paid on the ordinary share capital, making, with the in-
terim dividend already paid, 9 per cent, for the year. The
balance of ;^14,103 Is. was carried forward. The retiring
directors. Alderman Sutton, H. T Peterkin and George
Whyte, were unanimously re-elected.
The linoleum works of the Oxolin Syndicate at Mitcham,
in the outskirts of London, were completely destroyed by
fire on March 3.
Hirst & Roger, the Philadelphia Tapestry and Velvet
carpet manufacturers, have had their plant running to its
full capacity throughout the entire season. It is very
evident from this fact that the trade appreciates the prod-
uct of their mills. Their new location at Kensington and
Allegheny avenues is admirably adapted to the manufac-
turing of carpets. They extend an invitation to the trade
to call and see them in their new quarters and inspect
their goods.
PACIFIC COAST NOTES.
The carpet and furniture business is very quiet, and is liable to
become more so if a good heavy rain is not forthcoming. Spring
trade is very slow in awakening, and the war
San Fraacisco, scare constitutes the principal topic of the day.
April 6. ^ severe shock of earthquake visited this city
and vicinity last week, and shook things to the
foundation. The property loss about town was very small, the
greatest amount of damage being the shock to people's nerves.
Trade is so quiet that even the earthquake did not shake it up.
D. M. Crowley has opened a furniture store at Nelson, B. C.
Joseph E. Fredericks & Co. report very fair trade in all depart-
ments of their store.
D. N. & E. Walter, notwithstanding the general depression, have
been very successful in securing many good orders.
A new business venture in Blaine, Wash., is that of Goodfellow
& Wolton, who have opened a furniture store there.
The Charles M. Plum & Co. Upholstery Company report their
fine carpet business as much improved over past seasons.
W. J. Cordes, owner of the carpet department in the Emporium,
has established a rug department in conjunction therewith.
R. H. Chilton has sold out his furniture business at Spokane,
Wash., and returned to his old home in Waitsburg, Wash.
Charles L. Beal, representing Thomas Develon's Sons, Philadel-
phia, is enjoying a good trade with that concern's excellent Extra
Supers.
J. E. Field, probably one of the best known lace curtain and
upholstery men in the business, has accepted the position of manager
of the upholstery department of the Emporium and Golden Rule
Bazaar department store.
S. L. Frost, Jr., a well-known furniture dealer of Marysville, Cal.,
passed away in that city a few days ago at the age of sixty-one
years. He was born in Michigan, and came to California in 1859,
and for a time worked on a farm near Honcut. Later he started in
the furniture business in Marysville with J. J. Shaffer, the firm being
widely known as Frost & Shaffer. In late years and up to the time
of his death he had conducted the business alone. Mr. Frost leaves
a widow and daughter.
The affairs of the San Francisco Furniture Manufacturing Com-
pany are again in the courts. Judge Slack has made an order find-
ing that John C. Hughes, the former assignee of the company, is in-
debted to the corporation to the extent of $12,531. This was the
case in which the corporation failed for $9,000, while the assets were
estimated to be worth $43,989. Hughes was the assignee appointed
in insolvency. He took charge at once and conducted the business.
Last August, however, the creditors called upon him to resign, alleg-
i ng that through his bad management the original indebtedness of the
company had been nearly doubled. Hughes resigned and went to
Tacoma, Wash., but before leaving filed certain vouchers with the
court. The matter was looked into by Attorney G. R. Lukins, who
obtained a copy of Hughes' bond, on which the sureties were F. W.
M. Lang and E. H. Lang, who qualified for $35,000. He then
moved that the statements made by Hughes be looked into. This
was done, and it was found that the indebtedness was as given
above. There is a possibility that the bondsmen of Hughes may
be sued. Golden Gate.
A
SAMPLE CARD OF INGRAIN TERRIES.
