davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03
WHATS THE SENSE OF
SHIPPING GREEN FRUIT /?

Yesterday the Telegram printed
dispatch in which it was stated that
the price of Florida grapefruit was
down to one dollar per box in the
northern markets for the evident
reason that fruit shipped was green
and unfit to be eaten. This is a very
serious matter for the fruit growers
OF Florida and it is high time that
intelligent, concerted action was
taken to check the slump and re-
store the price to a profitable figure.
Obviously there is but one thing to
DO and that is to stop shipping green
fruit. There are some very interest
ing, accurate and timely views on the
subject which We take from the
Fort Pierce News which we strongly
commend to all growers who want a
good price for their fruit:
up to Oct. 81, 500 cars of crane
fruit had been shipped from Florida
and 40 cars of oranges. The market
reports showed that this fruit had
been sold at an average of about
sl.50 a box, while much of it did
not bring over s1.00. Experienced
growers know that this will not paw
and the wise ones are staying out of
the market and allowing their fruit
to ripen on the trees. October is a
poor month for these fruits in the
north as there are plenty of good
apples and other seasonable fruits
on the market and the people will
not buy green fruit when they can
get other fruits that are ripe and at
reasonable prices. Next month con-
ditlons will be much better. One of
the best growers in this section told
the writer ten years ago that grape
fruit was not fit to eat until Thanks
giving and oranges until Christmas
The growers themselves do not eat
1t, therefore why should they expect
the northern people to buy it. The
people are not as green as the fruit
SO the shippers may expect to lose If
they are looking for suckers. The
reports from the markets last week
all stated mo exchange fruit Of
fered," which shows that the Flor
ida Citrus Exchange is too we'll
yersed in market conditions to shin
any green fruit"
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03

If the Democratic party doesn't
win another great victory at the
polls in the national election today
it will be because all signs fail. 1t
is too late now to either brag, bet or
predict-but we hazard the gentle
guess that the people of the United
States are going to endorse Wood
row Wilson and his policies this day
and elect another Democratic
House.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03

Florida is destined to be in the
character of it's population the most
thoroughly representative American
State in the Union for they are
coming here from all parts of the
nation. The State could never
realize it's mission otherwise nor
find the full development of its vast
and varied resources. Provincialism
will be a thing unknown here a gem
Grafton from now.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03

Only a few days ago Senator
Fletcher announced his purpose to
secure for Florida naval stores the
same privilege extended to cotton in
the matter of expectation to the
ports of the warning countries; and
yesterday the Telegram carried an
Associated Press dispatch announc-
ing that rosin and turpentine had
been removed from the contraband
list by England. Some senator, that
man Duncan U. Fletcher!
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03

Lakeland placed another feather
in her cap entertaining the old Vets
so handsomely, is the way the
Clearwater Sun looks at it. And
Lakeland has two other Zig State
conventions to entertain in the near
future that will put more feathers
in her cap. Lakeland is the conven-
tion city of Florida par excellence.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03

The true Florida autumn is at
hand and this brand Of weather in
which our fortunate people are now
basking is as near perfect as we can
hope to fine anywhere in this i'm
perfect world. We have less to CON-
plain of down here in Florida than
any people on earth.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03
BRITISH NEGROES FLOCK.
ING TO MIAMI

Miami. Nov. 3.-Each boat that
plies between Miami and Nassau
brings in large number Of colored
people seeking work. II is said that
business of all kinds in Nassau is
paralyzed on account of the war.
The last schooner, the Hattie Darl-
ing, brought in thirty-six colored
people from Nassau.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03

The Interstate Commerce Com
mission is seeking detailed informa-
ton regarding all block signal and
train-safety apparatus in use in
American railroads,
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03

From the same ONCE ID issued
THE LAKELAND NEWS.
4 weekly newspaper giving . resume
II local matters, crop conditions
county affairs, etc. Sent anywhere
Tor 800 per year.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-03
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.

