Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-22
Merchants Report Biggest Year
in History--General Large In
crease Over Last Year
BUYING OF BETTER CLASS
People Invest in Better Goods and
More of Then-Much Fine Stuff
Goes Into the Country-Merchants in
Smaller Towns Suffer Because Of
Good Roads, Which Brings People
to Larger Centers.

If there is merchant in Marshall-
town who has not done bigger holiday
business than last year, and, mind you,
last year was a record breaker in al
most every Tine, he has only himself to
blame. Ii he has made his values
known to the reading public he has
sold goods, good goods and lots of
them. The T.-R. has taken pains to
inquire among the merchants in differ
ent lines, and the expression is univer-
sal that the trade of the past ten days,
which is characterized as holiday bus
mess, has been the largest ever
known.
complaint is heard from the BUSH
ness men Of the smaller towns, of poor
business Que to the large amount of
trade that has been attracted to the
larger centers. The roads have been
in such good condition that the people
have been tiocking to the large towns,
where they could have better selections.
The weather has been little too mild
Tor the moving OF all classes of heavy
goods, but the falling off in this line
has been more than made up in the sale
Of smaller articles, which have moved
in large quantities.
Big Business Tomorrow.
All the merchants are contemplating
hic h11 fn, n
ing preparations for extra help so that
customers may not have to spend any
more time than is necessary in doing
their shopping. While the business has
been immense. the merchants bought
heavily, anticipating the rush, and
there are still large stocks to select
from in every line.
Great Increase in Dry Goods.
The dry goods men say that, figur-
ing on the last ten days trade as the
holiday business, nice increase is
shown in their business as compared
with last year. The trade has de-
manded a much better class Of goods
this year than ever before, wanting
good, clean merchandise Every one
appeared to have more money to spend
than usual and the business has been
cash. More than the usual amount Of
goods has gone into the country dis
tricts and smaller towns in Marshall
and all adjoining counties. The coun-
try people, as we'll as those living in the
city and smaller towns, are beginning
to realize that the best is the cheapest
in the long run, and are buying with
that as their motto.
Clothing Business Fine.
Clothing merchants say that their
business will show anywhere from 20
to 80 per cent increase over last year,
with tomorrow, the biggest day of all,
yet to come. Staple stuff has moved
in large quantities, and the trade on
small stuff, such as furnishings, has
never been better
Great Increase in Boots and Shoes.
Dealers in boots and shoes announce
an increase of Is per cent in business
over last year. During the past ten
days business has never been better in
their line in Marshalltown. Practically
everything has been for cash, and the
customers have not even asked for
credit. The boot and shoe men say
that the people are buying better goods
this year than they ever have before.
Staple Furniture Popular.
High class, staple furniture, such as
china closets, book cases, chairs, beds.
sideboards, bed room suits, etc., con-
stitute the bulk of the business done
among the furniture men. Never be-
fore has there been so much staple fur
niture sold for the Christmas trade.
The people are buying better class OF
goods than ever before, and all seem
to want to invest in something useful
The little stuff, bits Of bric-a-brac, are
not SO popular as usual, showing that
the people generally have more money
and want more expensive and better
goods. A great deal of this class OF
goods. has gone into the country and
small towns. Furniture men state that
their increase in business over last
year will run anywhere from 10 to 81
per cent, and last year was the larg-
est year they ever had. The trade be-
gan earlier this year than ever be-
fore. and has continued at a brisk pace
ever since.
Much China Moves.
Dealers in china say that never be-