davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19
CHARLES ILFELD

Was born in Hesse, Germany, fifty
eight wears ago, one of eight children,
whose father died when Charles
was but ten years old. At the age Of
seventeen he came to America by way
of New York and arrived in Santa Fee.
New Mexico, with a capital of S. to
commence life upon. But he had
splendid health. boundless energy and
the youthful audacity to attempt any
achievement. These were the qualities
that pioneers needed.
After a short clerkship with the
old firm of Elsberg & Amberg In San
ia Fn the partnership with Adolph
Letcher was formed at Taos and after
ward continued in Las Vegas. In
1874 Mr.. ilteld felt well enough estab-
lished to take a new partner-for life,
and was married to Miss Adele Nord-
haus Of Paderborn, Germany, the
wedding taking place in New York
city. Five boys have been born to
them. Of whom three are living. Louis,
the eldest being engaged in the prac-
tice Of law while Herman and Arthur
are actively connected with the bus
ines of the firm.
The signal success of Charles H.
fields business has undoubtedly been
'ne largely to the personality Of the
man.
In the early days Charley" H.
fields store was always the center o:
~sociability. Here in the evenings
would gather a jolly crowd and good
stories" would pass around: the news
from town and country be discussed;
business happenings be recounted with
the utmost freedom and good feeling.
And so today his hearty. unaffected
manner makes friends Of all who meet
him; his genuine confidence in man.
kind in general has won him in re-
turn the confidence Of all having deal
;ngs with him.
As a public spirited citizen he
could well be emulated by other rich
men. No movement for the better
ment OF the community ever fails to
enlist his interest and his financial
aid. His investments have been
made where his money was made
In Las Vegas and the tributary coun-
try.
His ambition. as he says himself, is
not to accumulate wealth, but ito see.
the business grow" The history Of
the house shows how well this object
has been accomplished.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19
MAX NORDHAUS

An account of this establishment
would be incomplete without mention
Of the manager. Max Nordhaus, who
entered the house as salesman in.
1883, at the age of eighteen.
He soon exhibited an uncommon
aptness for business: was quickly
promoted to the office as cashier,
where his positive talent in financial
matters quickly developed to such a
degree that he was admitted to part
nership in 1889 and then made man.
ager Of the concern. Much of the
later success of the firm is attributed
to his keenness of Judgment and
shrewdness in transactions.
Mr.. Nordhaus was born in Pader-
born, Germany. in the year '65 and Is
unmarried. He has achieved unusual
success in life at an early age. His
business acumen commands general
respect, while his social popularity
is u~nbounded. He is principal owner
in the fine Trout Springs property,
where he has a beautiful cottage. al
ways open for the entertainment of his
friends. the number of whom is legion.
Like Mr.. Ilfeld. he is one of the
most public spirited citizens of Las
Vegas. and his high abilities are free
ly made use of in the promotion of
plans for the development Of Las
Vegas natural and trade
possibilities.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

lsituatiOn and to supply the need. His
store at once took rank as the lead.
ing retail shop In New Mexico--a
position which II has since held I'M.
disputed.
Now also began the great develop.
ment OF the wool and sheep industry
of New Mexico which became a large
factor In the growth OF the Ilfeld bus.
|iness. In early days woods were bought
at five cents the fleece, Improved
breeding OF the flocks and cheapened
Transportation for the product caused
Ian increase OF value which brought
prosperity to growers and dealers
| alike. Ilfeld became largely inter.
ested and profited accordingly.
Las Vegas ms a distributing market
continued to grow and as a residence
town gained constantly In popularity,
The Ilfeld business kept pace with the
city, growing In all directions until
In 1892 II became necessary to more
than double the size Of the store
building by the erection OF a great
new addition, three stories and base.
| ilNh', va SNOuV VI kiaSSs
, The wholesale trade soon began to
assume such proportions that It requir.
ed special facilities and quarters Of
its own. This led to the building in
l'9s OF a brick warehouse covering a
half block Of ground and having a
basement underneath, n part for stor.
age Of heavy wares. This warehouse
has capacity for twenty-five carloads
Of merchandise and 5000 sacks of
wool. Its platform Is a busy place
where dozens Of freight wagons may
load and unload in a day.
The wholesale drygoods business
and the retail departments Of furni-
ture and carpets grew to such i'm
p%ortance that the upper floors of the
entire main building were needed for
them and hydraulic elevators for pas.
sengers and freight were installed in
this year. 1898.
Then In 1900 the little dark. corner
office where millions of money and
accounts had been handled became
too cramped for further occupancy and
a new office of roomy proportions and
beautiful construction was provided in
the main store Don connecting with
spacious vaults and a private office
adjoining.
Here for the past five years the bus
mess has continued to prosper while
the wholesale feature constantly claim.
ed a larger and larger share of the
interest and attention of the firm,
with the result that the decision has
been reached to retire permanently
from the retail.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

