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252
NEBRASKA'S ENTERPRISING CITIES.

Indiana State Medical Association, Northeast Indiana Medical Association, Nebraska State Medical Association, and the local county association. In 1886 he took a special course at the New York Polyclinic, and is thoroughly prepared for his professional duties.

     NEBRASKA STAATS-ANZEIGER, Esser & Schaal, Proprietors; 129 South Tenth Street.--This paper was established in 1880 by Peter Karberg, coming under its present management in 1887. It is an ably edited six-page, nine-column weekly, printed in German, and has a circulation of 2,600. extending to all portions of the State. August Esser and Henry Schaal are the proprietors, both being well posted newspapermen. Mr. Esser, the editor, was born at M. Gladboch, Rhein Provence, Germany, his residence in America dating for the past nine years, eight of which have been spent in this city in the newspaper business. Mr. Schaal is a practical exponent of the printing business, having had seventeen years experience. He is a native of Belleville, Illinois, and located in this city eleven years ago.

     BOHANAN BROTHERS, Meat Market and Livery, 957 O Street.--These gentlemen were born in Peoria, Ill., but came here when Lincoln was in its infancy. First among their enterprises is the meat market, the oldest one in the city, established in June, 1868. They have occupied their present quarters for the past eighteen years. Their livery, feed and sale stable is at 221 South Tenth Street, and is a four-story structure, 36x130 feet. Sixty-five head of horses are kept, and a hack line is also operated, meeting all trains.

     LINCOLN DIME MUSEE, Bohanan Brothers, Proprietors, Harry Graves, Manager.--The museums of our country are doing much toward the education of the children--and some of the old folks too--to say nothing of the good, wholesome amusement they furnish. The freaks of nature that have caused commotion and study smong (sic) the scientists, the products of inventive genius, the inhabitants and customs of foreign climes, the many things that have lived in history, all combined with the choices gems of poetry and music, the finest specimens of the terpsichorean art and feats of strength that are presented every week, go to form a satisfying menu for the average mind, over which it may ponder during leisure hours and at the same time rest itself from the dull cares of business. The Wonderland Musee of this city is conducted upon the same high legitimate plane that has made these amusement resorts popular over the entire world. This musee was opened three years ago, the present proprietors taking charge in February, 1891. The building is three-story, 35x100.

     C. A. AND M. B. FLIPPIN.--Physicians and Surgeons. 4 and 5 Newman Block--As very successful combination of medical skill is that of C. A. & M. B. Flippin. Dr. Flippin is a native of Tennessee. He is the only colored physician in the city, and received his medical education at the Bennett Medical College of Chicago, graduating from that institution in 1881. Mrs. M. B. Flippin was born in Pennsylvania; she is a white lady and graduated from the same college as her husband in 1887. She has spent eight years in practice and her husband has had fifteen years experience in the profession, and belongs to the Electric National Medical Association. They came to this city from Henderson, Nebraska. Since coming here they have met with flattering encouragement. They hold consultations in German or English.

      THE LITTLE GEM LIVERY, BOARDING, FEED AND SALE STABLE R. D. Plowman & Co.. proprietors, 331 South Ninth Street.--"The Little Gem" is a most appropriate name for this stable, for, although many in the city are more extensive and pretensious (sic) in appearance, few are conducted in such a careful manner and with the evident desire to please. The barn is 25x142 feet, and besides the nine livery horses and their equippages kept for public hire, they have accommodations for thirty-eight boarders. Mr. R. D. Plowman came to this place six years ago, his native city being Baltimore. For five years he was handling horses, stock and real estate, with headquarters at the Palace Stables. In September, 1891, he established his present business.

