WALNUT! 1878: ITS BUSINESS MEN
Who They Are and What They Are Doing
We wish in this week’s issue of the News to give a general, but brief sketch of the many men who are in business here. Should we overlook one we will rectify it in our next issue. To commence with we will take the well-known firm of
S H & A G LODGE This firm as well as all others, advertise extensively, and it but corresponds with their large business. They carry a general stock of merchandise, and their name is as familiar in this and adjoining counties as the contents of a family almanac. As we walk up Central Street we drop into
DR WIARD’S drug store. He carries a large stock of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, books and stationery. If you don’t want any of the above articles get one of those fine cigars, and if it makes you sick let the Doctor prescribe for you. He has an extensive office practice. We all go from here to
THE POST OFFICE which is presided over by that obliging gentleman the ladies took for a preacher a short time since. As we leave the post office we come to the millinery store of
MRS M L HARDENBROOK where we find a large display of fine summer hats, ribbons and everything usually kept by a first-class milliner, and such is Mrs. H. By the time a purchase is made one begins to feel hungry, and steps into the
COMMERCIAL HOUSE where we can get a good meal set up to us for 25 cents. After dinner is over you can step into
JOHN CASEY’S and get a glass of beer, pop or lemonade. If you have taken beer you will feel happy and want a new suit of clothes, so step in to
PACKARD & SPANGLER’S and get it. You will find “Mun” or that prince of good fellows, Dan Zimmerman, ready to wait on you and supply your wants. By this time you may want some hardware and
GREEN BROS is as good a place as you will find in the State to get it. T….. a full line of builder’s hardware and contractors would do well to look over this st……t price before making a purchase. In the next building the grocery and dry goods business is represented by
PACKARD & SPANGLER The keen eye of W S Packard keeps this store well supplied with groceries and provisions, as well as a large stock of dry goods, which he puts over his counter at a low price. As we go farther we come to the furniture house of
FRANK GARDNER Who deals in all kinds of furniture. Undertaking a specialty. Frank is building a house on that beautiful avenue, north of Central street, and rumor says he will soon be married. If such is the case he is happy, and will sell goods cheap. In this connection we will mention the firm of
….& WILLIAMS who will paint your house, grain your doors or do you a fine job of sign writing. Now, when you are thinking of signs, just look up and you will see the sign:
ST ELMO RESTRAUNT You do not want to stand still and look but go right in and have Gallogly get you up a meal. He will do it for twenty five cents.
O M BRUCE Has a complete outfit of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, blanks, books and stationery, nice toilet articles, and fine perfumery. “Bruce” is well known all through this county, hence his large trade. Out side of the drug business, he also deals in stock, always paying the highest market price.
DR WM. BOLDING has his office here and all …ers left for him will be promptly attended to.
FRANK STOWE has a show case full of fine jewelry, watches and clocks to which he invites the attention of the public. He can fix your chronometer so that it will tick away time regularly. The next two store rooms are occupied by
MOERSHELL BROS There is but little need of our mentioning this firm as it is well known. They keep a large stock of every thing that the ladies want as well as a large supply of groceries, clothing, boots and shoes. Obliging parties are always on hand to wait on customers. Up stairs you will find
A B SLATER who occupies the front room. He is an extensive dealer in real estate, and nearly every day his office is crowded with men looking for land. He loans money on long time, is also interested in shipping stock with O M Bruce. In this office may also be found a member of the legal fraternity
I N FLICKINGER He is an attorney of no mean proportions; does a very large amount of collections, and always has cases in each court, in this and Shelby counties. He has a clear head, and is generally at his post attending to duties.
