davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26

Up the appearance of the exterior OF
the buildings in the block and chose a
light tan as the color.
The painting committee also suggest
ed that a darker tan border be used in
the decorations and this idea was ac-
cepted by the members OF the organi-
cation. The property owners in the
block stated willingness to work in
conjunction with the merchants. The
painting started Thursday.
The suggestion to make the opening
day Dollar Day had been previously
agreed upon. the merchants deciding
10 offer the public merchandise at
some recklessly low prices. AS a way
CT suitable decorations. the suggestion
for hanging large dollar signs in the
middle of the street and also arches on
the side. similar to those used during
the Modern Woodmen and Royal Neigh
bors' convention here last spring. was
adopted.
Bleuer's band of 16 pieces was hired
for the day TO play nine hours during
the day, two in the morning four in
the afternoon and three at night
And the merchants are still making
plans for a big opening day. They are
not completely satisfied with the pro
sress they have made thus far. and are
displaying remarkable pep" in getting
together and not only arranging for
the day 10 be a big one for their in
dividual stores, but are working united
~ for bringing about a big successful
opening for the block as a whole.
And after opening day is over and
the boost il brings TO the block will
have made itself felt on the business
increase TO the various concerns, the
1900 Block association will not feel
that its work is over and rest back
content
Il will continue to plan for the 1900
block and to arrange boost after
boost, with the prompt and successful
manner il which it is bringing about
the coming opening day.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
BLOCK CONTAINS
A GREAT VARIETY
OF MERCHANDISE
Nearly All the Ordinary Wants
of Man Can Be Sup
piled There.
MATCH TO A POWER PLANT
Food, Clothing, Lodging, Entertain
ment to Be Had Here to Suit
Almost Any Taste.

The 1900 block is a representative
business block of the city.
Determine the truth of this state
ment by conceiving yourself as stand
ing in the middle of the block. Should
you be vain, you might wish some
photos of yourself. The Philleo stu
dio would attend to that for you. And
if for Sunday dinner you would wish
to carry to your home a fine outlay
of groceries, of as good quality as
you could purchase anywhere in the
tri-cities, there is a grocery store on
either side of the street to care .for
your wants.
Too. this is the season Of the year
when man looks to warmth for the
winter. Suits and overcoats may be
purchased, either custom or tailor
made, in shops in the block
And were you a stranger here, with
no home. you would be well cared for
in the 1900 block. You can find hotel
accommodations to suit your purse
either an elegant suite with bath or
able to turn into and pound away at
pillow. AS for your stomach, there
are restaurants that serve fine meals,
and a cafe, where you may join the
merry at night.
You could want for a fine cigar or
any smoking articles, almost at any
juncture in the block, and just by fall
ing you would be in front of a door
which would lead you to it." Your
feet are cared for in the 1900 block,
and as for amusement you can help
bust the trusts" at one theatre where
Universal pictures are shown, or at an
other movie, you can see the licensed
films thrown upon the screen.
Mild drinks, and the stronger ones,
too, should you wish the more stimu-
lating kind, may be had in this block.
A drug store on the corner will
care for any number of your needs,
and one of the finest jewelry stores
is found nearby.
Heat and Hardware.
For heating that room, or that
house, there is a concern which finds
it a pleasure to help you, and as at
any time in life you may have to get
some of the hard" articles, a hard
ware store can fix you out. Your boots
can be shined and your suit pressed
just to your liking here.
After you picture to yourself the
number of various types of business
represented in the block, you will
have to think long before something
you will essentially need which cannot
be purchased in this block, the bust
ness men of which have just gotten
together to warm up matters in the
east end of the main tloroughfare of
Rock Island.
IF it is, it's in the 1900 block"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
J. A. WADDELL,

One of the live boosters in the 1900
block is J. A. Waddell, proprietor of
the Waddell European hotel at 1S0911
Second avenue. Mr.. Waddell is well
known in business circles here. For
nearly 10 years he conducted the bar
Der shop which is now on Eighteenth
street, and was also an officer of the
Rock Island House company. Mr. Wad-
dell has operated the present hotel for
over five years and enjoys a liberal
patronage. He caters only to tran
scient trade. There are 30 modern,
we'll furnished steam heated rooms in
the hotel.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
AKIN sCHWENKER.

