The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-04-18
MARCH OF PROGRESS,

The past thirty years has been an unin.
terrupted march OF progress for what is
known to-day as the A. ID. Farwell Com.
pany, the well-known clothing dealers of
this city. The founder ard head of thia
d m Is A. ID. Farwell. In 1870 he started in
the clothing business IN this city when 1t
was but prosperous country village his
first store being located in what was then
known as the "Arch" which separated
Main from East State streets and which in
the advance OF improve nent has long since
pass ID into oblivion although still a local
historical "Reminiscences Beginning in
small way Mr.. Farwell, by close applica-
ton and honest dealing such as gained him
the respect and esteem OF those with whom
he bartered, buyer and seller alike, he laid
the foundation for the stable and luc alive
business, the new and palstial quarters of
which in the Langdon block on Main
street, were opened to the public for the
/ first time to-day.
After outgrowing his humble quarters in
the arch" Mr.. Farwell moved to the store
now occupied by IL. g. & L. p. Gleason
After remaining there some six years he
sought still more spacious quarters for his
steadily increasing trade and moved to the
! Blanchard Opera House block where he has
continued until this last change which is
some eleven years time.
The A. ID Farwell Company was formed
March 14th, last when Mr.. Farwell
gave his clerks the opportunity to en-
ter into partnership with him in the bust.
ness. Two, Charles e. Kingsbury and
Robert 3. Bliss, accepted the offer. Justus
l.. Batchelder, the senior clerk, declined rs
he las another business venture in view
| for the fu. ure, but he still remains with the
hrm in clerical capacity in which he has
made himself most popul r with the trade
during his sixteen years OF service with Mr.
Farwel. The new members Of the firm
are too well and favorably known to require
special mention at this time and the prsc-
tical business training which they have re-
ceived while with Mr.. Farwell has thor
oughly equipped them for this higher field
| as prOprietOTS.
Langdon streets, is without doubt one of
the most commodious and at the same time
one OF the most elegantly appointed cloth
ing stores in New England. The floor space
is S2x34 feet, some 600 square feet more than
| was contained in the store lust vacated
The basement is of the same dimensions
The interior was arranged according to the
desire OF Mr.. Farwell, ami under the super
vision OF Architect SWEET Of st. Adams.
The store proper Is finished in light oak
handsomely grilled and paneled. The fur
niture is also of the same material. Album
dant light is furnished during the daytime
| from four windows and a large show win
dow on the Langdon street side and from
the larger plate glass show window which
takes up nearly the entire Main street 'front.'
X IL
furnished by eight enclosed arc lights on
an incandescent circuit and OF 500 candle
power each. The globes OF these lamps are
OF translucent glass and the effect OF the
light in the evening on the soft tintings
and pleasing designs Of the ceiling is very
pretty. Aside from these lights are ten
sixteen candle power bracket lamps a =
ranged in dainty fixtures along the left
hand wall as you enter from the street
through either Of the spacious entrances.
Ia lAF ahnu ind IL 1,xnN
proof by encasing it in paneliDg, entrance
being gained by means OF self locking
doors. This window has nickle plated fur
nishings, similar to those employed in
other parts OF the store, for the displaying
OF goods. In connection with this window
is panelled umbrella case with glass
doors. The other show window is after
the same style except that the top covering
is omitted. These windows are supplied
with thirty additional sixteen candle power
| lamps arranged in series of ten in shield re-
Electors at the tops of the windows. Heat
is supplied from four steam radiators, al
umium bronze in color.
On the right as you enter the store is the
shelving and counter room which is devot-
ed entirely to gents furnishings. Here
also are two of the latest improved Pollard
plate glass show cases 2x10 feet each in di-
mension by four feet in height. The int.
riors are fitted with glass shelves supported
by nickel brackets and the cases rest upon
| udrh IuhTDl6 DaSt5.
Down the center Of the store, arranged at
regular intervals for the best convenience
are ten substantial oaken tables, each four,
teen feet in length and four feet in width
on which clothing is displayed. Each table
Is also provided with six capacious drawers
which can be opened easily from either
side. There are also several other tables OF
counters of similar design placed in conven
lent places at the sides aud at the lower end
OF the store.
On the left as you enter is another plate
glass show case with oak trimmings known
as the "slent salesman" style. Along the
side OF the wall Is arranged dust proof cab
nets OF oak paneling with sliding glass
fronts. These cabinets are divided intC
two sections by locker, the door OF which
Is formed of French plate mirror 4x6 feel
! in size. Other mirrors of varied sizes anC
! forms are placed in different par Of the
store. In these cabinets are kept hats, caps
travelling bags, etc.
The office is located at the lower end o
the store and is formed by platform raised
. some six inches above the main floor tn,
whole being enclosed by grilled worl
railing OF pretty design, SKA feet. Here
also Is every convenience for Office work
desk, safe, telephone, etc, within reach.
Near the rear entrance OF the store Is
commodious lavatory. The floor ant
wainscoting of the room is Of flushed blu,
slate and the latest improved set bowls o
marble are provided with hot and colo
water.