     THE CUDAHY PACKING CO., Chas. Mulholland, Manager, Seventh and L Streets.--The Cudahy Packing Company and their "Rex" brands of canned meats, hams, bacon, lard, etc., have become extensively known. Their headquarters are at South Omaha, and a flourishing branch was established in this city in September. 1889, occupying a two-story building, 22x90 feet, and under the efficient management of Mr. Chas. Mulholland, is fast securing the bulk of Lincoln's trade. A force of seven employes and two wagons are kept constantly busy. The building is equipped with cooling rooms, where all the products are kept in perfect condition.

     NEBRASKA STATE JOURNAL--Lincoln the capital of Nebraska, and the second city of the State, with a wide-awake, enterprising population of 60,000 people, and rapidly growing in everything that makes a city prosperous, affords a splendid local constituency for the Journal. It is issued every morning in the year, containing eight pages of seven columns, while the Sunday addition is a feature of exceptional merit, and all together the Journal is the equal of any paper in the west. This paper made its first appearance on September 7. 1867, at Nebraska City, as the Nebraska Commonwealth. It had many struggles before it was issued regularly, and in the spring of 1869 the present name was adopted, the paper having been removed to this city. In 1872 the Journal Company was organized, and five years later the daily was enlarged. Owing to the increasing business the company was compelled to seek new quarters. and in 1880 the present elegant three-story brick, 75x142, at the corner of Ninth and P Streets, was erected, to which was added the most


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complete job printing office in the State. From 200 to 250 workmen are employed, and all kinds of book and job work, lithographing, blank book work, binding, etc., are executed. An extensive jobbing business is also carried on, in stationery, legal blanks, typewriters, copying presses and office suplies (sic). The daily Journal may be found in all the principal cities of the Union, while the weekly edition is read by the farmers throughout the northwest. The members of the company are all well-known and substantial citizens. Mr. C. H. Gere, Lincoln's present postmaster, is president; A H. Mendenhall, vice-president: H. D. Hathaway, secretary and treasurer; and John B. Clark.

     BARR PARKER, Fine Foot Form, Boots and Shoes, 1009 O Street.--A leading and most prosperous shoe house in Lincoln is that of Parker, who began business nearly ten years ago. He carries a stock valued at from twenty-five to forty thousand dollars and embodying all the latest styles in men's, women's and children's boots, shoes, and other foot-wear, and neatly arranged in a well-lighted and desirably located store room, 25x142. Five salesmen are employed, and customers always meet with prompt and gentlemanly attention at their hands. Mr. Barr Parker is from Monmonth, Illinois. He came to this city ten years ago and has been identified with the shoe business ever since, having spent ten years in business here. This firm bears an enviable reputation in the city, and its proprietors are among our most substantial business men; who have attained their success only by constant effort.

     L. BARR, Jeweler, 1133 O Street.--"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow," is a saying which, while probably not intended for Mr. Barr, certainly fits him perfectly. Mr. Barr entered the gates of the capital city, coming from St. Joseph, Mo, in 1874, with only seventy-five cents in his pocket. On arriving he immediately opened a modest jewelry store, and meeting with popular approval, it has grown to its present commanding proportions. One-half of a room 142 feet deep is occupied and a fine $9,000 stock is carried. A specialty is made of repairing, and one assistant is employed.

     WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY--This college, located north-east of Lincoln, in University Place. is most beautifully situated. It was established three years ago by the conferences of the M E. Church of Nebraska. The attendance for the past year was 220. The campus covers forty-four acres. The main building is an elegant four-story structure, heated by steam and arranged with all modern conveniences. In 1891. through the liberality of Mr. Jacob Haish, of DeKalb, Illinois, the handsome brick and stone building, four stories high and 58x126 feet, known as the Haish Manual Training School, was erected at a cost of $50,000. The course of study embraces classical, philosophical and scientific branches, while special attention is given to music, art, elocution, the bible, business, shorthand and typewriting. In the manual training school, two hours daily is given to the learning of various trades, and it may here be stated that this institution is the largest and best equipped of its kind in the United States. The military department and the literary societies are important features, while the library of 1,200 volumes is a valuable acquisition. The faculty is composed of fifteen instructors. Prof. Charles F. Creighton, the chancellor, is a well-known divine and educator,

