The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-10
BOOTS AND SHOES.
ANNUAL Sales, sl,S7S,000.l

annual sales, SlsofoiJVV.i
Few. If any, of the jobbing industries nave
been marked by such material oeyeiop 'n,ets
and such substantial and permanent CROWN
"a has that of the wholesale boot ana sno9
trade The reasons for this unprecede9.su
growth are few simple and lndisputaoie. no
manufacture Of boots and shoes IS conilneu ~
nm enormous extent to the new, En ny III
Sto+es necessitating the purchase by all Job
hers in nominally the same iocahty inc
;tem of freiphts then 20 the various dlstriout-
inc noints throughout the country Oecotucs
one of the essential factors IN the regulations
of the prices TO the dealers, another proinl3I
nent and important element penn
by the cost of store and warehouse facllltes;
and the expenses incident TO the VISITING or
the trade by the representatives Oh the re-
spective houses. L..
These material advantages are unquestlon-
ably possessed by Richmond III most re;
variable degree The freight TO Richmond
from BOSTON with the combined facilities of
water and rail. is not more than that from
Roston 10 New York and is less than the rate
IN philadelphia or Baltimore The cost or
doing the business is considerably less than
in anv of the above named cities, ana as tne
freiohts from Richmond TO all the points To
which her trade is addressed IS much lower
than from the Northern cities, the merchants
of the South have not been slow to avail them
selves of Richmond's superiority as dis
Living in virtually the same climate, sur
rounded by almost the Identical cHcum-
stances the merchants of Richmond meet the
exact requirements of the territories they
cover, avoiding the purchase OF large sur
plus stocks that may or may not prove accep-
table TO the general trade. This is decided
advantage over the cities of the North, where
a more diversified and precarlous demand Is
imposed upon the jobber. o.,
4 considerable innovation has come with
the lapse of a comparatively few years ~ the
method of dspOsing of the stocks or goods.
Formerly the merchants invariably came 70
market" now, with few exceptions, the SoodS
are mainly sold by the travelling men VINO are
constantly visiting from point TO point, IN
this line alone. where a few years ago there
were scarcely dozen travelling statesmen,
there are to-day no less than seventy-nVe
actively employed, covering every southern
State, and even crossing the river INTO the
promising towns of Ohio.
Among the houses whose energy has largely
contributed to the above result, we note the
following:
STEPHEN PUTNEY co.
This firm was established here seventy years
ago by Mr.. Samuel Putney. whose store was
then under the old Eagle Hotel, which occu-
pied the site Of the present store at the corner
of Thirteenth and Main streets. In 1913 Mr.
w. K. Watts was associated with Nh. Putney
and in 1858 Mr.. Stephen Putney was admitted
to membership. Only two changes have since
occurred in the firm: IN 1851 the present nrm
name was adopted. and in 1887 Mr. Langhorne
Putney and Mr.. Walter II. Niles were made
participants in its profits.
A reputation for courteous, generous and
equitable dealing is theirs. and from their
large stock of boots and shoes OF every des-
cription the most exacting dealer may ind
desirable goods at prices which defy compe-
ttion. Their trade extends throughout the
wide range of the South and in every sense
this enterprise is a credit 10 Richmond, and
an honor TO those who manage It.
wINGo, ELLETT & CRUMP.
In 1870 this boot and shoe house was estab-
lished: its energy and business qualifications
were destined to speedily place 1t ia the front
ranks of this industry, and to-day It's trade -
to be found throughout the entire southern
States. On January lst, 1891. the firm name
was changed 10 the WingO, Elicit 4 Crump
Shoe Company, and the business still con-
tnues under its former prosperous manage
ment
The large force of travelling men who rep
resent this house find IT'S record for honest
representations and desirable goods daily in
creasing and cases bearing their names may
be found in the store OF any merchant who
appreciates superior goods and recognizes
minimum prices.
stern co.
This establishment began its present desir-
able business in 1871, and annually has added
10 the volume of its trade The enyiabe rep
utation it has achieved for honorable dealing
is conceded TO be Justly and fairly earned
Ten years of intimate intercourse with the
trade has enabled them 10 discriminate closely
between the goods unsulted 90 this market
and those whose use is best adapted TO the
requirements of the people llylng south OF the
Mason and Dixon line. No old stock encum-
bers their shelves: no unstable goods occupy
their store-room, but they present the trade
with goods Of reliable manufacture, of latest
STYLES. and at prices warranted to satisfy.
Year by year marks adyancements and their
sales are simply numbered by the quantities
they desire 10 sell.
ROBEBTs 4 HOGE.
This firm in 1888 succeeded to the business
of Roberts. Bell & Co. who entered the.trade
here in 1872. BY close attention 10 the wants
of the trade and by conservative dealing
they have placed their firm upon the highway
10 a most lucrative and prosperous trade
Success of this kind does not ensue from
merely the engagement in business, but comes
as the legitimate reward of thrift energy. and
the honest conduct of mercantile pursuits.
The enormous quantities of boots and shoes
sold by this firm annually establishes the tact
that they are exRer1Haaed buyers
HAhnWARE
A. y. CLARKE SON.
The senior member of this firm has been
thoroughly identified with this trade since