davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
CHARLES D. STEPHENS,
 MACHINERY AND PLUMBING

Prominent among those who have taken an active interest in promoting the cotton industry of the valley, is Chas. Stephens, California represen- tative for the famous Murray Cotton Ginning machinery, manufactured by the Murray Company, of Dallas, Tex as. Mir. Stephens was prominent in the organization of the American Nile Cotton Co.,, the pioneer concern of the valley. As agent for the Murray all-steel gins, Mir Stephens has al- ready sold plant to Heber parties which will be installed in time to handle this seasons crop. Previous to becoming interested in his present line of work, he had for two years conducted plumbing and sheet met al shop and this business he still retains. He owns the brick building 50x100 feet in which he conducts his plumbing business and engages skill ed plumbers, gas filters and mechan- ics on all the work he undertakes.
 A native of Texas, MT. Stephens has spent a portion of his business career around Austin. Just before coming to Fl Centro, he concluded an extensive trip through Old Mex ico in the interest of an English Syn dicate, largely interested in the cot ton industry. Among the business men of Fl Centro there are few who stand better or who are accomplish ing more for the development of the valley and the prosperity of the town than he.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
THE DEPOT STABLES

Last August Horan & Freshman, from Yuma, opened these stables and put in a good line of rigs and some excellent livery horses, and the firm today keeps fourteen head of horses and rigs enough to supply the demand.
 This is the busy season with the liverymen and the Depot Stables are prepared to handle it's share of the trade, The barn, located adjacent to the Southern Pacific Depot, covers an area of about 50x100 feet, and is substantially built of brick with a corrugated iron roof and stalls for forty animals in addition to large feeding corrals. Special attention is giving to boarding horses and anoth- CT feature of much importance is the buying and selling of horses both for the stables and for patrons. F. A. Fleishman is the resident partner, while w. c. Horan manages the firms stable at Yuma, where they operate stage line and general freighting business between Yuma and Picacho.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
KYLE MCCARTNEY, JEWELER

One of the best evidences of Fl Centro's growing importance is the establishment here of the fine jew elry store owned and conducted by Kyle MacBratney. For the past two years it has been in it's present To- cation and MT. MacBratney has es- tablished a reputation for reliability for his house that brings him trade from all over the valley A we'll as- sorted line of ornamental jewelry. watches, clocks and silverware in plate and sterling is carried, while an expert watch repairer is kept busy in that department of the business A special feature is made of optical goods and MT. MacBratney is a grad uate optician, thoroughly familiar with all the details of the profession. A branch has recently been opened in Calexico and it is prospering under MT. MacBratney's direction. Previous to making his home in Fl Centro, he had resided in Los Angeles, where he was also engaged in the jewelry bus mess.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12

stoves and ranges, carpets and rugs, dishes and crockery, tinware and ghaphophones and pianos. The busi- ness is owned by J. c. Delozier and c. C.. Chapman. It was established in Bl Centro about two years ago and occupies frontage of 50 feet on Main street, with a depth of 100 feet A native of Arkansas, previous to com ing to the Imperial Valley, MT. De lozier had been for a number of years in business in Los Angeles and Full lerton. The success which has at tended his efforts here has made De- lozier's recognized headquarters for everything in the house furnishing line, the trade extending throughout this section of the country.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
THE VALLEY SHOE STORE

Fl Centro boasts the only exclusive boot and shoe store in the Imperial Valley. Two years ago The Valley Shoe Store was established by P T. Cunningham. A carefully assorted stock was selected and almost before the roof was on the building MT. Gun ningham had commenced business. A stock is carried valued at from $7000 to 5000 and the annual sales of the store will aggregate close to $30,0O0. Among the many lines of well known shoes for which this well established house has the exclusive Fl Centro agency, is the famous W. L. Douglas $3.50 shoe for men; the John Kelly high grade shoes for women; the En- dicott Johnson shoe and others equal ly as well known. While the stock has at all times been kept up to the requirements of the trade, it is MT. Cunningham's intention this spring to largely increase the line of high grade footwear carried.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
THE FRANKLIN HOTEL

