The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-21

has been compelled to increase their
stock several times until now they have
a paid-up capital of $3.50, 600. They HAD
been doing business but very short
time when they found that their trade
was increasing so rapidly that il would
be absolutely necessary to secure larger
Nquarters. Two years ago they erected
the large building which they now occupy
and which is owned by the firm. This
building is equipped with all the most
modern arrangements and was built es-
pecially for hardware establishment.
After moving into this building they
have found il necessary TO erect four ad-
ditional warehouses which contain over
1900 square feet of floor space.
Mr.. Hockaday and Mr.. Martig visited
several Of the largest and latest designed
hardware houses in the east, and from
these they selected the most valuable
points as TO arrangement and convent
ence. Hence they have planned things
until they haveFfacilities second TO none
in the country. Every member of The
firm has been active and energetic. and
they have always endeavored 70 make
their business the largest and most ex-
tensive one in this part Of the country
The main building which they now oc-
cupy is a three-story brick with a base
ment From The bottom TO the top it is
filed with al kinds of hardware. The
gods are very conveniently arranged,
but still more room is needed. The i'm
rnense stock is in charge of competent
overseers who have had years of expert
enec in their various departments.
The sporting goods department, which
IS in charge OF 4. ]. Musselman. is com
plete in every respect and compares IA
vorably with the stocks Of much larger
houses. They carry an enormous
amount of guns and ammunition. and it is
really surprising to see the huge pile of
this kind of goods they have stored in
their several warehouses. In this line
buyers have the advantage of getting
Just what they want right here at home
In fact, there is not a better stock han
died any place that that OF the Hockaday
Hardware company. During the hunting
season car load after car hoad of am
nutrition is shipped in. and their sales
this winter have been nearly doubled in
this class Of goods.
Another department is that Of builders
dtN v are ana Il III Ctldl - VI i II. 4 IN
4 most complete stock is carried and
lire Of up-to-date goods is being added
continually. The remainder of the stock
is practically under the direct supervis-
ion Of F, W. Martin.
It is being contemplated to erect an
other large building south of the present
one. and it has been reported that plans
have already been made for 1t. This will
give the firm ample space for heir exen-
sive business which is now in its most
foUrishing stage.
When they first began business they
covered only very small scope OF coun-
try. This scope Of country was not more
than a part Of Kansas and Oklahoma.
Since then they have branched out con-
siderably and today they are doing bust
ness in Kansas. Oklahoma. Indian Terri
tory. Texas. and will put travelling man
in New Mexico next week. There is NOT
another business in the southwest that is
reaching out so far for trade as this firm
is at present. And yet it is only five
years old.
One OF the factors that have done much
toward the development of this company