stage proprietors, Barlow & Sander
son Stations were supplied from the
Nine-Mile hill, east of town, where
the old rock house is still standing
on Fields sheep dipping ranch, down
to San Jose, on the Pecos river.
Stores were opened at Tiptonville,
Los Alamos and Tecolote. At these
places grain and hay were collected
In quantities that pass belief. The
native people under the stimulus of
high prices carried on farming to an
extent not thought of now. Every
stream was lined with irrigated
patches Of cultivated soil and the nu-
tritious eramma-hay was cut from all
the upland levels. The contract price
for corn was at one time Is cents per
pound and for hay $50 per ton. Fort
Sumner required a million pounds of
corn in M season.
In 1874 Adolph Letcher sold out his
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

risEs were run. great undertakings
entered into, great profits made;
when competition was always friendly
and mutual assistance was the rule:
when confidence and credit were sci.
dom abused and when sociability and
good feeling were not barred by rival
ry in business--these good times"
r yet remembered and. looked back
to with pleasure by the founders Of
Las Vegas big and solid houses Of
today Among these a proud place Is
held by "Ilfeld's, the Plaza" known far
and wide as New Mexico's big store"
It's beginning was made In Las
Vegas forty years ago when Ilfeld &
Letcher moved cross the mountains
from Taos and opened for bushes on
the plaza. That moving was a pic.
turesque incident when more than a
hundred burros loaded to the limit
were driven over the mountain trails
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

and finally rounded up In the dusty
desert that was then the plaza and,
one by one. discharged Of their cargoes
which constituted the stock in trade
Of the new store.
This "a located In a dirt rooted
adobe" on the spot where the present
handsome building stands.
MIR. Ilfeld recalls that soon after
this he was appointed the postmaster
Of Las Vegas and that the postoffice
furniture consisted Of two cigar boxes.
n marked Mexican letters" the 9th.
er american letters" He served for
two years, GIGS, with satisfaction to
the public and to Uncle Sam.
It was a propitious time. the year
'66, the war ended. the government
aroused to the importance OF its inter.
ests In the southwest. The thousands
OF Navajos gathered under military
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

interest in the business. retiring with
a fortune, and Charles Ilfeld became
sole proprietor. Business grew by
great bounds: each year additions
were made to the buildings, ware.
houses and corrals. In 70 a fine
three-story stone store took the place
Of the old abode.
The building of the railroad to Las
Vegas brought another great expan.
sion Of trade. Old methods gave place
to new. Instead of n trip a year
with wagon trains bringing goods to
hand six months after purchase and
mails once a month at first. and later
once a week. Vegas was now served
by daily trains, fast express and mail.
People from the States" came in;
a store to supply their more fastidious
tastes vas demanded.
Mr.. Ilfeld was quick to grasp the
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19
Weak
Hearts

Az due 70 Indigestion. Ninsty.nins o. svssy
one hundred people who have hsast trouble
can remember whom II va simple lndigss.
hon. II % Q scientific fact that oil easss q
heart disease. not organic. Ge not only
tsaesabls 10. but are dc direct result Of lodi
gestion. All food taken into the stomach
which falls OF perfect digestion isrmsnts and
swslls,hs stomach, putting II Up against The
heart. This intsvierss with the action q
the heart. and 10 the course Of time that
delicate but vital organ becomes diseased.
NJ. D. ksubls. q Nevada. O.. N.Y.; lhsd stomach
trouble and wes h . bed state % he'd hsast trouble
9th! 4 teok Kodoi pyspspss Cure TOT sbeus ios
0pnths md II cured me-.
Ko9ol DiSssts WHAT You Eat
and relieves the stomach Of all nevous
strain and the heart Of oil pressure.
Bottles only. s LOO Size holding az times the thai
size. which sells for soc
srssarsd Nv {. Q. oswlTT AGO.. ohloAoo
FOR sale at Center Block. Depct rug
tore and Winters Drug Co.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

