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FEATURE OF THE CITY
THE WHOLESALE TRADE.
Rome Is One of the Large Jobbing Centres of
Georgia-Ranks Fifth In the State, With
a Yearly Increasing Trade.
Covers a Territory of 150 Miles
From Rome.
'■* Railw y and Water Facilities Make Rome
the Most Desirable Locality for
Fomrltg 1 Jobbing Trill.
TBE LINES ALREADY REPRESENTED
Do An Annual Business of Over Four
Million Dollars—Who the Rep
resentatives Are-Various
Lines Carried,
Conservative estimates place the to
tal volume of the wholesale jobbing
trade of Rome at about four million
dollars annually. It is one of the larg
est jobbing centres of the state.
With the exception of Atlanta and
Savannah, Augusta and Macon it
does the largest grocery business of
any city in the state and ranks a close
to the two latter named cities. In
dry goods, notions, hardware, drugs
and druggist sundries, confectionery,
boots, shoes, millinery and other lines
* it also does a large business.
Geographically, the city enjoys un
usual advantages for the transaction of
a jobbing business.
n The surrounding territory is oue of
the richest in the South.
The admirable railway and water
facilities, too, have a powerful influence
in making this one of the most desirable
locations in the south for the whole
saler. The various ra lroad and steam
boat lines centering here tap the best
territory of this and surrounding states,
and afford facilities of direct shipment
not surpassed by any competing city.
To those parsons who have given the
matter attention, too, it is apparent
that Rome is constantly growing in im
portance as a jobbing centre. The ten
dency toward centralization, which is
common in all the affairs of life, is and
will gradually bring to this city the
wholesalers and jobbers from the smaller
cities in the state that come in competi
tion with the merchant here. As their
business they And the restrictions
of thetowns of less population and in
ferior railroad facilities place an abso
fclute limitation on their trade. They
grow to a certain point beyond which
they cannot, in the very nature of
things, expand, and as a natural result
they must seek a location where the pos
s bilities are so much greater that there
is practically no limit to the expansion
of their business.
Central location, unexcelled ship
ping facilities, express, postal and
telegraph conveniences, all contribute
towird making this a desirable point
for the headquarters of the Arms who
appear between the producer and the
retail merchant, But the advantages
that Rome offers as a place of residence
its social and educational opportuni
ties, and even the fact that it is the
seat of the county government also
have their influences.
There are in tne neighborhood
twenty different houses located in
Rome which do a wholesale trade of
greater or less importance and of that
thirteen do an extensive wholesale
and jobbing business.
The grocery business is the largest of
all the wholesale lines represented. In
ttlis line there are nine exclusive and a
number of other houses doing a large
jobbing trade in connection with their
k retail business. The annual sales if
I groceries is round numbers will amount
r to about $2,000,000 or about one-half
of the combined wholesale business of
the city. The houses all do an enor
mous business and cover a territory of
from 100 to 150 miles out of Rome.
The wholesale dry goodsand notion
business ranks second in volume of com
mercial transaction.
There are in this line two exclusive
and a number of the larger dry
MSods Arms doing a wholesale and retad
The annnal sales will range
Wfrom SBOO,OOO to $1,000,000.
■ In volume and value of commercial
f transactions the following lines do a
J business in about the order named, and
are represented by substantial and relia-1
ble houses: Hardware, drugs, boots
and shoes, oigars and liquors. The an
nual sales in these lines will amount to
' about $1,000,000. These figures are
b based upon very conservative estimates,
b During a recent visit of the Tribune
man through the wholesale districts,
the management of the various houses
report* d a much larger business and
I brighter outlook than have ex
perienced for several years.
I New lines are being added to the
wholesale interests of the city each
year, and the number of houses in the
various kinds of business is gradually
and continually increasing. No less true
is it that the volume of business trans
acted by the houses already in existence
is showing a steady and healthy growth
and upon the whole the outlook for
Rome’s jobbing and wholesale interests
could not well be more hopeful.
The field is uotyet full, and men with
capital and experience will be gladly
welcomed.
The wholesale merchants have done
much in the past, and will do more in
the future, to advance the interests of
the city. There is good grounds for be
lieving that their enterprise and fore
sight will grasp the opportunity offered
for placing Rome in the front ranks of
Southern cities.
THOMPSON HILES CO.
Strictly Wholesale Dry Goods, No/
tions, Shoes, Hats,
The Thompson Hiles Company,whole
sale dry goods, notions, shoes hats, etc ,
was organized in 1889. and from that
day down to the preseqt its growth has
been'constant and keeping step with the
rapid growth and progress of Rome, and
the development of the surrounding
territory.