AZ rn,.,,n. $50
Three mOnIne ...........'' Law
Delivered anywhere within the
.iuits of the City Of Lakeland for ~
cents q week.
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
Pine Bluff JobberS and Wholesale Merchants


r. Willerford and V. O. Alexander.
The stock was capitalized at $4,000.
" 0. Alexander was elected Prcsi-
dent; T. E. Gillespie, Secretary; A. w.
Mum. Vice-President; and E. R. Will
lerford, Treasurer.
Since this last reorganization, the
concern has continuously engaged in
the wholesale business, and it's affairs
have been in charge of the following
officials: " o. Alexander, President;
J. c. Chestnut, e-President; and
Robert Finley, Secretary and Treas
urer. The amount of business is on
a par with that transacted by the
leading wholesale grocers in the
state, and there are none that accord
their customers better treatment, or
offer for sale goods of superior quail
ity than those sold by Gillespie Bros.
This firm not only enjoys the dis
tinction of being a most prosperous
and progressive enterprise, but had it's
origin at a time long before many OF
the older establishments were in con-
temptation in this state. Six very
competent grocery statesmen are out
covering all of Southeastern Arkan-
sas in the interest of the company,
and assisting in putting it's business
over the half million mark. 1877
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

agement of the concern and the sue
cess of his efforts to make the bust
ness everlasting is evidenced by it's
growth since that time. The firm was
incorporated under the name of C. M.
Ferguson e Son, with a capital stock
of 100000. H. II. Ferguson is it's
president, H. S. Reynolds, vice-presi-
dent, and r. M. Vance, secretary and
treasurer.
When the grocery house first enter
ed business it occupied a building 1870
by 1870 feet. 1t now occupies three
buildings, the combined floor space
being twice as large in square feet
as it's original quarters. 1t has a
large force of travelling men on the
road ana the officers and attaches
of the firm are business getters and
they deal with the trade in manner
that retains it once the firm makes
a shipment.
In addition to a full line of grocer
les. c. NJ, Ferguson 4 Son carries an
assortment of the standard brands of
canned goods and foodstuffs. The
firm has the exclusive agencies for
the following we'll known brands:
The celebrated Hunt Brothers
Canned Fruits, the New Orleans Cot
fee Company's products, including the
leading syrups and molasses, such as
New South. Everybody's Evaporated
Cane, Sweetland and Raven; the
Larsen Canning Company's High
Grade Canned Vegetables, Skinner
Manufacturing Company's superior
quality; Spaghetti and Macaroni, Shell
by Biscuit Company's Crackers and
Cakes, Merrill-Soule Company's Nom
Such Mince Meat; Lexington Milling
Co.'s Red Feather, Red Wing, Marvel
Self-Rising and Lexington Flour;
Magnolia Cotton Oil Company's
Crusto Lard; the very popular Next.
can Commerce, r. b. and Don Juarez
Cigars. ~
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
e. A. Linaker4ss:

i =. :
WHOLESALE ii eaf dealers have found
Pine Bfdff an excellent distributing
point. and in recent years have built
up large meat trade in the local
ity. One of the most active con-
Germs in that line is the c. A. Lima
ker company, with it's headquarters
on Walnut street, where the offices,
warehouse and cold storage plant
are, located. Mr.. C. A. Linaker, al
influential citizen OF Pine Bluff, has
been in the business for eighteen,
years, eight years in Pine Bluff,
and within that time. has opened a
branch of the establishment at Hole,
Arkansas. Most of the trade is. bu'it
UP through the travelling statesmen,
who cover all of Southern Arkansas,
which is thoroughly canvassed. The
firm has been enabled, also, to .c:111l-
pete with the packers and meat JOB
bers of this city, and Little Rock, in
it's bid for trade north Of Pine Bluff,
and is forging ahead rapidly Its
products are always as represented
of the highest grade. The meats are
disposed of so rapidly that the COZ
sumner receives them very shortly az
ter they are obtained by, the COM
pany. : sa
The hams, bacons and sides are
smoked ii the quarters adequately
adapted for that purpose, and are
prepared in the cleanest manner, and
by the use of the most up-to-date ap-
planes. The salt meat room can
contain three carloads, and is very
nearly always full to meet the re-
quirements of the customers. The
meats are of the general varied Tines,
with fancy hams and bacons, and
such meat products. C. A. 1inaker
carries a quantity of the meats and
lards. particularly the famous com
pound lard, of the Armstrong Pack
ing company of Dallas, Texas, and
these are easily saleable everywhere.
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
c. NJ. Ferguson & Son.