,Ex. Crow, Jr., will increase his product of plain In.
grain terries for the fall season, enlarging his Hne of
colorings over that of the past season. Mr. Crow will
shortly send out to the trade a sample card showing a
great variety of colors in Ingrain terries, the card repre-
senting a new idea in this direction. The fall lines in all
grades of Ingrains produced by the Caledonia Mills are
practically completed and will be on show by May 1.
Office Boy — There's a stranger at the door.
Editor — Does he want to pay his subscription ?
"I suppose not. He says he is anxious to see you." — Ex.
The Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review.
THE SADIK RUG COLLECTION.
iNCE obtaining larger quarters the
rug department of B. Altman &
Co., this city, has become a
highly important feature of
that firm's great establish-
ment. Altman & Co. 's repu-
tation as dealers in reliable
goods only, is maintained in
its rug trade as carefully as in
the other departments of the
house, and in its offerings of
Oriental rugs this feature of
the firm's policy is particu-
larly conspicuous, for the stock
comprises some of the choicest
and rarest rugs and carpets
ever shown in this country, and the offerings generally are
distinctly high in grade. This remark applies with special
force to the celebrated Sadik collection which Altman &
Co. have been so fortunate as to secure, and are now pre-
senting to the inspection of connoisseurs and the public
generally. Mr. Sadik, one of the most prominent rug col-
lectors of his day, spent years in securing the rare and
precious examples of the Oriental rug weaver's art
which are now on exhibition in this department. The
rugs in this collection comprise a variety of sizes, large
and small, and range in value from $10,000 downward.
Among the choicest pieces may be mentioned an antique
Kirmanshah, a rare example of floriated design, an antique
Sirdar, in which a dark ground of sapphire is elaborately
wrought with arabesque lines in rose red; an antique
Persian silk carpet, in which the design is that of the old
Persian Triclinium, and an antique Sarak rug. Silk and
mohair rugs are especially prominent in the collection, and
many fine effects in Persian weaves are included in it.
We present below a cut showing the Sadik collection as
arranged in the spacious room reserved for it under the
direction of Mr. Jones, manager of the department.
FIRE IN A CARPET MILL.
riRE broke out April i at about 3 p. m. in the Davenport
Mills, corner of Hancock and Somerset streets, Phila-
delphia, and for a time threatened to spread through the
entire building. It first appeared in the third story of the
westerly building, occupied by Harvey & Clark, manu-
facturers of Smyrna rugs, and burned at a furious rate
before the arrival of the fire department. The building
was, of course, flooded with water, and the occupants of
the stories below got the full benefit of it. The second
story is occupied by Edward Ludwig, manufacturer of
Ingrain carpets, whose goods were badly damaged by
water. John H. Donlan, also a manufacturer of carpets,
is in the same story with Mr. Ludwig, and came in for his
share of the soaking.
John Davenport, owner of the property, occupies the
first floor, and the flood came in a very inopportune time
for him. Mr. Davenport is of the firm of Davenport &
Hawley, who are just starting in the manufacturing of
Tapestry carpets, and their factory is filled with new
machinery and stock, including quite a quantity of printed
yarns ready for the loom. Aside from the delay in the
new enterprise, Messrs. Davenport & Hawley will experi-
ence some loss in damage to the new machinery, estimated
at about $1,000. The mill will, however, be in full opera-
tion in a few days. Harvey & Clark's loss is $1,000, no
insurance; Ludwig's loss is $3,000, insured; and Donlan's
loss is $1,600, insured.
UPHOLSTERED HANDLES.
THE Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company have secured ex-
clusive control of a patented process for covering
sweeper handles with velour, or velvet, and it is apparent
that the practicability of this feature will appeal at once to
the trade and the consumer. These handles will be cov-
ered with handsome velour or velvet in variegated designs
and patterns, and will be mounted with nickel caps and
bands. These richly upholstered handles will not only be
delicate to the touch, but will prevent the marring of fur-
niture in sweeping under beds, tables and lounges, or
when the handle tips over by accident, as often occurs.