L CARPENTER The “long” auctioneer may be found in this office. He is always in tune for business at reasonable terms. Immediately back of this is the
“NEWS OFFICE” Modesty prevents us from saying much here. We take pleasure in referring you to the columns of this paper for the style of our work and to the matter contained as to the kind of a “quill we shove.” We will compare our job work with any west of Chicago for neatness and price. Cross the hall and call upon
DR FRED S THOMAS This gentleman will attend to you in a professional-like manner if you are sick or ailing, and advise “open air” if you don’t need medicines. He requested us not to blow him up, so we drop down stairs and go into the store of
LEBECK & JOHANNSEN These gentlemen are thoroughly posted in the quality of the goods they handle. They buy for cash, and are largely patronized. From here guided northward by the polar star we come to the boss clothing store of the west, presided over by
AL LODGE Mr. L. is well known, having been identified with Walnut’s interests from time immemorial. He knows just how to fit you out. Can furnish you a suit from 15 cts to $25. There is no need of dressing like a Fejee Islander when Al’s around. Being a little thirsty you can cool your parched tongue at
DICKMAN BROS with beer or soda pop. Those who indulge think King Gambrinus was a “bigger man than old Grant” to invent such a beverage. Immediately back of Lebeck & Johannsen’s is the wagon and blacksmith shop of the
CARSTENSEN BROS They know just how to put iron and steel into any shape you want it and are chuck full of business all the time. Going east a block and a half on High Street we find the extensive wagon and plow shops of
HENRY HAGGIE He turns out fine work and lots of it. He employs the best workmen and warrants his work. He also does general blacksmithing. Crossing over the street we find the large lumber yard of
HUNTOON & LAMSON They handle everything in the lumber line you want and are doing a fine trade. Coming back to Central Street we drop into
P CASEY’S meat market. He keeps a clean shop and knows just how to slice you off a piece of meat in a first class style. Next to them is
HENRY KAY the shoemaker. He is always a “pegging away” and does good work. Now you look hungry, so drop in
BEATH’S And replenish the inner man. Al makes the best bread in Iowa. His ice cream is fine, and the rest of his goods in proportion. South of this bakery is
BILL BURKE’S fancy grocery store. He sells everything from a “Ben Davis” cocoanut to a “Ben David” sack of flour. Here we drank the coolest glass of lemonade that ever surprised our stomach. Next to Billie’s is the furniture store of
W S MOTTER He keeps wooden ulsters for mortal beings. In fact everything kept in a furniture store you can find here. Next to Motter you find the Star Meat Market of
ED CLEVELAND presided over by that jolly good fellow, Will Hill. Here you pay your money and take your choice of meat. Next is
H E SPURRIER This gentleman keeps a full line of hardware. His estimable wife is doing a millinery business in part of the same building. Both are gaining friends and building up a good trade. Next room is the city grocery of
W S MOTTER He is too well and favorably known to say else. He knows how to feed the public from his store.
ED HIGGINS handles beer to his many customers by the glass or by the bottle—he keeps the “celebrated Milwaukee.” He has a fine billiard hall up stairs.
MC KINNIE. the grocer, is fast becoming popular as a grocer and well he may, as his goods are always nice and fresh. He also carries a good stock of dry goods and notions. Hunger again striking you just where you live, you refresh, by dropping into the
CENTRAL HOUSE Kept by Jos. Sankey. Too many people have eaten here to need my pen to describe. They know your wants and will supply you.
“DECK” the barber, will give you a boss cut or a tony shave in short notice. Next room south is the office of
DR. FRANK HANNA a practicing physician, who can cure you in less time than it takes to tell it. Often his patients, as soon as cured, walk right into the
EXCHANGE BANK of E R Hinckley. This is the only banking house in our town and does a very fine business. The room in rear of bank Mr. H. uses as a land office, where a very large amount of real estate is bought and sold every week.
MR. J C STEVENS makes this his headquarters, and buys a large amount of ‘porkers.’ He likewise deals in cattle.
FRED FRESE makes harnesses, saddles &c. and anything that anybody wants in that line or can get. His shop is in north end of Central House. He is a fine workman.
O S TAYLOR East end of Sankey’s hotel is Jack Taylor’s blacksmith shop. Jack does lots of work and his charges are reasonable. The
BROOM FACTORY is represented here by Sankey, and he is turning out good work. What’s the use of going dirty when you can buy a broom cheap?
