davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

and there are buildings as far South
as Tampa, Fla, similarly constructed
We are now shipping ten or twelve
cars for a church in southern t'0F-
gia, and making other shipments for
a large church in Greensboro, y. 4.
We have Just shipped ten cars for the
new Forsyth Hotel, at WinstOn-Sa-
lem.
The fact is we look upon these
buildings. soon TO be erected with
our product. as the best intro fuctiOnS
and best saIesmen we could have in
the Southern community. The brick
sneak as eIOquently for themselves as
we could secure anyone else to speak.
The cOmpany's sales have always
been mp TO its production, but we are
enlarging the plant as new needs
arise and new demands are created.
It will always be kept up to the
mark"
A few years ago the agents Of the
company discovered and purchased
large deposits of white clay in Mary
land and this is brought to the works
here and used in the manufacture Of
the lighter shades of brick. Architec-
tural construction in recent years has
run largely to the use Of these light
er shades and most Of the buildings
of latest erection have adopted them.
The process Of manufacture is a
complicated one and extends over a
considerable period Of time. The
clay, when first brought into the plans,
is spread out over the ground and al
lowed TO undergo the first stages of
the weathering process. This con
sames months. AfteTward the clay Is
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

The offices of the company are
located in the Colorado building.
where A. B. Lyon, assistant secre-
tary and treasurer and acting man
ager, presides over the business in
Washington. All the companies in
the United States manufacturing
hydraulic press brick. about twenty
in number, have a connection
through their common use Of the
patents. These are controlled by
the parent company in St. Louis.
The plant representing ar invest
ment of more than S750,000. is To-
Gated at Arlington Junction, Va, just
across the Potomac. Tne plant en-
ploys 300 men. and is constantly busy.
About 40 per cent Of the output is
consumed in Washington, like
amount is shipped to New York, while
the remain is distribucai through
the South Atlantic States.
Mr.. Lyon talks Interestingly Of the
business. which is in itsarr a striking
illustrp ton Of what can be accom-
rlIshed in Washington n the way Of
manufacturing and shipL.1y
In the past four years" he said,
the other day, 'the company has man
ufactured and delivered over 60.000,-
600 press brick. estimate that 23,-
500, 900 brick have been used right
here in Washington and that a little
larger number have gone to New
York and Brooklyn. The remaining
twelve or thirteen million have been
distributed through the South. We
delivered nearly 100000 brick in
May of this year.
The capacity Of the plant is being
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

inspire US with more pride than bust
ness received in any other way. It
may be taken as assured they do npt
lack the most careful attention the
firm and its employees can bestow.
Mail Order Compliments.
- order b., mail Is a compliment
Of the right sort. Placed in a letter,
a 2-cent stamp Will carry iQ 10 any
part of the country-tO Baltimore, or
New York. or Boston, t0 Chicago, just
as we'll as TO Washington. When the
retailer selects this house as the right
place TO send his mail orders. We take
It as indication he has been satisfied
with his treatment in the past and
feels a reasonable confidence he will
be given equally satisfactory treat
ment in the future.
,e set lots OF such Orders-many
hundreds Of them in the course Of a
year.
We don't claim TO be the biggest
hardware house in the country. but
we do claim to be just as good as any
Of them. We can sell just as cheap as
any Of them. We have just as com
plete stock, 20 meet the demands Of
our trade, as any Of them. And when
it COIes TO supplying tie ws0-s or he
trade in this part Of the world, we
can do it more satisfactorily than
jobbers farther away. We know ex-
actly how"
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