These handles will add materially to a carpet sweeper
display, and cannot fail to promote the sale of Bissell
sweepers.
THE LONDON FUR SALES.
A LONDON paper says: "The public fur sales have just
taken place, and although it was considered in well
informed quarters that the prices of the furs generally
would hold their own — the general range having been very
low — the sharp rise which has taken place was not antici-
pated. Almost all classes of furs have increased in value.
Hudson Bay and American marten (usually called sable)
are fully 25 per cent, up, dark skins even 40 per cent. ; but
the prices of the common and cheaper sorts will rate about
the same as last year. Mink is in great request for all
countries, and is 25 per cent, higher. Skunk, another
fashionable fur, is 25 per cent, to 33 per cent, up ; but last
year's values were extremely low, so that a rise in the
value of this fur has not caused any surprise. White fox
skins for dyeing in the present fashionable colors are on
CORNER VIEW OF B. ALTMAN & CO.'S ORIENTAL RUG DEPARTMENT.
The Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review.
an average 30 per cent, higher, but they also were cheap
last year. Black bears had a sudden rise, owing, it is
understood, to large Government orders, but the common
skins were priced much as usual. The Russian dealers
take most of the beautiful silver foxes, but some fine skins
were retained for home orders. On the whole, there has
been a good rise on last year's exceptionally low prices.
This has no doubt been caused by the Americans buying
their own furs direct. Owing to the new regulations and
duties on the furs belonging to people entering America,
inhabitants of the United States are compelled to buy their
fur garments at home instead of going to England or
France for them.
Boston,
April 9.
THE TRADE IN ST. JOSEPH, MO.
AN important commercial interest of St. Joseph is the
furniture trade. Four large firms are engaged in
that line, carry heavy stocks and occupy more floor space
than furniture houses in larger cities. The retail trade
extends for a radius of 300 miles, and the volume of the
trade of St. Joseph will reach $1,000,000 annually.
The Louis Hax Furniture Company, now composed of
Louis Hax, Sr. , and Louis Hax, Jr., was established by
the elder Hax nearly half a century ago. The store was
then a small one on the west side of Market square, and
from that humble commencement the present mammoth
house has grown. Besides the retail furniture, this firm
does a large jobbing business in carpets.
Next in point of age is the Weigel & Sons Furniture
Company. This firm has been in business in St. Joseph
for sixteen years. It also has had a remarkable growth,
keeping pace with the city. Weigel & Sons began busi-
ness on Third street, but the increase in their trade com-
pelled a change in location, and they now occupy five
floors on Sixth street, besides two warehouses.
Another firm that has had a remarkable growth is
the Enterprise Furniture and Carpet Company. It has
been in business in St. Joseph for seven years, for four
years in the present location, on Sixth street, between
Edmond and Charles, where it occupies six floors. The
growth of the trade enjoyed by this house has also been
wonderful. It was established on a much smaller scale at
Felix and Market. By energy and application to business
it has built up a trade to its present proportions.
Kirwan, the house furnisher, is also an example of what
perseverance and business pluck will do. Besides furniture
Mr. Kirwan carries a complete line of house furnishing
goods. Ten years ago he started in a small way. His
Imsiness has grown to such an extent that he now occupies
six floors, 22xr27 feet each, at 313, 315 and 317 North
Third street. Mr. Kirwan is enthusiastic over the future
of St. Joseph, and thinks it has started on an era of great
prosperity.
All four firms mentioned report a demand for the high-
est grade goods manufactured, and say that the people of
St. Joseph are evidently not suffering from hard times.
J. B. Brady & Co. are exclusive dealers in carpets and
curtains, a line rather closely associated with the furniture
trade. This house is among the oldest in St. Joseph and
does a heavy and constantly increasing business.
BOSTON BUDGET.
