturers are doing
well here. Take the Atlas works, the Nordyke
Marmon Company Sinker, Davis & Co., the two
wheel works-in fact. nearly every manufacture
ing industry-all are doing WELL Haugh, Ketch-
am 81 Co. are full of work, with enough orders
now on hand to keep them busy until we'll into
spring. One thing however, do object to-
do not think the judge of our courts are doing
the fair thing in business way. There is too
much of this receiver business. The courts
should see to it that when receiver is appointed
he make haste to realize upon the assets,
and not codde and nurse the job year after year
for the salary he makes out of it. This cod
ding process is an abuse Of the law
for which the courts are largely responsible.
This thing of appointing receiver to make
is contrary to the design of the law and is harm
full to the interests of creditors and injurious to
the community in which it is practiced I be-
lieve in putting the corpses OUT of sight with as
little delay as possible This city is going on,
and its business is to be carried forward by live
men.
Said another gentleman: II read that article
in to-day's Journal about successful business
men Of Indianapolis with much interest. Why,
this city is full Of successful business men. I
could give you names enough to fill a column.
In the grocery trade we have more than dozen
conspicuous examples There are Henry SEVERN
and Frederick Osteruneyer. who began business
in retail way as small as it was ever possble to
begin Along in the fifties Mr.. Ostermeyer had
grocery on Washington street, south side,
door or two west of East street. SEVERN and
Ostermeyer are as solid business men as can be
found anywhere. Then there's Alexander B. Con-
duitt, equally substantial, and Michael O'Connor.
Mr. OConnor began at the bottom, and has
earned his money fairly-not by speculation. but
but by careful, patient lndustry-and held it by
the exercise of strong business sense. Henry
Schnull, of Schnuli 81 Co., is another good exam
pie of how a man Of small means NAV accumu-
late fortune He started retail grocery here
thirty-two years ago. on East Washington street,
on almost nothing After few years of hard
work and frugalty, he began the jobbine trade
in small way at the corner of Washington and
Delaware streets. In 1862 he removed to South
Meridian street, his partner, William Krag,
then entering the house as O clerk Last wear
the sales of Schnull & Co. brushed million dol
lars. and this year, have been told by a mem
Der of the firm, they expect to sell over million
dollars worth of goods"