Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.
IN COUNCIL BLUFFS The C'd Year Has Treated it More Kindly ian Other Cities, BUSINESS IS SOLID AND PROSPEROUS But One Failure, and Less than $6,000 Losees to Creditors, HAPPY OUTLOOK FOR THE NEW YEAR Opinions of Leading Business Men on Past, Present and Future, SOME OFFICIAL FACTS AND FIGURES Healthy Increase in the City's Population and Building Improvements, JOBBERS ARE ALL WELL SATISFIED Mer Record for the Yenr Just Ended Is Un- approuched in the Country—Numers ous Advantages Toia in Busi- ness-Like Engiish. The commercial azencies epitomize the financial situation in Council Blufts in one triking sentence: - he entire loss to wholesalers, by fail- firms in ures and otherwise of business Council Biuffs, approximate less than $5,000 for the entir ar of 1803, This is the record. Whatother city in the west approaches it? There has only been one failure, and that of a small retail millinery store, during the year. With the snapping and crashing of busi- ness firms and houses all around us, what do you think ot the contra: Isn't it worth the hearty compliments of the season? “She's All Right." Council Biuffs 1s all right. Up to last spring there may have been some people who labored under the misapprehension that 1t was not, but if there were any such, the events of the past six months have been suf- ficient to convince them that there is no place in the country better able to stand a financial strain or cope with that deadly enemy to municipal prosperity, hard times. With banks exploding all over the country like kernels of corn in a popper, there has not even been a rumor of insecurity about any institution of that kind in Council Bluffs, and with whole columns in the newspapers given up to accounts of failures of basiness houses there has not been a single failure here. With such a record, it is not to be wondered that the people of this city have a feeling of pride in its present condition. True, the past year has not made any one a millionaire, nor has it made as many pau- pers as will be found in almost any other city of its size in the country. And_th, who have been reduced to an extremity are being helped along by the systematic efforts of those who are in better circumstances, so that the winter months, which at first promised to be so full of sufering, will, after all, be endured without much dificulty. Improvement in the School There is no department of the city life in which the improvement is more marked than in the public schools. Uuder their present Jnanagement they have become recognized Bs among the best in the state. During the year there have been 4,000 pupils enrolled, an increase of 8i2 over the list of last year. Nine new teachers are added to the force each year, there now being 105. The en- rollment in the High school has increased from 125 10 850 in the past three years. The business class, which started with nothing two years ago, now has ninety pupils en- rolled. The growth in the High school is greater than in any city in the state. Three new school buildinge have been erected dur- ing the year, the Madison avenue, the Harri- son ‘street and the Thirty-second street buildings, making the total number at present nineteen. Classes in the science of teaching and experimental study of the child mind have been organized for ihe bene- it of the teachers, and of the entire 105 only two have been missing ut the weekly recita- tions during the past year under the direc- tion of Prof. Sawyer. Record of Jobbing Trade. The advantages of Council Bluffs as a lobbiug center ave well known and its facili- tiesin this direction are becoming more widely recognized every year. This is the departmentbf commerco which is destined to be her pre-cmunent possession. The first half of the year move business was done in the implement line than during the same length of tune in any provious year, and until the stagnation of the second half com- menced to make itself felt in all parts of the country the prospects were that 1803 wauid bo a red letter year for Council Bluffs. But the *‘hard times' came on, trade fell off, and blue letters took the place of the red. Dur- fng the past two or three months, however, business has been righting itself and unless all signs fail 1504 will see unusual prosperity among the implement wholesalers. ‘The action of the MeCormicks in consoli- dating their entire western business and choosing Council Bluffs us the place for their western headquarters 1s ouly an indication of what may be looked for in the future. The tide is now turned this way and nothing can stop it. Thore has been a stead number of peovle who have been compelled for one reason oranother to put up at the vity marshal's Lotel. Three years ago there were 1,915 arrests; two years ago there were 1,705; last year where were 1,434, and this year there have been oaly 1,095, And still Marshal Templeton and his deputiés have pot been louesome. decrease in the Kenl Estate and Bullding. True, it's been hard times, and yet the re- ports of real estate transfers and building permits would never make one think of it. The building permits are perhaps as good an jadex to the city's growth as can be found, and for an off year it must be confessed that Council Bluffs is in remarkably good shape to be surprised at herown record. Last year there were 177 building permits issued, as against ninoty-six for the year preceding, and 1502 was not considered especially bad for bullding enterprises. The aggregate amount of these permits was §200,600, as against $157,000 for the previous year. The real ostate transfers numbered 2,040, the total value of considerations being §3,858,248, an increase of nearly $15,000 over the year 1892, In these figures is not included the pew Burlington depot, the McCormick ware- house, or the three school builaings, permits Laving not been taken out for any of them. Among the new residences worthy of uote, which bave either been put up already, or are in process of coustruotion, are those of Barney Granl, A. B Brock, Mrs. Sarab L. Al - Garuer, G. L. Kahle, D. W. Bushnell and Dr. Barstow, all of which cost more than $8.000. George A. Schoedsack is building an 5,000 dyo w in the western part of the city. S. 8. Wadsworth put up two buildings during the year,one opposite the court bouse and oneat the corner of Broadway and Sixth street, whosa aggrogate cost was $17 000.73 OF course the most important im provement, by all_odds, is the completion of the new (maba Brioge and Terminal com- pany’'s briuge. It promises w0 revoluiionize thiigs, particularly in Fust Omaha and northwest