Ns Ne ECISuSOu ~ OVHs
No wholesale grocery house in Ar
kansas can offer finer monument
to energy and good business methods
than that of c. M. Ferguson & Son,
of Pine Bluff, which stands prominent
among the larger firms of Southeast
and Southern Arkansas, and whose
record for success in an equal num-
Der of years is not excelled by any
similar business house in the entire
state.
Being founded in 1892 by the late
c. M. Ferguson, as a retail grocery
house with a mere side line in the
wholesale field, the business has
grown until it ranks with the most
substantial wholesale house in this
state. Mr.. Ferguson came to Arkan-
sas from South Carolina. He was a
man of family and being man of
high ideals in the every day life and
a business man whose methods were
never questioned, he naturally enjoy
cd the confidence and trade CT his
new made friends. In 1899 his son,
Fl. II. Ferguson, having completed his
education. became associated with
him. the firm being listed in the bust
ness world as G. M. Ferguson & Son.
In 1906 the retail business was dis
continued, because of the fact that the
wholesale department had grown most
satisfactorily and because the men,
bers of the firm believed that Pine
! Bluffs future promised bigger an"
better results as a Jobhing point.
Just as he 'was realizing his ambition
in seeing his firm assume its position
among the leading wholesale houses,
Mr.. c. M. Ferguson; in February, 1911.
suffered critical illness and passed
away. His sen, determined to make
the business a monument to the good
name and the energy displayed by his
father, assumed the business man
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
HARDWARE CO. WHOLESALE BuLDING-sTATE VIEW

that is kept on hand. Every llhe
and grade of hardware is carried 10
make it possible for all customers "
be satisfied The firm has in contem'
plation the erection of a new bullolhs
to be four stories high, ia feet lone
and SO feet wide. This structure vii.
probably be completed by January u
next year, and will be one OF tne
most imposing of the store pu,lu,
ings in the city, as well as capaole
of containing full and varied supply
OF merchandise.
The concern is in the hands OIL
some of the most capable Duslle0'
men of Pine Bluff, who have been up.
firing in their efforts to advance ,ne
interests of the city. Mr.. rrea roA
is the president. He has been coun
Gilman for more than twenty vea vs.,
and only recently concluding tnat n,s
other duties conflicted too much . WV,
his office in the council, retlrea i'S S;e
that body. In recognition u .ho
business ability he was maze NV
chairman of the finance cohlln ,.,;uo
and assisted materially in sos, "h
some of the perplexing financial p u,oIs
lens of the city. The other on' sanv
of the Fox Bros. Hardware oompu
are Lee Fox, vice-president,. anu rh ~,
c. Fox, secretary and treasurer. :. 81
present location of the company .sr
4O7 and 400 Main street. the ~ !, a and
address being that of the relai ', DO.
the latter that of the wholesa''
Dartment.
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

business that is done within a radius
of territory embracing all Of South
east Arkansas and Northern Louisiana.
The company has two cotton ware
houses, we'll equipped, and construct
ed especially for the storage of cot
ton. They are both brick fireproof
structures. One. of them is situated
on the Cotton Belt tracks at Third
and Mulberry streets; the other along
the Iron Mountain tracks; at Fourth
and Hulsey. The warehouses have, a
capacity to contain ten thousand bales,
splendidly protected from fire and
weather.
There is another warehouse for the
grocery department, land III this there
is kept on hand everything in the
grocery line, in order to instre prompt
shipment and quick service to- the
customers. This warehouse extends
over a quarter of a BLOCK, and has a
floor space Of forty THOUSAND square
feet. The main office and the gro
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
Arkansas NM Supply Comp..ny:,;t. &,

