Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
ALL REPORT HEAVY SALES
Omaha Merchants Experience a Season Of
More Than Usual Prosperity.
PRESENT MONTH IS A ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
People Have More Money Thnn Here
tofore, Buy Much More Freely
and seldom Quibble
over Prices.

''N A@'N ~ AAN NlNllA VI LA1A
ness affairs in Omaha during the last twelve
months have frequently and freely expressed
the opinion that the year 1893 would mark
an Important epoch in the commercial inter-
ests of the city. All along they have con-
tended that this year was to be a record e.
breaker and that upon the closing of the
books all the merchants would be able to
show good balances on the right side Of the
ledger.
During the early fall business in all lines
was good. and as winter drew on it increased
rapidly in volume, scores OF the houses being
compelled to double their forces in order to
handle the trade. The flood tide of the
business. however, was reached during the
lasI week when the holiday shopping was at
its height. Cold weather came on just at the
right time and during the last ten deys not
only downtown stores. but the streets as
well, have been crowded with people from
early morning until late at night.
In order to ascertain what the merchants
have been doing a large number OF them
have been interviewed, and the best idea of
their prosperity and the general prosperity
now prevailing over the country can be
gained by the that follow:
c. C. Belden Of Thompson, Belden & Co,
Dry Goods-The last year has been the best
we have experienced since we located in
Omaha. People are all at work earning
money, and spending it freely, not only in
buying holiday goods, but more serviceable
articles to wear. People have bought better
goods than ever before and more of them. We
are well satisfied with the business of the
year.
Mrs. J. Benson, Dry Goods figure that
our trade during the last year has been much
better than ever before. During the holiday
season it has been SO 1-3 per cent better
than during the corresponding season of last
year. Then, this year people have wanted
only the best, and frequently l have had
difficulty selling cheap goods.
H. Hardy of the 99-Cent Store-I figure on a
33 1-3 per cent increase in trade as compared
with 1898, and | thought that the big year.
Trade started early and kept right on grow
Ing until the last few days, when we were
nearly swaanped. This year the best goods
sold first, contrary to the usual custom. In
our Wholesale department we had more bust
ness than we could handle. Everything is
cleaned out, which means that there will be
q big demand for goods next holiday season.
S. Gamble. Manager of the Continental
Clothing House-Business has been far ahead
OF last year, and that comes pretty close to
telling the whole story. We have had all
the business we cared to handle. We sold
better goods than ever before, and there you
have 1t.
n ID. NltSOuutil VI JIG man IN shNSohHNii,
Druggists-The holiday season has been a
record breaker. We sold 20 per cent more
goods than ever before. OF course we are
outside of the drug trust, and l fancy this
had something to do with 1t. We have had
all we could attend to, employing twenty
one clerks, working night and day.
People BUY the Best.
Joseph p. Frenzer, Jeweler-Trade has
been far ahead of last year. People have
bought only the finest goods. l make a
specially of diamonds and this year | have
sold more stones than during any two pre-
vious seasons-some of them the finest I
could buy. There is plenty of money in
town and 1t is well distributed.
II ]. Penford of the Aloe g. Penford Co.
Trade has been the best in many years,
in fact since l have been in business. We
have sold an immense quantity of photo
graphic supplies and then in the fancy goods
line we have also done an immense bust
ness. Not only during the holiday season,
but throughout the entire year we have had
all the trade we could handle, both whole
sale and retail.
Kelly, Stiger & Co., Dry Goods-We have
sold a better grade of goods than ever be-
fore, and more OF them. In silks the trade
has exceeded anything we ever predicted.
The holiday season has been a continuous
lam, the store being crowded from morn
ing until night. Take the year as a whole
It has been the most prosperous in our rec
ord.
II. S. Wilcox, Manager for Browning, King
& Co.-Clothlng trade has been 20 per cent
better than last year, which we considered
the big year. This year people want only
the best goods, while in the past many
would put up with cheaper articles. Now,
with money plenty, you can't sell cheap
-t-.kE.,. nn,,I 10 a good tnutp and thic haC
been the best year since our company has
been in business here.
William Hayden of Hayden Bros, General
Merchandise cannot say what per cent our
business has increased during the past year,
hut IL has been better than ever. The
holiday season has broken all previous rec
ords and. during the past week, there have
been times when 1t was almost impossible
10 push through our store, All the people
have had money and they have not h~esitated
30 spend it, buying Injuries as we'll as ne
cessities.
A.. Hospe, Pianos and M~usic-Biggest
trade in the history of cur business. Have
sold more pianos and music than during
any two years before. A little cold weather
would be acceptable, but | am satisfied. In
the factory the men are working night and
day to get the work out, Last week my men
put in sufficient extra time so that it netted
them n.ne and onc-half days.
Rushed 10 Death.
j. l.. Brandeis q Sons-We have been
rushed to death and have sold more & DDS
during the last ten days than during any
previous period of the sam length OF time
since We have been in business. Elegant
goods are being sold and seldom do the
people hunt FOR anything cheap. We feel
satisfied Omaha is in the most prospe. Gus
condition and that the people all have
money. The only trouble has been that
we have not had the room or the help to
take proper care Of our trade,
c, W. Morton, OF Morton & Sons-Hard-
ware trade was a little slow in starting, but
Il is in good shape now and has been for
several weeks, While We do not carry a
big line OF holiday goods, We have had enor-
nous sales in all lines we handle. What is
more. We don't expect any letdown for a
long time.
G.. H.. Shaefer, the Drugglst-Busincss was
never better than right al this time. l
expect IL TO continue so right along My
store ia one outside OF the trust ami coa-
soquGntly ! DO "a big business, holidays or no
holidays. True he holiday season gives bus
ines Ia .r.frr NrF tk.Ht lA ID. saaH .rH 49,.