The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-22
BEST In FIVE YEARS
JOBBERS OF ST. PAUL ARE WELL
PLEASED WITH THE RECORD
OF 1897.
PRICES OF STAPLES STAND.
UNUSUAL FIRMNEss9IN THE QUOTA
TIONS FOR THE EVERY DAY
SUPPLIES OF HUMANITY.
WHILE THE FUTURE PROMISES
Still Greater Rewards to the Mer-
chant Princes of the Northvvest's
Wholesale Metropolis.

The jobbers and manufacturers of
st. Paul are looking forward to a most
successful new year. From the present
indications next years business Of the
jobbing and manufacturing interests
of st. Paul will eclipse the record made
for many years past. The wholesalers
without exception report that this
years business was the largest and
cleanest they had done since 1892, and
that everything pointed to prosperous
and record breaking new year. They
feel highly gratified at the way bust
ness had kept up until the holidays,
as the middle of November, and the
1st of December at the latest, usually
marks a very neticeable decrease in
the volume of business done in ST.
Paurs jobbing center, and they feel
that the outlook for the coming year
is most hattering.
Prices are reported firm on all classes
of goods, which is caused they think,
by the improved conditions of the
country, and the unprecedented de-
mand for all staple lines.
Daniel R. Noyes, of Noyes Bros &
Cutler, says: 1.-The condition of trade
is good. Our sales for November were
$4,000 more than the same month last
year, and thus far December trade is
excellent Collections far better than
at any time since 1892, and outlook full
Of promise. st. Paul is in the lead in
improved business conditions and Will
maintain it. Our BUSINESS houses are
i,,ta
country and hold their old trade ter
ritory more friendly than of old. With
the advantages that St. Paul offers, it
is a poor business house indeed that
cannot count on success and enlarge
ment in 1898.
]. w. Cooper. of Griggs, Cooper &
Co., thought their business this year
had equaled, if not eXcelled, the
amount they had done in 1892. He
said the last six months business had
been better than a corresponding time
last year. There had been an unusual
ly large demand for seaSonable goods,
and the Christmas trade was excellent.
The city trade, which usually falls off
materially at this time of the year,
had also been very large. The markets
were favorable and the conditions had
been unusually good. The increased
facilities which st. Paul had offered for
marketing dairy products had a good
effect in centralizing that class of busl-
ness in st. Paul. The farmer would
make fully as much out of his butter
next year as he had out of his wheat
in previous years. Mr.. Cooper said
there was no reason why the present
indications did not justify a most sue
''Home Brand" goods. which they
found market for in all Of the Western
states, had greatly encouraged them in
the sale Of goods which were the re-
suits Of home industry.
"Our Christmas trade has been excel
lent said John Wilkinson. of the Powers
Dry Goods company, land we have Just
passed through a most successful year. ouI
collections have been unusually good, and
our business has necessitated the running
of our factory through the usually dull month
of December. We will commence shipping
our spring goods with the first OF the year
and we look forward to an even better year
ceipt Of large number of advance orders
for spring goods"
John H. Allen. Of ]. H. Allen & Co.. re-
ported that merchants were buying quite
light, and had been since Dec. 10, as the bet
ter class of trade balanced their accounts
the first Of the year, which accounted for the
large number Of small orders they were
during the season, and thought the prospects
bright for a repetition Of the trade of the
season just passed. They were, he said. en-
joying a large holiday trade in Christmas
goods Nearly all orders for, this class OF
goods were rush orders.
Claiming seabury. of seabury & Co..
stated that the rush was Just about over
but that trade conditions were very favor
able for another busy year. They had ar
excellent trade during December, which is
generally dull month. He thought the
jobbers all felt highly encouraged over tine
trade conditions. 30
E. A. Konantz. Of the Konantz Saddlery
company, said the season which they had
Just finished had been a very3 busy one, sc
much so that they felt warranted in making
some important additions to their already
large factory. They would in a few months
have factory in which they would manu-
facture everything in the harness line. He
thought from the way spring orders were
coming in for future shipment that they
would have the biggest spring trade they had
lions than at any time since 1892, and since
the 1st OF August they had done the largest
business in their history. He was very much
pleased over the long season they were en-
joying as trade In their line usually fell
off considerably at this time Of the year.
R. s. Kennedy, of Kennedy Bros, the
Oldest sporting goods house in the Northwest
SdlQ IQ6y WeIo Selling lOlS OIL SOOuS dI LILLE
season, such as Columbia bicycles, guns
rifles skates, etc. They were sole agents in
st. Paul for the Columbia, and from present
indications the new "chainless'' would be-
come very popular, as they have received
many inquiries about 1t. They were well
pleased with trade this year, and looked for
ward to still better business next year.
J. H Skinner Of Lanpher, Finch & Skin
ner, said they had been receiving spring or
ders for some time past for future delivery
which he thought a good evidence Of what
the spring trade would be, as it was little
early yet for spring goods. The Lanpher hat
was being sold all over the West and had
become quite popular with merchants. Their
business for December was better than for
the same month last year. and their collec-
lions had never been better, and they antici-
pated a nice business for the new year. They
wolAi b busy filling sorting-up orders until
after the middle Of January, and their spring
trade would begin In earnest Feb. 1.
H. A. Boardman. of Wemott, Howard &
country than last year. and they had good
collections. He thought there would be still
| more Improvement next year.
| A. P. Warren. credit man for Foot Schulz,
| & Co., reported collections good and spring
| coming in. He thought IS couple of feet o
| snow would improve business wonderfully
| They had enjoyed good trade in December
! which was quite remarkable.
| Henry Nicols, OF Nicols & Dean. said thi
| was their dull season. but they had had
| fine trade through 1897, and looked forward