USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Hyman's Handbook of Indianapolis : an outline history and description of the capital of Indiana, with over three hundred illustrations from photographs made expressly for this work (1897) > Part 16
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firm has enjoyed great success, and achieved a high reputation for the excel- lence of their productions. They manufacture large quantities of soda water and all the ordinary mineral drinks. In the manufacture of their product only the purest water from deep driven wells is used. City water is not used even for cleansing the bottles, thus insuring freedom from bacterial pollution. The bottling department is at the rear of the building. Steady employment is given to a force of 20 skilled hands, while experienced traveling salesmen are kept upon the road. Eight delivery wagons are kept busy delivering orders in the city. Beside this establishment, the firm has a large bottling works at Dayton, Ohio, and also at Louisville, Ky., and it has a large business throughout the Central States. It is perhaps due largely to the energy and wide acquaintance of Mr. Miller, whose personal popularity has done mnuch to extend the interest of the house in this city.
Jacob Metzger & Company .- The largest, finest and most complete bot- tling establishment in the state of Indiana is that of Messrs. Jacob Metzger & Co., at 30 and 32 East Maryland street. ESTABLISHED 1877. Mr. Metzger began the business in 1877 and in 1884 the trade had ex- panded to such proportions as to ren- der increased facilities absolutely nec- essary. Accordingly, with his usual JAC METZGER &C2 BOTTLINGWORKS BOTTLERS&DEALERS IN FOREIGNADOMESTIC BEERS,WINES. enterprise, he erected his present hand- some and spacious building, four stories with basement in height, 34 x 118 feet, and L attachment in rear, 23 x 34 feet. CHAMPAGNES. ALES & PORTERS MINERAL WATERS METZGER'S and put in a complete equipment of all machinery driven by a 25-horse-power TAFEL BEER. steam engine and all modern appliances known to the business. Many of the best known brands of imported and do- 30. JACOT METZO od. mestic beers and wines are bottled by this house and the stock is unsurpassed for variety, purity and excellence. An extensive equipment is employed for the distillation of water that is used in the manufacture of the carbonated bev - erages. The trade extends over Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Mr. Metzger came to this city in 1850, and is promi- nent in business circles and enjoys the esteem of the community and all with whom he has business relations. On January 1, 1896, the business was pur- chased by Frederick C. Wellmann, who has been identified with the house since 1SS2. He conducts the business under the old firm name, and the policy of the house will be continued in the same liberal manner as heretofore.
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Municipal Engineering, published by Municipal Engineering Co., the best and most important magazine devoted to the particular field which it fills, was established in 1890. It is recognized as the foremost representative of the interests connected with the improvement of cities, embracing the field of paving, sewerage, water- PAVING SEWERAGE works, parks, etc. It circulates MUNICIPALS ENGINEERING throughout the United States, Can- ada and foreign countries, and at the World's Fair was awarded a medal and diploma for excellence. From an unpretentious pamphlet of 16 WATERWORKSVE PARKS pages it has grown to a magazine of MIXMAGAZINE nearly 150 pages. Its editorial poli- DEVOTED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF CITIES cy has been to rely on men whose technical education and experience GOOD ROADS, STREET CONSTRUCTION. CLEANING AND LIGHTING. SANITATION. have distinguished them as best quali- fied to discuss questions treated in BRIDGES. the magazine, and civil engineers, PUBLISHED BY . . MUNICIPAL. ENGINEERING COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS NEW YORK ~9 analytical chemists, contractors and others who have achieved the dis- tinction of being foremost in their class, are among its contributors. William Fortune is president, Charles C. Brown associate editor, and Charles O. Roemler advertising manager. A branch office is conducted in New York City.
Indianapolis Sentinel, Democratic, was established in 1822, is published by the Indianapolis Sentinel Company, daily, weekly and Sunday.
Indianapolis Journal, Republican, was established in 1824. Issued daily and Sunday, by the Indianapolis Journal Newspaper Company.
The Indianapolis News, an independent evening newspaper, was estab- lished in 1869, by John HI. Holliday. It is published every afternoon except Sunday. Charles R. Williams is editor and Wm. J. Richards manager.
The Sun, an independent evening paper, is published every afternoon ex- cept Sunday, by the Sun Publishing Company.
Indiana Tribune, German, is published daily and Sunday.
The Daily Reporter, published by the Reporter Publishing Company, makes a specialty of court news, etc.
The Indianapolis Daily Live Stock Journal is devoted to the interests of shippers and is published at the Stock Yards.
