The Globe-republican., 1909-11-04

partment store covering three floors,
and the building were things Of the
past.
Another member Of the company
was also q pioneer merchant Of
Dodge City. Sam Stubbs. manager
of the grocery and meat department
was here at Ft. Dodge in the early
days. Many years Of bis life have
been spent in building up large
grocery business at this place. For
u number Of years hewas Interested
in a thoroughbred horse farm near
town and the Stubbs Brothers
horses were known in all Of the rae
ing centers Of the country. A. few
years ago Mr. Stubbs sold out this
part OF his business to devote all bis
capital and energies to the grocery
business and later entered partner
ship with Frank Barkley. The
Stubbs & Barkley grocery was a
model store but it did not satisfy the
proprietors. When the Dodge City
Mercantile Company was formed the
Stubbs & Barkley grocery was msrg
cd with it as the Bargain Store had
had been. In the new building this
department had its own cooling
plant There was cold storage for
hanging twenty five beeves at time,
and tho cold air pipes led to cases
for keeping meat on display. The
stock carried was Of the kind that il
bought from the car load to the
train load, and every arrangement
was an ideal one for handling the
business. With Mr.. Locke, Mr..
Stobbs had just returned from New
York where they had been on pur
chasing "trip and as managers Of the
big store they were using every en-.
ergy planning for the Christmas
trade.
It would be hard to imagine a more
severe business blow than that which
fell upon these two men who have
spent 80 many years in building up
their ideal in their lines Of trade.
| W. e. Teare, for many years head
bookkeeper for the old Bargain store,
was another member Of the company
who lost The accumulation OF half a
life time. A long time ago Mr..
TeaIe purchased large tract of land
down the river in this county, with the
intention Of holding it until it could
be sold for an amount sufficient for
an adequate business capital. A few
years ago he sold the land at good
price. It ia understood that his cap
ital was all invested in the Dodge
City Mercantile Company store, and
tie fire brings to him almost a com
plete loss.
A. D. Smith, manager Of the Hard
ware department, had Q grocery
store in Dodge City when the Dodge
City Mercantile Company was formed
and took stock in the company, 60
ing In as manager Of the hardware
department. The FIRE to him is q bus
mess reverse that would stsgger a
pretty strong hearted man, but like
all the other members Of the COM
pany Mr.. Smith 10 game all the way
through and Is ready to make q new
start.
Mr.. Barklcy, like most Of the 9th
ers Of the company, meets q reverse
that is complete, but he is a young
man, has had good business expsr-
fence, and has time yet for several
business successes, and the pluck nee
eseary to start in new.
Mr.. Fitzgerald; who has been iden-
tilted with the history Of the Bargain
Store from its early days in the old
building, is also heavy loser by the
FIRE; but as the loss represents only a
small portion Of his capital, he will
not feel it heavily. He was one Of
the building company, with Mr..
Locke and MIR. Carson, and like Mr..
Locke has double loss.
Besides the loss to the owners Of
the store, the fire has thrown a large
number Of people out Of emrloy-
ment. though under present con-
ditions they will probably have little
difficulty in finding employment