The Franklin Hotel is a typical I'm perial Valley hotel built with a spe- cial view towards its adaptability for the long, hot summers of the valley. It is provided with great, wide porches running the entire length of the build ing, and completely enclosed in screens to insure the comfort of it's guests. Originally erected in Imperial, when the town of El Centro was started the hotel was removed to this place The hotel is leased by w. w. Porterfield, formerly of Riverside, and w. F. Will son, of Ukiah. The present manage ment had the building entirely reno- vated and it is receiving a generous share of the business of the town.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
o. K. STABLES

Fl Centro is well provided with liv- cry stables and among the number represented here, the O. K. Stables, owned and conducted by Nat B. Morse, are popular and are meeting with a fair share of the towns patronage, They are located on Fifth street just north of Broadway. Large corrals af- ford ranchers an opportunity to give their teams the best of care if put up at the O. K. Stables, while the stalls number more than thirty. The horses kept for the livery are well adapted for that purpose and the rigs also are just the kind needed in this section of the country. MT. Morse also does general teaming work, buys and sells hay and grain and wood for fuel. He makes a specially of board ing horses and conducts an alround first class livery.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
PIONEER BAKERY

One of the first business houses es- tablished in Fl Centro was the Pio- neer Bakery, owned and conducted by Wm. Egerer. Since the day of it's opening it has met with success and it's trade has constantly expanded with the growth of the town and the development of the valley, until at the present time 800 loaves of bread are made daily, while all kinds of pies, cakes and pastry are also made daily
 The Pioneer is the only exclusive ba- kery in Fl Centro. Some idea of the extent of it's trade may be gained from knowledge of the fact that from twelve to fifteen barrels of flour are used each week in baking the bread, rolls, buns, pies, cakes and pastry. An immense brick oven 14x12 feet in dimensions is used for baking, the heat being furnished by oil burners. Cleanliness is everywhere apparent about the bakery and MT. Egerers personally supervises all the baking
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
OLD MISSION CONFECTIONERY

In the old Mission Candy Store and ice cream parlors, El Centro has one of the neatest confectioneries in the valley. A fine line of the choicest chocolates, bon-bons and fancy can dies is carried, purchased fresh twice a week from the best factories of Los Angeles. In connection with the can dy store is the soda fountain from which all kinds of refreshing drinks are served, made from pure fruit juices and mixed by courteous attend ants The interior fittings of the Old Mission are, as the name implies, fur nished in fine old Mission style and tables are provided where patrons may enjoy an ice or a soda in perfect comfort. The Old Mission is managed by l.. A. Murrell, while his partner, H. Lamar, devotes his time to the fruit stand adjoining.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
FL cENTRo DRUG COMPANY

It has been said that a thorough knowledge of the drug business is the best capital druggist can have; Davis Brothers are certainly capital ists in this respect. Registered phar- macists with an extended experience in New Jersey they are not only scientific prescription pharmacists, but manufacturing chemists as well and putting up prescriptions for physi- clans and their patients is a very inn portant feature of their business. To this department the proprietors give their personal attention, and the pur- est and freshest of drugs are kept in supply to be used in prescriptions. The stock includes a carefully select ed line of drugs, chemicals, patent medicines, druggigts' sundries, toilet articles, perfumes, razors and cutlery. An important feature of the business is the soda fountain, which in the summer months is one of the busiest spots in the valley. Davis Brothers have met with such gratifying suc- cess since opening their El Centro store that they have recently made plans for opening a branch fin Holt vile.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
E. L. RALsToN, HOME FURNlsHER