The Daily Telegraph, established in 1864, is the only German newspaper published in this city that is a member of the associated press. It is the oldest German paper in the city and is published by the Gutenberg Com- pany, and is Independent-Democratic in politics. The directors are H. O. Thudium, president ; J. B. Jeup and F. Striebeck.
Indiana Volksblatt, established in 1847 and published by the Gutenberg
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THE DENISON HOTEL.
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Company, is the oldest German weekly paper in the state. It is Independent- Democratic in politics. Die Spottsvogel, a humorous and literary family paper, established in 1864. is also published by this company.
Other publications are numerous, embracing weekly. semi-monthly and monthly issues, among which are a number of the most influential trade jour- nals in America.
The Denison, erected in 1879, is one of the leading hotels, and occupies the finest building in the city designed exclusively for hotel purposes. In character of its appointments and management it ranks with the very best in America. It is a modern hotel in every detail. The building is an imposing six-story and basement structure, with a front of dressed stone, on Pennsyl- vania street, covers a quarter of a block of ground, and is a solid building, 200 x 202 feet in dimension. It is located in the heart of the city, and reached by the principal street railway lines passing the Union Railway Station. It is heated by steam and natural gas, and lighted by its own electric lighting plant. It contains 310 rooms, and can comfortably care for Soo guests. The rates are $3 and upward per day. The hotel is operated on the American plan. D. P. Erwin is the proprietor, and T. J. Cullen, one of the best-known and most popular hotel men in the country, is manager.
ENGLISHI'S HOTEL.
The Commercial Club Restaurant is conducted on the top floor of the Commercial Club building, and is the most attractive and popular café in the city. It is first class in every respect, the rates are moderate, and the service is of a very high order. George H. Bryce is proprietor.
The Normandie, which is located at the southeast corner of Illinois and Georgia streets, one block north of the Union railway station, is the best
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FANCY CHINA WARE
DAUGGISTS & STATIONERS SUNDRIES.
BOOTS & SHOES
EEEEEI
FANCY GOODS. TOYS.NOTIONS
PRINTER
FUR OO.M
MAYERS
MAYER'S
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CHARLES MAYER & COMPANY.
strictly European hotel in the city. It was opened in September, 1894, by George W. Koehne, the present proprietor. The rooms are well furnished, and the rate is from 50 cents upwards. In connection with the house is .one of the finest appointed cafés in the city, where the very best the market af- fords is sold at extremely moderate rates.
Hotel English was erected in 1884, and occupies a four story and base- ment stone front building, in the northwest quarter of Monument Place. The house has just been remodeled, with a lofty and spacious rotunda, elegantly appointed offices and reading rooms, dining room, etc., on the ground floor, and over 100 guests' rooms newly furnished throughout. The house is bril- liantly lighted by electricity from an independent electric light plant. Every- thing in connection with the hotel is strictly first class, and it is undoubtedly the best and cosiest hotel in the west operated at its rate ($2 per day and up- ward). Jerry S. Hall is the proprietor of the hotel.
Peter Sindlinger, wholesale and retail pork and beef packer, 207 West Mich- igan street, Indianapolis, Ind. Supplying the population of a city such as
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
THE KORI
NORMANDIE HOTEL AND CAFE.
indianapolis with necessary meat products is a business of ever-expanding, dimensions, which is well represented by a number of active, progressive men of enterprise, ability and capital. Among these is Mr. Peter Sindlinger, wholesale and retail pork and beef packer, whose packing house stores are at 207 West Michigan street. He is one of the oldest established dealers in this line, and his house has always commanded a prominent position in the fore- most rank. He founded this business over a quarter of a century ago. Hle -s well equipped with every convenience, and provided with every facility for conducting and managing his business on a large scale, and besides supplying a substantial, permanent family custom, fills orders at wholesale for the trade. Mr. Sindlinger does all his own curing and packing, and makes a specialty of sugar cured hams, breakfast bacon, shoulders, kettle lard, dried beef, bologna and other sausages.
John Wimmer, optician, 14 N. Pennsylvania street, began business in IS78. Ilis specialty is the manufacturing of optical goods, lenses for spec- tacles and lense grinding of eve y description. Ile carries in stock a full line of optical goods and artificial eyes. Mr. Wimmer brings to his business a thorough and practical knowledge of its science and requirements. He is a graduate of the Chicago Opthalmic College, the Cleveland School of Op- tics and the Eclectic School of Physicians and Surgeons of Indianapolis, and is president of the Indiana Optical Society.
