The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-19
WAS 1 VERITABLE
PARTISAN BAZAAR
Formal Opening of the Greater
lines Store.
DISPLAY WAS GORGEOUS
Thousands Of Visitors Throng-
ed the Aisles.


| formal opening of the lines Greater De-
partment store last evening, between the
hours of 7:so and 10 o'clock. Elaborate
preparations lad been made for this
event. ard the magnificent display showed
| the managers and assistants to be mas
tiers of their profession. When the large
doors to the main entrance OF Geo. Innes
& Co. 8 store swung open last evening,
at 7:30. a crowd OF several hundred peo-
pie who had gathered in front, blockading
the sidewalk and west side of Main
street, thronged into this modern mer-
camille establishment. and We're followed
by continuous stream OF humanity
gathering from all parts Of the city
Thousands of well-dressed women and
men DESTROYS Of seeing the new Innes In
dazzling splendor. came IN crowds and
filled the large store with its 5000 square
feet OF floor space. 1t was a grand
sight The managers had made arrange
ment for just such a crowd, and not
withstanding the thousands of visitors.
sight-seers and admirers of the beautiful.
were constantly moving. visiting every
department and floor. yet the arrange
ment and perfect discipline prevented
any jam or in anything that would mar
the pleasure Of anyone
Geo. lines & Co.'S greater department
store occupies 5000 square feet. or nearly
six acres of floor space; 100 feet frontage
on Douglas; 14o feet deep: three stories
high and is one Of the finest appointed
stores in the state, havingl00 feet OF
French plate show windows. which were
artistically decorated for this occasion.
To describe this display alone would re-
quire a column Of space to do ii justice.
On entering the visitor was dazzled by
the brilliant illumination and elaborate
decorations.
The lines has its own electric light
and power plant. furnishing power for
two electric elevators. forty or fifty cleo
trio fans and for the Illumination Of their
entire store. which is brilliantly lighted.
The new annex is lighted by thirty-four
incandescent clusters. while the main
store is made almost light as day by the
dazzling light from forty electric arcs.
Every show and wall case is lighted by
numerous incsndescent lights One of
the regular employees OF the store is an
expert electrician. who keeps a constant
vigilance over the electric light and power
plant.
A private telephone exchange has been
recently installed connecting with every
department and floor.
They have their own heating plant.
equipped in the latest improved style ra-
diators.
Another new feature for the convent
ence of the stores patrons is a store
messenger service. The InHes employs
12s salespeople.
There were two car loads o. palms.
ferns. rubber plants. hanging baskets and
evergreens used in decorating the store
for their opening reception. Rich and
beautiful goods were displayed in every
department The drapings and arrange
ment of the displays in various depart
ments were artistic. Each department
presented attractions for lovers OF the
beautiful. alone worth going 10 see, ard
combined made a most magnificent dis
play. The salesladies were uniformed
in white shirt waists and black skirts.
wearing American Beauty roses. while
the gentlemen wore black coats and
trousers and white vests.
1t would require an entire page to de-
scribe each department. We note some
Of the most important. Probably the de-
partment that attracted the most attea-
ton was the suit and cloak department.
located in the north annex. Here were
displayed rich and costly Paris gowns
importatious from Paris. 5000 worth Of
Paris gowns. priced at from $3.50 10 $500
each: one a design By Paquin. and is
new shade of red. called Coquelicot. The
short jacket is finished with an errnine
band at the waist 1t is trimmed with
brass buttons and small velvet nledailio3s
The sleeves are finished with Two fr1.ls
OF lace The skirt is tucked and has
the box pieat back. II Is over a drop
skirt CT voQueiico: tafe:s. Another
gown for reception wear IS IN Esquimo
cloth. which resembles zibilene. Il is
design by MoDtile. II Is b.sque IN color
The skirt is panel front and habit back
The jacket is short. the sleeves are a
new style, with undersleeves OF o,soue
SILK.
A reception gown. priced at $50 ard
made by Beechof David. = n black
cloth. The bodice is of velvet IL the Rem
bran; shade .: blue The sara Berahsrt
sleeves are Gsed and abcu; the shoulders
IS peacock applique The skirt is over
drop Skin: CT taffeta.
Nine &c Charme designed the opera
cloak which cost $50 ard - three
quarters length. u Is OF fawa celcred
silk. very full and trimmed with oraa-
reats ard applique Of the sane color ]:
-
liberty silk It's most striking feature
IS the deep rounce OF lace applique velvet
ergentan.
A new fad displayed IL the fur depart
ueat IS the rev four-ia-hand scarf q
Zaza CT molsskln-
The display OF muslin underwear il
this same room also came in fer share
of attraction from the ladies Other
elaborate exhibits of rics aid costly
goods we're il the art. lace. millinery and
carpe. and drapery DEPARTMENTS. the
latter occupying TIE eatIse second soo-
Of re main store. Here seine Tery Ire
goods were displayed.
InGlv!6ual screens. French idea -
Gently adopted Il .hei- millinery depart
u.e-t = unique ard ~ili certainly T1ee-
uita the approval os every che vho
has tired o. bats = a orc~cea rziIsze-y +
room .ookiag a ~ same ra-rro- g.;s q
hsls eozea ether ~eneu-
The lanes band occupied a. Elevated (
platform crested for the occasion szst
5ve- th- rev o.io- locz;.Sz. AID furnish
- u1-sic .or he eve-t- Their sE..e1dss +.
-ausso alle5 ne entire o2gid!as szE sd-
aed life - TIE vsrtsus displays TIE
elegant mahogany o-sre fixtures Ehsca .