The History of Louisville, from the Earliest Settlement till the Year 1852 Part 15

HAYES, CRAIG & CO.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN HATS, CAPS, STRAW GOODS, FURS, &C.

485 Main Street.

But a few years have elapsed since all the hats sold in this market were the produce of eastern factories; and this department was not considered of sufficient value to be detached from other branches of trade. In latter years however, it has reached a position which makes it equal in importance to most other branches. Western merchants are fully aware of the value of Louisville as a market for hats, and even where many other articles are purchased elsewhere, this market is always selected and preferred by the buyer for his bill of hats.

Few firms have as rapidly grown into the favor and confidence of the community as the one referred to above. They possess an enviable reputation throughout the South and West, both as elegant manufacturers, and as prompt and efficient men of business. Neither Beebe of New York, nor Rousto of Paris, are better known or more prized as hatters by the residents in the valley of the Mississippi. This is proven in the fact that their sales at wholesale reach the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, while their retail trade adds to this the sum of fifty thousand dollars more. Their manufacture is chiefly confined to the finest quality of hats. They employ from twenty-five to thirty hands.

This house also deals largely in furs, their purchases in this article amount to about thirty-five thousand dollars annually. Their market for these furs is found in London and Leipsie.

POLLARD, PRATHER & SMITH, LATELY P. S. BARBER & CO.

MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN HATS, CAPS, FURS, AND STRAW GOODS, No. 455 MAIN STREET.

This establishment, the oldest in the city, also commands a very prominent position in the western country. What has before been said with reference to the hat business, applies equally well to this establishment. The energy and promptness of this firm as manufacturers, the extended character of their business relations, and the high position which they occupy at home as well as abroad, have not only insured their own prosperity beyond any usual contingency but have added to the fame, the business and the resources of the city.

Some idea may be formed of the increase in this department of business, when it is a.s.serted that the sales of this house alone now reaches an amount greatly beyond what five years ago were the entire sales of the city. Hats made in Louisville always find the preference with western and southern purchasers over those made elsewhere. Not only are the qualities greatly superior, but the styles are far preferable; and for a similar cla.s.s of goods, the prices are equally as low as those of any other market. In these remarks, reference is of course had to the best quality of hats. There is no department of trade which has increased, and still promises to increase more rapidly than this.

The purchase and export of furs and peltries is also extensively carried on by this house.

The two examples of this business given in this volume will bear favorable comparison with any other hat houses in the West; if indeed they do not surpa.s.s all their compeers.

NEEDHAM'S MARBLE SHOP AND WARE ROOMS, Jefferson St. between 3rd & 4th, North Side.

This establishment has been in permanent and successful operation for the last seventeen years, and is, we believe, the oldest one of the kind in the city. The greater portion of the marble used; is imported directly from Italy in the block, via New Orleans. The foreign and domestic marble business has been a rapidly increasing one from the period of its first introduction, and our workmen have readily availed themselves of all the improved manufacturing processes. They are therefore prepared to furnish all articles in their line at as low a price, as the same articles can be furnished at any point in the West. Fine articles of manufactured marble are now _cheaper in the city of Louisville than in the city of London_.

At Needham's Marble Warerooms may be found a well arranged stock of marble Mantles, varying in price from twenty-five to one hundred and fifty dollars. They are made of Italian, Egyptian, Irish, and the Sienna marbles. He also makes to order the various descriptions of furniture marble work.

In the department of monuments, tombs, tablets, and general cemetery work, his stock and designs are said to be the largest in the West. All work sent from the city is carefully packed, and warranted free from breakage.

The aim and object of the proprietor is to establish a permanent business by doing good work at moderate prices.

HUGH WILKINS, MANUFACTURER OF MATTRa.s.sES, CARPETS, CURTAINS, FLAGS And all articles appertaining to the business of the UPHOLSTERER, Wall Street, four doors below Main.

In Louisville, the business of upholsterer is one of great importance. The large number of steamboats which are built and furnished at this point gives a great deal of work in this department of manufacture. The reputation of this city as an admirable place for procuring articles of this description has attracted much trade from other points. The factory of Mr. Wilkins, now in the twelfth year of its existence, is one of the best and most favorably known in Louisville and in the West. It is perhaps more in this than in any other department of manufacture that the purchaser is compelled to depend on the honesty as well as the taste and judgment of the workman. The reputation of this factory is a sure guarantee for the first of these qualities, and the many specimens of work to be seen all over the city and in most of our steamboats, will readily establish the other. A very large trade has been built up for this concern by the fidelity and carefulness of its proprietor. The whole interior fitting of steamboats and houses is undertaken here. Beds, carpets and curtains of all descriptions and qualities are made and fitted up in a style of superior excellence. The spring-mattra.s.ses made at this factory have a wide spread and deservedly great reputation. Some of those mattra.s.ses have not only been used during the life of one boat, but have been removed from one steamer to its successor several times. The use of spring mattra.s.ses on steamers is probably the severest test to which they can be subjected.