II EFORE the business
% was ever started / had
gone over the field We
expected to cover and
made a close examina-
tion of its needs. 7 learned what
goods the merchants wanted and how
tney desired these articles packed.
Thtn We sent out our travelling 'epre-
seltatives.'
Charles W. Semmes. president of
the Semmes-Kelly Company, gave this
as the explanation of one phase Of
the cOmpany's success. Tho Seuumes-
Kelly Company, wholesale grOcers, is
a brilliant example OF what can be
accomplished In the JObbing trade
right here in Washington. II started
five years ago, in the rear Of u Sew
entb street northeast. under very
modest circumstances and in very re-
stricted quarters. Last year its busi-
ness amounted to a quarter of a mil
lion dollars.
Il started the business myself"
said Mr.. Semmes. The first store
was a reconstructed stable and the
stock Of goods was not very large, as
may be understood In SIX months,
however, the business had grown and
/ moved into larger quarters. at Tenth
and c streets northwest There we
remained for eighteen months.
Needed More Capital.
BY that time the business hac
grown so that a larger investment was
needed and more ample facilities.
For ten years I had known Edward J.
Kelly, and I induced him to become
my associate. A considerable amount
of the needed capital was supplied by
W. c. Tappan, Of AttleborO, Mass.
The Semmes-Kelly Company was o.
ganized and incorporated and the
business removed to its present looa-
ton. 6l4-6l6 Pennsylvania avenue
northwest, where il has since remain
ed.
That removal marks the start Of
the business on a large scale. From
the very first it had been a wholesale
business solely, supplying the trado.
I made it a point to buy my own
groceries from a retailer In my neigh
brOhOOd and I steadfastly refused to
supply the men in our employ. 1t has
been our conviction that the retailer
is entitled to sell the consumer, max
ing a fair profit on his sales, and that
there should be a clear line Of demar-
cation between the retailer and the
jObber
THAT policy had not been follow
ed universally in Washington and
our adoption of IL gave us a consider
able popularity from the start. The
local retailers approved of it highly
and their approval was made manifest
in actual purchases We carried it
ont into the country. My investiga-
ti0ns had shown me what the trade
wanted and we arranged for large
stocks of such goods. From the very
first we have been able 10 supply
these needs and supply them prompt
ly at the right prices
I'VE did something more. We put
on the market a number Of special
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

Mr. Board started the manufactur-
ing end OF It here and then went on
the road TO introduce the product.
He had wonderful success. Grad
ually we extended our territory and
increased our selling force until now
Mr. Board directs the work OF nine
men on the road, who cover the
country from Washington to Tampa,
and as far West as the Mississippi
river,
Deal With the Jobbers.
This business is done exclusively
with jobbers. We do not sell the
retailer at all Practically every
shipment made has been in carload
lots, so that the business is done on
a large scale. We have been able
10 convince the trade II is profitable
10 deal with US, for il so happens
that all of our direct competitors
have their plants situated either
several hundred miles 10 the north
or several hundred miles 70 the
west Of Washington. The South IS
our field and we are supplying the
trade in that section 70 very con-
siderable extent.
The plant we have put in for
the manufacture OF cider, vinegar,
and other products is modern and
up-tO-date in every respect. It has
been largely increased in capacity
since we went first into the manu-
featuring business, and the outlook
now is that we shall have to in
crease It still further in the course
Of the next year or two. This busi-
ness has surpassed our most san
guine expectations.
Certainly. no overwhelming disad-
yantages have ever attended our con-
duct Of business IN Washington, nor
has it required a lifetime TO trans
form a small enterprise into a solid
and substantial success There are
disadvantages. Of course as there are
everywhere, and these We labor con-
stantly 10 overcome.
But no obstacle has ever presented
itself which prevents our doing busi-
ness with our customers, in a man
ner satisfactory TO them. We have
/ been able to sell them the goods they
need and want, at prices that per
mitted them fair profit and. despite
occasional delays. 70 get our ship
ments through in good time.
Like to Visit Washington
I'VE have found our customers
like to come 20 Washington-that
they enjoy greatly a visit to the Cap
ital of the Nation. OF course. there
is much in the city for them 20 see
that they could see nowhere else IN
the country Their own inelinations
have helped us in selling them goods
and when we have been able TO show
we could sell, on terms advantageous
10 the buyer. as we'll as 70 ourselves,
the battle has been won.
Certainly. We do not expect 10 90
business with any merchant unless
we can show him Il will be 10 his ad-
vantage. That the business has in
creased in the way 1t has is SUFFICIENT
proof OF the fact that we have been
able 10 make that demonstration.
The Washington times., 1906-08-19