Councii Bluffs, and cannot help having decided effect upon the commercial welfare of botn cities at large. This, t gether with the decided improvement in the prospccts for ab-cent fars that has been made during the last few days, has en- couraged the citizens of Council Bluffs to hope that the yearon which they are just entering will be the most prosperous in the city's history Churches Bolit Three new churches have been erccted The Christian church has just dedi cated a commodious tabernacle at the cor- ner of Mynster and Scott stroets, at a cost of about $5,000. The German Bvangeiical church has recently completed a handsome ture at the corner of Pierce street and n avenue, costing $4.500. Grace Episco- chureh, at the corner of Pierce and Union streets, has been dedicated duriug the the year, anization, like the Lwo prosperous condition has been steadi are about 200 in- £,000 has ast Year. ed. is in stian home until now ther A new cottage Costing beenlerected during the year. Some needed improvements have been made at the Woman's Chistian Asso- ciation and St. Bernard's hospitals, both of which stand bigher in the favor of the com- munity than ever before. iaritable institution of the city de- serves more words of commendation or re- ceives more hearty support from the citizens at large than the Union Christian mission, under the diveetion of Rev. Henry Delong. He las looked after the necessitics of a mul- titude of poor familiee, and th re scores of little ones who have him to thunk for the lessons in domestic economy they have re- ceived from him and his able the girls’ industrial school. 3 work has also been done by the Eighth Street mission in lelping the distressed Railroads and Pablic Health. Asa railway center Council Bluffs has ad- vantages not to be surpassed, and hard be equaled, by any city in the sta fine new depots of the Chicago & Northw ern and the Chicago, Burlington & Q the latier of which has been i use but weeks, serve to show the increasing impor- tached to the city by the great rail- porutions. he mortality record of Council Bluffs challenges comparison with that of any other city in the union. During the year there have been 250 deaths, or one death to about every 130 inhabitants. The precau- tions taken by the city authorities against epidemics resulting from filthy strects and back yards have had their natural effect,and there have beet ouly 366 cases of contagious diseases reported, 253 of which came in a bunch in two months last summer, when ther was an epidemic of measles, A chemical test of ihe water furnished the city from the Missouri river by the Council Blffs Water Works company showed that the water was enti free from any vege- table matter that might cause sickness. growing, matces, Ninety-Eight Fire Alarms. Council Bluffs has an_enviable record in the matter of fires. There have been only ninety-cight alarms during the past ye one moro than during the year previous. But the total loss this year was only £26,434, nearly $5,000 less than the year before. On an assessed valuation of $,525,072 this makes a loss of less than & mills on every $1 of property. But the ue of the property is fuily four times the assessed value, so that the loss really represents only about 1 mill of loss to &1 of property. The following table, showing the number of fires in each month, together with the estimated loss for the month, may be of interest: Number of Fires, Srooll) Month. Januar, Februar, Ma April. May.. June July... August . September October. . Novem Decembe Totals. 2 Cupid has done his ye usuui amount of grace and dispatch, and with the assistance of Deputy County Clerk James ien'on has made 533 matrimonially- inclined couples happy, or otherwise. PULSE OF TRADE, The Beo Puts [ts Fingers on the Arterles of Commerce and Records the Beats. The following interviews with leading and well known business men indicate somewhat how the year has come and gone. The tone of confident vitality that tints all indicates how the business men of Council Bluffs have withstood the squeeziug that has been uni- versal for the last five months. The thread that runs through all that is said makes a strong cable to anchor our faith to the future, and makes us hail 184 with smiles of wel- come as bright as the sunshine of the marvel- ous weather that is blessing us, Deere, Wells & Co.'s Opinion, “I naturally feel in a reminiscent mood on an occasion like this,” said Lacius Wells of Deere, Wells & Co., as he sat in his com- fortable oftice in the big building in the cen- ter of the agricultural implement district. 1 go back to the time fourteen years ago when we started this agricultural imple- ment business in Council Bluffs, and follow 1t until it has reached the magnificent pro- portions of the present, ouly equaled and ex- ceeded by the vast volume transacted in Kansas City. We beguu busiaess here in a one-story frame building, but were con- tented with it until we could erect our pre: eny central brick building. We perceived, of course, at the start the advantages that this city possessed as a wholesale implo- ment point, and the realization of the pre ent is not an unanticipated surprise. In reaching this position we have asked no assistance from anybody or any source, but have relied solely upon the sterling merit of our goods, believing that by giving the dealer and the farmer the very best imple- méuts that could be made was the only w to build up & great business. This we have faithfully done. The John Deere plow is known the world over as the standard of lence. It is made in the largest plow v i the world, and this is the best evidelice thut it is the most approved plow used. ‘Thisis true of the Moline Wagon company, who are the largest manufacturers of farm und spri ns in the United States, and every wagon bearing that brand is ackvowledged to be the best that runs on wheels. The Deere & Mausur company’s corn planters, seeders, hay loaders, hay rakes, stalk cutters, ete,, stand at the head of goods of their kind all' over the country. These great manufactories constitute, with the addition of myself, the firm of Deere, Wells & Co. You™ will thus see tha wo ure not simply jobbers, but manufac- turers ing dircet to the trade. 