out OF q field Of trade which he has
so successfully dominated and the
story Of how this business has been
built up will be read with unusual in
terest nj this time.
There Is a considerable element OF
romance In the history OF any n OF
the pioneer business houses OF the
great west. Particularly true Is this
In regard 70 those Of the southwest
which were established among a peo-
pie OF foreign language and customs,
and were longer separated from east.
ern centers by lack OF railroad con.
nections than those Of any other &c.
ton OF our wide country.
The good old days" when great
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19
LFELD TO RETIRE FROM
THE RETAIL BUSINESS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

control at Fort Sumner had TO be fed
at government expense. The new
Fort Union was under construction
employing hundreds OF men, while
more than a thousand troops were
stationed there. Fort Bascom was
also an important post, and all OF
these drew supplies largely from Las
Vegas, while the millions OF money
spent by the government In purchases
and salaries poured into the hands Of
business men here.
The new house was wide awake tC
its opportunities. Trade was brisk
but they reached out after more. Val
liable contracts were taken for fur
nishing forage to the great overland
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

The FraternaI Brotherhood. N
102, Meets every Friday night Al thet
hall In the Schmidt building, wes
Of Fountain square, a. 8 o'clock. VI.
ting members are always welcome
JAMES N. COOK,
Presiden'
Miss Katie Burchell, Secretary.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

Redmen meet in Fraternal Brother.
hood hall. every second and fourth
Monday of each moon at the eighth
run. Visiting chiefs always welcome
to the wigwam. William P. Mills.
sachem; Charles P. Jamerson. chief
of records.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

Fraternal Union Of America. Nee
first and third Tuesday evenings .
each month IN the Fraternal Brothe'
hood hall. west Of Fountain Square.
8 O'Clock N. p. Sund, F. NJ: w
G Koogler, Secretary.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

Rebeka, Lodge. \. G. o E., Meets
second and fourth Thursday evenings
OF each 'pnnth ~ the q y. + hal
Mrs. Myron L. Wert1. N. g.; Mrs.
Augusta O'Malley. v G.: Mrs. Clara
Bell. secretary: Mrs. Sole Anderson,
treasurer.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

Eastern Star. Regular commune.
ton second and fort Thursday ever
lngs OF each month. All visiting brot'
ers and sisters are cordielly invite
Mrs. E. L. Browne worthy matrnr
s. R. Dearth, w. P. Mrs Emmt
Benedict. Sec; Mrs N. 4 HoweI
Treas.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

Chapman Lodge. No. 2, A. F. & A y
Regular communicai ions 1st and 2r.
Thursdays In each month. VISITING,
brothers cordially invited. NJ. =
Williams. W NJ. Charles n. Spo,
leder, Secretary
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

3. p. o. E., Meets first and third
Monday evenings. each month, q
knights OF PythiaS Hall Waiting
brothers are cordially invited.
b. d. 6kALA, EXALTED Ruler.
T. e. BLAUV ELI, Sec
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19
Professional Directory
ArroRNgvs.

!. o. o. r, Las Vegas Lodge. No. 4
meets every Monday evening at thei'
hall. Sixth street. All visiting breth.
rem cordially invited to attend. Clark
NJ. Moore. n. G.; Antonio Lucero,
v. G.: T. NJ. Elwood. secretary; ".
=. Critics, treasurer: c. V. Hedgcock.
cemetery trustee.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-08-19

w. G. T. y. meets on first Friday
OF each month at 2:30 p. m. The place
OF meeting will be announced through
the columns Of this paper. Mrs. Lucy
Shank. secretary; Mrs. 8. G. Long,
President.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18
An Omen Letter.

