Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-03
MADE A FORTUNE IN CIGARETTES.
After Black Friday He Returns Here
and Becomes Rich.

and Becomes Rich.
After the war Major Ginter went 10
New York and engaged in the banking
and brokerage business. The firm name
was Harrison, Goddin & Appersen, and
branch was established In this city
under the title OF Goddln IL Apperson.
The name OF tho firm was changed seve-
RAJ times, and when that disastrous
Black Friday ruined thousands of stock
operators and jobbers, the firm
was known as Ginter Colqult' *
Co. In this panic OF 1873 Major
Glnter was heavily involved dae'
Il is said 10 tho imprudence
OF his partner, though Major Ginter
himself. eventually paid all the debts OF
the Brm, adding compound interest 10
them. II was the darkest page In his
life, and he never afterwards referred to
Il without expressions Of deepest pain.
His connection with Wall Street lasted
for barely three years, and after the
fatal crash OF mis- fortunes, and with the
undaunted courage so characteristic OF
him, he took his grip and travelled toi
q short time. lie did not remain long
at this occupation, however, and soon
found himself back in Richmond. He
would not start in his old business again,
because he said, no merchant could pos
sibly buy goods. and being forced 70 pay
for them i'm gold, come out ahead, ana so
he determined 10 become manuiac-
turer, After investigating the field, he
became Impressed with the idea that
tobacco. being the leading product OF this
section. he might be more successful III
that than any other line. He knew piac-
ticaIy nothing Of the business, and was
without much capital for he resolutely
n a
his old iirm TO collect outstanding ac-
counts. This was one OF the most beauti-
full acts OF his life. for. recognizing the
universal Gala nifty that had swept the
Southland, he addressed himself to the
upbuilding OF his own fortunes without
harassing others who were intent upon
the same object. "He was the gamest
man I ever knew" said one OF his old
friends yesterday and the echo is found
in a retrospect of his remarkable career.
HIS, PARTNERSHIP WITH ALLEN.
He renewed at once his former friend
chip with Mr.. John +. Allen, who was
recognized as one Of the best judges OF
tobacco In the city. A partnership was
formed, Ginter buying his share with
money he had borrowed from friends,
which no paid fifteen years later with
compound interest. and with bonus
of $4,000. which he presented I'm mos
delicate way. Major Ginter threw his
whole energy into the enterprise, and
again went on the road to sell goods.
Mr.. Allen bought for the firm. and the
smoking tobacco was put up In pretty
and artistic boxes, a notable departure
at that time. and one that was due en-
tirely 10 Major enters taste ana dis
erection. The goods OF the Hrm were
put up IN such an attractive way that
q haxr
kets, and the business grew TO sucn an
extent that Major Gintcr settled IN Rich
mopd. and the firm employed several
drummers. In 1874, at the suggestion
of Major Ginter. the firm began 10
manufacture paper cigarettes, which
were gottea up with the same degree
OF taste al the other lines had been,
and ready market was found for them
In all parts OF the country.
The growth OF the firm Is best illus
trated By the fact that they first occu-
pied a small establishment on the north
side of Franklin street. the square below
the Exchange Hotel. but gradually took
in the whole block Of three houses. then
the property OF MIR. JOHN George.
In the year 1876 Allen x Ginter made
q large and handsome exhibit OF their
goods at the Philadelphia Centennial,
carrying OF all the first prizes and
many honors.
This induced them to place their goods
on sale in London and on the Cont
nent One Of the remarkable features
of their continental trade was the ex-
tensive advertising, carried on under the
supervision of Major Ginter. who moi
only selected tho most artistic and
striking posters but had them scattered
on all sides. IL was a revelation TO the
conservative Lonconer TO wake up one
morning and find no less than 1900 fac
SMILES OF a famous picture OF Paris
art gallery looking down from the walls
OF the city, with the simple legend be-
meath It. Smoke Richmond Gem Cigar
cites" This old mans head. which is
familiar wherever cigarettes are sold, is
still used as trademark. The busi-
ness increased with great rapidly. and
II was determined so mako a display AZ
the Paris exhibition The Allen e Gin
ter goods were the only tobaccos al
lowed there. and their popularity was
firmly established. Germany was the
next field conquered by the firms In
domitable enterprise. and II was not
long before their cigarettes were ship
ped 10 every port In Europe of any
consequence. Afterwards quite an extern
eiye business was done In Australia and
india. In 1884 the firm moved to the
<tAatti VI t'Nfchtt Adll StitftS anu
the firm name was changed from John
Il. Allen & Co. 10 Allen & Ginter.
DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP.
Mr.. Allen. It is said. grew nervous at
the extent and scope OF Major Ginters
schemes. The former had always been
conservative ana very timorous Of his
partners enterprise and dash. He con-
scented TO sell out TO Major Ginter and |
the story OF this transaction has been |
written for the Dispatch by Mr. Charles |
AZ, Wallace, close. personal friend OF |
Mr.. Allen. He says:
'one day l said to the late Mr.. John +. |
Allen; ! know but one citizen OF Rich |
mond who. when he had enough money. |
retired from the cares and worries OF |
business Who was he? he Inquired. !
J replied; John England. the old -four |
Inspector, who carried out OF Office about |
1890. snd thereafter lived comfortably |
on the jnterest II brought him. The next |
time J met my old friend he said: I'VE /
taken your advice-sold 10 Ginter. did |
not know when the former conversation |
RE4iH1 that G.ut4f had x.yct.ouaI a. oeif 4