1t been our central idea to give the de: the farmer the very best there is, and the only way to kuow thut we do this to a cer- tainty I8 to muke the goods ourselves. Our own manufactures so nearly complete the entire line that we find it necessary to handle but few articles of other makers But to avoid omitting anything required in the implement line we seclect from other factories such articles as needed, so that our customers do not find it necessiry to buy elsewhera to complete their line. *‘I'here is certainly nothing to fear in the outlook for the future. The farmers are solidly prosperous. Business will likely be slower in the first half of the year, for aealers are buying cautiously and are dis- posed to operate in 4 conservative manuer, and trade, while lighter,will be more healthy thau heretofore.’” Made a Prodigious Growih, You mast not measure the general pros perity for the past yoar by what we have accomplished,” said Secratary W. J. Jame son of the United States Masonic Benevolent association and its vigorous young confrere, the Guaranty Fund life. “You cannot safely do it, for we have had a prodigious growth duriug the year. In the United States | You can sec, THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1894 Masonic we have written ovdr #3,300,000 of new business and §2,500,000 in the Guaranty. | We have increased our Assots in the Masonic | association between §80,000 and $40,000. | These figures certainly show that que plans and methods meet public_approbation 1o a very remarkable extent. The United States Magonic isonly a child in years, but it isa full grown man in stature. I€1s just a little over six years old, and it has grown o big that we have had to use a large part of the Masopie temple to properly house it. closing, | s you know, the great public hall in the | temple and cutting itup into oftices. At | the start we did business 1 one little room twenty feet square; now we require over 8,000 square feet of floor room, two vaults | nd numerous storage roors. We think wed © the finest siites of offices in the state, | and we know that we have the largest vault | In the west. But these thiugs areonly | mentioned to show our growth, and our growth 1s the best thing to iadicate public approval of us “Our plan is to build up a safe, strong association of moderate membership of Masons only—carcfully sclected risks. To collect funils from surviving members in | roportion to age at joining and insurance wrried, with which to pay death claims promotly and in full, and also to accumulate a guaranty or reserve fund through a con- tribution of 1 per cent of amount of in- surance carried by each member, in small stallments bi-mouthly, to be loaned out in accordance with tho regulations of the laws of Towa, and under supervision of the in- surance department of the state, and the interest to be applied annually in paying death losse: The guaranty fund, now over $250.000, is 1ly growing, and an increasing sumber th losses have boen paia from the in- h year. Old and new membcrs ate in the benefits of this safe- gainst excessive mortality, which ulso avoids the necessity of advancing the rate of assessment as age increases. Irom the intercst of this fund we have d £51.250 of death claims during the year. »sults of the year for the Guaranty Fund L \tion are equally satisfac- tory. Itis based upon a similar economic principle, a principle that has called forth | the heartiest approval of state auditors and msurance men. Its benefits are not confined to mewbers of the Masonic fraternity, but cover a wider runge. In both we give the safest aud cheapest protection consistent with conservative management. *The favors we most de: year is the careful stig for we know the for the new | tion of our plans, ana more intelligently 1 the examination result will e for us | | | ry t1. Van Brant's Experience. | may be the better rhteen hup the greatest drved ana carriage ninety-two was | year in the | whoie history of the busincss in this country,” said Mr. Henry H. Van Brunt, | the Lead of the greatest carriage house on | the Missouri river, ““and if '03 was not quite | up to it there could be no cause for com- | plaint. But the difference, if there is any, | will be slight, for the first half of the year | boomed up even beyond the high water | mark. With the advent of ihe financial came u breathing spell, but the w s business shows up_in proportions cer- | tainly not to be found fault with. Of course | my trade is so solidiy established that it takes something more than an ordinary panic to shake it. Throughout the year I have gone rightalong increasing my line, and now there is no chance to question the asser- tion that 1 have the largest variety and the heaviest stocks of any house on the river. These lines cover everything in the shape of a road vehicle, In the Columbia lire of buggies, carriages, phactons and Park wagons T show a better line than has ever before been offered the trade in Towa, Ne- braska and Dakota. Then come the Cen- tennial and Ideal, two other complete lines, including everything. Only the catalogues or a visit to our repositories, where among nearly 100 samples there are no two alike, can give uny idea of the extent and charac- ter of tbese lines. Back of thesc are all the specialties, novelties, and tne standard farm and road wagons, carts, bobsleds and sleighs. These lines being my speciaities and hand- ling them in such immense quantities T can give the trade prices that are very satisfac- tory. These things have operated, of course, to hold up my trade through times when a falling off would naturally be expected. An- other feature of my trade that boomed avead of all expectations is the harness business. This line is as complete as the line of vehicles. Quality of goods und range of prices are equally satisfactory. I can see no reason why the coming year should not repeat the record of 1503, for the farmiag interests are soundly prosper- ous.” Tho Wine of Commeree, “The wine of commerce is made the Jarvis Wine oompany,” said Tom Jarwis, manager of the mid-continent branch of the great California winery. ‘“And it has made cyes sparale and lips smack over a big territory during the last year, In dull times people need something to brace-them up, and the Jarvis wines are what they have been using, if our business indicates anything. Yes, we are fully satisfied with the results of the year, and we have still less to com- plain of in the line of future prospects. Pure wines, made from vipe, fresh grapes, aged in the even temperature and under the sunny skies of southern California, are the primary conditions of all our wines. We own our own winery, our own distillery, where we make our famous brandy, and we own ourown vineyards, where we grow our grapes, and such grapes only as make the highest gradeof wines, no mixiug of a score of different kinas and the production of nondescript, congiomerate juices that can't be named at any stage of their exist- ence. This accounts for the uniform ex- cellence