I @a!s,k Il \
Arkansas Mil Supply. COMPANY, s
AS an incident 70, the prevalence Ut
lumber mills in this. sectioa Of 'he
state.4fhere has dexst rel cons tr ~,
that Nftt,a the comparatively sho;t,
time 1t has ue.sn established he's,
has assumed immense prororutLs.
That is tie Arkansas Mill Supply Co.,
doing the grearest amount Ut inac'ila-
cry trade of aiy similar establish
ment In the state. It has its head
quarters In Pine Bluff. MAINTAINING
its offices and shops at Louisiana
and -Four tn sfree:s. A considerable
part Of its business is also transact
ed at the branch office in Camlrm
az it's actiyaf ~ arc, not n s.r'c'cd to
the territory INN e1iately surround
ing Pine Bluff In fact. most Of the
sales are effected beyond .'ef:'a'stn
county. as the Eumccols salesmer
traverse more than a third OF the
state. wherever lumber, or other,
mills are; being operated.
In 1870 the Eam.ol Hardware &
Mill Supply Co: was organized in
Ca.mden.' In 1905 the Fox-Harris
Mill & Supply Co. was incorporated
in this city Both of these concerns,
responding to the varied needs Of
mills. became factors in the mill sup
ply business of the South, and, final
ly consolidated In May, 1912, with
paid up capital of $4,000. This was
an amount that warranted the tran
saction Of the immense business,
which. under careful management,
has placed the firm on most re-
sponsible and profitable basis, and
in a position to dispose of mercha1-
disc OF the finest quality at the least
cost to the purchaser. Within the
past year the amount of sales sur
passed quarter of million dollars,
with large increase in prospect
from year to year.
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

the name Armstrong" proving SUI
ficient warranty to most consumers,
almost to preclude other producers
from entering the. field. The co,i'
pany offers for sale, and finds a
great demand for, the Moton-Greyson
brands of pure lard.
The cold storage plant is quite an
extensive one, and covers almost ii
extensive, and at the rate at which the
business is increasing, it will soon lie
necessary for the firm to arrange FOR
more spacious quarters. Naturally
the C. A. Linaker company, in ef-
fecting most of it's sales out of the
city, has brought about an ap2Gecia-
BILE Increase in the freighting bust
ness in and about Pine Bluff, as sew
eral hundred cars are employed ar
aually to transport it's products t.
the purchasers.
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

practically every town of any size in
Arkansas. Their grocery business
covers the varied lines, without spe-
cialization.
Inclusive of the cotton department,
the amount of business done will ag-
gregate $2,5O0,00O annually In the
city there is handled by this firm ap-
proximately 100000 bales of cotton,
and through the branch offices, $4,000
bales additional, making a total 81
$4,000 bales. The consignments 81
cotton directed to this office are re-
ceived from all over the state, and
beyond the line from Louisiana, Ten
nessee and Texas, especially from
points on the Cotton cit railroad.
The stockholders of this corpora
ton all reside within Pine Bluff, and
have identified themselves with the
leading enterprises of the city, being
associated with great numLc~ OF
movements tending to its growth and
expansion.
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
Fox Bros. Hardware Company.

Fox Bros. Hardware Company.
Starting out in 1882 as partner
ship with an original capital of $1O,-
100, the Fox Bros. Hardware Company
conducted strictly retail business,
md did not engage in wholesale trade
Until some years subsequent. The be-
ginning Of the firm was very auspi-
,ious, as the business transacted in
he first year amounted Ito 100000.
t was not long thereafter that the
yolume of business, and the rcputa-
ion that the firm had acquired, war
'anted the extension of the business,
md the incorporation of the whole
sale department.
So remarkable has been the growth
of the concern that it's real estate
holdings alone are valued at $4,000
and the valuation of the stock is
something like $15O,C0O. In all de-
partment over 100000 worth Of
business is done annually. Foul
travelling statesmen are kept con.
stantly on the road, disposing Of the
stock OF the company throughout ev.
cry part of Southeast Arkansas, ant
portions of Louisiana. The range Of
trade is always being extended, ant
the operations OF the firm will very
shortly be evident in every section
of the state. In both departments
there are employed 40 people.
Although ten floors in three build
ings are occupied with the merchan
disc of the establishment, that spac,
is inadequate for the amount of stool
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
J. B. Speers Company.

Pine Bluff owed much of her de-
velopment in the early days to those
enterprising citizens whose aim was
to make of this great market for
cotton and the products of the farm.
Along with several similar concerns.
the ]. b. Speers company exerted
considerable influence, thereby at
tanning remarkable growth and pres
tige, in effecting thSt desirable end,
and now, after thirty years of activ-
ity, has become one of the most inn
portant factors in the wholesale line
and cotton business.
While the firm was constituted very
much as at present. comprised OF some
OF the most Industrious and keen busi-
ness men of Pine Bluff, it was origin
ally, in 1883, organized as partner
ship. A few years later, the firm was
incorporated, and subsequently the
charter was surrendered, and a part
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

menced business. it had been doing
a general supply and furnishing bust
ness, and had wide list OF custom
ers throughout the county and neigh
boring sections.
!, There, was a, complete re-organiza-
ton of the firm n 1901, when the per-
sonnet OF the stockholders was con-
siderablY changed, and retail dealings
were discontinued, the company con-
centfating on Wholesale business ex-
clusMely. The company was compos-
led of the tollowingat6ekh John
F. and TIE. Gillespie. A.'W. Num-, E,
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