has attained by steady growth.
through conservative, but progressive
methods, a place Of enviable distinc-
tion. The success It has gained has
been built upon merit and public ap-
probation.
Frank P. May and George J. May,
the former a director and leading
spirit of the Jobbers and Shippers
Association, are the firm members.
Having built the business from the
ground up, they know it just that
tho. ,ughly They know what has
made 1t. Frank p. May says 'It is hay
ing the goods the trade in this part
of the world demands" That-plus
energy and abiltty-probaDIy tells the
story.
our beginning in 1874 was not very
imposing" said Mr. May, the other
day. However, the firm thought
there was room for a hardware jOt-
bing house here in Washington and
experience has demonstrated the cor
rectness Of that first assumption,
From the very first the business pros
pered and grew, until in 1880 we had
10 enlarge our store. The growth
continued and we have added ware
The Washington times., 1906-08-19


in the erection of some
great skyscraper he is passing, stops
10 ask himself how these bricks
and whence they came. In very
many cases the answer to the lat
ter question would contain the name
of the Washington Hydraulic Press
Brick Company.
The beauty of these bricks, which
are used now almost exclusively
for the front Of brick buildings of
the higher class, demands attention.
They are as far away from the
crude products Of the kilns of a
quarter century ago as day from
night Capable of taking almost
any color or shade and constructed
in very many artistic shapes, the
bricks are in the highest degree at
tractive
Washington is dotted with hand
some structures built of this brick.
Hotels, apartment houses, Office
buildings. and private residences
Hr0ut number owe much of their
H.HHy to the finish ii imparts. The
I'd Hotel. the Colorado and
0ur Office buildings, the magnii-
cen lome of Thomas +. Walsh on
chusetts avenue, the new Y,
~ A. building, the Woodward &
I6throp store are but scattered in
stances of the extent to which the
brick has been used and the beauty
and diversity of effects it has been
possible to accomplish.
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

The business has grown for
more than a third of a century.
1t stands for quality, progress,
and fair dealing.
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

it, we try to make It stand for
quality,
I'VE are the immediate represen-
tatives in this part of the country Of
a large number Of hardware manu-
facurers and are enabled on this ac-
count to give our customers specia!
advantages We could not secure for
them were our relations with the
manufacturers less direct.
Supply Special Needs.
These are the foundations of our
business" continued Mr.. May. upon
which the superstructure has been
erected. The business was started
and built up in this city, for this sec
tion. and with the idea Of meeting the
special needs Of this section always
before its owners. We know our
trade and know what they want. The
hardware business in one part Of the
country is very dieffrent from the
hardware business in another part.
There are special needs that we sup
ply and can supply always and
promptly, because We understand
them and are prepared.
The trade has come to understand
this fact-that we are prepared TO sell
them what they want. The orders we
receive from the merchants by
mail make up one Of the largest
parts Of our business and they
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

houses as they were demanded, until
now We have three, in addition to the
main store, each as large as that
structure.
More Room Still Needed.
I'VE are crowded yet. In the busy
seasons we are compelled 10 rent ad-
ditionaI storage room, In order to
handle our shipments promptly and
.eet the wishes Of our customers.
We have added statesmen as the busi-
ness grew, until five men from this
house now travel through Maryland.
Virginia. West Virginia. North Car
olina and southern Pennsylvania. A
sixth man looks after the local trade.
The line Of hardware we carry is
complete in every respect and suffi-
GENTLY large to meet every demand
made upon il. We carry an especial
ly elaborate line of rifles, shotguns.
and other weapons and are distribut-
ing agents IN this territory for the
manufacturers Of ammunition. We
take a special pride and interest in
our stock Of American rable and
pocket cutlery and plated silverware
and import from abroad some Of the
best products Of foreign establish
ments in this line.
Our Beaver Brand is copyright
ed and appears on most OF our
stock. AS our reputation is behind
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

The Beaver Brand" copy
righted, and owned by F. P. May
& Co, is known all over this
section of the country.
The Washington times., 1906-08-19