From the Chaplin, S. c., News:
Early in the spring my wife and I
were taken with diarrhoea and SO
severe were the pains that we call
ed a physician who prescribed for
US, but his medicines failed to give
any relief. A friend who had a
bottle of Chamberlain's Collie, ,Chol-
era and Diarrhoea Remedy on
hand gave each of US q dose and
we at once felt the effects. [ pro-
cured bottle and before using the
entire contents we were entirely
cured. It is wonderful remedy
and should be found in every house
hold. Fl. G. Bailey, Editor. This
remedy is for sale by all druggists.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

D. D. Wipf, secretary of state,
took the train here Tuesday for
Pierre. He was one of the COM
mittee that inspected the Montana
state capitol building recently, and
for building that costs only
$46O,O00 he thinks it is a fine mod
ell for South Dakota to follow in
building her state house. He says
it is the present intention to build
the superstructure of the South
Dakota capitol of stone shipped
from the Hot Springs quarries and
trimmed with Sioux Falls granite
The Northwestern railroad compa-
ny has offered to ship the stone
from Hot Springs at about the
same rates charged for shipping
the stone from Sioux Falls, and he
thinks a building constructed OF
the two kinds of stone would make
a much hapdsomer structure than
if built entirely of the Sioux Falls
stone.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18
SCOTLAND D. THURSDAY. MAY IS Is

The Junior class at the state
university has succeeded in rais-
ing fund Of 81, 800 whichSis to be
contributed toward the erection of
building on the university
grounds for the use of the Young
Mems and Young Women's Chris
tian Association. The Junior class
has formerly been in the habit of
publishing each year an expensive
annual, costing about 5000, con.
tanning a record OF ali the import.
ant events Of the year. On the ad-
vice of Pres. Droppers and Prof.
q. NJ. Smith this publication will
be dispensed with this year and
the proposed cost contributed to
the building fund. In addition to
this the class has succeeded in So
Letting outside contributions suffi-
cient to double this amount, and
the long cherished ambition of
Pres. Droppers and some Of the
other members of the faculty to
have a building of this kind erect
ed, is now in fair way to be
realized.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18
The editor of the SPRINGFIELD

The editor of the Springfield
Times, who has been devoting a
considerable space to roasts of the
catalogue houses, appears to be
somewhat indignant because some
of the local merchants of that town
give their orders for calendars to
outside houses while he carries a
good assortment right at home.
Bro. Glasner may be q little at
fault himself in this matter. The
sale of calendars is a "time" sale,
and perhaps he demands cash on
what is considered a ''time'' arti-
Gle. We have even heard Of edit
ors feeling hurt because the mer-
chants of their town use stationery
donated to them by wholesale hous-
es on condition that. an unsightly
ad of a Wholesale house shall ap-
pear at the top of the letterhead.
This is unreasonable. Newspaper
men recommend advertising, and
why should the merchants not be
encouraged in the philanthropic
work of advertising the wholesale
houses? No, Bro. Glasner. don't
get offended at such trihes. Go
and make contribution to the
support of local base ball nine,
put up rs for a Fourth of July eel
ebration, put cement walk in
front of your place of business for
the comfort of the general public,
contribute about 81 a month to-
ward the expense of sprinkling the
streets, pay the tailor for putting
some patches on the bosom of your
pants, then write column article
on the benefits to be derived from
patronizing those who pay the ex-
penses of maintaining the schools.
churches and other public institu-
tions of the town, and you will feel
happy in the assurance that you
are doing your duty as public
spirited citizen.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

In our last issue we stated that
the North W Western railroad com
pany had held up the deed to the
land at Huron that they had prom
ised to donate to the state for state
fair purposes. Our information
was received from a gentleman re-
siding in Huron, but the Huronite
says the report is mistake, and
gives the following explanation:
The fact of the matter is the
North Western has not held up
any deed. President Hughitt of
the North Western told the Huron
people in February that the com
pany would deed grounds for the
state fair to the state. A convey
ance was sent here to their attor-
ney to be delivered upon the ap-
proval of the attorney general and
when the deed was submitted tc
Mr.. Hall he would not approve Of
it, and hence it was returned to
the company. Immediately upon
the objections being stated the
company saw the force of them
and gave new deed meeting the
technical objections raised.
The state has deed to the fai,
grounds. The board Of agricul
ture meets in Huron this week te
let the contracts for the buildings
We hope our good friend Bliss viii
make corresponding correction
in his valuable paper so that tht
state fair may not be harmed by
ungrounded rumors.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