The C. B. Cones & Son Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of "Cones Boss" overalls, coats, pants and shirts, is one of the largest manu- facturing establishments of its kind in the United States. The factory con-
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INTERIOR OF COMMERCIAL CLUB RESTAURANT.
sists of a three story and basement building on North Senate avenue, 50 by 200 feet. The business was established in 1879 by C. B. Cones, Sr., and from a very small and modest beginning. it has extended its operations until at the present time the output is sold throughout all of the central, western, and southern states, furnishing employment to more than 400 hands and requir- ing ten traveling salesmen to visit the trade. The range of manufacture in- cludes "Cones Boss" overalls, pants, shirts, hunting suits, boys' shirts and waists, and ducking clothing generally, in great variety. The business was incorporated in ISSS. The present officers of the company are: C. B. Cones, president; H. B. Hibben, vice-president; John W. Murphy, treasurer, and 1I. L. Browning, secretary.
John L. Moore, Wholesale Grocer, 124 and 126 South Meridian street, has been established since 1SSo. His house does an extensive business through- out Indiana and Illinois, employing six traveling men. The business is commodiously housed in a three story and basement brick building, in which a very complete stock of staple and fancy groceries are at all times carried.
Ward Brothers Drug Company, 22 South Meridian street, was incor- porated in 1896. This company is one of the large concerns representing the wholesale drug trade in this city. The business was begun in 1866 by Dr. Boswell Ward, who established himself in a retail way at the corner of New Jersey and St. Clair streets. In 1869, his brother Marion Ward joined him in the business, and continued with him at this point until 1871, when a branch establishment was opened in the Buschman Block on Fort Wayne
O.
24
HOVENE
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PEMBROKE ARCADE.
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avenue, which he conducted until the consolidation of both stores in 1872. In IS79, the firm entered the wholesale trade by sending out a representative in the person of H. D. Porterfield to visit the retail trade of Indianapolis, and inaugurated a system of delivering goods directly to the purchasers. This concern, therefore, while not the first to engage in the wholesale job- bing trade in Indianapolis, is the first, however, to have a local representa- tive to drum the local retail drug trade. In ISSI the firm moved to 40 East Washington street, where they conducted a wholesale and retail business on a much more extensive scale. In IS90. they again moved to 22 South Meri- dian street, devoting themselves entirely to the wholesale drug business. The concern now employs six men, and the trade extends throughout Indiana, and parts of Illinois. The officers of the company are: Boswell Ward, presi- dent; Marion Ward, treasurer; C. S. Dearborn, secretary, and HI. D. Por- terfield.
Sheridan Brick Works, office SS North Pennsylvania street. The works of this company are located at Sheridan, Indiana, on the Monon railroad. The business was incorporated in 1891. The officers of the company are: M. J. Osgood, president, and Oliver H. Root, secretary and treasurer. The plant at Sheridan is equipped with the very latest improved machinery, and is one of the finest plants in the state, with a capacity for manufacturing 75,- 000 sand red brick per day.
The Indiana Manufacturing Company, offices 401-405 Indiana Trust Building. This company was organized and incorporated in 1891. The oti- cers and directors of the company are A. A. McKain, president ; T. King, vice-president ; J. K. Sharpe, Jr., secretary and treasurer, E. C. Nichols and B. T. Skinner. The company acquired the patents owned by James Buchan- an on pneumatic straw stackers and forty-seven other patents, and after in- troducing their machine licensed every manufacturer of threshing machines in the United States and Canada to build them on a royalty in connection with their machinery. The first license was granted in 1892 and the first machine was built under license in IS93. It is now estimated that over three-fourths of all the threshing machines in the United States are equipped with these stackers.
Indiana Cigar Company was established in this city during the year of ISS5, by the present proprietors, D. C. Hitt and J. B. Hitt, who are now lo- cated at No. 32 South Meridian street. The premises comprise a ground floor 20x 120 feet in area, and are well equipped with all conveniences for conducting the large trade established. The factory of the Indiana Cigar Company is located at Urbana, Ohio, and is under the management of Mr. J. B. Hitt, while the Indianapolis house is in charge of Mr. D. C. Hitt. They . employ a full force of assistants in the house and six traveling salesmen, this branch supplying the trade in Indiana and eastern Illinois, the trade being both wholesale and retail. The specialty and leading brand sold by the branch house, is the "Pathfinder," for which a large demand has been cre- ated ; and they also deal in the best makes of fine grade five and ten cent do- mestic goods.