He pioneer hardware jJb-
bing house in Washington
is the firm of F. P. May &
Co Beginning modestly, a
third of p ceu-urv aRO II
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23
City Official In The Shadow Of
the Prison.
EVIDENCE ALAlNsT GRATING
San Francisco Grand Jury Will Inves-
tigate Charges Against City Of
ficials Who Have Been Accused
of Grating.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22.--Assistant
District Attorney Francis J. Heney and
William J. Burns, his chief Of detec.
tives, have In their possession, evidence
involving large number Of municipal
grafters and others which viii be pre-
sented to the grand jury that is to be
impanneled tomorrow, and which the
new prosecuting attorney confidently
expects will result in the speedy indict-
ment Of the persons he Is seeking to
bring to the bar of justice.
Heney and Burns have thrown new
light on the situation by announce
ment that they have been preparing
their cases against the municipal graft
ers since March |. On that date Burns
arrived from Washington and engaging
a corp Of detectives, began his investi-
cations into the conduct of public Of
ficials, political bosses and Others, which
has resulted in the gathering Of the evi.
dcnce referred to.
AS to the details of this evidence
both Heney and Burns maintain COM
plete silence. Heney points out that
the evidence is sufficiently strong and
convincing to him to stake his reputa'
tion and give up all other business to
prosecute the persons, he is after, while
Burns declares he would not have left
the United States secret service un-
less he was convinced that the evidence
he had discovered would stand the test
in criminal court and result in con-
viction.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23

Ellis, Kan. Oct. 22.-After raging
with unceasing fury for "a hours the
great snow storm which has created
havoc through the state, Is passing
eastward. Wyoming, Colorado and
Utah have been swept by heavy SHOWS,
from two to Ave feet, covering the earth
and heavy drifts are being formed by
the winds. Western Kansas encountered
the storm today, Reports from east
ern Colorado are to the effect that a
heavy blanket Of white covers that por-
tion of the state.
Reports from the middle west states
Is to the effect that the loss OF sheep
and cattle will be heavy, and reports Of
loss of life are being received hourly
The telegraph wires are down in ev'
ery direction and it is impossible to
secure any news. The storm still con-
tinues with unabated fury.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23
ANOTHER SEVERE STORM.
Colorado and Wyoming Swept BY Ter
&c Snow Storm.

DENVER, Oct. 2e.-The storm
throughout the mountain region which
began here with rain on Friday. changed
to snow on Saturday, subsided this
morning. It is said to have been one
Of the most severe stor msince 1902.
Locally but little damage was done
Sheepmen in Wyoming, Colorado and
New Mexico, it Is believed will suffer
heavy losses, as they were unprepared
for such severe weather. There are
hundreds Of tons of sugar beets and
thousands Of barrels Of apples still IN
the open in the northern part Of Colo
RADIO, and should, the cold continue the
damage will be very great.
A dispatch received from Beulah, 2S
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23
Will Be Conducted BY U. 5. At
torney Bristol.
HENEY HAS ANOTHER JOB
Appointed to Investigate Alleged
Crookedness in the San Fran
cisco Municipal
ity.

PORTLAND. Oct. 22.-It is stated by
United States District Attorney Bris-
tol, that he win take up the pending
land fraud cases as soon as possible
and complete them this winter. The
cases have been delayed on account Of
the absence of Francis j. Heeney, who
has been recently appointed deputy dis
trict attorney for the city and county
Of San Francisco, to investigate the
graft charges against Abe Ruef, Mayor
Schmidt and others in that city. If
Mr.. Heney is entangled in the inves-
tigation Of the graft charges in San
Francisco it will mean that he will
have urgent business in the Bay City
for some little time. In that event it
will be impossible for him to return to
Oregon to take UP the trial of the land
fraud cases on the SCHEDULE time, and
Mr.. Bristol will take up the cases as
soon as judges can be sent to Port
land to preside over the cases.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23
Attempted Jailbreak at Colfax
Frustrated.
COUNTY PRISONERS BATTLE
Daring Attempt to Break Jail by Pris-
oners Results in White Man
Chewing OFF Thumb

