Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-04-13
WAYS AND METHODS.
A Great Business Built Up By
Truth Telling and Square
Dealing.
GUARANTEES THAT GUARANTEE.
Prices the Lowest, Quality the Best,
and Money Always Refunded if
You are Not Satisfied.
WELL DESERVED SUCCESS.

The common expression of strangers
coming to the city of Decorah and pass
ing through our business streets is that
they are surprised that so small a city
exhibits much bustling business enter
prise; that they had often heard of De-
corah, and favorably too, but had never
expected to find, away off here in this
section of the state, thriving little
city with all the latest modern i'm
provements, and with a class of young,
energetic business men who are rapidly
making out of Decorah one of the prin-
cipal cities of northern Iowa. Fore
most among these young men may be
found our popular square dealing
clothier, Mr.. Ben Bear. We say
young, for he has been young for
twenty-one years. Signs of weariness
or tagging interest in his business or
the welfare of DecOrah have never been
seen in him. He has steadily advanced
from an unknown merchant of twenty
years ago until now he occupies the
most prominent position among the
business men of northeastern Iowa.
He is known all over this section of
the country, and his name is the
synonym of Integrity and square deal
ing. 1t has taken twenty-one years of
persistent, personal attention to busi-
ness to get to the top of the ladder, and
in reply TO the inquiry as to how he
has done it, he says: ut has been my
aim since l went into business twenty
one years ago to conduct my store in
such a manner as to win and retain the
confidence of the public. That is the
whole secret of my success in nut
shell-honesty, square dealing, truth
telling" Many of those who started
when he did and thought they We're a
great deal better business managers,
have long since gone out of business
1t is because Mr.. Bears customers have
by years of experience found out that
what he says is so that their number
is so large and is continually increas-
ing, not alone in Decorah aud Winnie
shiek county, but all over the country.
1t would be simple ruination for such
man to begin humbugging the peo-
pie, and Mr.. Bear knows it.
But word in regard to his prepara-
ton for this years business. Anything
that we could say would not materially
effect his standing in this county, for
the people have such confidence in
him that his statements are known to
be true, without any verification by
other parties. When he went to New
York this spring it was with deter
mination that his purchases would be
for his customers, and that they should
reap the benefit of them. With this
in view and anticipating large in
crease of business he bought heavily,
paying cash foreverything, thus adding
to his shrewdness in buying the ad-
vantage of cash discounts. So his
trade are now securing the very best
goods produced in eastern markets at
prices away below what the usual
clothier must necessarily charge.
Another advantage is the immense
stock from which to select A glance
at the interior of his establishment will
reveal the fact that his double store is
filled full of everything in the line Of
gents clothing and furnishings.
Already Mr.. Bear is looking forward
to his next winters trade, and is pur-
chasing large supplies of winter goods
while they can be obtained at low
prices, so as to be ready for business in
the fall with prices as usual below all
other dealers.
He invites you to call and see him
and his stock of goods. You will al
ways find obliging clerks there to wait
upon you, and you need anything in
his line you will find the best the mar
ket affords and will be assured of
courteous treatment and square deal.
ing at all times. The efficient gentle
men connected with Mr.. Bears estab-
hshment are:
Mr.. Martin Christopher,
General Manager and Wholesale.
Mr.. j. Alstad,
Mr.. Isaac jacobson,
Mems Clothing.
Mr.. Edward Bear,
Boys Clothing and Shoes.
Mr.. Jacob Larsen,
Mems Furnishings.
Mr.. Chris Qualley,
Hats.
Mr.. j. Carver Strong,
Book-keeper and Cashier.
"A NEW law passed by the state legis-
lature provides for the admission of
women to the militia regiments of the