Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-26
A BRILLIANT EVENT
The st. Louis Stores Opening En-
joyed by Thousands.
SURPRISES ITS PREVIOUS EFFORTS
All Day and Evening, Crowds Avail
Themselves of the Opportunity to
Inspect the Newest Creations in
Dry Goods, Millinery and Shoes.

Yesterday was the date of the ST.
Louis stores fall opening. This is an
event that invariably attracts great
crowds and yesterday was no eXcep
ton. The little rain in the morning
simply made the weather pleasant and
the temperature just right for those
who visited this popular trading cen
ter during the day and evening.
The st. Louis store openings are al
ways looked forward to, and impatient
ly waited for by the ladies of this vi
entity. Here they expect to see the
best and newest products of the manu-
facturers and the finest effort of the
designers. The immense trade enjoy
ed by this institution, is ample evi
dence that they are never disappoint
ed This event, however, surpassed
all anticipations of even the most san
guine. The st. Louis store has always
been noted for it's beautiful appear
ance at it's openings, but it was never
more grandly beautiful than last night
Brilliantly lighted and profusely deco
rated, it was sight that was exceed
ingly pleasing and harmonious. The
windows were an index to what was
in the store. The arrangement Of ev
cry department of the store and the
system and methods which prevail
in this business, made it easy for the
people to find just what they wanted
and never were goods shown to bet
ter advantage than those presented tc
the throng in the st. Louis store, yes
terday and last evening.
/. During the day hundreds inspected
this grand display, but it was in the
evening that the clerks were taxed to
their utmost, to take care of the
crowds. Mr.. Donelan, the proprietor
is a great believer in system in con
Quoting business, and it was much in
evidence last night. Everything is ar
ranged for his opening events and they
are conducted just as Systematically
as every other feature of the bust
ness 1t was necessary all evening to
stop the people at short intervals, from
crowding on the stairway leading to
the millinery and suit departments and
it was done as was everything else
without the slightest jar or inconven
fence. The windows attracted the at
tention of everyone passing. The east
WllluOW LlS quiz anu ohll
department. On one of the figures was
brown suit of the finest French
broadcloth, taffeta silk lined through.
out, handsomely trimmed with hand.
painted designs, giving an exceedingly
beautiful effect. On another figure
was Marie Antoinette coat of finest
velvet with white peau de sole lining
and cuffs, collar and revers of genu
inc stone marten fur. In another part
was a 60-inch half-ftting New Market
of the very finest velvour with collar
and cuffs of genuine marten. This
garment is lined with dark gray satin
and like the others, is of the very lat
est Partisan styles. The price of it
is $125.00. Also in this window is a
handsome collection of furs, among
which are Mink, Isabella Fox, Russian
Sable and Bear, Genuine Chinchilla
and Stone Marten.
The center window contains mil.
linery display. In it are three pattern
hats representing the highest develop.
ment of the trimmer's art. Next to the
entrance, is a Bernhard CONNECTION
in castor and white, finished with a
handsome breast effect. In the center
a large Gainesborough, all black, made
up with chinille net and heavy ostrich
plumes. The other pattern is strik
ing effect in black and white The
overhangings and back grounds of this
window are pink and white and the
trimmings of foliage, flowers and os
trich plumes, making the whole effect
the most beautiful imaginable.
The west window contains a very
artistic shoe display. From it one can
get an idea of the immense stock OF
shoes carried by this firm. Here was
all the newest fall shapes in all colors
and sizes.
In the dry goods store, on the west
side, was the brilliant counter and
ledge display of silks, fancy waists and
suiting velvets, dress goods and linens
with ledge mounting of a series OF
arches in pink, blue and yellow. In the
center, were the gloves, trimmings
novelties, spachtal work, fancy en-
broidered dresser scarfs, cushion Gov
ers, etc. On the east side, in artistic
display, was hosiery, handkerchiefs
silk waists, petticoats and ribbons
with a ledge mounting corresponding
with the west side of the store.
In the shoe and gents furnishing de
partments, were very appropriate dis
plays giving one a good idea of what is
to be the prevailing fashion this fall
and winter. There was large display
OF union made. shoes for both men and
women.
At the head of the stairs is the mil.
linery department in charge of Miss
Gertrude Rapp, of st. Louis. Miss
Rapp's ability and taste are well
known to Ottumwa people. The dis
play this year, she says, is the
finest that this department has ever
shown. This, of course, was the center
of attraction to the ladies. To the ex
IRENE right, Mr.. Chas. Banks, who dec
GRATED the second floor, had arranged
a tunnel through which the crowds
passed to the cloak and suit depart
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