METCALFE'S BREWERY.

METCALFE & GRAINGER, MANUFACTURERS OF ALE, BEER, PORTER, AND BROWN STOUT.

Market Street, between Sixth and Seventh.

This brewery, organized in 1832, is the oldest in the city, and is equal in point of size and capacity to any in the West. The long practice in this manufacture which the senior partner of this firm has had, and the well-known reputation of the establishment are sufficient proofs of the quality of articles manufactured here. Situated in the centre of a splendid grain market, with water equal to any in the world, and with thoroughly practiced and competent workmen, the Louisville Ales, Beer, Brown-Stout, &c., cannot be anywhere surpa.s.sed. The Brown-Stout from Metcalfe's Brewery is fully equal in every respect to the London article; and the experiment of placing it, in Bya.s.s' bottles, before the best connoisseurs has been frequently attempted, and always with success. It has, however, a reputation of its own and does not therefore need a foreign stamp to make it currently received. Beside furnis.h.i.+ng the interior of most of the western States, Messrs. M. & G. find a very extended and ready market for articles of their manufacture in the larger cities. Memphis and St. Louis receive and sell large quant.i.ties of these articles, and scarcely a boat leaves for the Tennessee or c.u.mberland rivers without having among her freight more or less of the products of this brewery. Cards announcing the presence of these articles for sale are every where shown out as inducements to the lovers of these delightful beverages. In Louisville the brewings of Messrs. M. & G. are highly valued by all.

CLARK BRADLEY, MANUFACTURER OF COACHES, CARRIAGES, BUGGIES, &C.

Main Street, between Brook and First.

The manufacture of carriages is not carried on as extensively by any single firm in the West as in the East. The business is however one embracing a large amount of capital, but the number of manufactories prevents any single house from doing a very large amount of work. Carriage building in Louisville has, however, recently partaken of the impulse which has been given to every department of manufactures. There are fully three times as many carriages built in Louisville now, as there were three years ago. The smaller establishments in the interior places have been obliged to resign to the superior quality and price of Louisville work.

There is no city in the Union where there are so many private vehicles used, in proportion to the population, as in Louisville. This fact has led to the endeavor on the part of carriage makers here to compete with foreign workmen. And with the single exception of heavy carriages, Louisville builders are at any time ready to furnish carriages at the same price as they can be had in the East.

Mr. Bradley's establishment will afford a very fair example of this business. It is one of the oldest in the city, and has a fine reputation.

The quality of work manufactured here cannot be surpa.s.sed, and Mr. B.'s thorough knowledge, long experience, and personal attention to his business, have done credit to him, and tended to advance the interests of this business in the city. His sales extend to Kentucky, Tennessee, North Alabama, Arkansas, and even to Mississippi and Louisiana. Fully one third of the sales of this factory are made out of the State. Mr. Bradley employs about twenty hands, who receive about ten thousand dollars annually. His sales amount to about thirty thousand dollars. The value of this as a market for this species of manufacture, is fast beginning to be felt: and it cannot be doubted that it will become ere long the very best market of the country.

BAKER & RUBEL, MANUFACTURERS OF CARRIAGES, ROCKAWAYS, BUGGIES, &C.

No. 650 Main Street.

This manufactory, though not so old as many of our carriage shops, is still one deserving especial notice. The proprietors are themselves constantly employed in the details of their work, and the result of their knowledge, attention and experience is plainly observable in the work which proceeds from their establishment. They possess the entire confidence of the community, and, for the short time they have been employed in their business, have been in every way very successful workmen. Although the greater part of their sales are made in and around the city, they yet send their carriages over a large part of the southern and south-western States. It is idle for western and southern buyers any longer to indulge the foolish opinion, that better, more durable, or more elegant carriages can be bought in the eastern markets, than can be had at home. Such an opinion was held until recently in regard to fine furniture, but that has disappeared under the earnest endeavor of Louisville manufacturers, and it is time for western purchasers to learn to depend on their own workmen for supplies of every sort. Messrs. B. & R. have now in their establishment carriages of all sorts which will favorably compare in point of elegance with those made in any part of the Union, and will far exceed any others in point of durability. This matter is one deserving the attention of carriage buyers, and if they can only be persuaded to make a trial of Louisville work, the fame of the city in this regard will be easily established.

DR. JOHN BULL, MANUFACTURER OF THE FLUID EXTRACT OF SARSAPARILLA.

Office on 5th Street, below Main.