COLFAX. Wash, Oct. ga fierce
battle occurred between prisoners in
the county Jail here last evening in
which George Henry Aschenbrenner
chewed a thumb almost off George
Wood, colored, and Aschenbrenner's
face was pounded almost to pulp by
the negro Serious damage might have
been done had not the beligerents been
separated by Herman Maurer, another
prisoners. Several days ago the pris-
oners had planned an escape during the
absence of Sheriff Cannutt. This was
learned and all interested in the plot
were locked in the cells and not al
lowed the freedom of the corridor, ex-
cept Aschenbrenner, who was permitted
to stay in the corridor during the day
and assist in feeding the other prison
ers. They suspected Aschenbrunner of
having given the tip which resulted in
the discovery of the plot, and all have
had it in for him since that time,
When they were fed today all were let
out into the corridor and after dinner
Wood attacked Aschenbruner viciously
and beat his face terribly. Aschenbrun-
ner got the negro's thumb in his mouth
and nearly chewed it off. Maurer sep
arated them and called Deputy Sher'
if Weinburg, who locked the prioners
in the cells. Aschenbruner wanted the
deputy to turn him and the negro loose
in the corridor and let them fight it
out. He declared he could lick that
black fellow if the Dutchman would
let them alone.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23
CUBAN BANKER ESCAPES.
No Exfradition Treaty Between United
States and Venezuela.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.---The United
States can take no steps to bring about
the extradition Of silyeira, the Cuban
banker, who il wanted In Havana, and
10 now supposed to be In Caracas Ven-
ezuela. There Is no extradition treaty
between Cuba and Venezuela and there
fore the United States cannot inter.
fcrc in the case. Consequently Gov
ernor Magoon may ask President Castro
to permit Silyeira to be taken by Gu
ban authorities. but the outcome de-
pends entirely upon Castro. II is not
believed he can be extradited, and will
probably escape punishment.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23
NEW CRUISER CALIFORNIA.
Broke Her Bearing and Compelled to
Put Back to Port.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct, 22,-After
two hours of her endurance run, dur
ing which she exceeded the required 2s
knots per hour the new cruiser Califor-
MIA was compelled to put back into
port, on account of defective bearing.
With her trial board on board, the
California steamed out to sea for forty
miles and then began four hours en-
durance run, After two hours, dur
ing which the vessel exceeded her speed
requirements, broken bearing made
it necessary for her to put back to
port for repairs. The cruiser will be
given another trial Thursday,
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23
Loss Of Cattle and Sheep viii tx.
ceed thst Of Several
Years Past.
CONSIDERABLE LOSS or LIFE
Telegraph Wires are Down, Trains
Biotkadsd and Passenger T.sae
on Several Roads Almost
Suspended.

DENVER, Oct. ss.-.-one Of tho worst
storms that ever swept the eastern slope
of the Rockies ragged for over "a hours
aud devastated the country from
northern Wyoming to the borders Of
New Mexico. The fierce wind was ac'
companied by snow which fell on the
plains 10 the depth Of three feet, In
tho foothills and mountains there are
FIVE or six feet Of snow, In northern
Colorado the storm was felt severely
and crop and stock loses viii be great
Should II freeze In the near future the
lnss will bc tremendous On all roads
running into this city, trains have been
delayed for many hours and the wires
are down In all directions.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23
BY THE GUN ROUTE.

los ANGELES, oct. o. Frank r.
Harnish, "a years old, tonight killed
himself in a shocking manner. He load
ed one barrel Of a shotgun, attached a
strap to the trigger. passed the strap
around the gun.stock, placed the muz-
zle to his head and pulled the strap.
His face was entirely blown away and
death was instantaneous. The cause
OF the deed is unknown.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-23

DULUTH, MINI, Oct. 22,--For hours
one Of the heaviest snow storms known
In years has been raging In the north
eastern part Of the state Reports
from the storm centcrs are meager, as
high winds and heavy drifts have
wrecked both telephone and telegraph
wires II 10 hoped that communication
will be restored within few hours. as
linemen have been rushed out to work
.on broken wires.