of allour brands. Then we sell to the trade at prices commonly paid by jobvers, and this of course helps to increase our bus- iness. We ing wore than ever a specialty of family wines, and the best fam- ilies in the count are our regulav cns- tomers. Our stock of liquors is the heaviest ve ever carried, and embraces Ken- s best of everything. We believe that the coming year s will be greatly in excessof the last, certainty of heavy raise ofthe revenue on dis tilled liquors will impel all prudent dealers to lay in_a supply early in the yea my compliments to the trade.” Carpets and Prosperity, “People get married and start new homes, and carpets wear out, all_necessitating new ones,” said Mr. D, W Keller of the Council Bluffs Carpet comp “but notwithstand- ing the carpet business is a fair index to the general prosperity and state of. trade. Dur- z the first half of the year the volume of business exceeded that of any previous like period 1 our history, but the lust months have not been quiteup to the ord. But tuken altogether we are oughly satistied with the net results. Our trade has not been confined toCouncil Bluffs by @ny means, and our experience must in- dicate the condition of a large scope of territory. we know that Council Bluffs is the natura of trade for a large te id people throughout the country ure beginning to find itout and are getting the benchit of lower prices than they Liave been accustomed to. We bave carried a heavier stock by a good many thousand dollars than on previous years, and while wo are more heavily stocked 1n sowe lines than we care to be at this sc son of the yeur, wo have cleared aw im- mense amount of goods. The surplus will only call for special sales that will be of in- terost to housekeepers all around us We huve already given a substantial indi- ation of our faith in the future by purchias. in heavily for the new yeal 1 with heavier stocks, bought when ' the market was at its lowest ebb, light expeuses and small profits, we will draw new trade to Council Bluffs. This will also enable us to push our wholcsale busiuess, and 1o this we want to call especial attention of dealers in our territory. We wili make them pric that they cannot duplicate anywhere else A Druggist Who Leads, There is no better known drugeist in Council Bluffs than George S. Davis, who, by judicious advertising and advertising that and close attention to business, trade from all over the up the largest drug and Mr, Davis reports de for the past year very satisfactory, haviong done o 20,000 worth of business, and from the present fayorable outlook ex- pects to far surpass last year's record dur- SO, drawn i large 4 built Council Blnds Tusarance Company's Ideas. “It has been & provident and J year to us,” said Secretary J. Q. of the Council Bluffs Insurance cor of the most prosperous and dese tutions in western lowa. “It red letter year in the his pauy. Our losses have been ofitable | Anderson | ny, one ving tnsti- | has been the y of our com- less and our | nected premiums greater than ever before. lu short, the results have belihll and more than ‘ giving them goods at practi was expected, and thol&any in con- mec starts upon its fourteenth year with more vigor than ever, with every prospect of a hoalthy and c us growtli One thing that is partiflgrly gratifying to us is the stronz determination evinced by western people to patfehlze home institu- tious, They realize that. with other things being equal, it is better to keen their y at home, and while getfing/the best protec tion for their property on the most advau- tageous terms, help themsolves by sirength ening their home company. Out pr receipts this yoar excedd $30,000, as 200,000 in 92 Don't wafit to per with figures, but fusty compare this state- ment of pre ms rocgived and losses paid for the first cleven monuths of each year since 1580 Premiunis, 1890 $29,576.11 1801 4 39,004.33 1892 50,045.43 18 71,158.87 “All right, ain't {11” Art and Pletare Framos, The net results of 1803 are favorably re- ported by Rily & Sherraden, the photog raphers and artstore men, In the photo- graph business the holiday trade was fuily up to any previous record, whiie the days of steady sunshine permitted the filling of all orders. In the line of art goods and plcture mes the result’ was quite satisfactory Speaking of the matter, Mr. Rily saia: T result has determined us to g0 still « into the business, carrying a heavier stock and ¢ wider range. This will e; able us further out for new busi ness. This will make us praciically whole salers, and give us the largest retail art sto and frame factory in the two cities, Buying in_larger quantities from the factories we will make still better prices, and supply the trade in‘the surrounding country.” Seeds tor Thought, “Don’t pass the s business when you are looking for barometers to indicate the condition of the country.” said T. J.. Shugart of the Council Bluffs Seed company. *“The year has been all mght for us. It has been the best since 1 came here five years axo This activity in the seed business indicates a thrifty condition of the farmers, gardeners nu all others interested in producing grains, vegetables and fruits, apd is the strongest proof that the farmers in this part of the Country were never in a more prosperous condition, and are -developing their farms gotting the best resuits by using on highest grade seeds. We do a wholes: and retail business in field, vegetable and flower seeds. All of our seeds are north- ern grown. Our peas come from Canada, beuns from Michigan, sand all our radish seeds are imported. Our graded secd corn is the best in the world and is erown he All of our seeds are of the best known varieties. There is a sample sheaf of millet seven feet high from seed sold by us lust spring that yielded 350 tons on fifty acres, or an averageof seven tons to the acre. A specialty that we are pushing, both wholesale and retail, is the Electricity brand of flour, a high grade innesota patent fancy, at a low price, a flounr that took the highest awards at the Chlicago fair, and has no supevior in the world. We are also in the market to buy all high grade lots of timothy, clover and millet seed. The outlook for the new year is much brighter for us than it was o vear ugo, and we wel- come it with enthusiasm.” The firm is composed of two bright young business men, T. J. Shugart and C. G. Ouren. They have a 'fine place in Masonic temple and a large warehouse and trackase. Some Clcan Up nions, “The laundry businessisn’t a bad indicator of geveral prosperity,™ remarked Mr. F. J. Duerr, manager of the Bagle Laundry com- “Cleanliness is