     NEBRASKA TELEPHONE COMPANY, H. Eiche. Manager--The first "Hello! is that you?" was heard in Lincoln in 1880, and the success that has since followed the introduction of the telephone in this city is mainly due to Mr. Eiche, who has been in the employ of the company for the past six years. The offices are located in rooms 31, 32 and 33 Richards Block, and the services of twenty-five employes are required at this point. Seven hundred telephones are now in operation in the city, and the rates are $5.00 per month for business houses and $4.00 for residences. Mr. Eiche was born in New York, but has been in the west ten years. He is a pleasant young man, exceedingly popular with the public.

     THOS. DARNALL, Attorney at Law. Room 22, Richards Block, was born in Illinois, and came to St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, in 1871. He read law in Paris, Illinois, and was admitted to practice there before coming west. He was located at St. Paul until coming to this city some three years ago, and in 1880 was elected district attorney of the Sixth District, continuing in that office six years. He has extensive business interests and is president of the Hayes County Bank, of Hayes Center.

     HENRY PFEIFF, Fresh and Salt Meat, 314 South Eleventh Street. Mr. Henry Pfeiff, the proprietor, is a German by birth, but left the Fatherland twenty-seven years ago and came to America. In 1882 he came to Lincoln and five years ago began his present business venture. He occupies the basement and first floor of a building 23x65. The services of three assistants and two delivery wagons are required and at their slaughter house on O Creek, from 375 to 400 beeves are killed annually.

     ELITE STUDIO, T. W. Townsend, Proprietor, 226 South Eleventh Street--For twenty-eight years the subject of this sketch has been prosecuting his profession. He is a native of Ohio and was engaged in business at Iowa City, Iowa, for twenty-five years. He came to Lincoln three years ago. He occupies a building 25x90 and employs three assistants. He does all kinds of small work and enlarges in crayon and India ink. In the same building is the Lincoln Frame and Art Company, under the proprietorship of Mr. A. Betz and A. C. Townsend, established in November, 1891. They manufacture picture frames and frame pictures and carry a full line of artists' materials. Their work is all of a high order and neatly executed, and gives universal satisfaction.


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FRIEND.

POPULATION 1800.

     The solidest little city with the nicest people in the state of Nebraska, is Friend, in Saline county. We do not like to give praise but we must say that during our short stay in Friend we have faired well, been treated like old friends, and made more pleasant acquaintances than ever before in the same space of time. The standing and progress of a city is made and sustained by the worth and energy of its inhabitants, and in no place is this better shown than here. Friend is not particularly favored in its advantages; it has around it its share of the finest lands in this the "Garden" state of the Union, but other towns have as good territory to draw on. Yet Friend seemed to us to be more prosperous and its people more contented and happier than most other communities we have visited. While they naturally differ in politics and somewhat on the liquor question among themselves, they do not wrangle to the detriment of their town. The majority rules, and the minority falls in with them till the next election.
     Friend is located in the northern part of Saline county, 3 miles from the line of Seward county on the north, and 8 miles from the Fillmore county line on the west. The town is thus cosmopolitan and drawing its trade and asssociations (sic) from four counties, is not narrow but broad and enlightened in its views. It is on the main

Picture

line of the Burlington road between Lincoln and Denver, and has excellent train service, two passengers each way daily and two freights. It is some twenty miles from Wilber, the county seat of Saline, and about the same distance from Geneva, York and Seward, the county towns in the other three counties. For its size it thus enjoys a very large trade. Its business houses are unpretentious, but most substantial, and carry large stocks of the best goods obtainable. Of all the towns in Nebraska, not county seats, except Norfolk, Friend bears the palm for volume of retail business, honesty and capability of its merchants. The thing that first strikes the eye of the observant stranger on his getting off at the depot is the compactness of the town; it is all built together, just as the people pull solidly together. The alliance, otherwise known as the calamity party, has poor following in the vicinity of Friend. People here are prosperous, crops are plentiful and prices good; elevators are paying 60 cents for wheat this fall. A fine proof of the town's prosperity is the banks' condition; they have between $40,000 and $50,000 in their vaults begging for borrowers at the lowest rates of interest, and in these last two years have made very light dividends.
     The town has thirty brick two-story buildings costing between $5,000 and $16,000; the


