La Salle was among the
very first to appreciate and utilize the telephone, and long before
Exchanges were thought of had several private lines in successful
operation which were quickly followed by many others, when the
"Exchange" plan was developed. Outside of the larger cities La Salle was
among the first of the interior towns of our state to take hold of this
new and novel invention. The general plan of operation is a central
office, with wires radiating in all directions to the various
subscribers, any of whom desiring communication call up the central
office, giving the number or name of the party wanted; the connection is
almost instantly given.
The Exchanges in La Salle and Ottawa are
controlled by the same company, and free connection is given with each
other to all subscribers. In good weather the transmission is as
distinct and satisfactory as though but a mile apart. An Exchange at
Princeton, recently opened by the same Company, has also been connected
with La Salle, and a nominal fee is charged for use of this line. The
Exchange here, starting with 45 wires, has run up to 115 with fair
prospects for more. Mr. Wm. H. Allington, manager of the W. U. Telegraph
Co.'s main office here for the past nine years, was the prime mover in
the establishment of the system and is Exchange manager. Under his
management the telephonic service has become highly efficient, and with
a keen perception of the wants of the patrons, he secures the addition
of every new feature which tends towards improvement in the practical
workings of the service. His place in charge of the Exchange interests
here and his position at the central office would be difficult to fill,
as no one could watch matters more closely or more earnestly endeavor to
study and meet the wants of the subscribers. The work of the central
office is thoroughly systematized. Every ''connection" is recorded, and
between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. the exact time of connection is also noted.
The daily average for the week, month and year is ascertained. Last year
(1881) 204,960 connections were made, a daily, weekly and monthly
average of 561, 3,941 and 17,080, respectively. An operator is always on
duty, the central office never being closed. Subscribers and other
interested are welcome to call at any time after 3 o'clock p. m., and
the practical working details, etc., will be explained by the manager or
operator on duty.
It is impossible for us to give more than a passing notice of our schools in a pamphlet such as this; but the few facts here given will not be uninteresting. The public schools are well organized and conducted under the wise administration of a prudent school board, aided by an efficient staff of teachers. At present there are five gentlemen and sixteen ladies employed, and the school work is acknowledged by all visitors to be characterized more by substantial work than showy pretensions. The High School department is a credit to a city of principally a mining and manufacturing population as La. Salle. The assistant principal, Prof. M. A. O'Conor, A. M., one of the few graduates in the schools of La Salle county, is acknowledged to be a teacher of experience and high literary attainments. He has been engaged for the past eight years in his present position an unprecedented length of time; and though dealing with the children of so many conflicting elements, his bearing has been characterized by firmness and impartiality deserving the public confidence which he enjoys. The wisdom of the school board is shown by the fact that when they have a good teacher they recognize the fact and make it an object for him or her to stay. There are a few private schools which are also well patronized.
Boots and shoes are a necessity certainly where perpetual summer doesn't reign.
Hottentots, Ethiopians and Digger Indians may manage to get along well
enough without them, as their duties are not usually considered arduous
or particularly fatiguing from a pedestrian's point of view; but in
civilized communities, from infancy to old age, from the hod carrier to
the aesthete, all must have foot-covering. Boots and shoes grew up with
civilization. The primitive shoe was simply a piece of skin or some
other material fastened to the sole of the foot to protect it from
injury by coming in contact with the ground. Then the article was made a
little wider and turned up around the edges so as to afford some slight
protection to the sides of the foot, and in time it dawned on the
intellects of people that they might just as well bring the opposite
sides of the piece of skin together on the top of the foot and they had
the moccasin or original shoe. Then continuing the skin further up on
the ankle the primitive boot was finally developed. Next the attention
was turned to the methods of manufacture and the principles of tanning,
and as leather became known the form of boots and shoes gradually
assumed the shape in which we now find them. Then later inventions
brought forth the Standard Screw Fastened Boot and Shoe, and about this
time George A. Wilson came to La Salle and opened up a small stock of
goods for which he paid cash. Selling cheap soon had the effect to bring
him plenty of customers and he kept on buying and selling, and after the
lapse of six years or about the present time, he finds himself in
possession of a large store filled with every kind of foot-covering
made, leading among which is the above mentioned standard screw fastened
goods.
Everything that any ordinary person could ask for in the
way of foot gear can be had in Wilson's store. He has everything in the
way of mens' boots, from the finest calf to the coarsest and heaviest
brogans and plow shoes. Boys' wear is one of his specialties, and
parents will do well to remember this, as there are no better goods of
the kind made than can be found on his shelves. Childrens', misses' and
ladies' shoes and slippers, light and heavy, lace and button, kid,
pebble goat, calf, cloth, etc., etc., are in large assortment. In rubber
goods, boots of all kinds can be found, as well as overshoes.
