The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-08-31
description Of the Big and Growing
JobbIns House and Manufacturing
plants Of the irwin. Phillip.
Company.
a VISITORS IMPRESSIONS
says keokuk People Do Not Appre.
cIate Al. They Should the lmpor-
lance and the Utility Of This
Enterprise to the Town.

big dry goods firm, the IrWin-Phlllips
Company, the largest dry goods job
bing house In the world-in city OF
no greater population than that OF
Keokuk. 1t constitutes one Of the
most important factors that combine
10 make Keokuk the largest jobbing
center in the United States, consider
ing the population Of the city. Con-
temptation of this great mercantile
enterprise Is not only provocative OF
feelings of civic citation in the citi-
zen but 1t Is the envy and dispair of
neighboring cities who aspire to the
status OF "jobbing center" The fol-
lowing article, written by a recent
visitor to Keokuk, who inspected the
lrwin-Phillips Co, wholesale store
and It's manufacturing plants. indi-
Gates the reputation of this firm
abroad and the manner in which 1t
lmpresses the stranger:
What Stranger Saw.
''The visitor to Keokuk, IL he is an
observant sort of a fellow, looking
below the surface Of things, al
shove all anxious to place his finger
upon the real assets OF the city upon
the rapids, It's tangible evidences
prosperity, will see much more t.
the big dam to arrest his attention,
although for all purposes that is big
enough to conjure with. He will see
business institutions that have been
pouring their wealth into the lap of
Its people for many decades-but do
ing II all so quietly and unostenta-
tiously that the thousands who pass
their doors do SO unconscious that
a multitude of men are employed
within their walls and that not only
Keokuk but the big state of Iowa and
neighboring states are being enriched
thereby.
ITO illustrate, take the large i'm
porting and jobbing house of Irwin
Phillips Coz established in 1S56--em-
bracing dry goods, motions, etc. 1t
was a genuine pleasure for the writer
Of these lines, having few hours to
spend in Keokuk and being in search
of the substantial evidences of Keo-
kuk's growth. to step into this large
wholesale house and take note Of
what was going on.
"The writer was fortunate in meet
ing Mr.. Wells NJ. Irwin himself, who
has been connected with the business
almost from it's inception and largely
instrumental in its growth. A very
busy man, Mr.. Irwin fell in readily
with the visitors suggestion that he
would like the privilege of going
through the house. 1t was observed
that the most cordial reception AMI
hospitable treatment was extended to
all corners. whether visitor or patron,
new or old.
THE business is housed in mum
Der of large buildings, principal one
OF which is 140x66 feet, four stories in
height In this building is stored tne
finished product. Here are prints, silks
dress goods, ginghams, velvets, mus
Inns. etc. in immense quantities anc
OF all patterns and quality that arc
on the market The principal office.
OF the firm are located on the frs
floor. This floor fairly groans Will
the products of the firms own manu-
acture, for it must be borne in mint
that stock such as overalls, launderec
and unlaundered shirts, pants, cordu
roy clothing, etc, are turned out o
their own manufacturing plants. on
of which we are shortly to enter, tht
other being located in Hamilton, III
Across the alley from the main struo
ture and we are in the annex, a YER.
hive OF industry. In this factory i
manufactured the goods above men
toned, the most approved and effec
tive of modern machinery being en-
ployed in every department.
The visitor was impressed by til
large number of people employed
and more particularly with the hig
quality of the product manufacture
all of which is marketed under TIL
well known trade mark Indian Head,
a synonym for all that is best in Or
goods and notions
1.-THE third and last building cute
ed was the warehouse, large stru'
ture 50x150 feet. Of three floors en-
basement, where the large duplicat
stocks Of goods are stored.
Here then were three large built
ings, fully occupied in taking care {
the firms large business Surely her
was sufficient occular demonstrate
OF one of the reasons of Keokuk's
nancial and business standing. 3,
this is not all To carry on this larg
business 2b0 people are employed, II
Guiding nineteen travelling salesme,
those in tho store and the operative
in the factories. The nineteen trave
ing statesmen are continually on IN
road, covering the states OF souther
Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa. Missouri
Nebraska and South Dakota, with