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opera house will seat 700 people; Methodist, Baptist, Congregational, Catholic and Presbyterian Churches; flourishing Masonic, I. O. O. F., G. A. R., K. of P., A. O. U. W., Modern Woodmen, Redmen and Woodmen of the World lodges; it has a well appointed and convenient postoffice, under careful and able management and three mails from the east and three from the west daily.
     It has three hardware firms, each carrying about $8,000 in stock in season and out of season; two most reliable houses handling a general line of standard agricultural implements and wagons, besides two handling specialties; three dry goods stores with about $50 000 worth of as complete a line of staple goods as will be found anywhere; two meat markets: two law firms; three drug stores; four doctors; one dentist; three real estate and rental agents; three lumber yards; three milliners; one furniture store and undertaker; one good three story brick hotel; two horseshoers; three, wagon makers; two elevators of 60,000 bushel capacity combined; the last statement of the two banks, one a state and one a national, is as follows:

Capital
80,000
Surplus
22,000
Undivided profits
10,800
Individual deposits subject check
45,000
Time certificates of deposit
120,000
Loans
183,000

     Two harness makers; one clothing store; two newspapers; a cigar factory; five, grocers and two confectioneries; two coal dealers; two liveries
     The railroad came through Friend in 1871.
     The townsite was laid off in November, 1873, in sixteen blocks and 240 lots; the business lots are 25x150; the corporation limits now extend a little over a mile from north to south and about the same from east to west.
      The depot was finished in August, 1873. The town was named after Chas. E. Friend who to gain the good will and co-operation of the railroad, deeded to them three-fourths of the original townsite. Friend was incorporated as a village in 1882 and as a city of the second class in 1888. It has two wards. The councilmen from the first ward are Joseph Gilmore and E. H. Agee, the second being represented by Frank Hacker and Henry Mortensen. Mayor is Wm. Burke, treasurer, H. M. Proudfit and city clerk, C. F. Weatherly. The municipal funds are in first class shape and taxes are light and the streets are kept in good condition. For the year ending April, 1892.

The income and accumulated balance was
$3,493 27
Expenditure
1,495 54
Balance in treasury
$l,996 73

     The municipality owns a new brick building divided into council room and fire engine house. The fire department is volunteer; has a chief (who is also marshal) and ten assistants; it has the best apparatus made for this purpose consisting of engine, hose cart and hook and ladder. The highest building is the hotel over which the engine can throw a stream of water with perfect ease. There are no swamps or marshes in the vicinity of Friend and her people live in nice residences. The seven best private residences were put up at a cost of from $6,000 to $8,000 each for the house proper; the lots with appurtenances of waterworks, barn, etc. are valued at some $2,000 each.

REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS FIRMS AND MEN OF FRIEND.

     H. P. KING, Dealer in Dry Goods, Clothing, Boots. Shoes. Etc.--A substantial and reliable merchant of Friend is H. P. King, the dry goods man. Mr. King was for 12 years a successful farmer in Seward county, and when he resigned that calling to open a store in Oct. 1883, he at once entered on a large trade; he had to move several times, always into larger premises, and has occupied his present location 2 years. His store is 25x60 ft. and interiorly bears an air of substantiality and neatness, at once proclaiming the solidity and high standing of the house. This summer he bought the building and is using up stairs for cloaks and clothing department. The stock averaging $15.00 in value contains everything included under the above heading in each department, and is selected with care. Mr. King's long residence in this country telling him what articles best suit the people. He is well seconded in his store by three competent and experienced clerks. A leading merchant Mr. King is also prominent in public matters. He is a native of New York, came to Wisconsin in '58, and to Nebraska in '70. He is a Freemason, is president of the School Board and has been town councilman and city commissioner. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1880 and 1881 and again in 1886-7. He is energetic and progressive in anything he undertakes, is thoroughly alive to the interests of Saline and Seward counties, and is a pillar in the material wealth and social happiness of their people.

