The sun., 1890-08-07


perity. Those whose business rela-
tions have brought them in contact
intimately with all lines for decade
or more, can best realize the won
derful metamorphoses that have
taken place in half that time. AL
most as by common consent, the airs
and provincialisms of the small city
were thrown off and the fearless en-
terprises of the metropolis assumed.
The spirit once shown was not long
in prevailing all classes and the live
and healthy competition engendered
thereby developed dormant busi-
ness talent in the young, and forced
the old to either keep pace with the
times or drop out of the race. The
people themselves, ripe for modern
methods and ideas were not slow in
picking out the ''rustlers," and by
their patronage stimulating them to
renewed efforts and forcing the
hangers back, a certain per cent
of whom infest every community to
shake off their lethergy. The retail
boundaries were extended and it be-
came possible to succeed, and that
largely too, outside of the old limits.
In every community there are al
ways a number Of retailers who, by
enterprise, liberality and adyertis-
ing, take precedence over their neigh
bors, and not only raise their bust
ness to magnificent proportions, but
are looked upon and referred to with
sort of public spirited pride by
citizens, as instances Of local enter
prise; indeed the growth and mag
nitude of cities is often guaged by
these merchant princes.
Minneapolis is not lacking in ex-
amples of this kind, as the splendid
palaces of trade on all sides attest;
many of which in the elaborateness
of details of their sale rooms and
extent of the business done, would
be a credit to the largest city in the
country. There are in the city some
of the handsomest and most
thoroughly equipped dry goods
houses to be found anywhere. Year
by year these houses have branched
out until their stocks now embrace
every article a woman can want,
whether for personal adornment or
household use. The sharpest COM
petition prevales, and with it has
come a growth that has brought the
business up to unusual proportions.
Next in importance to the caterers
to the feminine needs, are the cloth
ing houses, hats and caps, furs,
furnishing goods stores, ETC., that
exist for the benefit of the mascu-
line portion of the community.
The business of making, advertising
and selling clothing has been re-
duced to a science and Minneapolis
contains some conspicuous examples
in this department. Considerable
manufacturing is also carried on by
some of the firms, particularly in
specialties, as shirts, overalls, pants,
etc.
Every line of trade is represented
bv one or more firms that would be
credit to any city. The china and
glassware stores look like fairy
palaces; the carpet stores remind one
of some luxuriant oriental retreat,
while the innumerable, elegant and
novel designs shown by the furni-
ture dealers, are truely bewildering.
Magnificent jewelry stores are re-
splendent with glitterlng gems, cost
ly jewelry and precious metals
wrought into all manner of useful
and ornamental designs. Mantels,
CRATES and other interior decorations
are to be found in endless variety of
unique design and superior work
manship. Wall paper stores are
stocked up with ali kinds of mater
ial now used on the walls of our
modern houses, while the hardware
stores add to the general business,
their large trade in stoves, tinware,
builders tools ana supplies, house
| noid goods and farm supplies of all
kinds. Some hardware concerns be-
sides carrying the general lines of
staples, run into specialities-one
will make it fishing tackle, another
household and farm supplies,
while still another will run
into heating apparatus. Here will
be found firms carrying immense
stocks of guns and ammunition