The second hand store, in older com munities is an element of economy that is entering more and more into the consideration of buyers, so the advent here of Ralstons fills a de- cided want. The business formerly owned in Fl Centro by s. P. Bowen was recently purchased by E. l.. Ral- ston, and he proposes to afford resi- dents of Fl Centro and vicinity an opportunity to secure many articles that are as good as new for practical purposes at a greatly reduced price. His store will also be a market sale and exchange, where the person hav- ing articles they no longer require may dispose of them to advantage. E. l.. Ralston is well known as the former manager of the Fl Centro Hardware Company and resigned to enter business on his own account only after a careful study of the sit uation convinced him that there was field here for this class of business. A fine line of new stock has been ordered to supplement the second hand stock and in addition a complete line of shelf hardware will be a feature of the business.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
HE IMPERIAL VALLEY
 STEAM LAUNDRY

The present management has been charge of the Imperial Valley team Laundry at El Centro since he 29th of November, 1909 Many Improvements have been made in the lechanical equipment of the plant and thers are contemplated for the near lture, as the owners are determined D furnish El Centro and Imperial
 ith a fine modern plant that will lrn out the highest class of work. uring the short time they have been
 charge they have gained an envia-
 e reputation for both the class of ,eir work and their evident desire to
 ease. P. J. Audureau was for two oars chief engineer for the Holton
 Ower Company before purchasing an .terest in the plant, while Miss R.
 here she had had extended exper-
 nee in this class of work. Miss F.
 wartzbaugh, the third partner, was
 rmerly from Santa Ana and is also experienced laundry worker The
 ,mpany employs from fifteen to Eenty skilled operatives, and runs le wagon to Imperial and another El Centro. The delivery service of the best and the class of work rned out is finished with painstak- |g care under the careful supervis- a of Miss Kane and Miss Swartz- ugh. The success the firm is meet Ig with is deserved, and the opera )n of modern steam laundry is sential to the towns growth.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
THE LADIES' ToGGERY

The Ladies' Toggery dates its ex- istence since the 2Sth of February, 1909, previous to which time the prem ises had been known as "The Fashion and conducted exclusively as a mil linery establishment. With the ad- vent of the present ownership, new lines were added until today the Fog gery carries practically everything in ladies ready to wear goods, including millinery, belts, handkerchiefs, fine hosiery hair goods, lingerie under wear, fine waists, skirts, notions, etc, at prices that are better than those quoted by some of the leading estab-
 ishments in Los Angeles. Mrs. Isa- bel Price, one of the ladies who owns the Toggery, personally attends to all of the buying, and does the trimming in the milHngery department. The stock is always kept fully up to the demands of the trade, and it is a cred it to Fl Centro.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
PRESTON & MCCARTNEY,
 HABERDAsHERS

The firm of Preston & Mccartney has been formed since the first of the present year, and their sales rooms have been remodeled and made most attractive. Large French plate mir TOTS, for the tailoring department, and handsome interior fittings have made the store one of the best in the county. But the firm has not stopped with the appointments of the store. A fine line of collars, shirts, neckwear hats, etc, has been placed in stock and will be kept thoroughly up to the requirements of the trade and they have added stock of ready to wear clothing of the best makes. A fea- ture of the business that promises to become of much importance is the tai loring departm ent. As exclusive agents in the county for Lamm & Company, the largest tailoring house in the world, with headquarters in Chicago, Preston & Mccartney are in a position to offer a selection of fine patterns for made to order garments and a service that cannot be duplicated any where in the valley. Both members of the firm are we'll known through out the valley and their extended busi- ness experience presages for them success in conducting Fl Centros ex- elusive haberdashery and tailoring es- tablishment.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
THE PALM BAKERY

It is credit to the enterprising spirit of Fl Centro citizens, that the town can boast so handsomely ap- pointed a confectionery and bakery as the Palm. That the people of El Centro and the surrounding country appreciate the many attractive fea- lures and the fine confectionery, bread and pastry of The Palm is evidenced by the constantly increasing patronage with which it is favored A specially is made during the summer months of wholesaling ice cream and ices, which are used not only locally but by the residents of the surrounding towns. The purest of ingredients are used in the manufacture of the Palm ice cream and the demand for it increases with each season.
 On the upper floor of the confec- tionery and bakery shop, MT. Keeney has arranged a Palm Roof Garden, 25x65 feet in size and here many smart social affairs, concerts, dances, etc, are held. All the bakery goods are made fresh daily, and only the best skilled bakers are employed at The Palm. The ingredients used in the bakery and candy departments are the purest and freshest that can be obtained and absolute cleanliness prevails in the bake shop and candy kitchen of the Palm. G. c. Keeney, the proprietor, opened The Palm in May, 1908, and success has attended his efforts from the start.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
DELozIER FURNITURE COMPANY