     R. R. KIDDLE, Dealer in Lumber, Lath, Lime. Shingles, Blinds, Etc.--R. R. Kiddie, the builder of Friend, is one of the stand-bys of her material greatness and social comfort. Born and raised in Illinois, he rendered 3 years of fathful (sic) service with Sherman in the Union cause in the 31st regiment from that state. He came to Nebraska in 1871 before the railroad and tonic a homestead a mile from town, commencing without enough money to buy a barrel of flour. He went into carpentry too in 1873. For years his life was a series of hard knocks and is so in large measure to-day, as his latest venture in handling lumber, goes to prove. In 1881 he sold his homestead and has followed his trade more closely since. Others have tried building here, many have failed to make it go, and Mr. Kiddle is about the only one who has made much money at it. He has been carpentering ever since he was big enough to drive a nail in his father's shop. He was some years in furniture but could not stand the indoor work entailed in that business. He owns the buildings he occupies covering four lots: since he started in handling lumber he is doing all the


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NEBRASKA'S ENTERPRISING CITIES.

trade because he is selling the finest stock at reasonable figures. He has built the best residences in the town, besides his own which cost more than any of the others. It cost $7,000, besides the ground valued at $2,000. The grounds cover half a block, 150x300 ft.; he has cistern and well water, sewerage, hot and cold water through the house, large barn, extensive flower beds. The house has a porch up and down stairs; the French roof, only one in county, took 12,000 ornamental shingles; the main staircase is 3 ft. wide, all hand work; down stairs is California redwood, hard oil finish. The handsome mantel is Mr. K's. own handiwork and is as expensive a one as could be put in a house; the house is heated by furnace.

     J. D. POPE, Attorney at Law, Newer Block.--A representative man of Friend is J. D. Pope, the attorney, who, during his six years' residence here has gained the goodwill of the people and the confidence of a large clientage. Born in lllinois, he graduated from Dartmouth in 1882. He commenced practice in Minnesota, where he was also appointed teacher of Latin and Greek at the Rochester College. He returned to Chicago in 1886, and in the fall came to Nebraska. He almost at once entered on a practice which has each year steadily increased and is now quite lucrative. While he has quite a reputation as a persuasive court-house orator he is a close student and takes great pains in preparing for argument in cases entrusted to him. He was in the State in the session of 1888-90. Mr. Pope is a Freemason, K. of P. and Redman.

     FRANK HACKER, Hardware--In connection with the high standing of the hardware trade of Friend the name of Frank Hacker occupies a prominent place. Mr. Hacker is a native of Waterloo, Iowa, where Hacker Bros., of which house he is a partner, has been conducting a hardware store twelve years. He came to Friend in 1887, conducting the business as Hacker Bros. until February last, when he purchased the entire interest. He has occupied his present stand since October, 1888. It is a corner brick and is well adapted to his trade; it is 30x75 feet with basement. The stock, which never runs below $7.000 in cash value, is thoroughly well selected, and an inspection reveals at once why the house commands such a large patronage. It consists of a full line of domestic and foreign-made shelf and heavy hardware and cutlery, carpenters' tools, and all the smaller farming tools and household novelties: parlor stoves and kitchen ranges, furnaces, granite and wooden ware, also oils, paints, seeds and lamps. In no store in the state do we find a more varied and useful stock, a specialty of the house being to keep no old-fashioned class of goods. In attending to his large trade he is assisted by three experienced hands. Mr. Hacker is an intelligent gentleman, leaving no stone unturned to sustain the wide popularity and esteem he is held in among the people. He has been for a second term elected to the town council, and belongs to the Redmen. He invites competition in his business and has ever been a strong factor in making Friend the best town to buy hardware and house furnishing goods in, in the four surrounding counties.