Extensive improvements are being made by the Bay
State Carpet and Furniture Company in its establishment
on Hanover street. The partition between
its two stores has been removed on the first
floor, a fine new front is being put in, and
an elevator has been built into the centre of the commo-
dious structure.
Manager Bacon, of R. H. White & Co., was in New
York this week.
Most of the Boston carpet houses report an improve-
ment in trade the past ten days.
Miss F. Woods, cashier at Thomas O'Callaghan & Co. 's,
and well known in New York, is at home ill.
I. W. Chick, of John H. Pray, Sons & Co., will be away
for some days on a trip to New York and other places.
George T. Horan, carpets and furniture, Charlestown,
has occupied the store formerly leased by E. A. Carter.
The Klondike Upholstering Company is a new firm, at
33 Portland street, in the quarters formerly occupied by
the New England Parlor Suit Company.
Gilbert, Brooks & Tebbutt, carpets, rugs, &c., 39 and 41
Summer street, who suffered loss of $15,000 (fully insured)
by fire March 37, will reopen their store on the 11th inst.
Houghton & Button, who have just put up an immense
modern structure for a department store, in place of their
old one on Tremont street, without interruption to their
business, have placed their carpet department on the fourth
floor, where it has ample room. Thomas W. Rich is
buyer. Wall papers are on the same floor, as upholstery
goods will be also when the building is completed.
New England Notes.
Eli M. Northrop, dry goods, carpets, &c., New Canaan,
Conn , has sold out.
Cleland & Underwood, carpets and furniture, succeed
Cleland, Healy & Underwood, Natick, Mass.
The store of the William H. Post Carpet Company,
Hartford, Conn., is to be enlarged and improved.
The C. R. Pease Company, carpets and house furnish-
ings, Nashua, N. H., has been incorporated, and succeeds
C. R. Pease.
Jackman & Sexton, of Nashua, N. H., carpets and fur-
niture, who failed recently, have paid the 25 per cent, on
their liabilities for which they settled.
A fire in the building occupied by the Household Fur-
niture Company, on Weybosset street Providence, on
April 9, caused a loss of about $25,000.
W. C. Patten has resigned as manager of L. P.
LaBonte's carpet and drapery department, Manchester,
N. H., and will go into another business.
E. D. Hall & Co.'s carpet and furniture store at Meri-
den. Conn., was entered on March 25 by burglars, who,
however, secured no booty. It is presumed that the
" job " was the work of boys.
The Albert Mills Company, Pittsfield, Mass., has been
incorporated to carry on the business of house furnishing
with a capital stock of $30,000. Arthur A. Mills is presi-
dent and Edgar Laurence treasurer.
The E. W. Lynch Furniture Company observed its first
anniversary by holding a special opening on the 25th ult.
at the store, 255 Main street, Worcester, Mass., where the
WILLIAM T, PETHERBRIDGE.
LuUlb BUKtNS
COMPRISING THE FIRM OF PETHERBRIDGE di, BURNS, PITTSFIELD, MASS.
proprietor and a competent force of assistants were in at-
tendance to welcome their friends. In addition to the special
display of furniture, &c., the store was handsomely dec-
orated with palms and potted plants, and chairs and couches
were arranged in the different departments for the comfort
of the guests while they listened to an excellent concert by
the Battery B Band, which was engaged for the occasion.
_ F. J. B.
CELEBRATED THEIR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.
ON the 4th inst. Petherbridge & Burns, Pittsfield,
Mass., had a formal " Easter opening" and cele-
brated at the same time the fifth anniversary of their entry
into business. On this occasion there were music by
Clark's Orchestra and souvenirs for the ladies; no goods
were sold, but the members of the firm and their salesmen
devoted themselves to the entertainment of their visitors.
The firm is composed of William T. Petherbridge and
Louis Burns, portraits of whom are presented on this
page.