The iAkin-Schwenke company is one
of the most progressive firms of the
1900 block. 1t is located at No 1907.
This store is just four doors from the
corner of Eighteenth street and Sec
ond avenue, the center of Rock Is
lands business district. The Akin
Schwenker company operates a chain
of three shoe stores, one in each of
the three cities, and has established
a retail shoe business second to none
in the community. Their policy is to
carry extensive and well selected
lines of popular priced mems, wom-
ems and children's shoes and to give
their customers the best possible val
ue. Quantity buying is a great help
to them in this, as the same lines are
handled in each of the three stores
The Akin-Schwenker company began
business in Rock Island nearly three
years ago, when they acquired the
business OF Dolly Bros. Since that
time the business has enjoyed a
steady growth under the efficient man.
agement of George H. Sclwenker Mr.
Schwenker has been connected with
the shoe business of Rock Island for
many years. He was the manager of
the old Boston store under the owner
ship of George A. Price, and after
wards manager of NJ. & KS shoe de-
partment. This position he held I'M
til he became connected with the
Akin Schwenker company. Mr..
Schwenker is a member of the 1900
Block committee, and as such is work
ing tooth and nail to make the 1900
block the most attractive block in
the city.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
PHILLEo PHOTO SHOP.

Among the leading photographers in
the tri-cities is Mrs. Grace Philleo. pro-
prietress of the Phlileo Photo shop at
1S0112 Second avenue. Her husband,
c. w. Philleo, conducts similar studio
in Moline Mr.. and Mrs. Philleo have
been taking pictures in this city for
the past nine years, and their large
patronage has been secured through
their fine work
Mrs. Philleo has been located at the
present stadio in the 1900 block for
three years and for over four years she
operated photo shop at Seventeenth
street and Second avenue. She makes
a specially of postals, panel and cabi-
net photographs.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
What the Merchants Offer

big dollar will
has before
Band Concert, Morning, Afternoon Night
Naudev at Night
Given
II the
The public closely merchants of
The public farther
Thursday
will clock when the
adv
will be
anticipated
To the sale be
Offering
a o
block afternoon and
will be Beuer will play the forenoon
n will be
will the
hundreds
three vaudeville cabaret
Metropolitan which has record
n
will this feature of the
will be night also The merchants have secured
nd awordot the auto
block
until difficulty
gei
bvi1be bedecked Already
Block holiday
inn or
the larger globes with 1900 Block"
tn
sand display
block Thursday that the opening day will be
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26

were as follows: Kellerstrass e Vo-
ler's meat market; Hass Hardware
store; G. Z. Smith, barber; May Bros.
Crockery company, and the corner
store was vacant at that time.
The merchants and business houses
on the south side of the 1900 block
were as follows, starting at Nine
tenth street: The Island City house
(now the New Harper), John Stafford,
proprietor; Charles Fisher conducted
a barber shop in the basement of the
hotel and Hiram West conducted a
saloon and pool room there. Then
came John Swanson's shoe store, and
Stengel's saloon was at the corner of
the alley, where it still stands, now
conducted by the son, Gus Stengel.
Next was Banding & Blanding's fur
niture store, Darts hall and Darts
Wholesale Grocery company. The
Dart hall, now occupied by the Rock
Island Hardware company. was built
in the same year that Mr.. Stader came
here. He could not remember who oc-
cupied the corner building, now Sexton
Bros clothing store.
Second Avenue a River.
In recalling old times, Mr.. Stader
recalled several when the river over
flowed Second avenue in the spring.
He was forced to wade knee deep
from Fishers barber shop in the Is
land City house to his home on Tween
ty-second street and Second avenue,
now the Burlington yards. He plainly
recalls the big fire in the Island City
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26

has extended the patronage
of the place, and the owners are gain
ing new customers daily. building up
a large clientele. The cleaning and
pressing of suits is also an important
part in the establishment. \ reputa-
ton for high class work has been
made by the firm in this department.
The cleaning and reblocking of hats,
too, Is attended TO here.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
HuSTLERS BEGIN
BOOSTING BLOCK
IN SHORT ORDER
Swinging Signs Come Down
and Painters Put at Work
Changing Color.
BETTER LIGHT; WHITE WING
Tho-ouehfars to Be Kept spiek and
Span Throughout the Tear-Mel
Work Together Like Clock.