     AHL & DRUSE, Insurance and Real Estate.--Mike Ahl and C. M. Druse are energetic and trustworthy men, who formed partnership on June 1st last, having formerly for several years carried on two different businesses separately, Mr. Ahl the insurance and Mr. Druse the real estate. They write in three standard companies: the Hamburg, Bremen, Phœnix and Farmers' and Merchants' of Lincoln. They have 250 improved farms in Saline and adjoining counties for sale. They have land in Kansas, Colorado, Missouri and Western Nebraska, for sale or exchange; improved farms and city lots. They do a general rental business, and also loan money on real estate security. The first named gentleman is a native of Baden; came to America in 1859; was many years farming, and also learned the wheelwright trade. He served during the war in the 1st Ind. Light Artilery (sic). He came to Saline County in the spring of 1871. He is s K. P. and Modern Woodman. He has been in insurance eighteen months. He is serving his third term as county commissioner. Mr. Druse was born in Illinois. and came to Saline County in 1880, and farmed seven years. He was in the postoffice two and one-half years, and has been two years in real estate. He is an A. O. U. W. They do the largest real estate business in Saline County. They form a first-class combination of brains and energy, and being men of considerable means can guarantee to all putting business in their hands the best care and attention.

     WILLIAM PORTER, Coal.--One of the best known gentlemen of this section of Nebraska is Wm. Porter, of Friend. Mr. Porter is one the State's pioneer settlers. Born in Pennsylvania, he learned the trade of a carpenter and when he settled here in 1879 followed building till 1880, when he went into the coal business. This he handles both by the carload and at retail, and enjoys a very solid and comfortable trade. His yards are on the railroad and he carries at all times a large stock of coal, both for home and machinery uses. Mr. Porter crossed the mountains several times in the early days, to California, and still, every summer, he takes a trip to the Rockies, where he has many friends in all the mountain towns. He is instructive company, is a Freemason, and has served on the town council.

     C. M. CLARK, Successor to Dr. Hewitt, Drugs--A sketch of Friend without notice of the genial spirit of C. M. Clark would be the play of Hamlet with the Prince of Denmark left out. Mr. Clark bought Dr. Hewitt's business here on June 1st, having for two years previous been manager of it. It is the oldest drug store in town, and under the new ownership sustains its established name and increases its trade. Mr. Clark is the druggist of the town and does its prescription trade. The store is 25x60, with basement, and the stock,


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including everything in the line of drugs, paints and stationery, valued at $3.000 is carried. There is also a nice soda font. Mr. Clark is one of those old time, ideal--courteous gentlemen one reads of in the modern novel, but not often meets in the West. A native of the Green Mountain State, he came West in 1892, and was eight years at Fairmont. He is a prominent Freemason, Woodman, and an active member of the State Pharmaceutical Association He carries the best medicines and chemicals only in stock; makes prescriptions a specialty, and caters to the best class of trade.

     METZ & AGEE, Agricultural Implements.--A leading and representative firm in Nebraska, in their particular line, is that of Metz & Agee of Friend. They have the finest building for their purposes in this part of the State. It was built for a skating rink and was taken by Messrs. M. & A. last March, it is 50x96 feet, 4,000 feet of floor space, besides which they have more accommodation below their stage in the rear. They employ three hands and give their personal oversight to the business. The business was originally started as Rickard, Metz & Co. who were succeeded two years later (1889) by the present firm. composed of C. H. Mets and F. H. Agee. They are substantial men, thoroughly understanding the character of the goods they handle and what the surrounding country best requires. The first is a native of Iowa, has been in Friend five years and affiliates with the Woodmen. Mr. Agee is a native of Illinois, has resided nine years in Friend, is a member of the town council and also a Woodman. Resides carrying a large stock of the standard harvesters, mowers, binders, engines and all the repairs therefor, they handle sewing machines, wagons and buggies of leading makers. They buy their goods low and having an enviable credit can offer farmers the very best advantages.

