Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1890-04-03
That has Rewarded a Couple
of New England Boys in
the Far West.
Strong Il Chase, the Big Mer.
camille Firm, Known all
Over the State,
Opens Three Big Stores in this
City-An Enterprise of
Great Magnitude.
A BUSINESS EVENT.

~ y
The story of successful men is always
Of interest to others. Pluck, energy,
good sense the qualities of the
northwestern rustler-ever command
admiration; and, where found IN practi-
cal operation, are the keenest of incen-
tive to every man who values success in
whatever line he may be engaged. In
the ranks of business battles IN newly
settled country as we'll as in old estab-
lished trade centers, these qualifications
make up the prominent trade mark of
every firm that keeps to the front, that
establishes good name and becomes a
fixture and part of the community. In
"A new state like North Dakota, a firm of
this kind necessarily becomes partner
in the fortunes o. it's patrons, grows to
be an associate in the daily events that
make up the domestic round, in fact
becomes the confident of the public.
sharing it's good and bad fortunes in
equal degree. The character of the men
whose merchandise we buy, whose,
advice we seek, and whose exper-
ience and word we rely upon, influences
a community to very great extent.
The rule can be laid down that every
successful business firm is composed of
men whom we respect for integrity. like
for personal and social reasons and
admire for business ability. Such a firm
has come to Jamestown, the trade center
of the James river valley, and every one
is glad to extend to the now comers: but
old AGO cqNaintances, the cordial hand of
greeting and friendly welcome.
Early History.
Strong g. Chase, are names already
well known in this portion of North Da-
kota. They have long ago established
themselves and identified their business
with the fortunes of the state. They
need no introduction to their new field.
The story of the firm Of Strong e Chase
is the record OF the prosperity of the
country, beginning with its wonderful
development ten years ago. Likewise it
is the record of confidence in the future
permanent prosperity OF the state. shown
by steadfast maintenance OF business
during the period of reaction and mis-
fortunes incident to every new country,
and which always follow in the
wake of the western boom"
individually, the story of Strong & Chase
is record OF success too. Both were
poor boys coming among. the early arri-
walls to jamestown, Mr.. Strong from
West Randolph, w., in 1879, Mr.. Chase
from the city of Boston, in 1882. They
we're then, and are now, young men.
Ambitious, active, keen to seize upon the
opportunities of western success they
were on the lookout for the right open
ing from the time they shook the dust
of conservative New England from their
feet and began the career of the hustler
in far distant territory. Both were
clerks for firms in this city, that have
long since departed for other fields, Mr..
Strong for the merchandising house OF
Curtin Il Winslow, Mr.. Chase for the
Shoenberg Bros. They did not long re-
main in that ca I;acty. New towns were
being heard Of, new country opening up:
and so with the first railway train chat
steamed into Darlington, Foster county,
in the spring of 1888, there went new
firm composed Of +. d. Strong and b. M.
Chase, with stock of goods bought on
credit, aud the money for it's freight bOr-
rowed from tho James River bank of
this city. No capital was theirs but
good characters and the confidence they
had instilled into those who gave them
the early helping hand.
Success From the Start.
The first year the new firm cleared
$4,000. Their credit rose steadily from
the beginning They become proprietors
of the great supply house for section Of
country nearly 200 miles to the north.
Red river carts from the Turtle noun
tains came and carried back the necessi-
ties of a pioneer life. Wagons from the
Mouse river were driven to Strong &
Chase's for everything farmer, trader.
trapper and boomer needed.
During tho unprecedented growth of
the valley, branch stores at different
times were put in at Sykestou, New
Rockford and Tiffany, trading points to
the west, north aud east. The young
firm had already intercepted and cap
tured much of the trade that was won't
to go south to their old employers here.
AS the boom subslded, like care
full business men they reduced their