next to godliness, but ed times people:do their washing at N During the year the demand upon us has been such as toindicate that the peo- ple in this vicinity arewvery righteous or els very prosperous. | We hive grown all the year, new machinery and increased help. We take great pride in the fact, and we believe the people of Council Bluffs do, too, that we have oue of the finest, laundry plants in the west, and we believe that all will rejoice to see it grow still more. 1n the coming year. Ours is a modern laundry, and is well worth visiting. Themachineuy is so faultless thatit seems to be emdowert with human in e'- ligence. This year we will maxe an especial effort to do family:washing, and todo it cheaper *han it ein be done at home. We will also offer advantages that will draw still more trade to the city from all the towns within 100 miles. We already hav twenty-five or thirty towns, but we won't rest satisfied until we get thew all, and would like to correspend with people sit- uated to take agencies in_any towns of western JTowa or, eastern Nebraska. We pay express charges botu ways, and agents make a nice commission. “As an indication ofour faith in the future, Twill tell you that we will place an order next week for two or three new washers and a couple of ironing machines. These are noeded for immediate use, and we are going to increase our facilities ~ight along.” What the Carriage Trade Shows. “Upon the whole, the year has averaged up well,” said Mr. Luring, manager of the western branch of the McFarlan Carriage company, whose plantat Counersville, Ind., is the largest carriage factory in the state. “The first six months of the year business was excellent, the last six it was poor, but the average is good, and we close the year with very sfactory net results. We have our business in better shape today than ever before in every way. All of our customers are satisfled, aud the most of them are en- thusiastic on account of the universal approbation of our goods and our prices. This is owing to the 1act that we are mnot jobbers, but manu- facturers, and we sell airect to the dealers, saving them the jobbers’ protits. Then every grade of our goods is the best that can be made. We are making for the trade of 1804 the best line of carriages ever offered to the trade. The trutnful axiom, “Goods well bought are half sold,” is nowhere so applics ble usin the carriage trade, where style, finish, price and quality must be taken into consideration. Our uew styles will be numer- ous, aud for elegance in lesign, perfection in propoction, superiority 6f finish and excel- lenceof material cannot be surpassed by any. “1 think the outlook for the new yearis very bright. We will do our part toward making it prosperous for our patrons.” A Stroug Firm's Opiuion. “We are well satisfied with all the results of the year's business,’ said Mr. Frank the loan and abstract firm of Phomas. *“The busiuess has shown a steady wcrease in all branches. This is particularly so of the abstract record, owing 10 the number of real estate trunsactions during the year and to the important fact that we have the oldest set of abstract books in the county, In the loan busincss the record for the yearis very satisfactory, more than up to our expectations a year ago. At the presept time our firm is '} taicularly fortunate in‘having sufiicient cash on hand to meet ulll demands of the loau market, ready to bepadd on the moment of completion of the papers. There is another thing that gives us satisfuction and will be of interest to southwestern lowa, We have utly been appointed disteict agents of Mutua! Life Insurance company of New est and ‘Strongest company in . with $IBU000,000 assets. The company’s Lusiness fu this part of the state was formerly donesnt St. Paul, but the establishment of thedistricy agency in this ceatral location wilitransfer it all to Council Bluffs. Wo feel the.utmost confidence in the future and believe that 1804 will be a prosperous year,” As SELSTN by Shoes. 1 know of nothing that indicates the pulse of trade more taithfully or more quickly thas the shoe business,” said B. M. Sargent, the vigorous youny merchant %ho has built up such a maguificert t at 413 Broad- way. “Measured by this and my experience, the past year has no r.ght to bé put on the vlack list'as an off year. Thero will not be £200 vetween wy biisiuess this year and last, and taking into cousideration” the general | smashiug of things in the last half of the year I think it is & good indication of the sturdy, solid prosperity of Council Bluffs and our tributary country. 1fin tumes like this we can hold our own we certainly have uothing to fear from the future, no matte what it holds. 1 have been intimately con- with the shoe business in Council Bluffs for fourteen years, and haye studied every phase of it carefully. In the earlier vears I had churge of the retail shoe busi- iess of J. M, Phillips & Co., a firm that was then doing the largest wholesale business in the Missouri valley. The many years that a great wholesale shoo business was done in this buiiding accustomed the people to look upon it as u wholesalé shoe store, and I have ussisted in the malutenance of that idea by ally wholesale prices, and often fa my s sales at prices far less than we used to get at wholos I have Jearned what the peoplo want, the bast goods for the least moue, and 1 have given them jroods at prises they could not find auywhero else. Confidence b on fidence, and 1 believe the public has conf) dence enough in me to feel sure that when | advertise o bargain thay il bas no string to it L have abundance of faith in_the new 1d welcome it heartily, for I am going to m 4 record breaker. Ina few days T am going to enter the eastern markets and get the best offerings direct from the fa tories, paying spot cash, and if [ can't sol shoes cheaper than they have ever been sold bafore, und wake Council Bluffs morc than ever remarkable as a retail shoe poivt, then dmit that [ have learned nothing in on vears, Thank th publi o me that [ have somethiug better than yea tate Indications. il estate men know the state of the public pulse of trade if_any fellows on e rth do," said Alderman Nicholson of the firm of Greenshields, Nicholson & Co., the 1 ading real estate brokers of Council Biuffs ‘Thero has been & steady and healtt movement throughout the year, no spas- modic boow in options, but a steady growth and increasc in the prices of city property Tais is verified by your statement of the real estato transfers for the year, which ap- proximate a higher figure than e in the history of Council Chicago man, standing