The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-09

and with a very small stock, scarcely
equal to one-tenth Of that carried at the
present time his business increased until
three months later lie bought OUT the
stock Of wheels and sundries owned by
Z. VAN & Co., and added the Crescent
bicycle to his line of wheels In another
three months he bought the old Carr Bicy-
Gle Works on South Main street and added
tyPewliters and sewing machines to his
line and fitted his shop with tools and
machinery to do ali classes OF novelty
work. key fitting. stencil cutting. etc.
New worlmen were secured and man who
were up in the business ard competent
TO repair anything which might be
brought in. The season of 1901 had just
opened when he found his quarters TOO
small and he was compelled TO rent the
building adjoining on the south. He
then placed in operation q copper. lickle,
and silver-plating plant ard placed a
professional platter in charge.
Later II the season a line of guns and
sporting goods was added and a gun
repairer from Chicago was secured to
take charge Of this department. Still
the increased floor space was not found
adequate and a month ago he secured a
lease on the G. R Miller building at 10
South Main street TO which he is now
moving, and where a reporter for the
Eagle found him yesterday superintend-
ing the moving of the machinery and
the arrangement OF the stock Although
very busy with moving Mr.. Litson yet
found time TO show him through his stock
and workshop.
The stock room was very pretuly deco
rated in blue and white. on the wall to
the right. were row after row OF bicycle
and vehicle tires, from the cheapest to
the highest priced in the market. On the
floor TO the right and to the left, in every
available corner were bicycles of many
different makes ard prices, including the
web known Tribune Crescent and
Featherstone lines. In the front window,
on the shelves and in the show ses
were 10 be found bicycle sundries, type
writer's, guns. ammunition, sporting
goods. gasoline lamps and gas fixtures.
In the workshop was found a large
number Of workmen busily engaged in
cutting stencils fitting locks. repairing
umbrellas, etc. To the right was installed
the plating plant, in charge cf an ex-
justly be proud of his plating plant. for
the reporter saw there samples of work
equal to any turned out of any of the
eastern plating plants. He is constantly
asked for estimates on work from Ok
lahona. northern Texas, and from all
parts Of Kansas. ess his is the only plat
ing plant in the state,
When asked 10 what he attributed the
growth of his business. he replied: ITO
constant attention TO business, the en-
ploying of only competent worlzmen and
strict adherence &c the principles of the
Golden Rule a satisfied customer Is one
of the best advertisements a business
man can have. I have always been 4
firm believer II printers ink and have
found the Eagle a fine advertising
medium. having frequently received ord
ers from out-of-town brought to me
through advertising IN it's columns"
Mr. Litson has abiding faith in Wichita,
her Institutions and her people, and her
citizens certainly have faith in him, judg-
ing from the rapid growth Of his business.