The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-12-21
OUR PAST AND FUTURE.
ASHEVII,I.E'S BUSINESS MEN
INTERVIEWED.

The Results Ofthe Year Now End
ing and the Prospects for 1900
just Enough DespOndent Ones
to show Our Future Assured.
THE CITIZEN, ever anxious to give re-
liable information to it's numerous read
ers and hosts of admiring friends, hest
tates to base an opinion Of the business
of Asheville, past and future, upon its
own Judgment, because, although its
judgment upon all practical matters is
accepted generally as beyond question,
this happy point Of approximate perfec-
tion is reached by careful compilation
of facts; and as it confesses to some of
the frailties of poor humanity, it must ac-
knowledge its liability occasionally to
err in separating facts from fancy.
Without the least doubt, THE CITIZEN
is convinced that never heretofore has
the outlook been so favorable; and the
following opinions of some of our very
best business men fully confirm this con-
viction. Never have we met with such
absolute unanimity; the views are pre-
sented almost in the very language of
our friends; we have not failed to give
the opinions of the few who take dis
pondent view of the future, as we think
they only tend to establish the rule, as
exceptions always do.
Our reporter rightly Judged that he
could not begin his delightful task more
pro6tably than by asking the views of
firm who alone would carry conviction
to all. If their report were unfavorable,
he would prosecute hisinquiry no farther.
But on the contrary this is the opinion
of that old, solid and we'll established
firm of
BEARDEN, RANKIN & CO.
Reporter-Gentlemen, please tell me
your candid opinion of the business of
Ashevilie and state as nearly as possi-
BILE on what facts you base this opinion.
Mr.. Rankin-You are well aware that
our business retains the character 1t has
held for many years past, and that we
deal chiefly in staple goods, suited to
the country demand. While we COM
mand very good trade in town, it is
not in the line of fancy goods or notions,
but rather in the necessities, and espe-
cialIy in such items as are called for by
mechanics and laborers.
We carry very large stock of building
materials, such as lime. cement, paints,
etc., ETC., and the unprecedented number
of buildings now in course of erection
gives us a tremendous trade in these ar
ticles. We have handled one brand of
paints and oil now for twenty years, and
the demand just now for them exceeds
any thing in the past. You are at liberty
to say that we consider the outlook
most fattering.
We next wedged ourselves into a
crowd of delighted children who thronged
the store of
Mr.. !. NJ. HESTON
and found the busy, but courteous pro-
prietor, ready to hear and and answer
our query as follows:
MY line is toys and confectioneries. l
have been in Asheville for twelve years.
My business has increased regularly and
decidedly, until it has reached the inn
mense volume, Of which you can judge
by the merry scenes around you. find
a decided change in the character of the
goods required by my customers. The
very best is the only kind can sell.
These candies are Huyler's, and those
are Witman's, which, if you are familiar
with such matters, you know are the
choice OF American manufacturers.
We were wise enough to plead ignor-
ance, and a sample of each satisfied us
that Mr.. Heston was right, and we
wended our way to
Mr.. S. R. KEPLER's,
who said: MY experience in the gro
Gerry business of Asheville, extending
through the last ten years and up to the
present date, leads mt to believe, from
the steady increase in the volume of busi-
ness up to this time from the time the
railroad reached Asheville, that it will
continue to grow and expand, and that
the coming year will see no dIminution,
but rather largely increased prosperity.
The most notable phase of my bust.
ness, upon which want to lay particu-
lar stress, is the demand for best quality
goods, that the Asheville families, whom
| serve ask for and will have.
New York houses from whom l buy
goods say that get the best goods that
come into the State, and that none bet
ter go anywhere; and as an illustration
of the high quality goods the Asheville
people demand, will cite an instance of
little occurrence:
A gentleman passing through Asheville
six weeks ago. on his way to Florida to
spend the winter, ordered of me, after
satisfactory trial, sack of best o. G.
Java coffee, and caddy of fine Oolong
tea, saying at the same time that these
articles, OF which l make a speciality,
were better than he had been able to get
of the world renowned retailers with
whom we deal in New York.
Much encouraged thus far, we stopped
a medical friend who was rapidly pass,
ing down street.
"Well, Doctor" said we, "how is bust