Success is the just reward of honest
dealings, strict business methods, and
uniform courtesy to customers. This
method has won and retained a con
stantly increasing patronage for the
Thompson Hiles Company. This house
is solidly entrenched in the esteem and
confidence of the business world
Its travelling men cover the entire
territory within a hundred miles of
Rome and the business of the past year'
in spite of the hard times and general
depression has shown a large increase
over the year previous. The firm deals
in dry goods, hats and ehoes and num
bers among its customers the leading
merchants of North Georgia and North
Alabama included in the territory con
tiguous to Rome.
The personnel of the firm constitutes
a winning card in the commercial
world. Capt. Thompson Hiles is presi.
dent; W. W. Hiles, vice president
and W. W. Berry secretary and treasu
rer. The board of directors consists of
the following well known gentlemen:
Capt. John H Reynolds, president of
the First Natiodal Bank, of Rome,
Capt O. H- McWilliams, the leading
capitalist of Rome. Capt. John S. dec
horn, president of the Raccoon
Mills, Mr. P. H. Hardin, president
of the Rome Cotton Mill*-,
and Mr. A. 8. Hamilton, presi
dent of the Trion Manufacturing Com
pany. Mr. Luke McDonald is buyer for
the house, and twenty years of exper
ience, combined with a keen and wide
awake knowledge < f the requirements
of the trade makes him a very valuable
adjunct to the forces of this big busi
ness.
Four splendid and experienced sales
men are kept constantly on the road to
supply the ever increasing patronage of
their employers, and to supply the
various customers throughout North
Georgia and Nbrth Alabama. The
travling men ’are Messrs. Con O’Rear,
L C. Young, J. H. Privett and W, C.
England.
SIMPSON GROCERY COMPANY-
Wholesale Grocers and Commission
Merchants.
Foremost among the city’s business
interests stands this well known and
popular house, one of the largest and
far-reaching in its operations of any like
institution in North Georgia. Operat
ing with ample capital, and in a syste
matic manner, this staunch and reliable
concern is enabled to push its business
far beyond what is popularly termed the
local trade territory. The most dettr
mined competition is met cheerfully
and at all points, and we do not believe
any one else has so strong a hold upon
I the trade of this section. Such enter
-1 prises are of incalculable benefit to any
city, and in the Simpson Grocery Com
pany, Rome has an institution in which
every citizen should feel a deep interest,
Tne Simpson Grocery Company was
incorporated In 1891, and io officered by
THE ROME TRIBUNE, SOUVENIR AND TRADE EDITION,
the following men:’ W. P. Simpson,
president; J. A. Glover, treasurer, and .
C. A. Hight, secretary The business
was originally iccepted in 1869 as!
Ford, Gloverand Hight; subsequently |
it was known as Simpson, Glover and
Hight, which Arm was succeeded by
the present one at the time designated
above.
The company occupy premises at 210,
212 and 214 Broad street and carry an
enormous stock of groceries of all kind.
Two traveling men are kept upon the
road supplying the trade,
The Arm handles a large quantity of
cotton. This branch of the business is
in charge of Mr. Hight, a cotton man
of many years experience.
Concluding this notice of the Simp
sun Grocery Company we will but say
that its character and standing natur
ally inspire every confidence and the
fullest consideration of all who may be
brought into business relations with it.
BASS £ HEARD
Succeeded A, W, Tedcastle £ Co.,
Will Continue to Conduct Whole''
sale Business,
A few days ago, The Tribune an
nounced that the well known wholesale
dry goods firm of A. W. Tedcastle & Co.,
bad ceased existence, and the business
succeeded by an entirely new firm, viz:
Bass & Heard, The change came in the
nature of a surprise to the public al
though it had been known for some
months that Tedcastle & Co., intended
winding up their business at this point.
Many were led to believe that upon the
consummation of the business of Ted
castle & Co., Rome would lose a most
valuable factor of the wholesale interests
of the city. But it seems that this latter
statement is not to be, as Bass & Heard
will push the business on the same ex
entsive scale as their predecessors.
Messrs. J. L. Bass, of Bass Bros. &
Co., and E. A. Heard under the firm
style of Bass & Heard, have purchased
the good will and stock and will con
tinue the business. This statement will
be heralded with delight by all who feel
a welfare in Rome.
A general wholesale business will be
conducted by the new firm, and the
hues of stocks will embrace imported
and domestic dry goods, notions, hate
and caps, boots and shoes, etc.
That the new firm will meet with su -
cess goes without saying. Both members
of the firm are business men of wide ex
perience and understand the details cf
the business.
Mr. J. L. Bass, has long been recog
niz- d as one of the progressive citizen
and men bants of Rome.
