The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-10-24

Probably very few people even in
Caldwell realize the immense amount
of business that is now being transacted
by the Caldwell Forwarding Co., to
which frm-title must be aided, general
commission, wholesale and jobbing
merchants. The TRIBUNE did not
have but faint idea until facts and
figures were examined, which are truly
astonishing. Six or seven months ago
when S. M. Coffin assumed manage
ment, the business of the firm was
largely restricted to storage and for
warding business, only some 80 articles
of merchandise, in the grocery and pro-
vision line, being handled. The princi-
pal patrons of thelForwarding company
were home merchants and the institu-
ton, in it's merchandising features, W as
regarded more as an association OF
local merchants. jointly conducting a
wholesale department as an aid to
retail business. In the few months
that Mr.. Coffin has directed the bust
ness of the establishment, it has taken
on an entirely different aspect and in
creased in proportions to an astonishing
extent. Now, upwards of 200 articles
of merchandise, covering nearly the
whole range of staples, are constantly
kept in stock. The business has
jumped from a matter of a thousand
or two dollars monthly, to $25, 1000 per
month. Instead of being largely re-
stricted to storage and forwarding. that
feature of the business, though largely
increased, has taken seconary posi-
ton. Instead of being mere adjunct
to local retail business, it is the whole
sale depot for goodly portion of south
eastern Oregon and six counties in
south western Idaho. 1t supplies re-
tail trade from Weiser to Shoshone
along the Oregon Short Line, distance
of several hundred miles. 1t furnishes
the stores of DeLamar and Silver City,
in Owyhee county; it reaches out to
Boise and supplies its merchants at
better rates than can be procured else
where. The business Of the Forward
ing Company is physical and practi-
cal demonstration of the fact that Cald-
well is the natural commercial center
of south western Idaho and eastern
Oregon. 1t can not be denied that the
recent rapid growth of this institution
is due to the energetic and efficient
management of Mr.. S. NJ. Coffin
While such an establishment is the
natural correlative of Caldwelrs loca
ton, still it required business ability Of
no ordinary mark to establish it under
the depressed conditions which have
been so prevalent during the past hal
year. MIR. Colin says that he has sue
ceeded in procuring traffic rates which
give the Forwarding company superio
advantages and has reduce the business
to such perfect and economical system
that he can make prices to customer
lower than any house in the state. Tn
proportions of the business and tn
commercial standing of the firm ar
such that it can compete anywhere an
with anybody. A remarkable thing il
the recent experience of the Forward
ing Company is that business whicl
heretofore has been earnestly and urg
emily solicited but refused. now come
of it's own accord. The reason is pa
tent. Mr.. Collins theory is that Gus
toners will deal where they can do best
consequently he has bent all his effort
in the direction of their best interest.
He sells cheaper and delivers prompte
than any competitor. That is tn
secret. The Forwarding Company
an institution which the people .
Caldwell should be proud of. 1t is dc
ing mighty work towards establish
ing the commercial supremacy Of thi
J city.