on sokout at the head of Oakland avenue, looking over the two_citics, suid to me t otherday: ‘You will have a commerc center herc - before ten years will number more than half willion people. Tt must come—it s boun1 to com nd it will come sooner than you ex- veet.! > man thinks he is in spired, but t au's inapiration has made him a million his own city, and he has proved his ability to forecast the future cor: rectly. There is more confidence in Council Bluffs realty today than ever before confidence at home and abroad. The opening of the mew bridge with its new railway lines, the establish ment of new vast business houses in tho az ultural implemeut district, the cer: tainty of a b-cent motor fare between the two cities and the opening of another motor line across the new bridge some of the reasons upon whichi I found my faith in the orightness of the future. We will push_the Lestate business this year more than everand expect to make many of our cus- tomers rich before the year closes.” Ax riet. *‘We have no business crets to keep or give away, but we would like to take the public into opr confidence to assure it tnat with all thé vicissitudes and uncertainties that have marked the courss of the year ness has nearly doubled that of lust 3 remarked Mr. C. B. Towle of Lougee & Towle. *This is the_net result and it is certainly satisfactory. You should remem- . too, that we must deduct July and Au- t, the panicky months, when practically 10 business at all was done. The insurance business, which is only one small 1tem, has approximated more in the last turee months than it did in the whole of last year. Our business 15 real estate and farm loans, and there are many features in it that serve as cxcellent barometers to inaicate the condition of che country. Our mortzage record here,” and he turned the leaves of the book rapidly, “shows page after page of long time-loans. These farm loans almost without an exception are tiated to pay for permanent improvements. Another thing that indicates the solidly prospero coadition of the country Council Bluffs is the promptness with which all maturing obligations are met. Not a single interest payment has been defiulted “Take our short time loan record bere und you will see that every maturing obligation in the last three months,upto December 27, without exception, have been met. Isa't that a significant indication? The whole cause of the trouble in '93 was the lack of confidence, and whatever may bo tho sit tion in other places, castern capitalist shown their contidence i west, for money 1s pouring in here now we at present have at our aisposal a amount for conservative inycstme: course we make no_speculative or wildca’ loans, but do a legitimate business. “I think you will thus sec that our busi- ness gives as full and correct expression of returniog confidence as the most sanguine could wish.” 10wa by the Money S. A. Picrce & C».'s Testl 1 omy. “Nothing to crow over, but lots to feel satistied with and thankful for,” said Mr. Pierce, manager of the widely known shoe business at 100 Main street. “There have been some months when our trade has not reached the hign mark of corresponding months of last year, but the year closes with a volume of business fully s satisfactory as marked the close of the preceding year. Towa and Nebraska are agricultural states, and the condition of the farmers govern the conditions of trade. The lowa farmers, especially those in the western half of the state, are perhaps not getting suddenly and violently wealthy, but they are out of debt as a general rule, or have few debts unpro- vided for, and have ready money on hand. ‘Chis is beginning to flow into theé traae chau- nels of Council Bluffs, yeviving all kinds of trade. That we have maintained, if not in- ed our business, we attribute to the fact that we have carried a shoe stock that nas met all demands and have sold the public the best guaranteed goods at prices they couldimot get in any other city east or west. We have not puta small fortune in building ana fixtures, although we have had to increase our room to the greatest possible extent, but we do a business at the least possible cost, giving the public the benefit of the margins that would naturally be con- sumed in that w Aud when you come to consider that we buy in such immense quan- tities, direst from the factories, you can readily see why we can make retai. that cut out all competition. We carr good lines of shoes and footwear made, and we have our own honor and repu- tation and the big fuctories backing our guaranty. Wo are going to make an extra effort to draw trade to Council Bluffs this vear, confident that we can save money for every man, woman and child hving within 100 miles. *The financial depression was all nwing to a luck of confidence, and as that is now rap- idly returning we can sce no reason why 1804 should not be as prosperous as any pre- ceding year." The Smoke of Trad, “The wholesale cigrr trade ought to be a good thing to indicate the conditions of eral wade throughout the country,” suid J. W. Peregoy of Peregoy & Moore, the big tobacco firm that dominates the trade in a dozen western states. *People are loth to give up their luxuries, but the time has come when a high grade cigar has ceased to be a luxury, but has become a necessity, the more o when you can get as good a Cigar now for a mekel as you used to get for a dime. While the trade has not been what we could wish it. yet it has been, upon the whole, very satisfactory. We don't like to talk about our busincss, for the barest state- ment of the facts would sound like boastin; but on an occasion like this we are naturally ina reminiscent mood. We thought we hal reached the limit some years ago, but each year shows an increase both in the number of customers and the amount of gooas bought. During the last months of ve made 1o especial effort to inerea i owing to the financial stringency, but when our uraveling men missed a customary visit the mail brouzht the orders they would have found waiting them. 1am confident the sales of some of our special brands have exceeded anything in the history of the cigar trade in this coun- try. The brands, of course, are the Santa Rosa, which still maintains its place as the leading 10-cent cigar of the day, aud the Sterling, a s-cent smoker whose sales have annually reached far into the millions. We have been expecting for the last two or three years thut the popularity of these brands would begin to waue, but they don't for we aro still rolliug them out by the hundreds of thousands. This wonderful popularity could not exist were it not for tha fact that the material in these cigars today entically the same in quality as it was when we first pushed them out as a world beater. And us long as there is any demand for them the quality wilt be kep® right up to the samo high stundard “We are pushing out several new special brauds that we believe will be eavally famous, for nothing superior can be found The first1s the White Cockade, a straight nickel cigar that is absolutely beerless. It is rapidly gaining a foothold that nothing can stake. We are confident that it will make o great record for itself this year ‘The 10-cent brands that will receive a public '.