The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-12

of the firms business. All of US feel
alike concerning the calamity and we
must place our shoulders to the
wheels and do everything in our
power to assist the firm in again re-
gaining its supremacy.
II have known the firm for % years
and have dealt with them through
this long period of time and our ex-
perience has been such that we feel
that the city cannot well do without
them. They have not lost their nerve
and we must get behind them and
give them our hearty and loyal bust
ness support"
]. r. Koontz, general freight agent
of the Santa F'e said: 1.-The Santa Fe
railroad and Parkhurst-Davis have
been closely related in d business way
for many years and so far as the road
is concerned it will do everything in
it's power to retain the firm in To-
peka. I believe that they will sur
mount this obstacle as they have
every other one and sphinx like will
arise from the ruins
Frank P MacLennan said in part:
We must not lose this great business
firm or business. It has been tried by
stood the financial depression of the
state and the country. only to emerge
with greater energy and greater buSl-
ness. We must encourage Mr.. Park
hurst and Mr.. Davis and the others as
ISOLATED with them. not only by our
sympathy and kind words, but in
more practical manner if the firm so
desires. The State journal wants to
run a complimentary page tomorrow
announcing that the Parkhurst- Davis
Mercantile company is still doing bust
ness and is one of the largest whole
sale grocers in the country. 1 want
to give them additional pages if they
need them. 1 am willing to subscribe
a thousand dollars in cash to the stock
of new company, If the Parkhurst-
Davis people desires subscriptions of
hat mn these
pie for the state and for Topeka, not
only for our material progress. but for
the contributions of the families this
firm represents to the social and CIVIC
welfare of the city"
Volney Kistler of the Kistler-M cCord
Mercantile company, wholesale grocers
said: ''Twenty-nine years ago l work
ed for the firm which was burned out
and from that time to this although
competitors in business way our re-
lations have all been OF the most
pleasant nature. l have seen them
tried by floods and by fire and 1 know
that neither will place them out of
business. 1 have already offered to
divide our office space with them and
they can fill their orders from our
stock as long as We have anything
left"
GoodIand Merchants Good Words.
c. NJ. Millsack, a merchant from
Goodland, Kan, who happened to be
in Topeka, said: IT am stranger to
topeka,
hurst-Davis. for 1 have transacted
business with them for years. 1t has
always been a pleasant and profitable
business at that and 1 regret deeply
their loss. I feel that am not speak
ing as an Individual when I speak of
the virtues of this firm. but for the
hundreds of retail merchants in Kan
sas who have been their customers.
Throughout the speaking and con-
versations sympathy was rendered to
Joab MuIvane who owned the build
ing which housed the Parkhurst-
Davis Mercantile company and whose
loss will be heavy. When called upon
by Chairman S. F. Lux. Mr.. Mulvane
said: II appreciate the sympathy
which has been rendered me by my
friends but 1 do not need it. My loss
is insignificant when compared with
that of the firm of Parkhurst-Davis
and I do not want to be thought of at
this time.
II have known one of the members
of the firm for years and can remem-
Der when the store was not as large
as the one destroyed last night, that
when driving to the country 1 fire.
quentIy stopped and bought a can of
noon day lunch. When they told me
that they wanted building L erected
| one for them and our business rela-
| lions have always been of the most
| pleasant.
''The firm employed many men and
| it grew up here in Topeka and
| want to see the name of Parkhurst-
Davis perpetuated here in Topeka
/ am young man and have some prop
erty interests in the city and I want to
| see every interest maintained in the
| city and as for myself I have no
notion of looking for new fields We
must help this firm in every way that
we can and I stand willing to do my
| share towards encouraging them in
this hour of their calamity"
New Sites Suggested.
Three or four excellent sites for a
| Temporary resumption of business by
the firm are obtainable and it is pro-
babIe that some one of them will be
utilized for temporary headquarters at
least. Albert Patton, superintendent of
the Topeka railway, said: THE city
railway company has a large building
at the corner of Second and Jefferson
streets formerly used as a power
house. 1t is on a switch and COM
modious If Parkhurst-Davis want to
use this building We viii clean it out
for them and they can use it as long
as they desire without cost to them If
I'VE can be of any further service to
them we are willing to do everything
IN our power.
There is a chance also that the old
Rock Island freight. depot which is va
cant at this time can be secured for
the use of the firm if they desire to