Starting in the spring of 1893 with a limited capital and
in poorly arranged quarters, they began by making their
store as attractive as possible, and from the start demon-
strated that under the most adverse circumstances success
may be won. From a small beginning the business has
grown to its present proportions, they having done the
largest business in furniture and general housekeeping
goods in the county. The old store was crowded with
goods, so that two years ago it became necessary to hire
the adjoining store to accommodate their rapidly growing
carpet trade ; but even this was not enough, and in the
middle of last December the firm decided that it was
necessary to find larger and more modern c|uarters.
They leased the stores 295, 297 and 299 North street —
Bums' " Yellow Block " — which was altered so as to make
it one of the largest, brightest and best appointed stores
in the city.
The establishment includes three stories and basement,
making a floor space of 26,000 feet — all the floors are con-
nected with a freight elevator, so that goods are handled
with expedition and care. In the basement are mattings,
refrigerators, crockery, tinware, &c. On the first floor
are desks and office furniture, sideboards, chiffoniers, hall
trees, &c. On the second floor are dining room furniture,
upholstered goods and odd pieces, tables, cabinets,
dressing tables, chairs, cabinets, pictures, frames, &c.,
as well as a room where commercial men may show
their samples, photographs, &c., and where the buyer
may be free from interruptions — Messrs. Petherbridge
& Burns have great regard for the comfort of the " boys
on the road." The carpet and upholstery stock also occu-
pies the southern section of this floor. The third floor is
devoted to chamber furniture, bedding, &c.
Besides this building the firm have two large store-
houses. A feature of the first floor of the store is the firm's
office in black walnut and plate glass. Petherbridge &
Burns are recognized as pace makers in the household
furnishing business, and have thus far kept ahead in the
race. Tact, push and principle have brought them on
their way and earned for them the peerage which is now
theirs.
NAIRN INLAID LINOLEUM.
THE Nairn Linoleum Company, of Kearney, N. J .,
showed for the spring trade, in addition to their
offerings in standard linoleum, a new line of inlaid goods,
and their offerings for the coming season will comprise a
number of new and highly attractive patterns in inlaid
linoleum. The spring styles have proved very successful,
having found a large and quick sale, and the new line is
certain to be in even greater demand, special care having
been taken in the production of entirely novel, original
and handsome patterns. W. & J. Sloane are sole selling
agents for the company.
A NEW industry in Japan is the manufacture of the
cheaper grades of carpets out of ox hair. The raw ma-
terial is obtained from as far as Korea in the north and
Australia in the south. The future of the industry is con-
sidered to be very promising.
TllK CaKI'KT ANO UCUOI SIKKY Tk Al'l' Rl-VIKW,
"X
OEORCiE A, MEINC-ERG,
A VETERAN SALESMAN.
C""koruk a. MKiMSKKt!, whose portrait is prcsontcil hore-
I with, is ouo of the oldest s;Uosinen in tlie tr,uU\
hivvi»5i' been a retail
carpet siilesnum for
the piist forty-tive
years, Oi\ May 1,
185;?, when seven-
teen years of ajjv, he
enteivd the employ
of John Kennaixl,
the pitftleeessor of
the J, Kennaixl v"^
Sons Company, St,
Louis. Mr, Mein-
bers. after forty-tive
years of service, still
jvmainswith J, Ken-
U!Vi\l «!t Sons and
is hale and hearty
withal, I le sivys he
well remen\lx-rs the
time when after selliug- a carpet to a cnstonvcr he had to
take it to the hovise in a wheclbanvw ,»nd then put it
down on the floor.
BALTIMORE BRIEFS.
K, S, Furbush. of 1\, S, Furbush ."v: Oo.. IVmUu. Md, ;
John Willis, Norfolk. Va,. and I, O. Hill. SntYolk. Va.,
dcalci-s in carpets and furnitinx\ wciv in
Hsltimonf. ^^^^.^^ ,,^^j ^^,^,^,^. s,.i^.^.ti„g. ^pving stock,
*'""" "' Charles \Y, S, Banks, manager for William
Reisinser <."^ Sons, carpets and fnrnit\ux\ has been elected
president of the Law and t'>i\ler Leagnve. Relay, Md,
Albert A, Bnvgvr, dry gvods and carpeting, was at .\t-
U\i\tic City dnrijig the jvist week.
