The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-27
SETS new MARK
Holiday Trade This Year the
Biggest Ever known.
Topeka Merchants Unite in Re-
porting a Heavy Increase.
SHOPPERS BUY BETTER GOODS
Never Spent So Much Money
for Presents Before.
Bankers Unite i'm General Ex-
preston of Satisfaction.

When the dust was cleared away
and the excitement of the holiday
trade had subsidized last Friday night
Topeka merchants began to take
stock They found that the 1915
Christmas trade set a record that far
overshadOwed the business of former
years In some instances the in
creases were enormous
One of the characteristics of the
buying this season more than ever be-
fore was the desire for quality, the
merchants say. From toys TO house
hold furnishings was this desire the
actuating motive Every buyer
seemed to want the best OF course
there were many low-priced articles
sold in the stores but a greater per
cent OF the holiday trade was for ex-
pensive products
The fame of Kansas and Topeka
prosperity is widespread. The other
day visitor came TO Topeka and said
to friend:
What is this I hear about Kansas
banks being full of money and the
people prosperous Everywhere go
that is all I hear
The man expressed the general con-
dition of the state which is manifest
ed locally to a great extent Robert
Caldwell. assistant postmaster, stated
that the business of the local office
this year was about twenty-five per
cent greater than ever before The in
crease in the parcel post business was
it on parcel post packages has been
raised from twenty 10 fifty pounds in
the last year.
Merchants Are satisfied
Every business man on Kansas ave
nue. today expressed himself as being
entirely satisfied with the big increase
in business this year over last
Here are some expressions which
will give an indication of the volume
OF business done in Topeka during the
holiday
Fred voiIand. of the voiland Cloth
ing ompany-Ftne trade It came
steady and with increasing proper
tons during the two weeks. Couldn't
5. L Courtney, of the Courtney Mil
Iinery ParlOrs Our business was
trebIed this year We have no fault
TO find
William Connors-The holiday bust
ness this year was very good and we
are com pleteIy satisfied with the big
increase
J 9 Emahizer, of the Emahizer
and SpieIman Furniture com pany-
Our business was up to standard
E H Crosby. Of Crosby Brothers
and consequently cannot tell how big
an increase there was in the holiday
business this year over last There was
a considerable increase, however
P o. Hagan. Of the Mills Stores
com pany-The holiday business .ex-
ceeced our expectations and We are
satisfied
David August of the August Cloth
ing Co--Without exaggeratiOn. the
business We handled this year was 10
per cent ahead of anything we ever
handled before There was a remark
able increase in every department and
I'm ready for rest
; E Cobb, vice president. Bank of
TOpeka-There was a big increase in
pre-Christmas deposits and general
business unquestiona bly, was the best
We have ever had
H G. Guthrie. assistant cashier
Central National bank-Though our
books haven't been gone over yet, it is
very evident that We handled a much
bigger business than we did last year.
J. E CARBOHYDRATES merchandise
and more Of it was bought this year
than last
Charles Mitchell. of Crane & Co
We handled a big business last year,
but We beat il this year.
H. G West cashier of the Farmers
National bank-Our business this year
was at least a third larger than that
Of last year.
I Felix of the Felix Clothing Co
Our holiday business for this year
shows a big increase over that of last
year
c W King of the jenkins Music