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Charles Mayer & Co., importers and jobbers in toys, fancy goods, drug- gists' and stationers' sundries, etc., Nos. 29 and 31 West Washington street .- This business was established by the late Mr. Charles Mayer, Sr., in 1840. He was a pioneer citizen who contributed, while living, much to this city's advancement. In 1865 Mr. William Haueis- en was admitted to an interest. In ISSo the latter named gentleman retired and in ISSS WHOLESALE & RETAIL. four new members were taken into partner- FANCY GOODS ship, the firm thus continued, consisting of Charles Mayer, Sr., his two sons Messrs. Charles Mayer, Jr., and F. L. Mayer, Fred. Berger and Louis Muir. In 1891, the worthy founder of the house died, and in January of TOYS & NOTIONS the current year, Messrs. Berger and Muir retiring, the business has since been conduct- ed by Messrs. F. L. and Charles Mayer under the original firm style. The premises occu- T CHARLES MAYER pied consist of a spacious and commodious five story and basement building, having a frontage and depth of 34× 195 feet, also a warehouse in rear of the above, on Pearl street, five stories and basement, 34 x So feet, and one on Senate Avenue South, three stories and basement and having lineal front- age and depth of 60x 120 feet. The system CHARLES MAYER, 1840. that prevails in this immense establishment indicates the most careful supervision, while the judgment and taste displayed in the character of the stock proclaim the management to be thoroughly experienced in the business and keenly acquainted with the wants of a highly critical trade. The assortment embraces a full line of fancy china and cut glass, sterling silverware, sporting goods, bicycle supplies, fishing tackle, stationery, fine perfumes, soaps, toilet goods, toys, druggists' sundries, cutlery, games, fancy goods and a vast array of small wares and notions far too numerous for particularization in these pages; importations of novelties being made direct from England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Bohemia and continental Europe generally. An average force of from ninety to one hundred and ten experienced assistants are employed in various ca- pacities in the home headquarters, while the interests of the house on the road are ably looked after by a corps of nine traveling salesmen, a large and steadily growing trade being enjoyed, which radiates broadly throughout Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee, Kansas and Nebraska. Messrs. Mayer are both natives of this city, and are prominent and popular members of the Board of Trade, Commercial and Country Clubs and German House.
WHOLESALE
MILLINERY
JACKSON PLACE.
Showing Main Entrance to Griffith Brothers, Wholesale Milliners.
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Griffith Brothers, importers and wholesale dealers in millinery, began business at Dayton, Ohio, in 1863, and established themselves in this city in 1876. The market in millinery from this point at that time was very limited and did not extend beyond a radius of one hundred miles. Their enterprise and ability has contributed to make Indianapolis one of the most conspicuous millinery markets in the country to-day. The growth of this busi- ness has demonstrated that this city is spe- cially favored in its location, for the firm finds it natural and easy to do business with all the trade in the central, western and southern states. The stock carried by this firm com- prehends everything in millinery and no con- cern in the country has a better understand- ing of the wants of the trade nor has better facilities to meet them. Griffith Brothers' storerooms, which comprise six floors, a solid block in length, over 200 feet. supplied with two power elevators and handsomely appoint- CHIETITH BROTHERE. ed throughout for the accommodation of their large business, are located in the center of the wholesale district. The building has two fronts of imposing architecture, one being directly opposite the main exit from the Union Station in Jackson Place, as shown in illus- GRIFFITH BROTHERS. tration on preceding page, and the other on Meridian street, which is shown in accompanying engraving.
D. P. Erwin & Co., Dry Goods, Notions, etc., No. 106 to 114 South Me- ridian street .- The dry goods trade in its various departments has no more able and enterprising exponent in this section of the country than the old established house of Messrs. D. P. Erwin & Co. This house dates its com- mercial existence back to 1859, when it was founded by Messrs. Webb, Ken- nedy & Co., to whom in ISSo succeeded Messrs. Johnston & Erwin. Four years later D. P. Erwin & Co. was organized, D. P. Erwin and Charles O. Lockerd as special, constituting the firm. In ISS7 the scope of operations was further extended by the purchase of the interest of Messrs. Byram, Cor- nelius & Co., Charles H. Erwin and Alvin S. Lockerd becoming partners. The present structure was erected and taken possession of in IS90. The building rises six stories in height, is equipped with elevators, and is located on the corner of South Meridian and McCrea streets with an L on Georgia street. The stock is an immense one and the trade exclusively wholesale. The departments are eleven in number, covering every branch of the trade in dry goods, notions and woolens, the handling of carpets being made a feat- ure in 1894. The firm is one of the most active and extensive importing
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105
D. P. ERWIN & COMPANY.
houses in the state, and likewise controls the entire output of several of the largest cotton, woolen and carpet mills in the country. The interests of the house on the road are ably looked after by a corps of eighteen traveling sales- men. Mr. D. P. Erwin has lived here since ISSo. He is also, apart from this interest, owner of the Hotel Denison, is now serving his second term as president of the Commercial Club, is ex-president of the Board of Trade. C. H. Erwin lives in New York city. Alvin S. Lockerd is an active, ener- getic young man of the highest standing. Mr. Louis P. Goeble, for 20 years with the firm, is in charge of the credits and several other departments.