Mr. Wilson asks the attention of every careful and economical buyer in
the vicinity to the following:
He has no old or undesirable
goods to offer at apparently low prices to catch the eye and look cheap
in print, but having largely increased his facilities offers a large and
complete stock of standard goods, made on honor, that will give service
and satisfaction.
He makes a uniform bottom price on all goods;
not bating a person on staples, such as plow shoes, etc., and then
gouging him on custom fine goods.
If a merchant buys a large
stock twice a year on four months' time he pays enormous interest to the
jobber. He must sell a part of the goods at or below cost in order to
make his payments at maturity, has left on hand the sizes that his trade
does not demand, which soon become shop, worn and unsalable, and finds
when he has taken account of stock, that although he has made a profit
on a part of his goods he has gained nothing by his year of hard labor.
But Wilson doesn't do business on that plan, and his paying customers
don't have to make good to him his losses on bad debts. He buys for
cash.
He asks a trial knowing that honest goods, bottom prices,
promptness in attending to customers' wants, and a careful consideration
of their interests, will hold their trade.
A MYSTERY.
"I
that rustic path was treading, when the sun his rays were shedding
beaming, gleaming, fairly streaming thro' the trees; and I watched the
streamlet glistening, as, entranced, I there was listening to the
melting, merry music on the breeze, when, beneath a tree reclining,
where no ray of sun was shining, lo ! I saw a fellow-being on the ground
! Though no other feature shifted, quickly he his eyes uplifted upward
lifted as he wildly looked around. 'Good friend,' said I, approaching,
"do not charge me with encroaching are you waiting for some messenger of
news;' But no other word he uttered, and no other sentence muttered,
save 'You'll find there's none like G. A. Wilson's boots and shoes !' "
"That's a strange expression, surely," said I, looking down
demurely. "I trust, dear sir, that you the question will excuse." But he
only looked the prouder, as he spoke the words the louder, "There's
always perfect comfort in G. A. Wilson's shoes!" "Why bless me, man, I
shouted, as his sanity I doubted, '"Tis surely naught to me what
people's goods you use!" But he only cried the higher, with enthusiastic
fire, "You'll save your cash by wearing G. A. Wilson's boots and shoes!"
So I left him there reclining, where no ray of sun was shining, and
frequently I wondered at the words the man did use; thinking surely
'twas a mystery, and that some hidden history was weaving 'round myself
and G. A. Wilson's boots and shoes. So then I resolved to buy them and
have since had cause for gladness.
Law is older than man; it is as old at least as matter, for matter has always obeyed law. Divine law is said to be perfection itself; natural law may not be divine, but it seems to work after a pretty regular system. The intervention of man don't influence it very much, and he has been principally engaged heretofore in endeavoring to find out something about it. Human law man made himself, and of course he knows a little about it, or ought to. It is recognized as being somewhat imperfect and operating differently on different occasions and subjects. It has its uses and abuses. Its principal defect lies in its inability to maintain justice on a par with money, that is, with justice on one side and money on the other, human law holding the scale, justice is apt to fly up. As the world progresses this defect will doubtless be wiped out. Anyway law is necessary and not always abused. The abuse of it in most cases lies with the lawyer, though good, honest, intelligent and upright lawyers are not by any means few. And right here the attention of this community is called to the law firm of Hall & Allaben some time since established in La Salle. They are gentlemen in all that the term implies; men who are thoroughly posted in law matters; who know right from wrong and are ever ready to work in the cause of justice. They believe in faithfully serving their clients and earning the money they ask for their services. They practice in all the courts, and have been retained on a number of important cases now on the dockets. They will always be found reliable by those requiring legal services of any kind, and are worthy to be trusted with the management of any case requiring adjudication.
As man's strength is limited so is his ability to get over ground or, in other words, to move himself from place to place by walking. There is consequently a necessity for his being carried and no practicable automatic mechanical device having been heretofore invented that would pick a person up and carry him around, he has to resort to the old method of riding by horse power or else go on the cars. In cases then where it becomes necessary or desirable to ride, La Salle people always go to Philip Conlin for a livery rig, as he keeps the best and charges the least. His horses are always safe and at the same time as good travelers as can be found. With carriages always in good shape, heat, stylish and ready for service, Philip Conlin is one of the business men whom the city could not well do without.
John Martin has been for years one of the most popular of La Salle's grocers. He handles reliable goods only and sells at bottom figures, and customers always rely on getting what they pay for when trading with him. He has all kinds of staple and fancy groceries, dried and canned fruit and other goods, fish, vegetables of every kind in their season, hams, bacon, and other dried meats, with pickled pork, etc. Butter, eggs, and other country produce always on hand. The best brands of winter and spring wheat, graham and buckweat flour, with candies, nuts, and all sorts of confectioneries, flavoring extracts and the like; syrups, oils, etc., etc. Mankind, as well as all other animal creations must eat, or at least the opinion prevails that eating is a necessity, and until somebody proves that it is only a useless habit, eating will be continued. But starvation science advances slowly, and the head of the family and his better half acknowledges the case settled, anyway for their day and generation, and when they meet in friendly conference to discuss the matter they always resolve to trade hereafter wtih Martin.
