The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-05-10
Building Is Thrown Open To
The Public
And Punch And Cigars Are
Served
A Description OF The New
Home Of The Company

Friday was the opening day for the
new Kesler-Dowds wholesale grocery
establishment at the foot of Main
street just north of the viaduct. For
many years the company has been To-
Gated at the southwest side of the pub
was convenient and suitable. After
the company grew older and the bus
mess grew larger, the quarters began
to be more cramped and the floor
space was far from being sufficient to
accommodate the great amount of
stock which it was necessary to keep
always on hand. AS result, the site
where the building now stands was
purchased and the large up-to-date
wholesale establishment was built.
On entering the building, the main
office is first seen. This is an inter-
esting place, everything being of the
latest pattern and convenience. Just
off the Office is private Office occu-
pied by Mr.. e. e. Shireman.
The most striking thing that first
attracts the attention of the observer
is the massive appearance of every
thing connected with the building The
walls, brace posts, stairs and floors,
and in fact the entire structure is en-
entirely of concrete and steel. The
floors and walls are about one foot in
thickness and in them are strong steel
rods and braces making it practically
impossibility for any part to give way
and fall under any circumstance. Even
the roof of the building is constructed
of material with great strength and
durability such as steel, tiling and as
phalt The building is exceedingly
roomy and affords an enormous floor
space for the storing of unsold goods,
of which there is now great abund-
ance.
The establishent is fully equipped
with the latest pattern machinery and
devices necessary for the work which
is being done in every day business.
For instance, the elevator in the cen
ter of the building is very inter
esting apparatus to note while in ac-
tion as well as when stationary 1t is
propelled with hydraulic pressure and
constructed with a large steel shaft
fifty feet in length and about one foot
il thickness. The shaft is placed in
such a position that the lower end
projects into hole straight into the
ground which is lined with steel cas-
ing. This is filled with water and
when the elevator is above the first
floor and when it is lowered, the water
is forced out of the casing by the
weight of the elevator but the weight
is only sufficient to cause gradual
and proper fall of the shaft into the
hole. making the elevator descend at
a very moderate rate of speed. The
particle of infiammable matter being ex-
posed where flame could originate
Fire proof doors even are provided
for the openings at the top of the
stairways and at the openings of the
elevator shaft.
The visitor, on entering the new
building Friday afternoon, was greet
ed by either one of the members of thu:
firm or one of the employees and made
to feel at home. He was invited first
into the the room where caterers were
serving delicious lunch composed OF
everything good to eat to any guests
present who wished it. Then he was
given a cigar and taken on an excur
sion through the building and every
thing was thoroughly explained
1t is interesting to note the regular
ity and evenness of the stock of goods
on hand. Everything has depart
ment for a particular class of goods
alone. The match room especially is in
teresting. 1t is small room abou
ten by fifteen feet in dimensions ant
is practically air tight. This is to in
sure safety to the goods in the immed
late vicinity should some of the match
es become ignited. Another room
about the size of the match room Il
reserved as a cigar room whero al
abundant stock of cigars are kept a
we'll as large variety of samples o
many kinds of goods. This room is es
pecially adapted for the keeping Of c.