The bill for the alvUtion of deiwrtment stows has failed
of pjvssage by the t»ener.vl Assembly,
L *r. VLu-ley. gei\envl merchandise and carpeting. Davis,
W, Va , was marrie«.l to Miss Jennie llymes the 'isHh nit.
Si\n\vjel IL Swle, of the dry gXKxis and car^^et tirm of
U'lius Sycle v*^ Son. Richmond, Va,, vi&ite*.! Boston and
other ixiinis Kast last week.
W. IL Blaekaal, general merchandise and carpeting.
C«v>cketts, Va,. mid Miss Cor* King-, of that place, were
uniteti in marriiige last week.
There will l>e no more tnxding stam^^s disiv>set.l of in
Riltimore, A law has l>ee«\ ^vissevi by the Leg-islature. and
si^ne^l by the tiovernor. which pmhibits the siUe of such
n\e<,Uvuns of trade,
Jacv^b S, Runkle, for many \-ears ei\g';»gxxl in the g-en-
eral nveiYhjmdise and cari->eting- business in Kiist Rocking-
ham, Va,. diev\ the^d inst,
A tire in Rcvk Hill. S, C. the Sd inst. burned out the
gx>neral me«\-handise and carpeting stones of A, E, Smart
v"^ Co, and A, Friei.lham v^ Rrothers, Loss, about ^.'S.iXH^;
iusu»"e<l.
Kdwarvl O, W, Hall died in the Prince George's County.
Md,, almshouse the tUh inst,, {Vgevl seventy-two \-ean>. He
carrievi on an extensi\-e geuer^U mervhandise and carj>eting
busit\ess in MarlK^rv\ Md,, for manv vwtrs. and was
reputed to be wo.iUhy. lie lost his estate by speculation,
and. being unable to collect the largv amount of nionev
owmg him by his cvistomers, went to the almslunise.
Rosen ba»un Hrothers have commenced razing the Gnuul
.Vrmy Hall building, Baltimore street. Cumberland. Md,,
and will eivct a modern four story structure to be used as
a departmeiU store,
Henry S, Jenkins, of the carpet lirm of Henry S, Jen-
kins, Hivther iK: Co,, has returned ftvm Rirmingham. Ala,,
for a stay of a few weeks, after which he will go South
for the remainder of the spring-
Mayor Malster has appointed tJoldsboivugh S, Griffith,
of G, S, Griftith & Co,, to represent Raltimore at the
National Convention of Charities and Corrections to be
held in New Vork city fivm May 18 to 3,'i.
The Merehants" and Manufacturers' Association have
succeeded in obtaining frem the Trunk Line Association
stop-over privileges in Raltimore on tickets sold in North
Casvlina. South t^arelina, \'irginiaand portions of Georgia,
Florida. Tennessee and West Virginia.
Dooley & Kirk have opened in the g-eueral mere-handise
and carpeting business in South Delta. Fa, The membei-s
of the tirm are both experiei\ced men in this line, and
will no doubt meet with the success they merit.
l\xcursions to Raltimore^ have been arranged by the com-
mittee on transvxirtation of the Retail Rnsiness Men's
Association for Easter week. Reduced fares and other
inducenveuts are annom\ce<,i in bills which have Iven dis-
tributed among country i-esidents.
,\>» Buildings. — A C(.MUp^vny will be org-ani;-.ed to build a
$ir>0.000 hotel at Rerkeley Spring's. Va.. to replace the
building recently burned; Dr, C, W, Chancellor. Ralti-
more\ can give information, A tabernacle to seat ;>.00l>