It was ordained from the beginning that man must eat. Some have maintained that, eating is only a habit contracted in earlier days when primitive man roamed the forests with a caudal appendage and shook from the boughs of trees in showers the nuts they bore, and then in sport gnawed the bitter shells and found the sweets within. Such may have been the case, but the habit, if such it may be called, served to encourage in animal organizations the growth of an elaborate digestive apparatus that has never been eliminated and which insists now on being kept in operation, whether a fellow is a disciple of Tanner, a gouty epicure, a millionaire, or a tramp. But such is life, and as we find it pretty much so we must let it remain. S. E. Foster detected this feature of the case a number of years ago, and it was this which primarily induced him to open up the La Salle House and cater to the famishing public. He regularly feeds the hungry and gives drink (but not that which intoxicates) to the thirsty, and he shall have his reward, though with his moderate charges it is hard to understand how he manages to get it on this side of the river. That is his affair however. Nevertheless, for a square meal, a good bed or regular board, the La Salle House justly claims the preference every time. And it gets it.
The real estate and insurance business is well represented in La Salle
by Solomon Rosenhaupt. He represents a number of insurance companies,
among them the Royal, of Liverpool, recognized as the largest in the
world; the Queen's, of London; and the National, of Hartford. Insurance
is something that every man wants who owns property. The security of
perishable property can really be attained in no other way than by
insurance, and even here there is great liability to loss unless the
companies to whom the risk is given are perfectly sound - "time tried
and fire tested." Rosenhaupt's companies are all of the class on which
complete reliance can be placed, and a policy issued by him is good for
its face in case of loss.
The buying and selling of real estate
is a branch of his business which receives a large share of his time and
attention. He has always on hand a number of choice lots or other city
property, and frequently farms to sell or lease and intending purchasers
or parties desiring to sell can always find it to their advantage to
call on him.
As agent for steamship lines, Mr. Rosenhaupt
represents the Monarch, North German Lloyd, Hamburg, and several other
lines, running regularly to and from principal English and Continental
points. Parties wishing to visit the old world or bring their friends
here can always be supplied with tickets at the most reasonable rates.
Mr. Rosenhaupt is also a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public,
qualified to take acknowledgments, affidavits, etc., and attend to other
notarial business. He holds the scales of Justice and where the blind
goddess is offended by those with lax regard for law, he designates the
atonement due her, levies the assessment and collects the tax.
Conveyancing of all kinds promptly attended to and deeds, mortgages and
other papers made out in proper form. Last, but perhaps, not least, he
is qualified to tie the connubial knot when lovers call and so request,
and the opinion seems to prevail among many that the work is better done
by him than others though this is probable a mistake. A divorce can
generally be obtained in court if the reasons for asking it are good and
sufficient.
By way of appendix, it may be added that the Royal
Ins. Co. is the only company doing business in this country that pays
its losses in cash on demand without asking time or discount, and
persons desiring insurance would do well to remember this fact and call
on Rosenhaupt.
Thos. Crotty's Marble Shop in this city is an attractive place, by reason of the many finely finished monuments of various designs, sizes and styles. They are works of art, of the highest taste and skill, and of the finest grades of marble and granite to be obtained in this country. Extravagantly high priced work is not to be found here, but fine quality of stone, artistic excellence in finish and design are conspicuous features in every piece. Mr. Crotty has long been engaged in the business, understands it thoroughly and personally warrants all contracts and guarantees satisfaction in every case. Besides the finished stone-work on hand there is always in stock a liberal supply of the best material, with skilled marble cutters ready to execute any job required by patrons. There are a large number of monuments in every cemetery in this vicinity that have come from this shop, and each one speaks highly to its credit. Mr. Crotty gives his personal attention to the setting up of each monument ordered from him and never leaves one on an unstable foundation. Those wishing good work at low figures cannot find a better shop to patronize. Foreign and domestic granites, marbles, etc., always in stock. Mantles, and, in fact, all kinds of fine stonework executed with promptness and in a style to suit the most fastidious.