Meyer Brothers, controlling agents throughout Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska for the sale of the product of the Kis-Me Gum Company of Louisville, Ky., began business in this city in 1892. Dur- ing their early connection with the concern their business was confined to Indiana and they were represented by four traveling men. The energy with which they applied themselves to their business, together with the merit of
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the goods they represented, attracted recognition, and the field of their labors was widened until the several states which they now control were added. To cover this territory requires fourteen travelers, and tons of advertising matter, reaching nearly $125,000, are used annually in advertising Kis-Me chewing gum in this field. During the year 1895 Meyer Brothers have sold over one hundred and thirty million cakes of Kis-Me gum, or on an average of two cakes to every man, woman and child in the country. Considering that their first year's business resulted in selling seventeen million cakes of gum it will be observed that their trade in three years has increased nearly eight-fold, a truly remarkable showing, in the face of the strongest kind of competition. Kis-Me Gum is made up in six flavors and is one of the most popular articles of its kind in the market, and the demand is constantly in- creasing. The offices are located in the Pembroke Arcade, and the members of the firm are Leo and Louis Meyer.
Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict, sole manufacturers of the Remington Standard Typewriter, with a capital of $3,000,000, have become one of the
3 & Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict. 34
o
0000 0
REMINGTON
WYCKOFF, SEAMANS & BENEDICT.
by the present manager, Mr. G. E. Field, and several thousands of their well- known and popular machines are now in use in this state. The surprising success of the Remington is due to the fact that the manufacturers have kept up a constant march of improvements in order to keep pace with demands of the users. The result of this with the firm's enterprise in making known the merits of their machine has contributed to procure for the Remington Stand- ard Typewriter its universal recognition as the standard writing machine of the world. The local office is located at 34 East Market street.
gigantic and pre-eminent manufacturing establishments of America. There is notli- ing in the his- tory of commer- cial enterprises more strikingly suggestive than the growth of this business. From very small beginnings about the year 1873, the growth has been un- precedented. The local office was opened in this city in 1885
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The Bowen-Merrill Company, Publishers, Book-sellers, Stationers and Paper Dealers, has been in existence for more than half a century, tracing its establishment back to the house founded in 1838 by Samuel Merrill, Sr., grandfather of the present treasurer of the firm. In January, 1885, Bowen-Stewart & Co. and RO Merrill, Meigs & Co. were consolidated and the present house incorporated. The business is lo- cated at Nos. 9 and 11 W. Washington street, and occupies five floors, running clear through to Pearl street. A branch house is operated in Kan- sas City. The Indianapolis establishment is one of the largest, most complete and best equipped book stores in the country, and there are only LAW BOOK PUBLISHERS- two houses in the United States from which more books are distributed annually. It has been said that Cincinnati is the musical center, St. Louis the art center and Indianapolis the BODAS & SIATIONERY. literary center of the west. True it is that Indi- anapolis buys more books than any other city of four times its size in the United States. In re- cent years The Bowen-Merrill Co: has directed THE BOWEN MERRILL CO. special attention to publishing, building up a list BillNye's NGh Book. which includes the works of James Whitcomb Riley, Edgar Wilson Nye (" Bill Nye"), Sarah T. Bolton, Richard Malcolm Johnston, Col. Rich- ard W. Thompson, Hon. William H. English, Thomas L. Harris and many others of the promi- nent authors of this country. As law publishers, this house ranks among the very largest in the THE BOWEN-MERRILL CO. country. Its publications include some of the most successful law works that have been issued within the last ten years, and its list of authors contains the names of the most prominent legal writers in America, including Judge Byron K. Elliott, Charles Fisk Beach, Jr., Judge John M. Van Fleet, R. M. Benjamin, W. P. Fishback, Roswell Shinn, Judge Harrison Burns, William Watson Woollen. The publications from this department go into every nation in the world where the English language is spoken. Silas T. Bowen, one of the founders of the Bowen-Stewart Co. house, retired from active participation in the business in January, 1885, and died in December, 1895. Samuel Merrill, for many years at the head of the house, retired in 1890. The business is now under the management of William H. Elvin, William C. Bobbs, Charles W. Merrill and John J. Curtis. The history of the house is one which reflects credit upon the city and state, because to maintain and develop a large book establishment requires a community of culture and a population of book readers.
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