The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-25
Big Topeka Department Store
Changes Hands Today.
Jones Dry Goods Company of
Kansas City the Purchasers.
A CHECK FOR $57,5OO
That Was Part of the Purchase
Price.
New Firm Will Reopen Store in
Few Days.

The New Model store owned by KEN
per & Paxton was sold today to the
Jones Dry Goods company, one of the
largest firms in Kansas City. The deal
was closed by ]. Logan Jones of the
Jones company and Mr.. Kemper and
Mr.. Paxton.
The sale is the largest one of the kind
that ever occurred in Topeka, part of
the consideration being some real es-
tate but Mr.. Jones turned over to
kemper & Paxton a certified check for
$57,5O0 on the National Bank of Com
merce of Kansas City as part of the
purchase price.
The immediate reason for the sale is
the failing health of Mr.. D. P. Paxton,
who has for nine years, ever since the
FIRMS entry into the Topeka business
world. managed the immense store at
Sixth avenue and Quincy street Mr..
Paxton will devote a year to building
up his health and then he will reenter
the mercantile business in Topeka for
he says that his experience here has
been entirely satisfactory.
The Jones Dry Goods company are
not strangers in Topeka. Twice before
IN recent years they have purchased
leading StOreS-in their various lines
in Topeka and conducted sales on them
here They have a host of friends
some of them in the long ago when
they were struggling in a little 20x60
foot store in the short grass plains of
Kansas between 1887 and 1890.
The purpose of the firm, as announc-
ed by Mr. Jones, is to conduct a great
closing out sale of the Kemper & Pax
ton stock, but their plans are not suf-
statement as to their future purposes.
The formal announcement will be made
soon, giving the Topeka public a more
definite idea of their plans. For the
he CT Vx-i11 IN aIO
the firm is rearranging the fixtures,
marking down the stock preparatory to
a great closing out sale which will be
announced in due time.
The sale of the Model will occa-
sion great deal of surprise, for it
has been one of the busiest places
in Topeka Mr.. Paxton said today
in explanation of the action of the
f1rmi "I have been in Topeka for
nine years and the situation is en-
tirely satisfactory to me. We have
done an immense business and I be-
lieve that we have the best paying
however, fallen heavily upon my
shoulders. My partner has not
been here and that has left me
with everything to look after, and 1
guess that it has been too much for
me. Mr.. Kemper insists that I take
a long rest and shall endeavor to
recuperate while 1 am out of busi-
ness. 1 will first try the northern
lakes in the hope of benefiting my
health and 1 hope that in a year we
will again be in business in Topeka.
1 have no intention of moving away.
81 would like through the State
Journal to thank our many patrons
in Topeka and the surrounding coun-
try. They have given us the support
and encouragement that has enabled
US to build up one of the largest
establishments in the city, and while
I regret to give it up 1 feel that in
justice to myself 1 must do so, for a
time at least"
The Jones Dry Goods company is
in a sense a Kansas institution, the
brothers having formerly been in
business at Stafford. Since they
moved their store to Kansas City they
have built up one of the largest busi-
ness houses in that metropolis The
firm is a good example of what en-
ergy and enterprise will accomplish
in business. Mr.. Jones says that the
firm has not decided whether the
Model will be continued by their firm
after the present stock is disposed
of. He says that the store will not on
any account be closed before Christ
mas, and then the firm will be in a
position to announce whether or not
the business will be continued.