     EDWARD WHITCOMB Postmaster.--The affairs of Friend's post office are well looked after by Edward Whitcomb, the oldest living settler of Friend. A native of Pennsylvania he was reared in Illinois, and when the South seceded at once offered his services to the Union: he enlisted as private in the 34th Illinois infantry and was soon raised to rank of lieutenant. He participated in fifty engagements, and commanded his company in part of the march through Georgia. He served the entire four years. He came to Nebraska in the spring of 1870 and took a homestead now partly included in the city of Friend. He farmed and raised fruit on this fifteen years and though still living there rents the farm. He has been postmaster eleven years. was ousted by Cleveland and took office again April, 1891. He has conducted the "Telegraph" 15 years, which is the oldest paper in the county. The paper, for which he does the editorial himself, is four page, 24x36. 7 column, is issued Fridays and has a circulation of 750. Three assistants are employed. Captain Whitcomb was a member of the legislature of '77 and took an active part in the famous Hitchcock and Saunders fight. He has been State Apiary Superintendent seven years and is superintendent of Nebraska's apiary exhibit at the World's Fair. He is a very active G. A. R. man, an Oddfellow and Modern Woodman. He is a pleasant, hardworking and educated gentleman.

     H. K. & H. A. JOHNSON, Dry Goods, Carpets, Boots, Shoes, Hats, Caps, Etc.--As fine a store as one will see anywhere is Johnson's dry goods emporium at Friend. It is a thoroughly modern concern. The business was founded in 1880 on the opposite side of the street, in a building 22x60 feet. In 1887 was completed the larger premises they now occupy, two-story 25x90 feet, with basement. It is roomy and furnished throughout with all conveniences. The carpet room up-stairs has a fine light. It is superfluous to say their stock running in value from $15,000 to $20,000, is complete in every respect. Messrs. Johnson's lifelong acquaintance with the trade telling them exactly where the best goods are manufactured and their high credit enables them likewise to buy at rock bottom prices and so can they always offer goods at low prices. Messrs. Johnson are natives of New York. H. K. was twenty years in Chicago in dry goods, with Field, Leiter & Co. H. A., his nephew, came to Michigan in 1863, to Kansas in 1870, to Friend in 1880. and was formerly in hardware. In these twelve years they have pulled together with equanimity, and hold the good will of the people in a marked degree. They employ two clerks. They are pleasant gentlemen, typical examples of the polished and successful dry goods man.

     PTAK & BROWN, Agricultural Implements, Buggies, Carriages.--A prominent house in the line of agricultural implements in our State is Messrs. Ptak & Brown, of Friend. Though comparatively a young concern, established February 23, 1891, they enjoy a large trade and have fully sustained the good name and largely increased the trade of their predecessors, who had been conducting business eight years. They have convenient premises, consisting of a two-story building 22x60 feet, near the depot, besides other warehouses. They handle everything in the line of implements and machinery, Deering harvesters, binders and mowers, Nicholls & Sheppard engines and threshers, besides Henney buggies, the Bain and Harrison farm wagon, and Davis and Household sewing machines. They are thoroughly experienced men, understanding the minutest details of the goods they handle. Frank Ptak is a native of Bohemia. crossed to America in 1860, was some years in Illinois and came to Friend in 1879; he ran a wagon shop here four years. O. J. Brown was born and reared in Nebraska. and passed most of his life on a farm: he has lived three and a half years in Saline County. Carrying a large stock and with ample capital they are prepared to offer best terms and inducements on these standard goods. and they make a permanent customer of every man and his friends they sell to.

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