Although Il was agitated somewhat.
shortly following the opening of the
1900 block last summer. the organiza-
tim Of the 1900 Block Business Mems
association vas not brought about until
the afternoon OF Wednesday. Oct. :,
ata meeting held at the New Harper
Thus il can easily be seen that the
association meant business. Tor its
mans we're made quickly; wisely. too.
and we're carried out with the same
aims toward success that the in6ivid-
uals Of the organization conducted
heir own stores which give them mer-
ituo1s returns.
Almost Immediately. or IN the base
hall term. right of the bat" after the
meeting convened the association
chose its officers Anyone who is &C
qusinted with, the business history OF
Rock Island knows that the men in
the organization were bent on making
= IRE showing and in boosting trade 10
their ve-y door. for those they chose
10 head the association long have been
associated with public enterprises and
aiding In the upbuiIding OF the city.
The officers chosen were:
Presideut-N- II. Sexton
Vice Pres!dent-Jacob Ramser-
Secretary and Treasurer-Otto Prizes
te-.
The officers compose the executi-s
board
And another indication that the or
Plantation would be in the game for
trade here was the passing OF resolu-
tions fayoTilE the bold issues for the
new jail and Rock river bridges At
their initial meeting.
Plan Bright Spot.
Plans were adOr-ed AZ this first
meeting 70 make the block the bright
est spot in the city. with the installa-
tlon Of 250-candle power tungsten
lights on the top Of the ornamental
pcles and put on 2O-inch globes ins.ead
Of 16-inch. as at present. They also
decided 20 employ a white wing" in
me block and appointed a committee
10 confer with the city council 10 ac-
complish this cad. At the first meet
ing over 30 merchants in the block
were present.
The second meeting held was on the
Friday following and the committee
U A4EAtAAE aAlDAntt4 AuGL ~ AAhA-
closed a contract with the Electric
Construction and Machinery company
TO furnish 2OO-watt nitrogen lights and
that $500 Block" would be painted on
the globes.
The committee reported that the city
council could not assist the associa-
ton in the payment OF a white wing
so II was decided 70 hire one out OF
the funds OF the association. Other
committees as follows were appointed
az this meeting:
Advertising. II. Haege, II. a.
ClevenstiHe. Joseph Cohen.
Opening-Carl J. Mueller. Jacob
Rsmser. II. o. Rolls, Z. Gettleson, ]. /
A CahaiI
Street committee-Fred T Myers. I
Joseph Cohen. J. Ramser-
Decide 20 Paint Block.
Although il was suggested at this F.
meeting 10 paint the buildings in the
block, 10 definite step was taken in .
THIS regard until the meeting held last I
Tuesday. The members OF the associa- /
ton a. this time favored Frightening .
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
BISMARCK BAR.

The Bismarck bar, which is rated as
one of the most attractive in the three
cities, is located at 1916 Second ave
nue.. Gus Stengel, proprietor, is a
native born Rock Islander, and has
been in the liquor business for 10 years
in this city at various times. The best
known line of wines. liquors and cigars
can be found at The Bismarck.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
Decide 20 Paint Block

Although II was suggested at this
meeting 10 paint the buildings in the
block, no definite step was taken in
this regard until the meeting held last
Tuesday. The members OF the associa-
iion a. this time favored Frightening
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
CENTRAL SHINE PARLoRs.

Among the very unassuming stores
in the 1900 block is the Central Shin
ing parlOrs at 1912 Second avenue. One
year ago Thee Louis and Steve The
oros opened the place and have main
tanned il along business lines. Eleven
chairs in the parlor and expert, speedy
workmen have made it possible for
the place to secure a reputation for
quality and promptness in work. The
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
MECCA BUFFET.

