The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-20

CHRISTMAS TRADE
IS GREATEST YET
Shows Increase of 70 Per
Cent Over Last Year.
WHAT BUSINESS VEN SAY
Stores Crowded with Four
Days Till Tweaty-Fifth.

The general verdict df the leading bust
ness men of Wichit4 i, that this year
is by far a better tfafe year than any
former one in the history of the city. 1t
is the unanimous Judgment that 1858 has
excelied any former lone. especially on
the Christmas lire. 1 The consensus of
opinion Is that tie leverage increase is
about 20 per cent above last year.
In conversation with a reporter for the
Eagle some of tie Business men expressed
their views on tht subject. While it
was almost impossible to hold the atten-
ton OF these men for any great length Of
time, owing 70 TIFF cease,ess rush.. yet
fair statement was heard from a great
many. n
Sam Hess, in tgiying his estimations,
said: The people are buying more and
better goods thai at any preceding period.
a great deal of trade is coming in from
other towns and the mail order feature
has grown to huge stage. Trade is
fully 20 per cehy better than last Christ
mas"
/. F. Varney gave the reporter few
cursory statements. II believe" said Mr.
Warner, that our business is double this
year; in fact, am surprised at the large
increase. The people are buying high
er grade of goods. too. We find it al
most impossible TO take care of the trade. -
T. L. Pegram of Rorabaughs. said in
part: Trade is fine on holiday goods.
and is anyhow Is per cent better than
last year"
Walter Innes, Of Geo. Innes Co., said:
H. mi. metz
The Christmas business shows a nice gain
over last year. Although we had made
big preparations, we are daily receiving
kilograms for goods and really. think
our arrangements were not made large
enough
c. A. Tanner said: Our business is
something astounding, and has increased
% per cent at least.
Ed. Vail made these assertions: Our
trade is very satisfactory, and has in
creased immensely. Owing to the large
importation of French Chinaware recent
ly, we are having great increased Christ
mas business"
l. Jacobs. of The Fulton, said: 81
am highly pleased with the big holiday
trade, and don't believe il has ever been
excelled here
SIR. Greenfield said: 81 am astonished at
our big Christmas trade. There is GER
tainly an increase over last years bust
ness"
. Goldsmith said: Trade this year is
so much better than last year that il is
rather difficult to figure. The holiday
trade appears to have started considerably
earlier than last year, and the people are
buying with an unusual vim and freedom.
The weather is favorable and. of course,
the wonderful prosperity throughout the
country. favors good business" ~
Charles G.. Cohn said: We have the
largest crowds in the store during these
days than we ever had, and the business
is increasing in every department. l be-
lieve that trade is greater this year than
it has been for a good many seasons.
These are only few of the many SINH
lar expressions of the city's immense bus
mess prosperity th3t were listened TO and
the substance of the whole thing simply
means that Wichita has outdone herself
and established a record that will long be
remembered as the banner year in bust
ness circles.
AS glad Christmas time comes nearer
and nearer. the hearts of those who ex-
pect to make happy the souls Of friends,
relatives and dear ones, are enlivened with
curious feeling and a peculiar dream
of the kind and quality of presentations
to make on this--the Christmas of 1893.
From far and near come people of every
type and nationality to the business CEN
tiers of Wichita TO buy and select gifts for
some dear one. Perhaps that party may
NOT he able TO make an appropriate selec-
ton. but it isn't difficult to buy when one
has the where-withal.
This dying year of 1908 greets Kris
Kringle who may gaze down upon as pref
ty n city as ever ne drove his reindeer
into; and. incidentally, he may behold
a prosperity and happiness, wealth and