The man with an appetite agitating him asks where to eat. If he sojourns in Greenland his best plan is to hunt for a seal; but if he is in La Salle he cannot do better than call at the Pacific Bakery. All the delicacies of the season be it spring, summer, autumn or winter, are promptly served on the shortest possible notice. And not only are individuals served but parties as well. As a baker Mr. Orsinger has no superior. He has every facility for doing good work and good work is the only kind that he does. People in La Salle know this, and everybody patronizes him. Those giving select parties and wishing refreshments of any or all kinds invariably obtain them here. Festivals, excursions, pic-nics, etc., supplied with everything in the way of refreshments at the most reasonable rates. The dining- and sales-rooms have recently been most beautifully fitted up; and with ice cold soda, excellent ice cream, cool and pleasant rooms, everything contributes to make the Pacific Bakery and Restaurant the most attractive resort in the city. Mr. Orsinger first opened here 25 years ago, and in saying that he has distanced every competitor, is, at least equivalent to the statement that he has worn well.
The
extensive dry goods house of Breuning, Kilduff & Co. was opened in La
Salle last September, though the members of the firm have long been
known as thorough business men in this community. Opening with a
complete stock of dry goods, notions and fancy goods, and believing that
in coming before the people and soliciting a share of their patronage
the success attending business would be more securely attained by a few
rules well observed, they adopted the following platform to which they
adhere strictly in all cases:
1st. Polite and courteous
attention to all.
2d. Keep a complete stock of desirable goods.
3d. All goods marked in plain figures and strictly one price to
all.
4th. No goods misrepresented, and all goods taken back if
not found as represented, and the money refunded.
The stock they
offer is entirely new. There is not an old piece of goods in the house,
and hence customers need have no fears of having forced on them
unsalable or shop-worn articles. In the dress goods department the
assortment is simply complete, comprising everything that the trade
demands. A special feature is black and colored silks, many choice
pieces being found on their shelves.
A full line of dress
trimmings and buttons in all the latest styles form one of the principal
attractions for purchasers.
The stock of hosiery is unsurpassed
and comprises a fine line, from the cheapest cotton to the finest
brilliant lisle.
Parasols, fans, etc., are exhibited in large
and fine assortment at all prices and in all styles.
The white
goods department includes everything that should be found here. Special
attention is called to an elegant line of ladies' and children's muslin
underwear, unsurpassed in variety and excellence. Cloaks, dolmans, and
tolmas are kept in quantity, and made up from the finest and best goods.
The firm are determined in all cases to be leaders in the dry
goods business and not followers. They defy competition, and guarantee
the very lowest prices on every piece of goods sold. They have one of
the neatest and most finely fitted up stores in the city, and the entire
force, proprietors and employees, know all the ins and outs of the dry
goods business, and deem it a pleasure to wait on customers. During the
short time since their store was opened they have acquired A trade and
reputation that many old houses might well envy, and their determination
to merit prosperity has already given them a prestige guaranteeing the
future.
The "Crown"
comes into the market the last of all but it has sprung to the front
rank at once because it has taken the good features of all other
machines and put them in one grand combination, making the handsomest,
largest, most silent and lightest running machine yet offered. All the
"points" that twenty years' experience with all kinds of family and
light manufacturing work have proved to be absolutely good are found in
the "Crown." Other machines may have one, or two, or three, of these
"points," but none has them all. Every device really desirable is found
in the "Crown." Advantage has been taken of the experiments and
experience with all machines ever, invented and the "Crown" is a perfect
embodiment of everything good in them. It is the most powerful and
durable machine made. It is kept in sewing order for five years free of
cost. This is not done on any other machine.
Next comes the
Wilson OSCILLATORY SHUTTLE Sewing Machine. "Perfection having been
obtained, further improvements are impossible." The old style sewing
machines are fading away, and the Lightning Sewer stands solid as the
Rock of Ages. Its capacity for speed and a large range of work is
unlimited. It is made from the best material known; its shafts, needle
bar, presser bar, presser foot, hemmer, screws, and all small parts, are
made of the best steel. Its "take-up" is automatic, flexible, adjustable
and positive, and gives satisfaction wherever used.
Next is the
New B Howe. It has the loose pulley and improved bobbin-winder above the
table; new treadle motion; light running in all its parts; improved
stitch indicator; and wood work of the best and latest styles.
Last comes the Improved Singer - a Singer that doesn't sing, but sews
admirably. It is light running, has quick action, perfect working. Its
steel parts are accurately made by improved machinery from the latest
patterns and models. It has loose balance wheel so constructed that the
bobbin can be wound without removing the work from the machine; has
selfthreading eyelet, check lever and needle clamp; nickle plated
balance wheels, oil-polished cases and Gothic covers. Every machine
warranted.
The above machines have all the latest improvements;
are backed by the best companies, and sold at bottom figures. Mr. Thorp
has had the widest experience in this line of any man in the county: and
you will always find him with a full stock of machines, attachments,
needles, oil, etc. Repairing done promptly. Examine and get his prices
before buying.
Extracted 24 Aug 2018 by Norma Hass from City of La Salle, Historical and Descriptive, with A Business Review, published in 1882.
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