The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-04
HISTORY OF 4 SUCCESS.
HOW THE GREAT SOUTHERN MUSIC
HOUSE MADE ITS START.
Why Savannah Has the Largest Music
Rnnsa of the Enr1th

House of the South.
In the year 1870 two residents of Savan-
nah, Ga, one an accomplished teacher and
musician. the other an energetic, ambitious
young business man, determined to asso-
ciate their means and talents in establish
ing music business.
Not at all an extraordinary undertaking
in itself
In fact, the number of music stores that
are annually born. and quickly die for want
of breath, is incredible
In this case, however. the combination
was rather unusual.
One OF the partners had the advantage Of
a fine musical education, cultivated taste
large experience in music, both professions
ally and commercially.
The other partner happened to have q
peculiar talent for the details of business, a
genius for advertising, and q thorough
comprehension Of the fact that if reputa-
ton for square dsaliDgn could once be
gained the foundation Of q large business
was laid.
Both the partners were from the start
convinced thar they could build up a largo
trade, but they were cautious and prudent.
as was evident from their making their
start in one corner OF a small drugstore.
with most meager stock Of instruments.
but al unlimited amount of energy and
push.
This was the starting point Of Ludden &,
Bates Southern Music House-a name
which is now known in every southern
state, and in fact is said to be one of the
best known music houses in the United
States.
The reputation of the senior member OF
the firm for shrewd business ability, az
well as musical knowledge, gave the new
firm a start with the manufacturers, and
it was not long before several OF the leading
makers of pianos and organs were seeking
to establish agencies with the new con-
Germ.
just here the musical knowledge of Mr..
Ludden was of great advantage.
He was able to select those instruments
which were most likely to make an endur-
log success, and the result proved the
soundness of his judgment, as the world
famous names of Chickering, Mason &
Hamlin, Mathushek and others testify
their Instruments having been represented
by Ludden 81 Bates almost from the begins
ming.
the new music house was not long in at
tracing attention.
The restless, tireless Bates schemed, la
bored and dreamed for the new business.
One attractive advertisement followed an
other in rapid succession, and when the pub
lie began to find that every promise of the
new house was kept with the utmost fair
ness and punctuality letters began TO pour
in until the partners we're swamped with
orders and correspondence.
One new clerk was quickly added to an
other until the little drug store would no
longer hold the growing business, and Lud-
den a. Bates were compelled to seek new
quarters.
Again and again they were Obliged to
until than Ano1lxy fhoi,. h,,a;
ness into an incorporated company, and oc-
cupied the immense double store, four sto-
ries and basement, on Broughton street
whore they still are.
What a contrast between the little drug.
store with its two ambitious workers, aud
the great store with its forty or more en-
ployes, and its floors filed with pianos, or.
gans, vlollns, guitars, accordions, bress ins
struments, sheet music, music books, and in
fact everything that pertains to music.
Nothing that cannot be supplied from a.
Jews harp TO Grand piano /
Yearly sales of nearly half million dol.
lars-a business extending all over the |
And upon what IS this great business
based?
Upon few common. sense business max.
inns which every man can understand: 80
First. Never make a Representations
thatyou cannot back up.
Second. Fair and liberal treatment
will make friend of every customer
and friend gained means more GUS
toners.
Third. The best is the cheapest.
Never take the agency for any iustru.
ment that II not first-class of it's style.
Fourth. One price will win. Never
sell one man a piano at cost and make
a double profit from another. That
is robbery, and people will f1nd it out
n the end.
Like every now and successful enterprise.
l.. q b. 8. NJ. II. had both its enemies and
lmitators-but after twenty years of
Straightforward march on a road whoss
every milestone was an achieved triumph
the few detractors have been swept aside
by the force Of an established and uuassail-
able reputatlon-while the host of imita-
tors, more or less succf ssful, are the sim
cerest witnesses TO the high character of the
business methods of the house.
There have been. and still are some am
oltlous novices In the business who provoke
the smiles of the well posted bv their reck.
less use of such expressions as "the leading'
and the Largest" OF the greatest" etc,
etc. etc; but in these days of liberal adver-
Using the people are pretty we'll advised as
ID the actual standing of the various
claimants. and there are but few business
men who do not know that Iudden e.
Bates Southern Music House is the un-
questioned leader of the southern music
trade. Its great record of As, 1000 instru.
nle1tS placed in the homes of customers
since 1870 settles the question beyond dis
pute
The immense growth of the business OF
l.. q b. s. NJ. H., together with the partial
retirement of Mr.. Ludden. who lives nearly
che whole year in New York, long since
made 1t necessary to have the assistance Of
new blood" For some years the buying
and selling of pianos and organs has been
under the management of Mr.. Jno. D.
murphy, secretary of the company, an ex-
pert and practical man, with years of expe-
Renee In every branch of the piano and or
gan business, and it is q matter of pride
with him that he gives personal attention
20 the wants of every inquirer, and takes
almost as much pleasure in talking with or
writing to one in search Of information as
In the actual closing of a sale.
The finances of the company are under
the management Of the treasurer, Mr.. Jas
persen Smith, who also has charge OF the
largo and efficient Office force.
The latter gentleman speaks encourage
ingly of the prospects for O, good years bust
ness, aud says that /. & b. S. M. 81. was
never in better condition to care for a large
trade.