The Mecca Buffet, at 1905 Second
avenue. is owned and operated by Fred
Mussfeidt He conducts a high class
bar and has always maintained an or
DERBY saloon. The interior of the place
is fitted in modern style and petite en-
ployes wait on the trade.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26

house in 1869. when the entire interior
of the hotel was Quilted. The proprie-
tor of the hosiery was accused of
setting the structure afire. After the
building had been remodeled the name
was changed to the Rodman house,
under a new management.
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-22
PURE FABRICS.

The controversy over purity in fabrics and leather
having waned somewhat the general press has been re-
newed by the trade journals In the June issue OF Dry
Goods symposium the bject of pure fabric bill is
presented About six out of ten dealers favor such BILL
but as to the provisions they divided 1t is significant
that they in favor of any pure material bill at all
Were to believe of the manufacturers the entire
trade against such legislation This does not seem to be
the One fabric manufacturer quoted by Dry Goods
believes that the public should know and know author
tatively what they buying He would have the law
go the limit in causing manufacturers to label correctly
each piece of goods Another maker says that when
wooden fabrics advertised wooden they should be all
wooden, not wooden and cotton.
One manufacturer believes that it would wound the
buyers pride to be told that the wooen goods he is get
ting really part cotton. This is something similar to
the argument of some shoe dealers who opposed to
pure shoe lawthey would hide the fact from
that they not getting all leather shoe, because
sometimes shoe with substitutes for leather is supposed
to be superior. So the contest wages The opinions ex
pressed in Dry Goods supplemented by statement In
Fiber and Fabric This trade journal laments the frau
in bargain sales of Imported" CLOTH Men well as
women shoppers said to be the victims of unscrupu
lous retailers and cheap tailors One western WOODEN
manufacturer according Fiber and Fabric recognized
piece of his cloth in tailor shop in eastern city. In
qury brought out the story of how it piece of
English wooden, not to be equaed and bargain at 81
yard-the jobbers price. suit would cost $50. Now
this cloth sold by the manufacturer for 81 yard
at the mill the mill making profit of 10 cents yard
Is there need for protective law covering the
purity fabrics and eather9 Certainly there to be-
If this evidence is reliable little vigorous prosecution
under pure fabrics law something after the of
that under the pure food law would quiet the actv
ties of unscrupuous members of the trade If this pr
cpe applies to wooden goods applies equally to leather
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-22
THE STATE AND THE RAILROAD.

The most daring step that the New Haven monopoly
took-the acquisition of the Boston Maine-developed
into its worst blunder It eight since
negotiated for the control of the Boston Maine There
were legal difficulties in the way public consent
lacking; legislation necessary The result
the passage by the general court of Massachusetts of
railway holding act under which the Boston Railroad
Holding company organized This holding COM
pany formed the tie that bound the Boston Maine to the
New Haven The Boston Maine a rich and valuable
property. The Encouragement of the New Haven
dragged it down. year ago the demand for invesga-
ton and separation became state ssue lately the dsso
luton of the New Haven monopoly became national
issue.
Under the peaceful agreement which the department
of justice and the New Haven have reached the New
Haven must set free the Boston Maine But under the
railway holding act which the New Haven obtained from
the Massachusetts, legislature the consent of the egsa
tre must be had before dissolution outside the federal
courts may be accomplished Hence 1t develops that the
present session of the Massachusetts legislature has before
1t the consideration of the New Haven-Boston Maine
holding act Governor Walsh in special message urges
the members to hasten such action may be necessary
remove all legal obstacles to the dissolution which is
SO generally desired.
Under the holding company act it provided that
the state might giving notice. and under certain cir
cumsances endeavor to acquire the stock of the Boston
Railroad Holding company. Under the agreement be-
tween the New Haven and the federal government the
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-22