Residents of Fl Centro and settlers in the surrounding country are for tunate in being able to select their household furniture from the largest and most up-to- date stock of house.
 hold goods in the Imperial Valley. As the stock at Delozier's Is com plete in everything necessary for the furnishing of home. The distance from the great manufacturing centers of the country makes 1t necessary to purchase furniture in large quanti- ties direct from the manufacturers all the goods are shipped knocked down, thus affording the lowest freight charges obtainable. Everything is handled, including furniture, hardware
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
PIONEER BLACKSMITH SHOP

The blacksmith and wagon maker, so necessary to every community, are of exceptional importance in a new
 agricultural district and accordingly the crafts are much in evidence in El Centro. Well known among ranchers and residents of the town is the Pio-
 neer Blacksmith Shop conducted by A. H. Moffett. Mir. Moffett was for
 merly in business in San Diego. He came to El Centro and established his present business about a year ago. He does wagon and carriage making and repairing in all its branches and keeps on hand complete supply of wagon wood and other materials for the manufacture and repairing of wa gons, buggies and carriages. His blacksmithing department is also well supplied with needed material for new
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
DuNAwAY 6 LOWE, DRUGGISTS

Dunaway's & Loves pharmacy is ehgibly located in the center of El Centro, and is fitted up in an attrac- tive manner. Both members of the firm are skilled graduate pharmacists and personally attend to the com pounding of all prescriptions Besides the extensive line of drugs, chemicals, patent medicines, etc, the firm carries one of the finest lines of toilet articles in the valley, has the exclusive ag- ency for kodaks and kodak supplies, and has a handsome soda fountain. Both members of the firm are eastern men by birth, Mir. Lowe coming to the valley from St. Paul, about a year ago. while Mr. Dunaway pre- vious to settling in El Centro had re- sided for some time in Riverside. Both are keen, shrewd business men who have made a success by merit ing it. Mir. Dunaway is a prominent lodge member and club man and both members of the firm take an active interest in the development of the valleys resources and El Centro's growth
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
B. SALOMON & COMPANY
 GENERAL MERCHANDISE

The business of B. Solomon & Co. was started under the firm name of Paine & Hamilton when the town was first laid out, MT. Solomon and an as sociate purchasing the business short ly after. The stock carried is one of the largest in the valley and en- braces only the best quality of goods in the various lines. Included in the stock is a well assorted shoe depart ment, B. Solomon & Go. having the exclusive local agency for such well known makes as the Florsheim, Ham, ilton- Brown, Utz & Dunn and United Workmen. In the hat department are Stetson, Kingsbury and No Name hats. The mems furnishing department is we'll known as containing the best as- sortment of high grade goods in the valley. The dry goods, trunks, ready to wear clothing and grocery de- partments are we'll stocked and the merchandise is carefully selected. The business occupies a fine salesroom on Main street with a warehouse in the rear. The trade established extends well throughout the surrounding coun- try and has done much, to make this town an important trade center MT. Solomon is an experienced and suc- cessful merchant, a prominent citizen and typical western man. He gives his constant attention to his business and has won success by fair methods of dealing
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
WITMAN- MAXWELL PLUMBING co