SANKEY’S LIVERY BARN looms up in the distance, where you can have a team on short notice and “pull the strings” to your heart’s content. Then near this you see
GURLEY GREEN’S FEED STABLE No horse goes hungry here and the stable is always full. Cross the street you find the
BILLIARD HALL of the McWilliams Bros. A good clean and orderly place. Walking back toward Central Street you pass by
PETER KOHL’S HALL beneath which beer is sold. Passing rapidly along here you come to
J B S CASE’S hardware and tin store. He is always busy and does a good business. Next is the scale office of
ELI CLAYTON & CO They own the largest elevator in western Iowa, and do a fine business. Everybody knows this enterprising firm. In close proximity is the insurance, loan and collection office of
W H LINFOR This gentleman is always wrapped head and ears in business. If you knew the amount of business he did every day, you would wonder how he retained his fat. His collections are immense. Adjoining is the agricultural house of
SHUGART & CO presided over by Parker Lewis. They sell an endless variety of implements and their sales are very large. Next to them is the boot and shoe house of
W B EMMONS presided over by Charley Merrell. They insure a good fit, so measure your foot after which you can go to
AVERY, SPANGLER & CO grain elevator, coal and implement office. Avery is well posted in machinery and the Spanglers will always pay you for grain all it is worth. They have a fine elevator. They are old business men. Next is
THE WALNUT HOUSE. Henry Ott, proprietor. He knows how to run it. Likewise his saloon below is a very orderly place. The lumber yard of
HENRY & ALLISON is on this street. The lumber never rots in this yard as it is continually being hauled away. Near this is the Henry elevator now run by
W J LEAK & CO. They never let a load of corn, wheat, rye or oats stand long upon the streets until they have it in their elevator. Next is the flouring mill of
J P AGLER & CO. They make the celebrated “Straight Grade” flour. They are running nearly all the time, day and night, and are called the boss millers of the slope.
E B WILSON is the man to call on before you go home, as you may need a wagon to carry your goods home. He can furnish you with any vehicle, from a baby wagon to a band wagon, at low prices and in superior style.
We have only made a busy sketch of our business men at this writing, and at some future time we will tell our readers more at length what is being done in our town. We will look around next week among the various branches of trade and if we have omitted any we will give their business mention next week. And now may grace, mercy and peace abide with you until we get over our Fourth of July parade. (The Walnut News, July 4, 1878) [Editor’s Note: . . . indicate words that were not readable. Central Street is now Antique City Drive and High Street is Highland Street.]
The following business men carried ads in the first issue of The Walnut News on May 30, 1878:
Dr. W. F. Wiard, drugs, medicine.
W. F. Burke, groceries.
Gallogy & Wilson, St. Elmo restaurant.
W. H. Linfor, real estate.
Packard & Spangler, dry goods and groceries.
Fred Frese, harness.
W. S. Motter, furniture.
City Grocery, W. S. Motter.
P. Casey, National Meat Market.
L. Carpenter, auctioneer.
B. Slater, real estate.
Ed. Cleveland, meats.
Lebeck & Johannsen, dry goods.
Avery, Spangler & Co., grain.
J. B. Johannsen, Justice of Peace.
S. H. & A. G. Lodge, Pioneer store.
Moershell Bros., dry goods.
Henry & Allison, lumber yard.
J. B. S. Case, hardware.
O. M. Bruce, druggist.
John P. Agler, Eagle Mills.
Shugart & Co., implements.
Packard & Spangler, clothing.
Fred S. Thomas, M. D.
Wm. R. Bolding, physician.
Dr. F. Hanna, physician.
E. R. Hinkley, Exchange Bank.
Henry Ott, Opera House.
Flickinger Bros., attorneys.
J. F. Stowe, jeweler.
F. M. McGimpsey, drayman.
LOCAL MARKETS IN 1878.
Eggs– are worth 7c per doz.
Butter–6c and 8c per pound.
Flour–$2.90 per cwt (100 lbs.)
Corn–15c to 20c per bushel.
Wheat–70c to 72c per bushel.
Oats–15c per bushel.
Hogs–$2.80 to $3.10.
Cattle–Extra $3.00 to $3.50.
Butcher stock–$2.00 to $2.25.
(The Walnut Bureau, Golden Jubilee Edition, October 6, 1927)
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