stock of the Boston Maine must be taken from the New
Haven and sold to interests not allied with the New Haven
if desired, the state itself may acquire the Boston
Maine stock Governor Walsh would have the state
slider such purchase The message presents the
plainly 1t shows the gross which Massachusetts
permitted in the formation of the holding company Re-
ferrng to the holding act, the governor says:
No
holding
all the
Governor Walsh suggests that the legislature clear the
way for referendum the purchase of the Boston
Maine by the commonwealth of Massachusetts, He would
have referendum called unless at least $4,000
join in petition Thus Massachusetts, to the very
verge of state ownership of railroads. and it comes not
it's DESIRE but out Of the force of circumstances
veoped by monopoly.
Los Angeles fair about its advertising.
Now submit that is highly unfair for Los Angeles
to to Kansas City and fall he arrives at
the depot Frustrated by heath But Kansas City retaates
by declaring that the merely seasck from watch
ing the of the grain while passing through the Kan
wheat belt!
Haven't been taught for ages that all need for
prosperity southern Idaho good prices for wool and
sheep? And haven't the good prices7 So why not the
prosperity9
After what it has succeeded in doing to the harvester
trust with the approval of the United States supreme
court Missouri will have to be excused for feeling little
cheSty.
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-22
6sKMOTHER, have often wondered
MH why violets are so many shades
4V-A r hj..~v

6& " IlGNt HdFc oitSh WohuSieo
MH why violets are so many shades
Iva of blue"
Mother laid aside her work and took
the big bunch of violets her little
daugher handed her.
There are a great many shades in
the bunch, aren't there, DEAR" she said,
kindly, there are light blue, medium
blue and dark blue" And white and
yellow" said the little girl interrupting.
$50 many eolors and all just violets. l
wonder why that is p
There is fairy story about that"
said her mother.
ooh, tell it to me quick" cried the
little girl, and she settled down COM
fortably to listen.
"Once upon time" her mother be-
gan. "all the violets in the world were
white"
THAT must have been a long time
ago." interrupted the little girl, "for
all the violets | remember are mostly
blue"
ooh, it was long time ago. her
mother assured her, "long, long ago.
before there were any people on the
earth maybe"
But there were fairies, oh lots of
fairies, and busy little creatures they
were, too.
One day the fairy queen picked a
beautiful bunch of these same white
violets.. do you know" she said.
looking them over carefully, Il think
these flowers would be pretticr if they
were good many colors instead of all
Just white"
$50 do II said the queens lady-in-
waiting, who was standing nearby,
lets call the fairy painters and change
the color of the violets."
I'VE want you to paint some violets
for u.s." the queen announced as the
painters appeared before her.
Very well, Your Highaess," re-
sponded the painters politely, what
color shall we paint them 2"
The queen had not thought of that,
and she looked around hastily. Dear
me, don't know" she whispered to
herself, and then she noticed the beau
tiful blue sky. Paint them the color
of the sky" she announced; that's
easy to see and go by. Paint them all
the color of the sky and will come
hack this evening and see how well you
have worked"
The queen and her lady-in-waiting
passed on through the forest and the
painters set busily to work. The sky
of the noon time was a pale summer
= = - =.
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-22
The Evening Cht-Chat

ject of open fireplaces. She has an
old-fashioned house. not at all luxuri-
GUS, in fact. even a trifle shabby, but
all her children love their home, de-
light to. stay in 1t and bring others to
it. And chief among the agencies which
help her to keep such tight hold on
their heartstrings, she places the open
fireplace.
We have no money to waste" she
said, but / do not call it wasting
money to keep that fireplace always
bright. II is such happy gathering
place for all our clan. And then you
never lack for something to do when
you have an open fire. We love to sit
around 1t while someone reads aloud
On Halloween we read ghost stories by
the freight. and on Christmas Eve
Dickens Christmas Carol. In the fall
we roast chestnuts and apples in the
fire and sometimes we toast marsh
mallows before 1t. Sunday evenings
my daughter sits down In the freight
and plays the dear old hymns, and we
all cluster around the fire singing
them Half the meaning would be
taken out of our life IL we had to give
up the open fireplace"
IF a wood fire is luxury" says
Charles Dudley Warner, 1T is cheaper
than many in which we indulge with
out thought. and cheaper than the
visits of a doctor made necessary by
the lack of ventilation of the house."
On the whole. do you think you can
afford to be without hearth?
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-22

7HE family has gone as an in
stitution, though there still are
attempts to bring up a family
/ around a register. But you
might as well try to bring II