His success in business has been
something pbenominal md shows a
master band at the helm. He began
life a poor boy, with honesty and an
indomitable will as capital. He first
embarked into business at Griffin, Ga.
Subsequently houses at Rome. At
lanta and Carrollton were established,
and he became senior member of tl e
firms. All these establishments do a
flourishing business.
Mr. E. A. Heard is atypical South
ern gentleman, possessing to a marked
degree the traits of a noble mind and
generous disposition. He has resided
in Rome for several years and for the
past two years has been cashier of the
Merchants National bank.
He possesses wonderful business
ability and no doubt will substitute
this statement in his new undertaking.
With such a combination of men as
compose the firm of Bass & Heard,
success is bound to mark the career of
this house. Parties heretofore having
business relations with Tedcastle &
Co, will find in a continuance of
their good will toward the new firm,
that it will maintain a most liberal
policy and will meet competition in
everyway.
Through the columns of The Tri
bune, Bass & Heard invite trade.
ROUNSAVILLE £ BROS.
Exclusive Wholesale Grocers and
Cotton Factors,
The oldest wholesale grocery house in
Rome is that of the above. It has been
continuously operated under its present
name since 1868, and is one of the largest
houses of its kind in North Georgia.
Aside from the grocery line, the firm
has for many years been leading cotton
factors in Rome. Individually and as a
firm Messrs. J. W. and J. A. Rounsa
ville have for years been closely identi
fied with the growth and development
of the city, and have been connected
with all enterprises that have made
Rome the city that it is.
Rounsaville & Bro. do a general
wholesale grocery business and enjoy a
trade embraced within a territory
covering one hundred miles. Their cot
ton commission business is a tnost im
portant one, and in which they have
been very successful. Parties having
cotton to ship will do well to call upon
this firm. Besides being interested in
a number of enterprises in and around
the city. Rounsaville & Bro. are large
stock holders in the Rome brick com
pany, (a large concern whose manu
factured products are known through
out the South) and own the only mer
chant mill in this section at Chambers,
Ga , where flour and meal are made by
roller process. But for the lack of si ace,
the writer might continue to name many
more enterprises with which this firm
are prime factors, suffice it, therefore, to
say it is one of the strongest and most
substantial institution in Rome.
R. J. RAGAN,
A Prominent and Successful Whole/
sale Grocers and Cotton Factor,
Success, to a large extent, in every
branch of industry depends upon the
intelligent proficiency which involves a
thorough knowledge of ell the minute
details embraced therein. Combining all
these characteristics in such an eminent
degree, and transacting a very extensive
trade, the annual aggregate of which is
a very significant item in the general
total of ihe ci'y’s commerce, the above
house must be accordtd a ptace in these
columns equally prominent to that
which it bolds in the squares of business
among its contemporaries. V hat some
noted houses are to the east—firms that
have gained the most extensive reputa
ti< n and become headquarters for their
special lines—that of R. J. Ragan is to
Rome.
The business is one of long standing,
having been incorporated about thirteen
years ago. The premises occupied at 17
Broad street comprises of a substantial
brick structure two stories high.
The line of goods carried consists of
staple and fancy groceries canned goods,
tobacco etc, while a sprcialty is made of
meal, flour, meats, corn, bran, oats and
produce of all kinds. The trade of the
bouse extends with'n a radius of sev
enty-five miles from Rome and is
covered by a traveling salesman.
The extensive trade enjoyed by this
house is the outcome of the polic.vof
fair dealings and liberalitj’ to the
patrons.’
Besides his grocery business, Mr.
Ragan is one of the largest cotton
buyers and factors in this section and
parties having cotton to ship could
find no better house to consign their
cotton.
As a citizen of Rome. Mr. Ragan
ranks with the most progressive. He
has long been an important factor in
R. J RAGAN.
the growth and development of the
city, and no enterprise that has had
for i s object the advancement and
development of the city has ever fail
of hie support. It is a pity the city
did not have more men of his kind.
W, H. COKER £ Co.
The Leader of Low Prices, Wholesale
and Retail Dry Goods. Groceries etc.
The advantages possessed by Rome
as a centre for the distribution of vari
ous articles of merchandise have become
fully recognized and have resulted in
the establisheinent of a trade that is
surpissed by but few of the larger
cities of the state.
One of the leading representatives
of both the wholesale and retail
branches of business in the city is the
firm under notice.
