Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-08-03
GRoss RELAY & COMPANY

The present firm of Gross, Kelly &
Company dates back to the Missouri
river and freighting days into New
Mexico. The old firm of c. r. Moore
head e Company located at Leaven-
worth, Kan, did a very large business
throughout the territory Of New Mex
leo and Arizona. w. d. Kelly, father
Of II. w. Kelly, president of the pre-
sent company, Jacob Gross, j. p. Sell
els and Miguel a. 'Otero, father of
former Governor Otero, were asso-
ciated NTH the firm in Leayenworth
from 1862 to 1866. This was while all
the freighting was done from that
point into the territory of New
MeXico.
Otero, Sellers and Company COM
menced business in Sheridan, Kan,
then moved to Hays City, Kan, then
to Kit Carson, Colo. This was on the
old Kansas Pacific railroad, now the
Union Pacific. From Kit carson,
Colo, the firm of Otero, Sellers and
Company moved over to the Santa Fe,
to Granada, Colo. In October, 1873
Mr. Kelly joined the firm, working
firm then moved, an (1S75, to La
Junta, then to Eel Moro. Colo, in 1876,
at the time Colorado was admitted TO
statehood. From lei Moro the firm
of Otero, Sellers and Company moved
to Otero, New Mexico. This was a
town before Ration, and is now a small
sidetrack this side Of Ration. This
firm moved TO Las Vegas in 1878 and
M 10 !, H., l.. IL
and Company, bought out the firm of
Otero, Sellers and Company and eX-
tended their business throughout the
entire territory, and now state of New
Mexico, and in 1887 they bought out
the firm of Slower, Carey and Com
pany, at Albuquerque. The former
location here was where the Alvarado
Hotel now stands, as all of the old
citizens of Albuquerque will remem-
Der.
The firm of Gross, Kelly and Com
pany succeeded Gross. Blackwell and
Company, January /, 1901. Mr.. Kelly
has been associated with the business
since 1873. He started as office hoy
and worked up through various posi-
tons. And today can sweep the floor,
keep the books, in fact, handle any
position in the store, and is still active
in the business.
The firm dates back to the Indian
and buffalo days and practically all
the old timers remember the firm,
having done business with it for many,
many years. During all these years
the concern has shown a steady and
growth and at the present
time is covering all territory in Cen
trail New Mexico, keeping fifteen men
on the road continually. The plant
here is one of the most modern whole
sale houses to be found in the entire
1t embraces $4,000 square
feet of floor space, all of which is
utilized by the various departments
of the business. Be ides this space
room, warehouse embracing 10000
square feet of floor space is brought
into service for storage purposes.
Branch houses of the Gross, Kelly
organization are maintained at East
Las Vegas. ~ NJ, Pecos, N. NJ, Trini-
dad, Colo, Rowe, N. M, and Santa Fe,
n. M. Officers and directors of the
are: II. w. Kelly, presi-
dent; Jacob Gross, president;
Clarence lden, secretary treasurer,
and Donald Stewart and c. c. Rob-
bins, directors.
The Albuquerque branch Is under
the management of e. n. Boule, who
has surrounded himself with a most
force of salespeople, office
assistants and housemen, each one
lending hearty cooperation in keep
ing the Gross, Kelly and Company
standard of service to the highest
point attainable. Mr.. Boule came to
in November, 1917. from
the Santa Fe house, which he opened
up for the concern. He has made
many friends while here and takes
this means of wishing for a continued
business with all "old timers of the
firms acquaintance, also thu new
Corners.