Among the pioneer business houses of Fl Centro none are more entitled to the name than the old established plumbing firm of Witman & Maxwell. J. M. Witman put in the first water piping in the town, when Ell Centro was practically nothing but 8 big grain field. His partner, J. M. Max well, followed him closely and was the second plumber in the valley, shortly after forming the present firm. In Fl Centro the firm has well equip ped shop 25x40 feet in dimensions, while at Imperial their shop covers 25x60 feet of floor space. A feature of the business is the sheet metal department, the firm making settling tanks for farmers use of any size that may be desired. The firm has installed machinery for turning out high class cornice work, and keeps thoroughly abreast of the times in all its work. For gas fitting, sewer age connections or general plumbing or sheet metal work, Witman & Max well are prepared to handle any con- tracts offered. They employ only skilled assistants and personally su- pervise all work turned out by their shop, and have given residents of Fl CentrO first class service.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
THE DELTA IMPLEMENT co.

The Delta Implement Company, alers in agricultural implements, IS organized and incorporated in the T of 1908. The company secured arters 50x100 feet in dimensions and |ened up with a carefully selected ,ck of agricultural implements, farm
 gons, light spring wagons, harness }. Since that time branches have en opened in Holtville and Braw- 4 and site has been secured for a
 ok warehouse and salesrooms which ID be erected adjoining the railroad .cks here. Buying for it's three uses enables the management to |rchase direct from the manufactur-
 and in such quantities as to se- |re the most favorable terms and light rates, all of which rebounds the advantage of the company's |st0mers. The company is under s management of Frank Reading, it's |ssident and general manager, and las. l. Thill the company's secre- |y,
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
VALLEY DEPARTMENT STORES

A town situated as is El Centro. far from the sources of supply, demands the very best in the way of goods
 and quantities of them. A stock must be diversified to meet the demands of the purchasing public in the Inn perial Valley and Roy l.. Rumsey recognizing this has built up a trade that extends all over this district. Roy l.. Rumsey, El Centro's leading dealer in general merchandise. start ed in this town in April 1907, with a stock valued at $500. It is sig nificant of the success he has made to note that his sales last year to- tailed $S5000 and his stock inven- toried at $20,000. This extensive pat ronage has been won by fair and hon. orable dealing, and his patrons have been given the advantages attaching to a general outfitting business. MT. Rumsey's stock consists of everything usually carried in the great depart ment stores of metropolitan cities and includes an extensive line of staple and fancy groceries, in which he does a large and constantly increasing trade with the farmers and ranchers in the vicinity of Fl Centro and Holtville. Heavy and light boots and shoes, as well as dress goods, mems suits, hats and caps, are carried in various styles and sizes. Tinware, hardware, paints oils and glass are among other fea- lures of the stock. He buys in car lots where practical and in large quan- titles from the manufacturers and wholesalers, thereby securing valuable reductions on large bills. The build ing his business occupies is a sub stantial brick structure covering 50X 100 feet, while in the rear is a ware house 25x40 feet in dimensions. Eight employees are carried on the payroll. MT. Rumsey is justly entitled to be- ing numbered among Fl Centro's pio- neer business men having arrived in the town when it consisted of but two or three temporary structures. His success is due to his untiring eff forts and the reputation for square dealing which he has won and jeal- ously maintains. Previous to com ing to Fl Centro he lived at Fl Cajon, California, although he is native of Iowa, by birth. As one of the towns successful business men he has the valleys interests at heart and is in- terested in every public move.
Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-12
THE DEPOT BLACKSMITH SHOP

With practical knowledge of their trades, Trask & Sterner are prepared to handle everything in the way of repair work on wagons, carriages and farm implements, and a special fea- ture is made of scientific horse shoe ing. A large stock of the best steel shoes, wagon steel and hard wood is carried and no job is too small or too large to be given the most painstaking care and attention. Both A. W. Trask and his associate, s. H. Sterner are well known throughout the valley, all though having been interested in their present business for a short time. For two years Mr. Sterner was connected with the mechanical department of the Holton Power Company and in that capacity made an extensive acquaint- ance which serves him in good stead in his new enterprise. A. W. Trask IS originaly from Illinois but came to Fl Centro year ago last June. Like his partner, he is a practical man and a master mechanic, thoroughly understanding his trade.