Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1899-10-19
STATIONS RIVER.
ELECTRIC ROAD AND TRADE.

Will the advent of the electric road mean
| to the merchants of Saxtons River di-
minished tradep This is question that
has been argued and re .argued, dropped
and reconsidered at each fresh alarm rung
in by the promoters of the road and it Is
truly question tor argument. Believing
this to be the last alarm to be given in re-
gard to the construction Of the road and
naturally more anxious for the outcome of
it than ever before. Are they ready to sell
out thinking that to continue here in trade
would mean financial ruinP Do they ex-
pect the scheming housewife is going to do
her future shopping in Bellows Falls, no
matter whether the article wanted is spool
OF thread, barrel OF flour or a yard of
calicoP Are their present patrons going
to pay car fare to the Falls and back to
buy something which they could have pur-
chased here for the same or less money!
The last of these questions, when we con-
slider the peculiarities of the human race
has possibility of the affirmative answer !;
however, only the successful completion of
the road can answer it.
As to whether our merchants contem-
plate selling or in despair are silently wait
ing for the butchers knife, let us look at
the stores in the place and draw our own
conclusions. Never we're there more stores
or larger or finer assortment of mercan-
tile goods than at present. The last three
years, years in which the building of the
electric road has constantly been agitated
and for the most part considered a surety,
has witnessed great improvements in all of
our six stores. During that time F. B.
Locke has added full line of groceries to
his hardware store. G. F. Slmonds has
nearly doubled his line of dry goods, gro
ceries, etc. The stores in the Warner
block have had many changes for the bet
ter; with new oak fittings Warner and
Blske's store has been made the past sum-
mer one of the neatest and handsomest lit
tie grocery stores that small village can
boast of. As to whether w. B.Glynn con-
templates suicide from anxiety over the
electric road glance at the interior OF his
store, which shows constant improvements,
is ample proof that he will remain with us
tor some time yet. His own words, ''just
wait until the electric road comes tor further
he does not consider it will be an injury to
us DuSlu0S5.
H. H Sabin's new store of general house
hold supplies, comprising furniture, crock
cry, hardware, wallpaper, full line of
everything needed in furnishing a house,
again convinces the doubter that another
of our merchants expects to do business
after the road is put in operation. G. w.
Osgood does not hesitate to invest in an
extra watch or two for fear the ewelry
stores at Bellows Falls will consume his
trade in the future.
All of these observations in regard to
our stores speak louder than words as to
what their owners consider the future out
look and there are still further improve
ments in contemplation. G. F. Simonds is
to build an addition in the rear of his store,
is going to tear cut several partitions and
remodel the front, and when the carpenters
get through with it the place will hardly
be recognized. All in all it looks as though
the merchants of Bellows Falls would have
to hustle in order to compete with us here
at all, for as one of them has recently said,
"Y GU fellows at Saxtons River can afford
to sell goods cheaper than we can, your
taxes and rent are so much less" And
right here he hit the key note of the whole
project. 1t is that fact that is going to in
crease the population, to crowd our stores
with customers and give the prosperous
merchant still greater prosperity.
Mr.. Eddy Of Brattleboro was in town
last week on business and went away Fri
day.
Those attending the celebration at Mont
pelier Thursday did not reach home until
o'clock Friday morning, making eleven
hours of tedious riding after hard day
work doing honor to Dewey.
G. M. Thompson of Walpole was with
bis parents over Sunday.
A. T. Pierce had the misfortune to lose
his best draft horse Saturday it was one
of span which cost Mr.. Pierce $500.
The mate was Injured some time ago by
running,
An exciting and well contested game OF
foot ball was played on Fuller field Satur-
day between Vermont Academy and Will
liston Academy. The team here played
an excellent game and won with the score
of II to 0.
Work has been commenced on G. F.
Simonds' store; an addition has already
been built in the rear and other extensive
improvements are being considered.
William w. Cory's blacksmith and paint
shop has undergone improvements recently
until now it has reached perfection in the
matter of convenience, A speaking tube
connects the blacksmith shop with the
paint-room overhead. In the painting
department Mr.. Cory has fixed off in the
rear varnish room. The floor is made OF
hard pine and lined with paper. The
whole room is tight and neat to prevent
any particles of dust from clinging to the
varnish. An elevator has been placed in
the central room of the paint shop and
connects with the top floor where the heavi-
est carriages can be easily taken and left
until they are thoroughly dry. Mr.. Cory's
business is certainly growing one. Be-
sides the industries mentioned, he is mer.
chant for anything in the line Of carriages
from wheelbarrow to an automobile, and
deals extensively in whips, robes, har.
nesses, etc.
Harry Ober came from Boston Saturday
to attend his fathers funeral.
Walter Green from Charlestown was in
town Monday.
| A. T. Pierce bought a span of work