Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-11-28
Odd Places Of Business.
Grand Rnrids Trndesman.

Grand Rapids Tradesman.
Forty years ago last summer cana
boat was fitted up dry goods stor,
and made rather irregular trips during
the season on tie Erie canal, between
Troy and Buffalo. In shape and build
it was what is known as Il line-boat
About Onc-eighth OF its length at the
bow was partitioncd OF for living
room aud bcrths for sleeping, while the
remainder was shclveI up all around
with drawers beneath, similar to stores
on laud. Across the boat, near the
partition, and the entire length on one
side, was a handsomely finished coun.
ter. The several towing companies
having horses to let expressly for the
purpose of towing boats, it was COM
paratively easy and cheap to have the
boat drawn from one point to another,
as desired. This floating dry goods
anu Hotioi ioCoC "ouiu VIC u' dt IL
convenient spot on the tow-path side
OF the canal in any village along its
route and remain from two days to two
weeks, according as trade would war
rant. The firm were both retailers
and jobbers and, as there were then
few Gf any commercial travellers on
the road, many merchant was pleased
to see the boat and to repfenish low
stock OF goods with no additional ex-
pcnse for freight or boxing. 1t may
be added that this store was literally
packed" with goods and-during an
afternoon in many places-with ladies
also. If | am not mistaken, hutter,
eggs and cheese were all taken at this
store in exchange for goods. AS this
boat was taken down the Hudson river
to New York City ON these trips, new
stock could be purchased often and
the farmers products disposed OF at
the best prices optainable anywhere.
In the main, this was pleasant and
quite profitable way of doing business.
A man by the name OF Breed, Of
Buffalo, Il few years later, fitted up a
bookstore on wheels and purchased a
splendid span OF heavy horses to place
before it, with the remark that he
should wear out that vehicle travelling
about and selling books in Canada
This wagon was in size and shape not
unlike some of the handsome circus
wagons of to-day, although not so
heavy. The main part of the large
box, with doors opening from its roof
was constructed for carrying the goods
in stock-books and stationery-in
packages rs purchased. Doors on the
sides and rear end of this body were
hung upon hinges near the roof and
opened upward from the wagon bed
and were quickly and easily fastened
in place at the ends. Well-made
shelves, ten to twelve inches in depth,
were then revealed, all filled with
handsomely bound volumes as in any
first-class book store. In truth, these
books were nearly all standard publ
cations and included bibles, dictiona-
ries, English reprints, etc. Beneath
these shelves all around was row OF
shallow drawers of convenient sizes
for receiving stationery and notions.
Still beneath the drawers q nicely
finished counter, eighteen inches in
width, was drawn out to place, and
hinged supports dropped in position to
hold it firmly. In front was the
drivers seat, rooted and tightly on
closed on three sides, with a water
proof apron in front. When all closed
and on the road, this travelling store
was veritably waterproof. In fair
weather, Breed would drive up in front
of hotel or other public place in a
village, unhitch, put OH this horses and,
when ready for business, open up his
doors (Which formed grateful shade
in a hot day. pull out the counters
and would soon be surrounded by Gus
toners. The vehicle was in that con-
dition for business very attractive in
all country towns and crossroads. He
would frequently drive long distances
into quiet new sections of country,
where books were scarce and high, and
here he usually reaped an abundant
harvest. His average daily sales were
from $50 to $40. After following the
business five or six years, it is said he
sold out the store to advantage within
the province, and not many years ago
lie was the wealthy proprietor of a
large book and stationery establish
ment in Buffalo.