* et ———————————————— fon thut we believe will amount to an re the Chanceltor and the J. W. P, Jatter is namesake, and I eapecially proud of it. They are of the same nigh grade as the Santa Rosa, made upon honor from specially selooted leaf, ana will suit the taste of all kinds of smokers, cs pecially those who want a 25-cont cigar for a dime. ““The outlook for the new year is good, and we will push our trade more virorously than ever, rasing the standard of our ro0ds and making the boxes that bear the ame of Peregoy & Moore more than ever & guarauty of the highest excelience.” Ind cated by Farm implem best meter in the world to indicate the pulse said Mr. W. H. Jamos, manager vich Manufacturing company “Trade in nplements indicates the condi tion of the farmers, who in theso times are more than ever the backbone of the country and the foundation of all commercial pros- perity. Our trade certainly indicates pros- perous conditions on the farms througho the great Missourt valley. ‘The quantity of sales, tho manner of selling and the collec tious are the things that surely indicate this. We are in direct touch with this great produciog class, and we feel overy throb. Our business for '43 has been of n character to cause us no regrets, but has kept right along with the great tide' of progress “This, of course, 15 so with all o iy tural jmplements handled bere, and this total, if it were known, would show a grand ARE ate that would astonish the d and turn the eyes of the country upon Cor cil Bluffs as the great distributing point for farm implements. During the season ou factory was worked to its fullest capacity uight and day. In some of our terrtory t corn crop was not fuily up to wostern expe tations, and this cut short ¢ sller trade m what it would have been. Tho in creased trade under the adyerse circum- stances is a royal indication that the Sand- wich shellers, hand and power, are par excellence above all othors in the esti- mation of dealers and We lave greatly exceeded our sanguine expectations cntertained early in the season of our hay press trade, ‘The Southwick press has made its reputation this season and has become the popular favorite everywhere. It has done more work with laes’ power and cost than any of its competitors, and has proved itself to be a ‘twelve:ton a day pressata ten-ton a day pri 4 complaints but only universal words of praise from all y of our great territory that extends all over Nebraska, western fowa, southern Dakota and corners of Minnesota, Misouri and Col orado show thut the Sandwich goods are satisfactory standards everywhere, “The outlook for the new vear is very bright, Hard times will drive greater num. bers of men into far ig, and o« pel be farming, and better farn of more of the Sandwich part with the old year witnout regrets and welcome the new with confidence.” bar of trade,” of the Sa Fucts of a Grand Induastry. 1 think there is nothing that indicates the progress, the present and future pros- perity of this part of the country, in the peculiar and significant manner of the fruit and gardemng industry,” said Mr. F. J. D, of the real cstate firm of Day & Hess. “Thereare thousands of acres of land around Council Bluffs that are producing fortunes for their owners, and thousands more capa- ble of producing the same satisfactory re- ults. Our land docs not cost one fiith as wuch as California fruit lands, and it is ten times more easily cultivated and yields enor- with little outiay. The we are not apped for a market like California, can ship ouly are obliged to pay enormous freigiit rates, while we are situated right in _the and can reach markets all around minimum freight rates, and we the home market between Chicago and 0. Thelast few years have shown that our lands will prodice from $100 to §20) per acre in grapes, $300 in_strawberries, $150 1o $200 in bluckberries and §250 in raspber- ries. ‘These are the returns for this year, with an ordinary crop and prices, In vege- table gavdening the returns ave quicker and equally satisfactory. There {sno nicer or sufer business and every man who has en- gaged i itis not only satisfied, but enthu- sustic. A yearago we put on the market the Klein tiact, a body of over 400 acres of the choicest garden lands tho sun ever shoue upon. It lies within two and and a half miles of the postofiice, most of it sunny hillsides sloping to the south, west,_and cast, ove looking the two cities. We have cut roads middle us at and built bridges and made all parts of it accessible, and 1 it out in tracts of from five to twenty acres. Many of these tracts are ideally beaatiful sites for homes. The soil is rich vegetable moula spread over the deep alluvial hills, astonishingly productive and adapted to the culture of ail the fruits and vegetables pro- duced so successfully here. We still have a uumber of the choicest tracts left fe ple with a little money who not only w better their condition” but sccure a life com- petency. “lam confident the fruit industry, now one of the most_profitable, will be the most prominent in_this section of the country. The outlook for the future is very bright.” A Uright Young Merchan's Opinion. Shoes wear out just as fast in hard times asthey do when everything comes easy, said T. B. Hughes, the young merchant who is making South Main street prominent in local commercial circles. “The anxiety ex- tends tothe foundation of things, but it makes people more cautious about what thoy buy aud where they get it, and com- pels thew toget the best, the tried and proved. These are perhups some cf the reasons why my trade has more than doubled during the yedr, and that has made 919 the the synonym for good goodsand big bar- gains. The shoe bu ss is not the on Jine that has shown a healthy increase. Clothing ang furnishing goods, and hats, which have become an 1mportant feature of my business, have felt the same impulse, and altogether, despits the hard times, my wholo business has shown a double increase over last year. 1 ) going to make an