Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-19

II
Marshalltown is the headquarters for
Santa Claus. The old fellow with the
long. gray beard, the merry little eyes.
the quaint old pipe, and the big pack
on his back has arrived, and from now
until next Monday night will his
entire attention to the children Of Mar
shalltown. Upon his arrival Santa
Claus was seen by Times Republican
reporter. He expressed his delight
with the manner of his reception. and
said that never before. in his long re-
membrance, had Marshalltown mer-
chants taken so much pains to mako
his visit a welcome one.
II was in hopes would be able to
take the interurban into Marshalltown
this Christmas" said st. Nicholas, but
I see 1t isn't running yet. I think IT
will be next year. and II 1t is l shall
surely come on that. I want to say.
right here, that interurbansf are the
thing for this time Of year. The roads
now are awful. Rendering is q
fright. In fact had to use my auto
If you people had interurbans into
Marshalltown we could get here with
out roads," the old man added with q
laugh.
Il never saw such nice stores" he
continued. TN several lines there 1s
nothing In Des Moines to compareswit
them, and Chicago, as proud as she ~,
would be envious. brought lot "a
pretty stuff from the north this year.
and have distributed some Of 1t In ev-
cry store in Marshalltown. II you
haven't been around you had better
take an afternoon of and see the as
sortment. It would open your eyes"
And so the old man ratified away,
putting all the time. He finally begged
to be excused from further interview,
saying that he was tired after his long
journey and needed rest.
Stores Arc as He Says.
To ascertain whether or not Santa
really knew what he was talking about
and was not getting rid Of q lot of "hot
air." upon reaching warmer country.
the newspaper man took a stroll about
the stores. It must be admitted that
Santa did not do the stores Justice. 81.
{ Interviews with the merchantSeshows
the best of feeling over the holiday
business, and all say that their BUSH
ness this season will eclipse that of last
year, which was the banner season for
many years past To be sure, as Santa
says, the roads, have been bad, and
there has been no snow. The roads are
smoothing up. however, and the rest Of
this week and until next Monday night,
there will not be room in the stores for
the buyers.
Are Buying the Best.
Everywhere on Main street the sem
timent is the same. people are buying
the best there is to be had" To meet
the demands the best Is here for them,
and everybody Is satisfied. Conditions
vary somewhat over last year, when the
holiday trade began with q rush earlier
IN December, then showing falling OF
just before Christmas This was due
to early buying. This season the first
part Of the month showed lighter re-
ceipts owing to bad roads, and it was
not until Saturday, or just a week be-
lore ftCIlIlSIIlldS, IIdI Tie uCll eOG6t11.
Every store in the city that makes a
pretense of accommodating large trade
has put on an additional clerking force.
Staples Moving Fast.
While staples are not usually bought
as Christmas gifts. many people still
believe in the old fashioned ideas that
pair Of copper-toed red-top boots is
1,akfar ,r{e y,rooopH tox,
than a jumping jack. Staples, there
fore, in all lines. figure In the volume OF
holiday business. In the shoe line
mems slippers are being largely sought
for Christmas gifts, and many have
been sold. One shoe merchant broke
his record In November, when he had
the banner day, the best week and the
biggest month since he has been in
business.
Dry Goods Stores Arc Dreams.
The dry goods stores of the city are
dreams Of beauty. In this line staples
really play an important part. Fine
linens are moving in great quantities,
and make beautiful gifts. Included in
this line are beautiful table cloths and
napkins, lunch cloths, doilies, handker-
chiefs and varied assortments of Next
lean drawn work. More than the u.s.
ual amount Of these goods have been
bought this year, and as they are ex-
pensive furnish an illustration Of what
people are buying. Many of the dry
goods stores have added for the holi-
day trade many toys and Christmas
novelties, together with china special
ties.
Clothing Merchants Prosperous.
The clothing merchants are more
than satisfied over the Christmas trade.
This is another line where staples enter
into the trade. Neckwear Of all kinds,
silk mufflers, gloves, smoking jackets.
handkerchief and hosiery all make up
suitable gifts for men, and are being
sold in large quantities Many caps are
also being sold, and where so cent caps
were bought last year those ranging
from 81 up find a ready market
An illustration of the business done
Is given by one merchant, who declares
that his December, this year, is al