The business of W. H. Coker & Co.
was founded about 1880 as J. W. Coker
& Co; subsequently it was known as
Coker & Donahue and in 1891 the
present firm name adopted
The house has done much to en
hance the wholesale trade of the city;
and as to the retail departments it is
surpassed by no competitor, either in
price or quality of goods sold. For
many years Coker & Co. have always
taken the lead for low prices and pro
pose to maintain that position if low
prices, coupled with quality and mag
nitude of stock will do so.
The premises occupied comprise of
two brick building twostories high at
19 and 21 Broad street. In all these are
about 14,200 square feet of floorage
beside basement accommodations un
der each building, all of which is
utilized in the business. Besides these
buildings a large frame warehouse
100x200 feet in dimensions on East
First street is used for the storage of
bagging, salt, cotton, etc.
The extensive quarters are sub divided
into different departments, each con
taining an ample, well assorted and
carefully selected stock of the various
lines of goods carried, which embraces
a complete assortment of American and
imported dry goods, notions, hosiery,
furnishing gooHs. dress poods, silks.lin
ens, etc., shoes, hats, caps, and a gen
eral line of staple and fancy groceries
The Ann enjoys the most intimate re
lations with manufacturers in tbecoun
try. Thus, by buying in large quanti
ties from first hands, they are enabled
to quote such prices as to attract trade
from a la r ee territory.
Coker <fc Co are also extensive cotton
buyers, and are probably the largest
buyers of wagon cotton in the city.
Bring your cotton to them, and you will
te sure to get the too market prices.
KELLEY £ M’WILLIAMS,
Wholesale Grocers and Commisions
Merchants, 13 Broad Street-
The central location of Rome, and
its excellent shipping facilities, have
resulted in the acquisition of a large
wholesale trade which is steadily
growing in importance and opera
tions. A comparatively recent addi
tion to that branch of trade in the
city, and one that has continued to
prosper since its inception, is the
well known bouse of Kelley & McWil
liams at number 13 Broad street.
Although the firm is the youngest
of its kind In the city, the amount of
sales made during the first year of its
existence is sufficient to place it among
the leaders. The firm was founded
about twelve months ago, and is com
posed of H. E. Kelley and M. B. Me
Williams, two young and hustling
men thoroughly experienced in the
business.
The building occupied by Kelly &
McWilliam is a brick structure com
prising of two floors and cellar all of
which are utilized by the firm in the
prosecution of its business. The
stock carried comprises of staple and
fancy grocers, farmers supplies and
etc. Standard guano and phosphates,
baggings and ties are also among the
article handled by this house.
The cotton business is in charge of
Mr. A. W. Futrell, a thoroughly ex
perienced cotton buyer. Remember
Kelley & McWilliams do a large busi
ness in this line and always pay the
highest market prices.
R, D VAN DYKE.
Wholesale Groceries and Dry Goods,
Commission Merchants and
Cotton Factors
Probably in the history of the repre
sentative houses, no more striking ex
ample can be found of what can be ac
complished by energy, integrity and
well directed effort, that is so strikingly
exemplified in the successful career of
the above named.
It is one of the leading houses co ex
istent'with the development of Rome,
and as such is entitled to favorable and
more than ordinary mention in this edi
tion.
It occupies a leading position in its
line of trade, and during its existence
h '-s maintained a high reputation for
uprightness, commercial enterprise and
animation, and as each year passes it
gains an additional value, making more
prominent the honorable and enlight
ened policy foi which he is so conspic
uous.
The business of R. D. Van Dyke has
been in operation for the past ten years,
aud its proprietor enjoys a trade that
extends within a radius of 100 miles
from Rome. The premises occupied
consist of a lai ge two story brick build
ing. at 2 and 4. Broad street, with large
warehouse in the tear, which extends
through to Second street. The store
buildings are 30x200 feet in dimension,
and every available space on both floors
are occupied for the display of the large
stocks carried. Neatness prevails on
every band; there is a place for every
line of goods, and these goods are al
ways in their place, and displayed to
advantage.
The energies of the house are directed
to the grocery and dry goods lines, aud
a large wholesale and supply business is
conducted. The lines of goods carried
comprise of staple and fancy groceries
of all kinds, bagging, ties, etc , dry
goods, dress goods, silks, notions, gents’
and ladies’ furnishings, clothing, hats,
caps, shoes, boots, etc. In the grocery
line specialties are made of ‘ Pride of
Rome,’’ a high grade patent flour,
“Daddy’s Dollar,” “Jack the Ripper,”
R. D. VanDyek’s “Happy Joe,” “Hon
est. Racer” and “Winston’s Boom” to
baccos. Specialties are also made of
teas, roasted and green coffee, etc.,
while the house has long been the rec
ognized headquarters for bagging, ties
and fertilizers.