of- fort by still lowering prices and maintaining the quality of my goods to just double my business for 1504 T have nothing but good words for theold year, and Iwelcome tie ®ew with the greatest confidence, Extena my hearty compliments to the public.” The Westera Towa Co The W tern Towa college Lias been one of the busiest places in the cityduring the greater part of the year. The students soem *o be enthused with one great central iden, that those best prepared for high posi- tions generally obtain and hold them, while se half prepaired work cheap and some- times but o short time at one place. There are nonew schemesat this institution and no royal road to knowledge claimea for its studonts. All are drilied to earnest effort and continuous application as the only means of success. ‘The seats are nearly ail cecupied by students who appear to be of the better class, having more matured minds and understanding more fu “application makes the man.". With proper assistanco from those interested in enlarged school facilities for our city, this splendid nucleus might be developed until Council Bluffs might boast of one of the great nors mal schools of the west Twin City Steam Dyo Works iceoed in business the investment of capital is not the only requirement. To run it in the right way is of equal impor- tance, It takes brains, skill and experience. Mr. G. A. Schoedsack establishea the Twin City Steam Dye works about five yoars ago and that ho possesses the qualities above mentioned we have ample proof. From quite a small beginning in 1550, ho nas, with the new additions and improvements made in 1803, one of the largest and best equipped establishments in the country. The list of articles treated at his works comprises everything in the line of wearing apparel gloves, plumes, ete., as well as all household furnishing goods, such as lace, silk plush and damaslc curtains, blankots, wats, piano covers, ote, The dry cleaniog of sitk and wool dresses, evening costumes and all fine articles is made o specialty, besides aying ana cieaning in all its be With the assistance o tatnable and the latest ma liances, which small concerns cannot avail themselves of, it places this business far in advance of any competing cstablishment in the west. It cluims patrons from twenty different states. I'ne works are located corner Avenue A and Twenty-sixth streot, Council Bluffs, Ta. Brauch store 1521 Farnam street, Omalia, Neb. ne Karoe Old Whisky. Way back in 1851 Mr. S (. Ford,a well known citizen of Council Bluffs, had a fow thousands of dollars idlo money on his nhands, and was considering what he should invest it in when the opportunity was of- fered nim to buy nearly a hundred barrels of 0. . C. Taylor whisky. ‘The price was low, the prospect of an advanco was good and he closed the deal and found himsel? the possessor of cnough liquor to float a ship. \ortly after the prohibition law took on & ost astringent quatity and Ford found 1t next to impossible to dispose of the goods. Hle was obliged to store the barrels aud wait for a turn of the tide of public sentiment. It was a long time before the people con- cluded that the prohibitory law is a farco in Council Biuffs, six or seven years, and when the change in sentiment did come the goods had increased in value to such an extent that regular dealers could not be induced to buy. Finally, last summer, Ford rented a room at 17 Pearl street and determined to close the goods out by retmland in smail to peoplo who want first-clasa whisky family or icinal use. He also added a fine stock of the very best wines, and he now has the reputation of seiling the finest and purest tiquors to be found anywhere in the United States. The whisky is now 14 years old. It is as smooth as the oils of Araby and it sells veadily for £10 per gallon. 1f you want some reaily fine old liquor, gentle reader, send to Sam'Ford for a price’ list, 17 t'earl street, Council Bluffs. In the Drug Trade, Paul G. Schneider, the Broadway drug. gist, 18 not at all dissatisfied with tte busi- ness he has done during the year 1803, He is carrying as large a line of goods now as he cd. His sales are fully up to the average for this time of year. and he regards the outlook for 1804 as “being encouraging, especially as there have been no failures of any moment in Council Bluffs during 1508, Mr. Schneider's drug store is one of the largest and 1est the city, and his busi- ness mighuwellserve as au index of the busi- ness of the city Miltonberger, Haberdasher. One of the new business acquisitions. of Council Bluffs during the year 1593 is Milton- berger, the haberdasher, aud he is a mighty big one in his v Most people in this vi cinity have heard of Mr. Miltonberger. He's in the gents’ furnisking goods line, and he has new and original methods of conducting the business. For instance, he believes in giving a man the rignt sort of stuff for his money—something in style, something up to date.” He knows how to buy and how to sell. Tn short, Miltonberger himself is right up to date, and it is due to this fact that he is rapidly acquiring the furnishing goods business of Council Bluffs. After January I. Brown's C. O. D. grocery will close each evening at 7 o'clock except Saturdays and Mondays, To . best help ob- rinery and ap- WARM WATER FOR STOCK, BURNS COAL WO00D OR coBS Thits Tank Heawr wio K tank frc i men e thor 2 0t 10 any ¢ Discount any years without rapafr. wddress on recelpt of $10.00 K. O. B. 10 the trade. COLE & COLE, Special Noticess COUN3IL BLY? 1 Main St ouncil BIuff. la, ave soms insin ruitand gardon land near and city proporty P bouiit and sold Thomnas, Counsi Bluns (JARBAG Teleaned. Hooadw 20 RENT -A 4-room nouso, Levin, 215 Sonth 186 street 1100, CoNDOOIA. VaUILS, obIMnEyY Ed Burke, at Taylor's groc i REAT barenin: two acres (nside olty lmite; i Aoe 08, a8 1L must by Kold. Greeu- Lolson & Co,, Councll Blufs, ¥ (OURCIL BLUFFS STEAMDYE WORKS All kindsot Dyeing and Ciouning done (o tho hizhesy style of the urt. F'alel ani stained tabrics made to Jook ns gool as new. Work promptl done ‘aui delivere in all purts of the country, Benl for rice list C. A. MACHAN, Propristor Broalway, near North western depot. Telephone 22 WIGK BALING PRESS A 12-Tons-a-Day Southwick Baling Press s 1t ha the largest fecd op Machine at a 10-Tons-a-Day Price. Our Warranty Goes with Each Machine, horse, ful' <ircle maching, nivg of any Continuous-Ballng, Daouble-Stroke Tress in the World. Bales tight; draft light. Capacity; Construction; Durability—all the BEST. Now Isthe time to buy a hay press 600 machines sold in the last 90 days. SANDWICH MANF'G. CO., COUNCIL BLUFFS