Dr. John Bull has used in the manufacture of his Sarsaparilla within the last year 3,648 gross of bottles, 27,744 packing boxes at a cost of $6,885 50, and affords constant employment to about 55 hands. Amount of sales for the year ending this date, $255,700 90. Dr. Bull commenced the manufacture of this article exclusively about five years since, and the full amount of sales at that time was about $5,500, which amount was entirely consumed in advertising and printing of various kinds. The second year sales about $38,600. Third year, $89,200 50. Fourth year, $157,030 70. Fifth year, $255,700 90, as per above statement. The demand for his Sarsaparilla is greater now than it has been at any time previously, and its reputation is becoming more extended. He has received large orders from California, New Mexico, and the island of Cuba. Wherever it has been tried, the sales of it have increased, which is a sufficient guarrantee of its efficacy and standing in all places where it has been introduced.

THOMAS WILLIAMS & Co.

GAS FITTERS, AND PLUMBERS, No. 462 MARKET STREET.

This establishment is the only one of the kind in the city, and since its commencement a little more than a year ago, it has rapidly grown into favor. Few persons are perhaps aware of the fact that all those minor elegancies and luxuries which follow the establishment of water works in a city can be procured and put in operation by this firm as readily and completely, as in cities ever so abundantly supplied with water. Water closets, bath houses, wash basins, pumps, boilers, and all the appurtenances of an elegant mansion are here manufactured and furnished in complete order. Most of the residences built since the existence of this firm, have taken advantage of these furnis.h.i.+ngs, and many of the older dwellings have added a part at least of these conveniences. These gentlemen also import a great variety of gas fixtures of all descriptions, as well as wrought iron welded tubes for steam, gas and water, which they put up in a superior style. They also manufacture bra.s.s work of all the lighter descriptions. The Beer-Pumps which are seen upon the counters of our coffee houses, are also from this factory. These pumps are of a very superior quality, and are exported from the city in large quant.i.ties.

Steamboat plumber's work also forms an important part of this business.

The well-known steamer Eclipse was furnished from this establishment. All the work done by this firm is of the very best quality. These gentlemen are thorough and accomplished workmen, and attend in person to the details of their business. There are few plumbing establishments in this country with which this will not bear favorable comparison.

MILNE & BRUDER.

LITHOGRAPHERS, No. 44 Third Street.

Lithographic printing is a very important branch of the Art, and one in which excellence is rarely attained. It is applicable to a very great variety of work, and hence is worthy of much consideration. Few persons are probably aware of the utility of the art referred to. Maps, landscapes, cards, bill heads, labels, drawings for the Patent Office, anatomical plates, and in fine all the work of the ordinary printer as well as of the draftsman and of the engraver, can be executed by the lithographer. To do all these things well, an office requires to be thoroughly organized, to possess artists of ability, and to be in the hands of men of artistic taste as well as of business capacity. In all these respects, the office of Messrs. Milne & Bruder is complete. In all those cla.s.ses of work which come within their province, these gentlemen enjoy a high reputation. Prompt and efficient in their business relations, tasteful and artistic in the execution of the work entrusted to them, they are enabled to command a large amount of patronage, not only in Louisville, but all over the West and South. The new map of Kentucky lately issued from their press, is of itself a sufficient guarantee for the character of the work executed at this establishment. This map is the best ever published, and its authenticity is in no whit inferior to its mere artistic excellence. It is steadily growing into public favor, and is deservedly appreciated wherever it is known. There is no lithographic establishment in the West, which can and does execute a greater variety or a better quality of work than that under consideration.

G. W. BRAINARD & CO.

PUBLISHERS OF SHEET MUSIC.

AND DEALERS IN EVERY DESCRIPTION OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, AGENTS FOR JONAS CHICKERING'S PIANO-FORTES.

No. 117 Fourth Street, Mozart Hall.

But little more than a year has elapsed since the publication of sheet music was begun by this firm. Their catalogue however already embraces a large number and a great variety of excellent music. The success of their publis.h.i.+ng house is by the practical talent and fine taste of the proprietors, already placed beyond a contingency of failure, and only needs the necessary lapse of time to become complete. As is well known, Louisville numbers a great many accomplished musicians and musical amateurs among her population. There is perhaps no other American city of equal size where this art is so much cultivated and so high in favor with the whole people. Music publis.h.i.+ng, the necessary consequence of this state of affairs, becomes therefore an important branch of business.

Messrs. B. & Co. are high in favor with our musical people, have published a good deal of Louisville composition, and are rapidly finding a large market abroad as well as at home for their production. These gentlemen are also agents for Chickering's celebrated Pianos, as well as for other favorite brands. Their attention is also particularly directed to supplying Bra.s.s Instruments for bands. And they offer excellent security for the quality of the articles which they keep. As a music store, their establishment is a favorite resort with the amateurs of this delightful art.

PETERS, WEBB & CO.

Publishers of Music, Main Street, bet. 2d and 3d, Opposite Bank of Ky.

PETERS, CRAGG & CO.

MANUFACTURERS OF PIANO FORTES, Main Street, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth.

J. WEKERLE & CO.

ORGAN MANUFACTURERS.