As a cotton commission merchant
and factor Mr. R. D, Van Dyke ranks
among the largest in the city, and con
signers of cotton and parties hauling
the fleecy staple to Rome will find that
he always pays the top market prices
Also liberal advances are made on con
signments.
This bouse, since the day of its in
ception, has steadily prospered and the
sales constantly increased. Its work
has been constant to one purpose—to
establish a business which would be
known everywhere for its excellence,
the honesty and faith of its merits. As
in the past, so in the future, the man
agement wishes to do all in his power
for the patrons of the house. It is his
wish to r-gkrd each customer not mere
ly as a patrou, but likewise a friend,
and if jou are not already either of
these remember R. D. Van Dyke hopes
to make you so. ~
ROME HARDWARE CO.
Wholesale and Retail Dealers In
Hardware, Cutlery, Guns, Stoves,
Wagon, Buggies etc, ,
The career of a business house i the
rule and standard by which the pub
lic tests its capabilities and general
worth. When a company has been
uniformly successful, furthering pros
perity with time, it naturally imparts
confidence to the people. Such is the
case with the Rome Hardware com
pany, an incorporated body doing
both a wholesale and retail business
in Rome.
The company was incorporated in
1886 and is under the official guidance
of B. T. Haynes its president.-
The place of business, located on
Broad street is a two story brick struc
ture with basement, and afford am
ple room for the storage and display
of goods.
The stock carried embraces foreign
and domestic hardware, cutlery, guns
and sporting goods, stoves, tinware,
wagons, buggies, harness, etc. Be
sides doing an extensive retail trade,,
a large wholesale business is conduct
ed that extends throughout the ter
ritory embraced within one hundred
and fifty miles of Rome. Two traveling
men are kept upon the road supply
ing the wants of the trade in thia
territory.
The interior of the store is neatly
arranged and would compare favora
bly with any of the large establish
ments in the various cities of the
North. The Rome Hardware com
pany’s store is a credit to the city
and its management is deserving of
the large patronage accorded it.
CURRAN SCOTT £ CO.
The Reliable Dealers in Fine Wines,
Liquors, Etc,
The wholesale liquor business of Rome
is an important factor in the comme-cial
transactions of the city, and the above
firm one of its most reliable representa
tives.
Tbe business is one of long standing
and deserving of the large patronage ac
corded it. The endeavor of the manage
ment has been to sell only goods that are
known to be reliable, and at the same
time give the customer the lowest pos
sible prices. The firm never misrepre
sents any goods sold and are thoroughly
reliable. If they have not got what you
want, they will tell you so. The wisdom
of doing business on these principles is
manifetted in the large trade of the
house which extends into Florida,
Texas, Mississippi Louisiana and
Georgia.
The firm handle none but pnre and
unadulterated goods and buy direct from
manufacturers and importers, paying
cash for their goods and discounting
their bills which enables them to meet
all competition in price both at home
and abroad.
Here are some of their prices:
Best cooking sherry at different
prices.
California claret $3.00 per dozen.
Fannin county sweet and sour mash
corn whiskey $2.00 per gallon.
Best distilled rye whiskey, by the gal
lon, at $2.00, $2.50, #3.00 and $4.00.
Old peach aud apple brandy $2.00 to
$3.50 per gallon.
Old peach and honey, $2.00 to $3.00 per
gallon.
Also the finest bottle whiskies, bottled
by distillers, from 75 cents to $1.50 per
quart.
These are but a few of the leaders of
the firm. They carry all kinds of liquors
and will be glad to quote you prices at
any time. Write them for listed cata
logue.
TERHUNE-NIXON CO,
Hardware, Stoves, Agricultural Im/
plements wagons and Buggies,
The oft quoted expression “from a
needle to an anchor, ’’ is scarcely an
exaggeration when applied to the
stock carried at the establishment of
Terhune—Nixon & Co., 229 to 231
Broad street, whose business was in
cepted in 1894. The premises consist
of three floors, the whole of it
being utilized for the display of tbe
stock, which embraces all kinds of
shelf and heavy hardware, builder’s
hardware, cutlery, mechanics and
machinists tools, agricultural imple
ments, stoves, tinware, mill supplies,
and a thousand and one other articles
that are in daily request by the
builder, the housekeeper, the me
chanic and tbe agriculturalist. A large
line of saddles and harness are kept in
stock and a specialty is made of tbe
Rome made (Toccoa) stoves, and steel
ranges which are the best, the cheap
est and the easiest to keep in repair
of any stove on the market. Tbe firm
of Terhune-Nixon & Co. are widely
known, and are among the largest
dealers in their particular lines of any
in the South.
(Continued on Page Eight.)
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