Gerry warehouse are located At .9oo
Pine street, where the railroad fac;l
tiles can easily be taken advantape -
On an average, ten travelling sales.
men are kept we'll occupied all ove,
this section selling the products If
the Hammett Grocery company. ). /
At present the capitalization is
much larger than it was originate
being 100000, and the surplus s2Oa.
900, a sum very significant of the
volume Of trade; that the company con.
trolls. Its officers and stockholders
comprise some of the people of great.
est. prestige and business ability in
the city. Mr.: Clifton Howell, very
capable business man, is the president
and manager of the. cotton depart
ment;s Mr.. W. I. Dewoody is the vice.
president: Mr. A.: w! Num-, secretary
anu, treasurer, and manager of the
grocery department; and Mr.. W. l..
SR1,ummett assistant manager of the
grocery department.
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

ed by the following representative
bushes smen of Pine Bluff: Mr.. John
F. Gillespie, Mr.. Thomas E. Gillespie,
Mr.. w. B. Alexander, and Mr.. ]. P.
! The concern was then
capitalized at $4,000 I'm. january,
1897 ,ssJohnsF and Thomas F. Gillespie,
with sMr. v. 20: Alexander, PURCHASED
the share of Mr.. w. B. and Mr.. j. P.
alexander. > The capital was~reduced
to $50, 100, and no change in the capt.
tai stock or charact ersQf business was
'effsSsed .lintil,s 100 l.sw Outing theSs long
!since the company COM
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
j. b. SPEERS co. BUILDING.

j. II. SPEEkS w. BUILDING.
nership again formed. In January of
this year. it assumed it's present form,
being capitalized at 100000, and hav-
ing for its officials these able and
progressive gentlemen: w. w. Byrd,
president: J. B. Speers, vice-presi-
dent; Henry Speers, secretary and
treasurer. With these, the other di-
rectors are Mrs. NJ. f. Speers, Mr.. p.
p Byrd and Mrs. Ida Langford.
The principal transactions Of the
concern are carried on here. hut
branches are maintained at Little
Rock and Fort Smith. where the bus
mess is confined to the buying and
selling of cotton. The ]. B. Speers
company, in the conduct of its affairs
here, has become very potent fact2S
as wholesale grocer and cotton factor.
Their commodities are disposed of
throughout the state, as five men from
the grocery department are always
on the road. and make their sales in
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16
HAMMETT GROCER co. MAIN BUl
uammatt GTocery COmDany.

HHMmetC UfOcefy IVMpah!s
The Hammett Grocery Company,
one of the oldest and strongest assets
in the wholesale and cotton activity
of Pine Bluff, began operations in
1881 as wholesale grocery and cotton
storage company. 1t was not incor-
porated, however, until 1884, when it
was capitalized at $4,000. 1t has
been doing business as a corporation
for thirty consecutive years, which
have been years of progress and in
crease of patronage, even beyond the
rate at which the city has been de-
veloping. -
At the time OF it's inception, the
company operated as cotton factors in
addition to transacting a relatively
large wholesale grocery trade, hand
ling copsignments of cotton. The SER
vices and splendid treatment accord
ed the merchants and planters
throughout Southeast Arkansas have
been compensated for in the immense
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

ESSisG1Vsl sa aiG.s;33g - foI o.Ec III
il the operation of the plants. They
specialize in steam pumps and air.
compressors, but deal extensively in
railroad supplies, and everything per-
tanning to mills, factories or mines.
In order to fill orders promptly for
articles of such varied nature as are
demanded by their customers, there
Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-16

s1Sis ~ MN, " s LoEslsiSa
has been most responsible for the
position in the commercial field of
this vast concern Having been en-
trusted to his management, it bids
fair to become an industry, in it's
line unrivalled by any in the South,
as its supremacy in this state has
already become unquestioned.