President Marvin Elughitt, Of
the Northwestern railway, visited
Mitchell last Saturday. The pry-
ing reporters tried to draw from
him some statement regarding the
intentions of his company to ex-
tend the line from Mitchell to
Wheeler and thence on to Denver,
but the only reply was a pleasant
smile and story about railroad
building in Nebraska in the early
days.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18
Terrific Race with Death.

"Death was fast approaching, 2
writes Ralph r. Fernandez, OF
Tampa, Fla, describing his fear
ful:race with death, 'as result Of
liver trouble and heart disease,
which had robbed me of sleep and
of all interest in life. I had tried
many different doctors and several
medicines, but got no benefit until
l began to use Electric Bitters. So
wonderful was their effect that in
three days I felt like q new man,
and today I am cured of all my
troubles" Guaranteed at V. B.
Diehl's drug store; price Soc.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

There will be held in the public
school building in Tyndall, on
June Cd, 1905, an eighth grade ex-
animation, for graduates Of the
common schools. Those success
full in passing this examination
will receive a diploma, and will be
entitled to free tuition in a neigh
boring high school. The examina
tion will be cepilucted by Prof.
Sherwood. Il. ROBINSON,
Co. Supt.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

President A. J. Earling of the
Milwaukee railroad company ac-
companied by a party of men in
terested in the new line from Cham
berlain west started last Friday on
drive across the country from
berlain to the Black Hills.
In conversation Mr.. Earring stat
ed positively that the line will be
built with as little delay as possible
to the Pacific coast. He also said
that the line would be extended
from Evarts west to connect with
the line from Chamberlain at some
point in Wyoming, not yet deter
mined upon. Rumors of this kind
have been reported before, but we
believe this is the first positive
statement of the fact from Mr..
Earling. This will give the Mil
Waukee road three routes to Chica-
90 from it's Pacific line-one thrc
Aberdeen and the Twin Cities one
through Mitchell, and one by way
of the new extension from Armour
passing through this place, anc
reaching Chicago via Sioux City
This will place Scotland on one o.
the direct transcontinental lines.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

One Of the greatest blessings a
modest man can wish for is a good
reliable set of bowels. If you are
not the happy possessor Of such an
outfit you can greatly improve the
efficiency Of those you have by The
judicious use of Chamberlain's S
Stomach and Liver Tablets. They
are pleasant to take and agreeable
in effect. For sale by all drug
gists.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18
The Interstate Commerce CT

The Interstate Commerce com
mission, in its investigation of the
packing house trust, is digging up
evidence that Commissioner Gar
field never dreamed of. The Sc
cret telegraphic code used by the
Armour private car trust has been
revealed, and shows that enormous
rebates have been paid to favored
shippers.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

T.J. Remington, editor Of the
Geddes Free Lance, has moved his
paper to the Rosebud country,
"where rivalry is not so keen and
opportunities for usefulness are
much better" It now remains. to
be seen whether things at Rosebud
are better prepared for the Lance
than at Geddes.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18
A Creepine Death,

Blood poison creeps up toward
the heart causing death. j. 3,
Stearns, Belle Plaine, Mimi, writes
that q friend dreadfully injured
his hand, which swelled up like
blood poisoning. Bucklen's Arni-
ca Salve drew out the poison, heal
ed the wound and saved his life.
Best in the world for burns and
sores 25c at Diehl's drug store.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

The decision of the U. S.. su-
preme court to the effect that a
citizen Indian has the same right
to purchase and use intoxicating
liquors as the white citizen, has
thrown a heavy burden upon the
states in which such Indians re-
side.
The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-05-18

About six years ago a colony OF
Mennonites from the GAINESVILLE
and Wolf Creek colonies emigrated
to Manitoba where they invested
about $40, 900 in land. They have
now sold their holdings at an ad-
vance of $15, 1000 and will return tc
South Dakota.